In addition to the clinical and didactic rigors of residency training, there are a number of key events throughout the year. As more experienced residents know well, these occasions shape the rhythmic cycle of the academic calendar. While the precise dates of each event will fluctuate from year to year, the general timeframe should be kept in mind for the sake of planning. When reading this list, please keep in mind that it is designed to reflect experiences common to the majority of residents and not to be an exhaustive list of all events. Visit the Academy’s Web site for a list of subspecialty and state society meetings.
July
- Academic year begins
- Residents entering their final year (and who are not in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery [ASOPRS] oculoplastics track) submit fellowship applications to San Francisco Match
- For new residents or those without established projects, begin exploring research options — this might be useful for residency research day, meeting submissions, etc.
August
- American Board of Ophthalmology’s Written Qualifying Examination registration (for graduating residents) — for PGY-4 residents, registration information is typically disseminated through the residency program
September
- Fellowship interviews
- Prospective residency interviews
October
- Fellowship interviews
- Prospective residency interviews
November
- Oculoplastics fellowship application (ASOPRS) opens for PGY-2 residents
- Fellowship interviews
- Academy’s Annual Meeting — the largest single meeting on the ophthalmology calendar; Subspecialty Day occurs immediately beforehand and requires specific registration
- Prospective residency interviews
December
- Association for Research & Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO) poster/paper submissions due (generally requires study design information, but results need not be finalized at this point)
- SF Match fellowship ranking lists due
- SF Match fellowship results released
- Prospective residency interviews
January
- Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) season begins
- ASOPRS fellowship interviews
- Residency match
February
- OKAP season heats up
- ASOPRS fellowship interviews
March
- OKAP examination
- ASOPRS fellowship interviews
April
- ASOPRS rank lists due
- ASOPRS match
May
- PGY-3 residents begin preparation for SF Match fellowship applications (personal statement, CV preparation, identifying letters of support, etc.)
- ARVO annual meeting
June
- Local residency research day presentations/recognition of graduating residents
- PGY-3 residents continue preparation for fellowship match (except ASOPRS oculoplastics)
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About the author: Brian T. Chan-Kai, MD, is a vitreoretinal specialist at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, Ore. Dr. Chan-Kai completed his residency at the Cullen Eye Institute/Baylor College of Medicine, where he also served as chief resident. He then trained in vitreoretinal surgery and diseases at the Casey Eye Institute/Oregon Health and Science University. He is a new member of the YO Info editorial board.