Odds of matching to ophthalmology?

[dooogs]

I am a first year medical student and I was able to squeeze in some observeships before COVID-19 cancelled them. I really liked ophthalmology, I have a background in neuro-stuff (with a grad degree in that... and bunch of papers from UG and grad school). I liked neurosurgery observerships a lot too but the lifestyle is too much for me. I probably dont like it enough as others may say. 

Im still working on some neuro papers and started a small project in ophthalmology (probably be done by the end of first year med). Nothing compared to grad school papers obviously... since I would work on that research 37+ hours a week for years....

I didnt know anything about ophtho before med school, I basically looked into it because of neuro interest. I got terrified at the odds of matching. It seems like there is about 1.6 per spot.  I am flexible about where to go for it with some exceptions about very very remote areas.

Looking for some advice about what to do to increase my chances... electives, reasearch, reading up on stuff... idk what else! What type of volunteering would help? is that required?

Im not 100% sure yet obviously it's only been 1 semester but I have been reading a textbook on it and intellectually i enjoy it. 

Hoping to hear some advice about this rather daunting process!

 

Thank you...  

[helpmeplz]

44 minutes ago, dooogs said:

I am a first year medical student and I was able to squeeze in some observeships before COVID-19 cancelled them. I really liked ophthalmology, I have a background in neuro-stuff (with a grad degree in that... and bunch of papers from UG and grad school). I liked neurosurgery observerships a lot too but the lifestyle is too much for me. I probably dont like it enough as others may say. 

Im still working on some neuro papers and started a small project in ophthalmology (probably be done by the end of first year med). Nothing compared to grad school papers obviously... since I would work on that research 37+ hours a week for years....

I didnt know anything about ophtho before med school, I basically looked into it because of neuro interest. I got terrified at the odds of matching. It seems like there is about 1.6 per spot.  I am flexible about where to go for it with some exceptions about very very remote areas.

Looking for some advice about what to do to increase my chances... electives, reasearch, reading up on stuff... idk what else! What type of volunteering would help? is that required?

Im not 100% sure yet obviously it's only been 1 semester but I have been reading a textbook on it and intellectually i enjoy it. 

Hoping to hear some advice about this rather daunting process!

 

Thank you...  

another alternative is to match to neurology and then gun for neuroophthalmo fellowship, I’ve seen one neuro ophthalmologist who did her residency in neurology and not ophthalmo, and after that she’s mostly doing retinal cases in her practice! I honestly was surprised upon hearing that this was possible.

[dooogs]

4 minutes ago, helpmeplz said:

another alternative is to match to neurology and then gun for neuroophthalmo fellowship, I’ve seen one neuro ophthalmologist who did her residency in neurology and not ophthalmo, and after that she’s mostly doing retinal cases in her practice! I honestly was surprised upon hearing that this was possible.

I have not yet had the chance to "try out" neurology but I think I would like something more practical and hands on. So a surgical specialty...  but definitely looking forward to trying it out. Can't rule anything out before seeing it!

[Haribo7173]

Doesn't get much more hands-on than a neuro exam :p

[blah1234]

Someone's going to match to it so it might as well be you. You're early enough as a pre-clerk to have a good shot through things like research, strong elective performance, and good networking. It's never going to be a sure shot but nothing in the match is a guarantee.