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| * chances of getting ophthalmology |
| | #178342 |
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What are my chances of getting a ophthalmology residency. Is it realistic? would it be worth putting in the time for research, or a prelim year?
Im an IMG, have a USA citizenship, did ok on the step 1 and well on step 2.
If anyone could help me out ..that would be great. |
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| * Re:chances of getting ophthalmology |
| #738679 |
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Slim but very possible. A friend of mine did 2 years of research at UCSD and got into the program. Another schoolmate went straight to fellowship after passing all usmle steps. Their credentials were excellent and they finished ophtha residency and board certified in our home country. |
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| * Re:chances of getting ophthalmology |
| #739676 |
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thanks med91
I could say that my credentials are not that great. Ive only done my undergrad, and still have no us clinical experience. Do you think in your opinion I should consider it? My step 1 score-83 step 2-99, will be giving cs in a few weeks.
What do you think helps the most? reasearch? a prelim year of surgery? contacts?
But its something ive always wanted to do.
How does one find a good research position? and are any of them paid?
Thanks
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| * Re:chances of getting ophthalmology |
| #739686 |
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check out the training stats on FREIDA.. approx 25-35 FMGs start an Ophtho Residency per year in the whole country.. this year it was 25.
On an average you will need decent scores (your Step 2 is strong, however Step 1 is given a little more weightage), strong letters from US-based 'big name'
Ophthalmologists, a few publications with at least one in which you are the
first author.. and loads of network and contacts .. these will hopefully
fetch you interviews.. I think the most important factor will be if a
program really likes you.. that way nothing else matters..
The problem is that unlike medicine, pediatrics, etc positions are in short
supply and there is an excess of AMGs who want ophtho.. so there is no reason
for them to give it to an outsider (FMG)..
Having loads of degrees and experience from abroad will only help you in
your own sense of confidence.. if you push it, it could be seen as a put
off.. they could say why do they want to train you.. anybody can be
trained.. and they would rather start with a fresh mind that one who has
been through it..
Most IMGs end up matching at places that they have spent a year or two doing
the research papers .. so it would be imp to choose a place that has at
least 4 residency positions and where they have taken at least one FMG in
the past..
Bottom line: You'll get it if you really need it.. it all depends on how
much you want it.. but its not an easy ride and definitely can go either way. |
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| * Re:chances of getting ophthalmology |
| #739691 |
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Thanks matchmaker
Wow 25 is not a lot!
Im willing to put in whatever it takes, to go wherever I have to to get it. I just wanted to know if its a calculated risk, or if ive got false hopes.
What would be the best way for a programe to like me? To work and do research with them? Do you think a year of preliminary surgery or medicine would help or not?
Thanks |
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| * Re:chances of getting ophthalmology |
| #739703 |
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Definitely, To work and do research with them.
When you work as a paid clinical research co-ordinator, there may be big projects where you will only be working for whoever is paying you. Many times, these may be multicenter projects and you may not be able to get your name on the paper as an author. You will probably have to do extra work with the departments' Attending/Chairman/PD on local Principal Investigator-initiated projects to get your name in - the more work you do, the better your chances of being the first author.
Prelim IM or Surgery will NOT help getting an Ophtho Residency spot. You will be far too busy to do anything to improve your chances for Ophtho. The only advantage with it is having had USCE during the Prelim year and the very remote possibility of applying for a post match spot, which is probably only a theoretical possibility for an FMG and not worth considering as only 1-2 spots remain open after the match. Also remember that when you apply during your prelim year, you will have a gap year the next year before you start Ophtho as the SF Match matches cadidates a year in advance.
If I were you, I would be slightly concerned about my Step 1 score, but would try and make up for it by strong research and excellent LoRs. Your lack of visa issues will help you stay the course.
You will have to apply for both Prelim (NRMP) and Ophtho (SF Match) the SAME year after 1-2 years of research and publications. Consequently you will be attending 2 sets of interviews the same year. NRMP will match you for the Prelim spot the immediate next year and SF Match will match you for Ophtho the year after.
Good Luck! |
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| * Re:chances of getting ophthalmology |
| #741005 |
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Thanks matchmaker , thats some useful information.
I also wanted to know besides the NRMP and the SF, what is the CAS match? I read that some programs require that too. Would I need any extra credentials to enter the SF or the CAS matches?
Also how would I know which are the FMG freindly programs for ophthalmology?
Thanks |
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