Note to B4B]
Honestly can't tell here if you are trying to flame me or really are just curious. So, I think I'll give you the benefit of the doubt assume curiosity rather than douchebag.
To answer the question. Of course there was a strategy. This whole process is all about strategy. However, that being said my strategy is not what you would think. I have a family, hence cost of living and family safety are important. I chose not to apply to programs in large cities (i.e. NY, Chi, etc), so that immediately eliminated a good number of programs. Next, I stratified most programs into 1 of 3 groups; top tier, mid tier, low tier. This was more or less arbitrary as there is no true ranking system as you already know. I then picked programs based on word of mouth, researching websites, and geography. In the end I had 60 programs. I will admit, however, that the majority of programs fell into the middle tier group (go figure... upper tier programs in small towns are scarce). As for my invites. I have been invited by programs from all three tiers. Completely, random with one invitation from my one AI (Iowa). That's it. Pretty much the norm for most people I guess.
I guess I don't understand why that would be so unbelievable ortho-fx?
B4B out
Note to B4B]
Honestly can't tell here if you are trying to flame me or really are just curious. So, I think I'll give you the benefit of the doubt assume curiosity rather than douchebag.
To answer the question. Of course there was a strategy. This whole process is all about strategy. However, that being said my strategy is not what you would think. I have a family, hence cost of living and family safety are important. I chose not to apply to programs in large cities (i.e. NY, Chi, etc), so that immediately eliminated a good number of programs. Next, I stratified most programs into 1 of 3 groups; top tier, mid tier, low tier. This was more or less arbitrary as there is no true ranking system as you already know. I then picked programs based on word of mouth, researching websites, and geography. In the end I had 60 programs. I will admit, however, that the majority of programs fell into the middle tier group (go figure... upper tier programs in small towns are scarce). As for my invites. I have been invited by programs from all three tiers. Completely, random with one invitation from my one AI (Iowa). That's it. Pretty much the norm for most people I guess.
I guess I don't understand why that would be so unbelievable ortho-fx?
B4B out
Thanks. No, I didn't mean to imply that it was unbelievable nor was I trying to be sarcastic. In fact I thought it was interesting that of the initial wave of 30 programs, you had applied to a high percentage of them despite an overall (relatively) smaller-ish number of programs. Anyway you're doing something right, so congratulations. Look forward to seeing you on the trail.