The best things you can do for yourself, aside from rotating at less competitive programs and working hard on aways, is to improve your overall application.
1) Work your tail off this year... if any grades really matter its the clinical ones.
2) I would also suggest taking step II early. If you can find a good three week period where you can study hard (whether by taking off one month, or doing a research month and studying at the same time), then you can improve your board scores... Honestly, 2 hard weeks of QBank and your score should improve compared to Step 1... most people gain 10 points without even studying hard, so if you can put in the time, you might be able to add 20 or 30 points to your score. While some programs may ignore that, I am sure there are places where a very good step 2 score will offset your step 1. Combine that with a strong third year, and you make yourself look like a different applicant.
3) If you have spare time, try to get involved in some research (Note: this should not come in place of doing well thrid year or on Ortho SubI's). If you look at the match statistics, being involved in research definitely makes a difference, and the more recent it is, the more interested you look, and the more intelligently you will be able to discuss it at interviews.
Best of luck. PM me if you have any questions.
for posts of "less competitive programs."
for match stats
