bonepain
Registered User
Posts: 2
(2/26/01 5:20:54 pm)
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MS3s interested in ortho
I am sure all the MS3s out there are waiting with interest as to how the match turns out at their
respective school. I know I am.
My main questions have to do with getting an ortho residency. I have just recently decided that I want to
do ortho. Up to this point I was on my way to general surgery. Since I am fairly clueless about what to
do from here on out, I was hoping the people on this site could help. Here is my situation,
Numbers wise: very strong (252 step 1/junior AOA)
clerks: ok, mainly "high pass" maybe 1 honors, good evals though.
research: none
school rep: average, mediocre state school
connections: none
recs: don't know ANY ortho attending.
My question is this, am I too late? Will my lack of a well rounded application kill my chances? Or should I
just hope that mt numbers can carry me? What should I do from here to make my app stronger, and
increase my chances of matching. I would like to go to a top 15 program (since I think I could have done
it in general surgery).
Thanks for any advice.
Edited by: OrthoDoc at: 2/26/01 6:09:12 pm
orthosurg1
Registered User
Posts: 7
(2/26/01 11:48:22 pm)
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Get on it
The last time I looked, it was only the end of February. I think that you still have enough time to do a lot
of things. One, try to set up an ortho rotation at your school. Two, you could be working on setting up
some away rotations or at the very least looking at programs that you may be interested in. Three, find
out what type of ortho projects are currently going on at your school and see if you could help out on
one. I also recommend that you go through some of the old posts on this forum and see what they had
to say. If I may ask, I would be interested in what made you change from general surgery to ortho?
Sorry to sound like a future interviewer.
bonepain
Registered User
Posts: 4
(2/27/01 8:32:12 pm)
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change of heart
Thanks for your advice. I know it is early on, but the folks that I know in my class who are going for
ortho seem like they have been preparing since the first day of first year. They are really intense.
As for gen surgery. I am not sure what specifically changed my mind, but it happened after my gen
surgery rotation. The rotation was fun, but it just seemed like the department was very malignant. The
residents really didn't seem all that happy, and one (one of the nicer ones I might add) sat me down and
told me that he wanted to do ortho but matched in general. He asked me why I wanted to do general,
and I said "I want to operate a lot on different parts of the body." He pretty much convinced me that I
could do that in ortho, on generally healthier patients, work with happier people, and have a better
lifestyle when I am done. He pretty much sold me. After I looked into it a bit, watched a couple
procedures, met a couple residents.... I relized it was the way to go. I think it is ironic that a gen surgery
resident was the one who steared me away from it.
crazy joe davola
Registered User
Posts: 16
(2/28/01 12:42:02 am)
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change of heart
Obviously I agree with those positive aspects of ortho, or I wouldn't be doing it. However, don't bail on
general surgery too quickly. It sounds like you did some digging and thinking to come to your decision,
but don't be distracted/dissuaded because of a malignant program or an unhappy set of residents.
I guess I'm assuming you went through the general surgery vs. ortho arguments pretty thoroughly. Be
sure you're very satisfied with the variety and amount of input/advice you've received. It sounds like you
are.
Underdog1974
Registered User
Posts: 11
(2/28/01 5:57:03 am)
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General Surgery
Most of the students who are applying in general surgery from my school are actually interested in areas
NOT accessible otherwise--CT surgery, peripheral vascular surgery, and pedi surgery being the most
popular fields, it seems. Five years of hell in general surgery are a necessary evil to attain those sorts of
fellowships.
I think I only know one student who is applying for general surgery... just for the sake of being a general
surgeon. Crazy! Especially when you consider that being a general orthopaedist is a great way to go.
Some people, I guess, REALLY like operating on the abdomen.
residencygirl
Registered User
Posts: 2
(3/7/01 9:39:49 pm)
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Re: MS3s interested in ortho
You've got great board scores, AOA certainly helps. Go and talk to the residency coordinator in the
Ortho Dept. See if they know of possibly any research projects that possibly you could get involved in. I
know that at this time, the program where I work, we have students who like you have decided that they
need something to help boost their application and there are approximately 25 students vying for 2
research projects. Get to know the residents, especially the senior resident. If you could get in on a
research project then you would have the opportunity to meet an attending and get the letter of
recommendation. Are these any outside activities where you could get to meet an attending? I know 3
weeks ago, we had a get together at the home of one of the attendings. There were many students
there, many who would like to get into Ortho but didn't know any attendings, they took advantage of
the chance, met them on a one to one basis. Are you a religious person, perhaps you could go to the
church where some of the attendings attend, get to know them. Attend basic science lectures, grand
rounds, whatever you need to do to meet Ortho residents and attendings. However, remember that no
one like an obnoxious student, so keep that in mind!
Remember that programs aren't just looking for the person with the highest USMLE scores or the
highest rank in the class but that we are looking for well-rounded individuals. Good luck in your future
endeavors.
bonepain
Registered User
Posts: 7
(3/8/01 1:01:18 pm)
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interview question
Thanks for the reply. You mentioned in another post that you are the residency coordiator for a "top
residency program." So my question is this, what kind of applicants do you interview?? Also, if I do
manage to get more involved in my ortho department, maybe with a little research and a few rotations,
would I be able to get an interview? I am just trying to gauge where I stand. Thanks.
bonepain
residencygirl
Registered User
Posts: 3
(3/10/01 11:48:56 am)
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Re: interview question
We interviewed a wide variety of applicants. Some had just a little research and a few rotations. Others
had lots of research, publications, etc. For me there are three things that I really look at, the personal
statement, the Dean's letter and the letters of recommendation. I have worked as a residency
coordinator for 12 years so I do know my business. Like I said before get to know your coordinator, let
them know that you're interested in pursuing a career in Orthopaedics and ask them if they know of any
attendings who are looking for any type of help with research or any residents who might need help.
In your personal statement, try and convey your passion for Ortho and why it means so much to you.
Great letters of recommendation from lesser known Orthopods are preferred over mediocre letters from
well known Orthopods. If you have any other questions, please send me an e-mail and I will try to help
you in any way that I can. It makes me happy to try and help students to pursue their dream of
becoming Orthopods.
