That sounds like a good plan....I also took step 2 in july and am very glad that i did.....the interviews I have been on have both mentioned my scores....I would do the rotation with the big names....but I would def rec doing the others as well......going somewhere...working hard and impressing the helll out of them = guaranteed interview at many places....the opportunity to get good letters and a one up against all other non rotators trying to match......

this might just be pure ignorance on my part, but what is a great ortho hospital without a residency program? Unless it's a hospital that residents routinely rotate at and is part of the residents experience?

I would personally not do one there. At a rotation with residency programs you can get all the things you want (good letters, etc) AND most importantly, exposure to a residency program both for your sake (to see what this program that you could be interested is like and if you like it) and for their sake (to see if you are a strong candidate and would work well within their system, exposre to residents, who are really the ones that determine if you'll be getting a good LOR from a given rotation).

I really don't see any added value in rotating at a non-ortho residency program....but i'm just a 4th year in the process of applying, so take my thoughts for what they're worth.

I wouldn't waste any time doing an away at a place that doesn't have a program. Makes no sense. Spend the time doing a rotation where it counts.

Without getting into specifics, it has no residency programs...There are 2-3 ortho docs who operate primarily out of this place and they are nationally known names. The center does put out a lot of research. I have met the doctors at this place and have an invitation to do a rotation with them - and I would get a ton of one-on-one time. I feel that if I work hard and do a good job I will have an opportunity to get 1-2 very good letters from very well known (nationally and perhaps internationally) ortho surgeons.

You could spend the same time doing an away somewhere that has a residency program and 1) accomplish the exact same thing & 2) increase your chances of matching.

Do what you want, but IMHO, it's a bad idea. Ortho is so competitive, you need to help yourself in every way possible.

Good luck.

I would not take Step 2 in July unless step I was less than 235-240.....Interviews for Ortho do start coming in Oct....and one can send apps by sept. 1st. So....rotate as early as you can. July Aug, Sept...could be done by OCt. or Nov. Instead of Dec.

My 2 cents.

HOWEVER...if you are a phenominal test taker and are not worried about II....the do it! Rock it and get on...because you would be looked upon more favorably if you had both tests done and scored well on both. The prob. is Step II will look real bad if worse that I...

Step 1 is mid-240's and I have Medicine as my last MS-3 rotation. Thinking of taking that month in July as an easy rotation while medicine is still fresh and trying to rock the Step 2.

trust me....doing well on step 1 and EVEN better on step 2 has come up!! be confident....especiallly with medicine as your last shelf

Nothing new to really add, I just wanted to echo what was said before.

DO NOT rotate somewhere just for letters. You definitely only want to rotate at programs you are seriously thinking about and locations where you are willing to live. Your rotation is probably the single most important thing in your arsenal so use your rotations wisely and work your ass off and fit in. Like said before, its not only a chance to impress them, but also a chance to see if the program fits what you are looking for and if you fit in well with the residents (extremely important). So pick wisely.

Take step 2 early and make yourself as competitive as possible. If you study hard and prepare well you will do better for sure. Besides two high step's is better than 1. If medicine is your last rotation and you study hard, I can't imagine you doing worse on step 2 and it will only help your application. Some competitive programs are starting to require step 2, so you might as well take it while 3rd year is still fresh in your head.

Good luck

As said in this post. ONLY ROTATE AT PROGRAMS you want to attend. Do not waste your precious time. Try to do a total of three rotations in ortho. It is better to have a great LOR from an unknown surgeon than a for letter from a well known surgeon. Our attendings actually call the LOR author sometimes to get the "down low".