Tough situation. It is easy to over think the situation. Your professionalism and work ethic will speak for itself when it comes time for application season. As a resident with previous history, I have been in your shoes before. Continue to strive for success. This is America, the country of second chances. In my personal opinion your situation would not eliminate you from the applicant pool. Although, you may have some hoops to jump through. And just a side note, you would be floored if you knew how many people in the military (Army specially b/c that is based on what I know) have prior records and I am talking felonies....

Thanks for your opinion and encouragement. I really appreciate it. Do you recommend any schools I should rotate at? I have been researching schools and I would like to do a rotation at a school that I actually have a shot at.

I only speak from personal experience because I believe it's the way to give advice. From a military standpoint rotate through 2nd choice 1st to get a warm up experience. Then 1st choice 2nd. Navy has 3 Ortho programs if I recall. You want to get your face out there to all programs. If you don't have time at least coordinate a phone interview. But my experience is phone interviews mean you are not interested. However, you must check the box as we Army people say.

In terms of civilian residency, your home program. Is the best place to start. This gets your feet wet and allow you to ask your Ortho program for a chair letter. This is a must when trying to get into Ortho. All those other programs. I would admit that I am not the best person to ask.

In a nutshell, start at your home school around the June, July time frame. MS4 rotate heavy in August and September. So be ready to have those rotations at military sites set up. Civialian rotations should come after your military rotations because you have more time to complete these and the military match is in December rather than March for civilians.

Not an expert, but driving with a suspended license shouldn't be a problem. I am almost positive that residencies will not run a background check on you so it shouldn't come up at all, they won't even know about it so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Shouldn't hinder your app whatsoever in my opinion. Just an MS4 here.

There is a box on ERAS that asks something about if there is anything that would prevent you from getting a license and I don't believe this would qualify. I know someone with multiple alcohol related charges from their college days and did not check that box and did not have a problem securing a residency and shouldn't prevent him from getting a license.

That sounds like a great plan Thanks. I have something similar set up. Currently I have 2 military away rotations scheduled in August and October. I hear letters of recommendation go along way in the military, so I am aiming to earn a letter after my August rotation. I am currently researching which civilian program to rotate at in September. I spoke to the chair of the ortho trauma service at my home school and he said he would write me a letter, so I figure I would try to explore a different program to rotate at.

bonetrauma, thanks for your response. I recently looked at the ERAS application and there is a specific question asking, "Have you ever been convicted a misdemeanor in the United States?". So I really have no choice, but to report it. I am sure criminal history will be a screener for some programs, but hopefully it's not too big of a deal. I just hope programs understand that what is on my record is just a petty misdemeanor for being irresponsible and not paying a ticket on time. Not to mention I was 19 y/o.

Did your friend with the alcohol related issues in college eventually get those charges dismissed? I know a few people that have had that experience and once you stay out of trouble for 6 months the charges get dropped and nothing shows up on your record. In that case, you don't have to report anything. So maybe that is what happened in his/her case

My suggestion if you are financial sound is try to get the charge removed from your record. It may cost you. But you can avoid the headache of explanation. And also it is a peace of mind to check "no" on the box. Funny thing is that all the big wigs question your professionalism however if you open up their closets. There are skeletons everywhere. I only speak from experience.

ERAS is an application put together by non medical folks.

Being too honest on the application definitely has screwed applicants in the past. Case in point, the idiotic immigration status which they downloaded from USCIS website. They make the distinction between conditional green card and permanent green card. Do you know how many orthopods scratched their heads over that distinction? They thought conditional green card meant you are on the deportation list. That ended up screwing applicants who were trying to be honest with their application.
I haven't heard of any ortho program running background checks on the applicants (some one can fact check me on that)
When you interview, you'll get some rushed orthopod that is looking at your application for the first time right there and then.

You will be judged on EVERYTHING because they are looking for things to make their decision easy. No need to tip the scale towards rejection on a petty misdemeanor charge.

That's my 2 cents...

You are on the right track. Best wishes to you. Let me know if I can be of any more assistance to you along the way.

Was in the same situation this cycle. Had a misdemeanor arrest for "reckless driving by speed" (>25mph over speed limit)

Disclosed it on eras. Explained it in 3 sentences. Was not an issue. Interviewed at 12 places, matched at my #1.

Bottom line, you have to put it on eras or your lying on your application. If you can get it expunged then do that, I wasn't able to.

I agree with these guys. That charge is pretty minor in the big picture. The most important thing is being up front and honest. Be prepared to answer a few questions about it and don't be put off when people do. Probably should be prepared to answer "why didn't you pay the first ticket?".
Other than that have competitive scores/grades and a good application.
Good luck!

Given this feed has some military people here. Does anyone have any advice to a previous service member, finishing up GMO tour looking to go into Ortho? Thank you