i am a fourth year medical student interested in ortho, but I did not pursue ortho because of my step one score (204/83). I decided to be realistice with myself and instead applied for a less appealing field, general sugery. after speaking with an ortho chairman, he told me that was a mistake and that I should have pursued my passion. I decided to take step 2 early and received a 233/96. the ortho chairman told me that my step 2 score was good and that step 2 is a better predictor of an applicants success, and that I have a shot. because it was simply too late to apply for ortho this year, i decided to follow through on my general surgery application. I interviewed at 20 places, of which I was only happy with a few. I am now struggling with the decision of whether or not to submit my match list. I was hoping someone could give me some advice on whether or not I should pursue ortho. I have a year of dedicated ortho research set up for next year if i want it. the attending told me that he could not pay me, but he would write me a letter of recommendation and call on my behalf to a program to which he is connected. although i will not say which program, i am fortunate it is one of the lesser competive programs out there. I am worried that a year of research will not be enough to get me the interviews I need to be successful. with only a few days till i need to submit my match, can anyone advise me on whether or not i have a realistic shot? do you know anyone in a similar situtation with my scores who was successful? my parents would like me to do a year of general surgery and then try to switch. i have been told that many applicants try this and are unsuccessfully. i am also worried that not being a ms4 next year when i reapply will further hurts my chances. by the way, I am a b student with a few a's here and there. I really appreciate any help with this difficult decision.