You have a good point - many programs throughout the country have this sort of dichotomy, with either too much OR time or too much academic time. The bottom line is that programs are different - you have to take people's posts on this webpage with a grain of salt - all programs have strengths and weaknesses. You just need to decide what particular balance appeals to you and then take it from there.

I interviewed at UCLA - its a good program, just like the other california schools - some would say its the best, some would say its not even in the top three - depends what you're looking for.

it is hard to have big picture perspective as a medical student before you go through the interview process and residency. you have to remember that individual opinions expressed on this site are not the facts. many programs i read about on this site were much different when seen first-hand. you have to use this site to get background and information, but be careful with thoughts you read on specific programs. putting blind faith in several individuals' opinions who may have different goals, desires, and interests than you may lead you astray.

well, I'm still trying to pick subIs (I know its late, but...) and I feel like my best shot is at a program I actually rotate at. Based on what I've read on here, I guess I'm looking for an academic program that operates a lot with appropriate autonomy (not nec. early, but enough to go into gen. ortho straight out) and still gives me a shot to go academic if desired. Dont want a research year, location not too big of an issue.

Any programs that come to mind?

Thanks

the basic question is: how, as med students, do we even begin to decide which places we might want to do away rotations let alone apply to? yeah, i understand HSS and harvard are good places, great. other than the very top programs, how does one go about finding out about programs?

is there any website that lists residency info? stuff like, OR experience, fellowships attained, # of applicants/interviews vs. spots in the class, nih funding for the dept (likely tied to program's rep), etc.....

Some of that info, like number of applicants, interviewees, and spots, along some other info can be found on Frieda. I also know that some programs individual websites have information on what previous grads have gone on to do, although I don't think there is a site that has a database for all programs.

i'm not sure where you heard it was one of the best in the country. even their current residents and graduate will tell you their operative experience was not the best. however, it carries the UCLA name and it is a tough spot to match. the guys there love it though because it is pretty cruise overall. if you are looking for some "better" programs with higher volume, any other UC will give you more operative experience such as Davis, SF, or San Diego.

Remember everyone...a surgical specialty requires brains as well as motor skills. You can't get motor skills from reading a book or listening to a big name regurgitate his studies or textbook chapters. While i agree it is about balance, most of us went to residency to learn how to operate and take care of patients safely. Some will have different objectives in life...that is ok. Those might be better served at a "big name" program with poor operative experience but "great" academics. For instance, if you are from a big name program and have done a few ACL reconstructions with a big name/big reseracher/academic guy and merely watched; i'll be damned if you are gonna touch my daughter's knee. Operations take a motor skill set that you ain't gonna get in a lecture or doing scut for 4 years prior to touching a knife. We have some staff guys who went to big name programs with great academics. We have had this discussion many times with them and they agree with me. Several of them for instance are from the Mayo clinic. They did more hemipelvectomies than they did knee scopes. Although this is kind of off topic, you also have to take into account what your operative experience is gonna be. If you are like most orthopaedic surgeons when you are out of residency you will do more knee scopes than anything else.

Like anything else in life that requires motor skills...you can talk and read about it all you want but unless you do it you will never be very good at it. Feel free to disagree but if you do you are probably the one that everyone else wouldn't want touching one of their family members with a knife.