Residency/Match Process
The match is difficult time for all medical students and particularly in ophthalmology as it is both a selective specialty and a part of the early match. But don’t worry, we have the tools to ensure you end up at a program with which you are happy!
The match statistics for ophthalmology residency:
In 2016, there were 624 applicants who made rank lists for ophthalmology for 469 match positions. The average USMLE I score of matched partipants was 244 of unmatched particpants was 229. Applicants applied to an average of 68 residency programs. 92% of new US Seniors matched in ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology positions are offered through the Common Application Service (CAS) run by the San Francisco Match. https://www.sfmatch.org/MatchCalendar.aspx
Key dates:
June 1, 2016: CAS opens
September 7, 2016: Recommended target date of to submit your CAS application. This is not a firm deadline. It is better to submit earlier, in early August or so.
Late October-November-December: Interviews
Jan 5, 2017: Submit your rank list
Jan 12, 2017: Match results available
Most ophthalmology programs are “Advanced” program, meaning they begin in PGY-2 upon completion of a separate PGY-1 year of training. A few programs accept you directly into their medicine or transitional PGY-1 years. For those that do not, you will need to apply to a Preliminary year or Transitional year through ERAS. https://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/eras/
