PM'd

Rotate where you want to live for the next 5-6 years.
Here are some programs that interview rotators:
Minnesota - interview ALL rotators. They get a lot of rotators. Top notch program in the Midest.
Nebraska - interview most of rotators. They don't get a lot of rotators. With your numbers you will be a star here. Very solid community program despite being a University and so on, it is a very blue collar community program.
Cincinnati - favor rotators a lot. Solid program in a great location (biased).
Hope that helps.

I agree with rotating within a "tier" of program that matches your competitiveness.

Assuming you will rotate at your home program and you already know at least one faculty member (you mentioned some research) you should look into places that they may have a good contact (i.e. Know the program director or chairman personally). Especially with slightly lower numbers, having great letters and people willing to go to bat for you will certainly go a long way. I've learned on my interviews that being interviewed by someone who knows your letter writers is a huge advantage, and for the most part they will like you before you walk through the door. So talk with some of the residents at your program and faculty if you are close enough with them, and maybe choose one school that you might consider a reach based on those recommendations.

In terms of regions to rotate in. The list that you came up with is okay. I will tell you that I am in medical school in the SE and rotated in California, Midwest, and Northeast. I literally went all over the country and this came up on my interviews and for the most part they liked or at least respected my willingness to go anywhere. The list that you have doesn't reflect that, I would consider DC, Atlanta, and Orlando all Southeast. I think you should decide whether you want a big city or not. That to me is the only real strategy in terms of location that you should consider, unless you're married or really want to be near family.

As for rotating at places that interviews ALL rotators, I don't like that strategy either. If you're not a schmuck, and serious about ortho and these rotations you will get an interview. I will tell you now that you will work 80+ hours as a rotating student, and you should expect to. First one in, last one out. You will need that type of mentality and it is exhausting, but will be worth it when you match at a great program that you know you will be happy at.

In terms of competitiveness, I think you should really consider taking Step 2. While it's not necessary, I can tell you that it is much easier to score a significantly higher score and most applicant reviewers don't really differentiate the two. Throwing down a 250 on step 2 will go a long way. I know a lot of people who improved by at least that many points and they were average students for the most part. It is a shame that because someone knew a handful of silly biochem or immunology questions they have a better shot at a residency spot, but that's the way it is in ortho today, and next year will be only more competitive.

As you stand now, the programs that I know of that you might consider:
- GW is a good choice
- Emory may be a little too competitive, and I get the impression they are a numbers place
- Orlando is again pretty competitive and you might want to consider that one "reach" program
- Atlanta MC I don't know anything about

- Allegheny General in Pittsburgh doesn't have that many rotators with a great group of faculty and residents
- Temple
- UIC is an overlooked program in Chicago and really has a great group as well
- GW
- UT Houston

These are all decent programs in great cities and in my opinion worth spending a month of your time at. And like I mentioned, look into schools that you may have some connection to through faculty, or even in your hometown and say you really want to move back by family, etc. I think with a below average application you need to go a little more outside the box when choosing aways, and should really use every tool at your disposal.

In terms of doing a subi at places with many rotators and where they don't interview everybody. That's a hit and miss thing.
I know of plenty excellent students with great board scores and likable personalities that rotated this past cycle and did not get an interview.
They spent 1 month, roughly $1000, and worked 100+ hours per week and still did not get even an interview. If you know of a place that has 50 or even more rotators (I can think of a few) and they are known not to invite them all, think twice. They in fact don't invite most of them. Believe me everyone will try to be nice and work hard. Everyone will be there first in/last out.
Would I rather go to a place that interviews all rotators? Yes, absolutely.
Depending on how competitive a program is you have 1 in 3 to 1 in 5 chances of matching at any particular program you interview at. That's huge.
I would not go to U Wash or Utah for a rotation. I know they don't interview everyone. (Unles you have ties and really want to go there) In fact most places don't. But some really do. And those are the places you want to go and learn at.
And just in general don't worry about the strategy. Pick a place where you want to live (region) and go rotate there. You will have a much higher chance of matching where you rotate than anywhere else (not always, but generally).

I agree with what's been said so far, but I would take it a step further - who cares how many rotators a program interviews if none of them match at that program? Many programs see it as a courtesy to interview those who took the time to rotate with them - that doesn't mean they feel the need to rank you. Look at how many of the residents at a program rotated their themselves.

I was a pretty competitive applicant (can probably find my stats somewhere on this forum) yet I wasn't even offered interviews at many of the places I considered "lower tier". I think several things factor in to this and you need to be aware of them (to help ease the pain when rejections come in).

1. Regardless of how "good" you think a program is, ortho programs typically have the luxury of picking from the cream of the crop because it is so competitive. My program is a lesser known community program in the Midwest, yet we received over 200 applications for our 4 slots.
2. Programs tend to be regionally biased. If you are a poor applicant, they see you someone they can "easily eliminate". If you are an outstanding applicant, they feel you are simply using them as a back-up. If you are a mediocre applicant and rotate at one of these programs it may give you a good shot at matching.
3. Even programs in your region may refuse you an interview depending on how "saturated the market" is with applicants from your school. This is not based on hard evidence, just my experience. My state med school (in the south) didn't even offer me an interview and I'm convinced it's because my med school had SO many people applying to ortho my year.

Hey all, any advice on if I would be competitive at any of the NYC schools? How about St. Lukes? Thanks. Or if anyone knows of any of the NYC programs that favor rotators?

Orlando may be a tough get. The research may help you a bit. A 235 may not eliminate you, but it will be low compared to most of the others matching there. Make note, that you WILL have to take Step II if you want to apply.

Thanks again everyone for all your help. Right now, I am actually trying to focus on programs in NYC, Chicago, and DC. Maybe I rotation in each city?

So far, given my stats, I am considering: UIC, St. Lukes, GW and/or UVA.

Any other places I should consider? Are those programs reasonable for a below-average applicant like myself? Thanks

I don't see how you are a below-average applicant. I would say your board score is average-ish and being in the top 25% of you class is to be commended.

In my experience, a very high board score may have a wow factor, but everything in the neighborhood of 230-245 is a wash.

I am the chief resident at Northwestern. Look us up and see if you want to rotate with us. We're very proud of our program and what is happening with our department. If you decide it's not your thing, the residents at Loyola, Rush, and U of C also get good training.

Pick places at which you would be happy to match, then crush your rotation. Once your foot is in the door, it's up to you to push it open the rest of the way.