ms iv rotations

I wouldn't do that if I were you, just apply to a couple and do it early. Find out when they will let you know if you have been accepted or not and have some applications to others done just in case.
I know of people that have done the shotgun approach and then not gotten interviews at the places that they turned down for AIs. )

I agree with above. I applied for two aways (my school's max) and requested the months that would work best with my schedule. I got the months I wanted, where I wanted them. However, I found out the first day that program would accept applications for externship (like end of Feb, beginning of March) and made sure that my completed app. was in their hot little hands by THAT day. I don't know if this helped, but yo, it couldn't have hurt.
On another note, I feel your pain about not having advisors for this sort of thing. I think people who have active ortho chairs or other dedicated mentors don't know what a gift that is. Navigating this process, with all the idiosyncrasies and daunting statistics of orthopaedics, can be frustrating when you feel like you are on your own. That's why I was so thrilled when I found this website. I would ignore the tendency of this board to go off sometimes on posters who ask questions like "What are my chances," etc.
One more tip and then I'll quit. When you select the places you want to rotate at, figure out WHO to rotate with (chairman, residency coordinator, big name, good letter writer) and request them. Buddy up to the administrative assistant that handles your application and get yourself hooked up. My rotations were great learning experiences but were the best for generating letters. You can ask on this forum who the good guys are to rotate with when you have decided where to go. GOOD LUCK!
bd

As mentioned before, the key to things is get those apps in early. Find out the earliest that they are accepting apps and try to have your app in the mail or on their dest by that time. Usually you can find this info on the programs web site. Usually the programs give first dibbs to the Home students and then open it up to the rest of the pool. Also a few programs didn't accept apps until 3months before the month which you desired to rotate. I sent out two apps to places that I really wanted to go to and felt I had a decent chance to match. Mayo and The Cleveland Clinic. Don't quote me cause it was two years ago, but I think Mayo started accepting apps in March, it was a more extensive app that required a letter of recommendation as well as a personal statement. The CCF app was less involved and they wanted you to apply 3 months before your desired rotation month at the earliest.