IMGs and the Ortho match

I am not an IMG but have experience working along IMGs. It is very tough for a IMG to get into a program, but not impossible. The programs that tend to get IMGs are usually the top programs, not the "middle tier" ones. The latter play it safe by getting only US grads. The IMGs that match at the top programs (Mayo, Harvard are examples of programs with IMGs) are not applicants that were not known to the programs. Count on doing research for 2-3 years for a program or well-known surgeon who has the connections. You will need the connections as you probably won't have them from your medical school. Publish, present at meetings, do away rotations, etc.

Probably the best way to approach it with a greater success rate is to do a prelim general surgery year somewhere, work your butt off and show what kind of resident you would be. I know of a couple that have gone that route and succeeded.

maz 9 im also an island man seeking ortho spot currenlty finishing up my third year. my advice is to stay positive and work hard you seem to be doing the right things to give yourself a chance, prelim surgery will probably be the most likley option for matching in ortho but you never. are you sgu or a ross man.
anyways good luck

check this link - it says that 2.0% of the almost 3,000 ortho residents are IMG's. roughly 600 per year total, that means 12 lucky folks from beyond our shores bask in the glory of each match day. anything over zero means you've got a shot. never give up.