Am I a competitive candidate?

look at the match report released for 2005.



it will give you an average idea of where your scores put you. there are 158 ortho residency programs. asking anyone which one (or even handful) of programs is right for you doesn't make much sense.

Going into ortho as an FMG is very difficult. There have been some instances where it has happended though. to increase your chances, you have to know people, meaning rotations rotations rotiations and 1 month rotations may not be enough. A place where you rotate for a longer time and get to know the department where everyone knows you by name is a much better approach.
It is very difficult but IT CAN BE DONE. good luck

I agree with what is said above. It's very tough for FMGs, and you have to do a lot of things right to land a spot. Your score, based on stats from 2005, gives you 7 out of 13 chances of not matching.

Since you can't do anything about your step I score, I would focus on research and away rotations. You can also take step II and ace it; I mean like 240 or 250+ (which is perfectly doable with hardcore studying). I think that it would serve as an additional assurance (whether it's appropriate or not) that you are a capable FMG. I don't doubt that you are, but many programs are often skeptical for one reason or another.

I would also carefully, I reiterate, very careful choose away rotations based on their history. Don't goto Harvard to do your away. Goto 2-3 programs that have history of taking FMGs. Do aways in these programs and work your butt off like you've never worked before.

If you get a chance, talk with other FMGs who were successful and have a candid discussion. You should also start looking for paid research spots or surgery prelim spots in case you don't match.

I think it's definitely doable, but tough. I don't know of any FMG friendly programs.

NewToOrtho, I PM'd you.
Mitt