i'm only a fourth year med student..don't even know if i'm gunno match - just so you know where this opinion is coming from!

whole package - really varies with different programs. But in general, good board scores, AOA or at least honors in medicine and surgery, some kind of research exposure (ortho not necessary but helps a little) -> this will get you in the door. Now probably the most important thing is to do a away rotation at a program you REALLY want to go to, and blow them away - work hard, be nice, and hopefully you "fit in".

No such thing as a minimum board score - that being said, to be competitive and get interviews outside of where you rotated and home school, i have read around 230+. Your usually not in great shape but not hopeless if your 220+ at your home school and STRONG away places. People definately match below these scores so don't put to much weight on this, thats just what I MYSELF have felt to be an average to put in the good shape.

In all honety, FMG might be an issue - I would be lying if I said it doesn't matter. This is due to a couple of reasons - so many US grad people apply into ortho, I think programs feel obligated to those. Also, if there are visa issues - ortho people HATE paper work - so thats an issue. I have seen foreign grads in good programs - but they usually do a few years of research at a place to "prove" themselves and can usually get in. Its more of a challenge definately but a total possiblity for someone motivated to work hard.

Hope that little bit helps - pray for me so I match (weird how we all become spirtual when things are at stake!)



Peace

I pretty much agree with what VoltageGSR has said. To get the big picture, I would reccomend reading the article from the November 2002 article of JBJS about orthopaedic resident selection criteria.
It's an article with a survey of program directors. Now, before anyone starts screaming that the article is hogwash (and there have been discussions abou this article in previous threads), I agree that there are limitations to the article, just like there are limitations to the info/advice on this forum. But it is information, and it is up to the reader to decide for themselves, just like what we're going to doing when we read research articles in the future, whether you want to believe the info or not.

Briefly, some of the things they rank are: rotation at their institution, Step 1, med school rank/AOA, interview, LORs, med school, dean's letter, personal statement, research, undergrad rep, MD/PHD.
I would probably also throw in stuff like life experiences such as extracurriculars, jobs, if you were a pro athelete, etc. The "whole package" is exactly what it means....everything about you that gives them a general or better idea of who you are, what you're like, and whether you will be a good addition to their program.