Ophthalmologist Career Plan

Ophthalmologists aren’t just eye doctors. They are also physicians who have advanced training in the pathophysiology of the eye. In order to become an ophthalmologist, you’ll need to complete medical school and also a post-doctoral residency in ophthalmology. It’s a competitive process so it’s best to get an early start.

1. Get a solid academic foundation during high school. Take college prep or AP science and math courses. Study hard in composition – this will help you with the admission process. Spend some time prepping for the SAT or ACT as well.

2. Do some health care exploration. There are a lot of summer camps for students who are considering medicine. You’ll find them at elite schools like Stanford and Georgetown. You’ll also find some free or low-cost enrichment opportunities. Some are designed for for underrepresented groups.

3. Select an undergraduate major – something that you’re interested in that will give you your prerequisites (in areas like biology and chemistry). You don’t have to go pre-med.

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4. Begin preparing for the admission process well in advance. Score high on the MCAT. Volunteer in a health care facility. You may also want to apply for biomedical internships. Some elite schools favor candidates with research experience.

5. Distinguish yourself during medical school. Publication and research can be an asset when it comes to competing for desirable residencies. You may want to take an ophthalmology elective as you near completion of your third year. You can also research ophthalmology rotations through EyeRounds.org.

6. Research residencies, attend interviews, and rank order your favorites – this process is called the Match.
   Complete your residency.

7. Fulfill state licensing requirements.

8. It’s time for a position! You can use online job boards, but also utilize professional connections that you’ve made. You may choose to participate in the Young Ophthalmologist forum at the beginning stages of your career.

Personality Traits: Ophthalmologists need good critical thinking skills and strong communicative ability.