Advice for a Third Year

Unless I read your post incorrectly, you won't be applying for away rotations for another year yet (second half of your third year for the beginning of your FOURTH year). If so, I would just focus on doing well on boards and then your clinical clerkships. Without scores/grades it seems a bit premature yet to be speculating where you might be competitive, or what your "reach" would be for an away rotation. Most away rotations also require proof that you have completed (or will have completed) your clinical clerkships in order for you to rotate there. Good luck nonetheless!

I'm curious as to why you included Iowa on your list. Most of the other programs you have listed are not the academic powerhouses (overused term) that Iowa is. I rotated there and thought it was a great experience. That being said, it is certainly very different than any other program I have seen. If you're really interested in academics, I would recommend giving Iowa a visit. Fantastic faculty, fantastic facilities, happy residents. The rotation experience is quite good as well. I learned an awful lot during that month. One piece of advice... it's not made apparent, but you can choose your service. I would recommend the Black team (Saltzman/Amendola-Foot/Sports) or the Purple team (Buckwalter/Trauma-Onc). Good Luck!

I have Iowa on the list because I am familiar with the area. I have spent time working throughout the area in my undergrad summers. I have been interested in ortho for awhile so I knew that they had an awesome program. At this point, I am not sure that an academic program is what I am looking for. That is one of the reasons I am looking for advice now. I have talked with the M4s at my home school and they all suggested that we start researching early. There are many programs that I already have info on, most of those are the powerhouses that you are referring to. I really don't know too much about the programs that I listed. I have heard good things about LR and Greenville from my colleagues ahead of me. I know that I am jumping the gun a little but I would like to know the most about a program that I can when I choose where to do my away rotations. Thank you for your time.