Was there an open spot?

Out of curiosity where did you do your away rotations at? Keep you head up man!

miami hss

I find it interesting that there are those among us who match who feel the need to get defensive and “fluff” themselves on certain “immeasurable” qualities as if they have some intangibles that make them better applicants than those who didn’t match. Get over yourselves. We’re the ones who matched, and most of you fortunately will never know what it feels like not to match. Maybe it is inappropriate to insinuate that those who matched may have been in some way less qualified than those who did not, but let it go. You’re the ones who have a spot. Maybe you could allow those who didn’t match to be a little angry and ask why they didn’t match despite strong applications whatever the definition of a strong application is. You cannot imagine what it’s like to not match, and I’m frankly impressed with the reserve some who haven’t matched have shown considering how they feel right now. There are a lot of reasons why people match or don’t match, but to think that it’s always the “best” applicants who match (best, including those “intangibles”) is naive at best. You should meet some of the folks who don’t match the first time around (I’ve met several). I think you’d be as surprised as they are that they didn’t match. That in no way detracts from you as an applicant or future orthopaedic surgeon, and if you cannot see that it’s your problem. Just try to have a little understanding for those going through something you’ll never have to understand.

i'm hoping next year I'll know what that feels like
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the problem with the fluffing or what have you is.. that's all we have to go by. I wish there was a test that was accurate that you could take that would be "no ortho or ortho" and nothing but. But there is no such device.

Truth be told, some places probably rank purely on some arbitrary formula... and that's how it works. Like:
step 1 score 240+ = 100, 230-239 = 90.. 220-230 = 80. or whatever.. and then they have a multiplier.. and then they add up your point totals. Rank accordingly.. offer interviews.. and then if they're evil during the interviews.. take them out of the rank.

You never know.. and those multipliers? Who knows? who is to say that step 1 score is worth 100x what the number of publications, or time in research or whatever... it's soooo subjective.

But that's just how it is. I learned this during the interview process, realizing why I didn't get certain interviews... some places I met the cut off, some places I didn't.. some places are loyal to rotators some are loyal to home students... you never know.

It's a matter of playing your cards and being lucky. Yes. some of us have better cards.. but that doesn't mean the dealer doesn't have 21..

I double'd down, and I lost.. Maybe next year I'll win, maybe win big.. or just break even.

Or maybe I'll lose. In which case.. I'll probably try again.. but that's how badly I want to do ortho.

FYI

I feel for all of you folks out there that didn't match. I can only speak from my own experience, but in the program I am in, the residents have a heckuva lot of say in the rankings. That's because our chairman, program director, and most attendings trust we know the rotators the best. We see them not only at 3 pm but at 3 am, and it's the folks who are cool, calm, collected, and helpful then whom we vocally support. Research and academic record will get you the interview, but the rotation performance will make or break your chances of matching here. My advice for the future is to work your butts off in whatever path you decide to take, while always being a gentleman/woman about it. And never let'em see you sweat.

he's not a DO. he's actually an MD/MBA.

and not to be snotty, but if you are thinking the place is a real sh!thole but somewhere to be used to get back to LA ... maybe that came across when you rotated there? the residents (with whom sub-Is spend a great amount of time) have a pretty big say in the process.

I think it's important that every steps back and chills out for a few days at this point. I've been following this site for a few years now and every year the people who are not fortunate enough to match post their frustrations and the people who match tell them not to blame it on them and so on and so forth, and everyone ends up more stressed out than when we started. After a few days everyone finally starts to chill out and refocus. Most importantly, I think we all need to be respectful through this time of year.

Matched applicants, be happy for your result and don't shy away from sharing your experiences, statistics, and thoughts with this site for fear that someone will think you're tooting your horn...it's very helpful for future applicants to hear. Unmatched applicants, your stories are equally as important for future applicants to hear, so thanks for being unselfish during a time when I'm sure you'd like to flip Orthopaedics the proverbial bird.

Bottom line, I think it's important to remember that just because someone didn't match doesn't mean they were a bad applicant, had "red flags", or were a dick in interview days. At the same time, those that matched didn't all get there by a wink and a handshake, and a mentor who made a phone call, or just because their numbers were good. Everyone played their cards and they fell as they did. Soon, this initial stuff will pass and we'll all be able to refocus on the same future goal that we all share, which is becoming an orthopaedic surgeon.

rwbrhp29

If not matching into ortho is the worst thing that happened to you, then you really have a lot to be grateful for. There are well (over) qualified applicants each year that don't match. That is a risk that all of us take when we apply. There are only so many spots for the scores of applicants and from what I hear the application rates are going up every year. But many that don't match the first time around, continue to work hard (research year, prelim year, etc), reapply, and then match. It's a touch pill to swallow, but life goes on. Accept the reality and keep your eyes on the gold. Stop moping around, feeling sorry for yourselves. Use the year to your advantage...travel a bit, spend time with family, get married, whatever else you want to do. In retrospect, after you DO match, it may very well be the BEST thing that happened to you.