I'm sure this is possible/has happened, but I would think it to be a relatively uncommon event, seeing as most ortho interviews occur during Dec/Jan and (IMO) that would be too late to be doing an away in the specialty you wish to match.

Having said that, I don't think it would be a big deal - everyone has to interview, and if there is no way around a certain date that is during another ortho away, so be it.

I actually do feel it could be a huge deal.

Rational people would say it's not a big deal. But this process is totally irrational.

I wouldn't do it, unless you thought you had a better chance at matching at the place you got the interview from..

It could seriously come down to this:

Well, we have these two applicants, they're about the same.. and they both rotated here.

"Well, Johnny Q took off for an interview somewhere else.. I guess he doesn't want to come here as badly as Bobby Y. We'll put Bobby in front of Johnny."

Just think about it..If you were the people making the decision.. if you have no other gaugue to go by.. what else would you use??? eye color? shoe size?

Seriously.. it's that crazy

Just to give an alternate opinion (I dont know which is right) I'm copy and pasting this from the ask the attending forum.

"You should definitely go to the interviews but make sure you let your away rotation preceptor/residents know you're going in advance --

good luck

wnl
_________________
William N. Levine, MD
Vice Chairman and Professor
Residency Director,
Dep't of Orthopaedic Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, NY"

So Director at Columbia says def go for it. Other schools may feel differently, i dont know.

May be too late for you, but for future students I wouldn't schedule any ortho aways during the interview period.