Chances

Sounds like you already know the answer: not good.

Like the person above I have not matched yet but I don't think that all is lost. From reading through orthogate you will probably see the following advice:

1) Make sure you have an advocate at your program who knows you, likes you, and is will to make the phone calls to other programs for you

2) Make sure you choose your away rotations carefully, making sure its a program that you would enjoy being at, and making sure that its a program that isn't completely a numbers whore. Then of course you need to really shine (like hopefully everyone does) on your away rotation

3) Step 2 is absolutely key. It shows that step 1 was probably a fluke

4) Your 3rd year grades are key also because it shows that you can do well even on stuff you probably hate like psych.

5) God- If you are a man or woman of faith, pray.

you can do it man, people have matched with less. Don't get caught up in the numbers work hard, develop relationships with people in your department and stay determined. Believe me there are plenty of people with 260s that are terrible residents. If you want it, it can be done.

Doable but you need to make important connections within ortho. Those can be made through rotations and research. If you like your home program take call with them when you aren't busy on another rotation. It is a great way to get to know the residents. They think you are awesome that you are taking call with them even when your not expected too. And it is a great way to get ready for aways.

Agree with above about step 2, take early and do well (very well if you can). 3rd year grades mean more to certain programs. Resident performance studies actually point to 3rd year grades as the best predictor of good residents, not board scores (who would have thought?). However, due to the large number af applicants to each program they are using board scores to wittle down how many applicatnts programs actually look at. Programs are not going to read through 300-600+ applications. And there are many who get great board scores and do very well during 3rd year.

Other than step 2 and finding good connections you got to work your butt off on your aways. Do at least 2 aways. Work hard and get to know everyone you can (residents and attendings). Show you are a team player, a hard worker, and easy to get along with.

Do all these things everything else people are suggesting, apply, have a back-up plan of some sort, pray, and wait. Welcome to the club!

Sounds like you already know the answer]

Wow CnH is salty. If everything else is in place, including a good Step 2 score, it could work out. Picking up a quick ortho clinical research project on the side would also help if you have limited research exposure. If you look at the Charting Outcomes of the Match 2009, note how 27 people matched with 210 or lower. Therefore, it's possible to match, but not easy (but it's not easy for anyone). Just as there's no guarantee you'll match if you had a 260+, there's no guarantee that you can't match with 210. Good luck.

What? I didn't say it was impossible, but the odds are not in his favor. If he wants his ego stroked and told everything will be ok then maybe he should go talk to his mommy or switch to FM.

The fact remains, people with applications identical to his (or better) but with 20+ more points on Step I fail to match. I know from experience...

I am in a similar situation. Fairly low Step 1 score, average M3 grades, planning to take Step 2 before ERAS.

My question is that since doing 2-3 aways is a given, how are we supposed to find out which programs are worth rotating at. How are we supposed to know EXACTLY where we'd be most competetive at based on our scores, etc.? Clearly places like HHS/Harvard/Mayo would be a waste, but otherwise?

I know my advisor/PD has a list where alums have matched in the past. That is always a good place to start. From there it was recommended that I email folks and read a bunch.

Of course, if someone has a list, I'd be interested as well.

No longer lurking...