 |  Observership, Externship, Clerkship, Research Asst
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| Author | 15 Posts |
lakshya
Forum Senior
Topics: 44
Posts: 106
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I am applying for match next year since i want to go in ophthalmology, and this year i did not get any interviews in ophthalmology, although i had 99/99 in step 1 & 2CK. I dont care how tough it is for foreign medical graduates to enter in ophthalmology. So planning for next year, what should i do?? Can anyone explain the terms Observership, Externship, Clerkship and Research assistant. What of these should i do?? Do anyone know any hospitals in chicago that offer these?? or anywhere in US?? I am ready to go to Alaska if they are offering me anything out of these?? But i want to acheive ophthalmology at any cost.
Your support would help me a lot.
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ek tu hi bharosa, ek tu hi sahara, is tere jahaan me nahin koi hamaara, he ishwar yaa allah yeh pukar sunle, he ishwar ya allah he daata WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG LET GOD HANDLE THE SITUATION.
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| minang
Forum Senior
Topics: 3
Posts: 229
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Based on my experince here in the US, CONNECTION is very important. It's more about WHO YOU KNOW than what you know. So...your homework would be find those residency programs in ophthalmology. Call/send emails to faculties there asking about opportunity for Observership, Externship, Clerkship or Research assistant. Research assistant might be a good way to involve for a long period of time, e.g. up to 1 year. Once you have connection with faculties of an ophthalmology program (the more senior, the better. If he is a PD in ophthalmology program, it would be like winning a lottery for you), and they like you a lot, sure they are willing to write recommendation letters and eventually to invite you to an inteview for the next match. Still might be it's a good idea to look at the ophthalmology programs that have experienced with IMGs. 
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| LifeInTheFastLane
Forum Elite
Topics: 33
Posts: 444
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Well lakshya...determination pays, so I guess you have the 1st step well in place.
You have excellent board scores, so theres your second step.
What you need now is exposure to the field. This one is complex...primo, do you have visa issues?Or do you have a GC? Not saying that GC is a must for what you want, but it can help a great deal.
Well, if you are still in med school, clerkships in US would be the best option for you - a fail-safe way to get US LORs and USCe that actually counts...if not, well, you can choose to do an externship, if you have the $$ (assuming that you have the time)
Well. if neither of these options work, well. look for a research assistantship in Ophthal..they might not be easy to find, but if you know what to write and whom to write to, you should find one withouth too great of a difficulty...
Issue underlying all this only one: VISA....for that may limit much of your activities and what you can and cannot do...this too has ways for circumnavigation...but they are costly and time consuming...
Goodluck friend..hold on to your drema, ...who knows how far it may soar!!
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| amirhossein
Forum Guru
Topics: 57
Posts: 857
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Apply for surgery prelim, because you need it for ophthalmology and it means One year USCE, which is wonderful.
Research is on the second improtance, email Ophth Proff for doing volunteer research, from 500 emails, 5-10 person may reply you.
Edited by amirhossein on 11/16/06 - 04:55 PM
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All human wisdom is summed up in two words: wait and hope
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| elissa
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 49
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If you volunteer to do research, the organisation may be able to get you a short-term J1.....well, they can, but whether they want to......
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| dev
Forum Guru
Topics: 70
Posts: 1,794
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good luck. follow your dreams
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| beefoxy
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 123
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Well, if you really want this specialty in US, you need to spend a few years in research in a good hospital, better university based. You have an excellen scores, but you don't have an american education, so you have to compensate it by proving your determination for the specialty.
i personally know 2 FMGs who got thier ophtho residency here, but both of them spent 3-4 years in research. I am doing the same thing, this is my second year in research at very good university (I found a position e-mailing places who offered preresidency fellowships in ophtho), and I applied for the residency this year too, so far only 1 interview, hopefully i will match at this place, if not, I continue my work, and by next year I will have 3 years of research and more han 10 publications in my resume. Hopefully it will help me next year..
So, it is your choice, how badly you want to be an ophthalmologist... In my case I am returning to my specialty, I was an ophtholmologist in my country and i want it REALLY bad...
Good Luck to you!
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BeeFoxy
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| mufurc
Forum Elite
Topics: 13
Posts: 186
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Couldn't agree more with Beefoxy! Research is the way to go! I have spent 4 years in research (total of 7 years) got worse scores than you did and I have 14 iv so far. (neuro).
Well, you have to be interested, too otherwise you will suffer. Research work in the USA takes a lot of determination and hard work. (Most places I know post-docs work average 12-13 hours a day... including weekends...) However, if you like what you do time flies by and you will have a much better foundation for an academic career.
Listen to Beefoxy! He/She is absolutely right!
-Mufurc
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| shy
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 12
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Hi
I am an ophthalmologist from my country. At present I am working as a research fellow. I didnot match for prelim position as well. My scores are 93/91. I have completed my step 3. I am 12 years out of med school. And I didnot apply to right and enough programs. Isit so hard for 12 years out of med school to get into residency? Any input will be appreciated. Or shall I plan to change my career.
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| beefoxy
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 123
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Shy,
I hear you! I have a very similar problem. Your best shot is at the program where are you currently in fellowship, especially if PD knows you and likes you, unless it is very competitive program and they plainly don't accept FMGs - period..
I am currently entertaining a thought about changing the field, because after all my experince so far a chance to get ophtho residency is very slim..... almost impossible - and please people don't say "nothing is impossible", this is such a cliche, you can't beat the system... I am trying 3d year in a row..
I will try again this year, but this time I will apply for backup in other specialties, because if don't match again - I give up.
It is just a career, I dont want to ruin my life persuing impossible, frankly I am not sure it is worth it. I have been in this field in USA long enough to be realistic...
So, my advice - try your best, but if no interviews - think a little wider - ophthalmology is not the end of the world...
Good Luck!
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BeeFoxy
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| shy
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 12
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Thankyou for your reply BeeFoxy. You expressed my feelings. This program is not very competetive and they do take IMG, not very frequently, though. As far impressing the program director I am bad at it, I am still trying to impress him. One year is over. I think when I am done with internship then the chances are better. I am not doing very great on reaserch front also. As far as changing the specialty is concerned how will you justify that in your PS and interviews?
I truly believe Ophth is not the end of the world. We must think wider.
Good luck to you and everyone.
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| beefoxy
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 123
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Justify?
Well, just say what you think, PDs know how hard is this specialty and they not gonna guilt you or blame you for the change of specialty, just be sincere... and say why did you choose this particular specialty (FM, IM or what ever ..over others, after you decided to switch) And you as an "old graduate" should know, PDs are people too, they will understand if you talk to them...
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BeeFoxy
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| beefoxy
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 123
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what I meant under "old graduate", you can talk to PDs as an adult mature person who can explain your reasons well and in down-to-earth manner, not as a scared student fresh out of school... no offence to fresh graduates 
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BeeFoxy
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| shy
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 12
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Hi Beefoxy
Thanks for all your input. I really appreciate it. I am going to waste another one year for ophth. I will definitely apply for some backup programs. My main aim for this year is to get into IM prelim year. Once I am done with that, I can plan for my career.
it was good interacting with you. Good luck to you.
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| newyg
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 191
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Hi guys.. I'm also obsessed with ophthalmology but all that are read are very disappointing! I have good scores but thats pretty much it.
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