How are other "average" applicants doing?

I'm glad someone started this post. From talking to ppl, it seems like there are many of us that are concerned where the "avg ortho applicant" stands, I hope this thread helps.

Home program: North East-mid tier school
Step 1: 230-235
Step 2: 255-260
Honors and HP on pre and clinicals
4 non-ortho puds, 3 ortho pubs, most in mid-upper tier journals

Interviews so far: 2 out of state (mid west, middle-tier) at places I didn't rotate at, the rest were my rotating programs.

I'd encourage people to post, and not to be concerned about scores and such. I'm not proud of my Step 1 score, but I posted in the hopes that it would help out other people and its just a number in the end.

Cheers

Alright, I'll play.

Home program: Midwest, not top-tier
Step 1: 235-240
Step 2: 250-255
Honors in all preclinicals/clinicals except for 2 HPs, AOA
1 non-ortho pub in upper tier journal, couple of research presentations, strong ECs

Interviews: 3 from away rotations, 3 others from north/midwest programs (6 total). 5 waitlists.

Starting to get a bit worried about the prospect of matching. Hoping to get off a couple of waitlists and get a few more from programs that haven't offered yet. I knew this was going to be stressful, especially with my stats, but man this is brutal.

I've been interested in this too, so I will contribute...

Home program: One of the Texas med schools
Step 1: Low 250s
Step 2: Mid 230s
Half honors, half high pass in preclinicals, all high pass in clinicals, no AOA
1 non-ortho pub in random journal, couple of research presentations

Interviews: 3 from programs I rotated at. 3 others from geographically "close" programs with 3 on waitlist.

They certainly are, Diggidy, and thank goodness haha The guys at my program (myself included) are a big ole crop of basic, average dudes, and it started off mad slow. Thankfully we're all slowly closing in on 10. Still extra humbling though.

The one thing of which I think we weren't advised is just how humbling the whole thing is. We here about the average scores for everyone who matches, the avg pubs, and how AOA isn't essential. So you meet those certain criteria and apply thinking you've got all your ducks in a row. "Top ten" program, here I come.

But what we dont realize is that the stats of those who match at the ultra-competitive/"big-name" programs probably far exceed those averages. Subsequently, we feel those big-name serial rejections and get all "wtf?". Meanwhile, the good-ole-reliable, solid, "middle-of-the-road" programs we tend to overlook are where we're most likely more competitive for.

So for the progeny: if you're an average guy/gal, tailor your expectations. Be prepared for ish to start MAD slowly. But hopefully - and evidently, judging by this year - you'll end up getting some love from some overlooked places.

(and if you're below average, apply everywhere, be emotionally prepared, and pray/get to writing a million "I Love You" letters).

Check out charting outcomes in the match 2014. It will have many of the questions you are asking as far as averages for all of the major ERAS categories. Last year the matched average for step 1 was 245, step 2 was 251. It sounds like from your other posts your step 1 won't be any sort of issue so I wouldn't start worrying about research years or prelim years as you mentioned in your other post. Focus on 3rd year grades for now and don't spend time worrying about the match and research years just yet, you will have plenty of time to obsess about it in 6-9 months.

No one can know for sure what those top applicants have because the process is so random as you will find out. They likely have steps 255+, and fill a lot of categories (research, ECs, volunteer, work experiences) or some unique feature that makes them stand out or that a reviewer can relate to.

Hey new to this site. MS3 mid tier med school, really interested in ortho after surgery rotation.

Do you know of a site that can show all the rankings for schools and what their applicant looks like?

I'm not competitive at all, or at least I don't think and would like to compare: 238, no honors, A's, class vice president,1 ortho podium presentation, ex-athlete.

Thanks for the help much appreciated.

That site doesn't exist, at least from what I have seen. The orthopedic surgery residency "rankings" can be found at Doximity, but take these with a grain of salt, they are mostly based on school prestige and publication production.

With your stats it is possible to match, but it will be important to do away rotations at schools that favor rotators, as your paper app won't jump out at readers.

Teggie is right on. Your app, sadly, doesnt seem like it will hook reviewers, so you may need to do 3 (or even 4) aways to snag some interviews. These forums ARE good about revealing which programs essentially guarantee an interview to all rotators (notoriously Emory, Minnesota, and really most programs do; UCSF, Vandy do NOT, etc).

Such a ranking system wouldn't work. As trite as it may sound, you really, really, can't get a good grip on a program unless you've rotated there for like a FEW months. Maybe even longerSeriously. Even after an away, you will find that your experience was different from others who rotated at the same place...even on the same service. One can probably only review their HOME program relatively accurately. And even that may be off.

I say to to point out that since you can't really get a definitively reliable review system, it's important to talk to as many knowledgeable people as you can (without being all annoying of course). If you hear the same stories over and over and over about certain programs, it gives you some sort of gist. That gist is less likely to be rumor, and more likely to be reputation, no matter how subjective it is.

But even with then, again, this whole thing is super random. Sadly, you will have to apply to a gazillion programs to snag interviews-> "competitive" or not. Once you do that, it becomes a much more level playing field.

This is my first and last post ever on this website. I'm on the other side (last year as a chief resident and this year as a fellow) of the curtain and you're missing the point about away rotations with guaranteed interviews.

If you rotate at a place that for, whatever reason, decides not to invite you back for an interview because your application will not be given serious consideration, that program is doing you a FAVOR. They are saving you the interview expenses, time away from family, and opportunity cost to interview at another program. It sounds brutal, and in some ways it is, but sometimes the truth hurts. Why should they waste their time and your time / money for an interview that is really a formality.

The bottom line is that if you don't have a top tier application, don't rotate at a top tier institution and expect an interview, unless you blow people away with your charming personality and work ethic. Likewise, if you show up and perform poorly on your rotation, you shouldn't be demanding an interview. Like it or not, the ball is in the programs' court. Sorry but that's the way it is. The orthopaedic residency application process is a seller's market.

That being said, stories about places offering / not offering interviews to rotators should not change your list of programs to rotate at. Bitter upperclassmen who didn't make the cut (via poor scores, grades, or rotation performance) will lament their choice of away rotation, but don't let the fact that they sucked on an away scare you from rotating there. If you have the scores/grades, work hard, read about anatomy, and are a likeable person, you will be a good rotator and given an interview. Anywhere.

Also, some of those programs previously mentioned here conduct their interviews during the rotation, which is entirely different than being invited back for an interview. Just because you are "interviewed" in July doesn't mean you'll be on the rank list in January.

I agree with this, but for an average/below average applicant is there any better chance than to try to rotate at a place that favors rotators and work your butt off? I wouldn't expect the strategy to work at HSS, but a community program would possibly rank an excellent rotator with a below avg numbers who would otherwise be lucky to get any interviews.

I just wanted to update now that interviews have pretty much come to a close. I ended up getting 13 interview offers (aways included) and went on 12. For others in a similar position early on in the cycle just be patient. I got quite a few offers the last week of November/1st week of December. I also received invites off of two waitlists so just hang in there. I know how stressful it can be so hopefully this gives next years group a little bit of hope to hang on to.