One of the problems with the ortho residency app process is that too many people apply to way too many programs. When programs get 1000 applications (because people are applying to 80-100 programs) the natural thing for the program to due is to pare it down with a computer to a manageable number of files that a group of human beings can review. The only standardized and objective thing that a computer can use to cut down the number of applications is our step 1 score. So all the people who complain about the step 1 score being an unjust measurement of your potential success as an orthopedic surgeon (which I agree with) should be concerned with the current culture of over-applying to programs.
Another outcome from over-applying is that people who truly have a genuine interest in a specific program (and who were unable to rotate there) get diluted with applications from people who are applying to a given program "just because". If you truly don't see yourself in Tennessee (for example), then don't apply there! Don't be the reason that someone who really wants/needs to be there gets screened out. This defensive application mentality places undue stress on medical students to rotate at several programs in an attempt to "prove" their interest. We all know and complain about how expensive it is to spend part of 4th year rotating around the country. If every applicant applied to every program then the only way programs would know who is truly interested are those who rotate and if you can only afford to rotate at 1-3 places then you have essentially been limited in your options.
Listen to your advisor and dont apply to more than 60. 50-60 well-chosen programs is much better than shotgunning your app to 100 programs.
