I realize that as a future IMG, I am already behind the eight ball in attaining an orthopedic residency. I have a few issues on which any advise would be most appreciated.
1.) I scored a 251 on my STEP 1 and have maintained a 4.0/4.0 throughout both basic and clinical sciences. My school does not designate honors for specific classes, however I have been on the Dean's List Honor Roll for semesters 1-7 thus far. What are my chances?
2.) As I attended a Caribbean medical school, there is no ortho program (and thus no ortho program chairman) from whom I can get an LOR. I had met with the previous Dean on multiple occasions, but this position changed hands after I had left the island and had begun my rotations here in the states. As it is, I have not yet met, nor do I see an opportunity to meet, the new Dean. Other than my surgery core and any ortho electives, who else should I obtain LOR's from to boost my chances?
3.) I am currently in my general surgery rotation, but have had the opportunity to scrub in on nearly an equal number of ortho cases. The scrub techs and circulating nurses all tell me the surgeons love having me in the OR, not only because I am eager and very interested in orthopedics, but also because I carry on good conversation with them on topics outside of medicine. Should I ask any of them to write LOR's? Should they designate that they are writing an ortho letter for a student that was in his core general surgery rotation?
4.) Because of the timing with when I started basic sciences, and how rotations have panned out thus far, I will be finishing my electives approximately 2 months too late to match 2013. I am at a loss as to what I should do for nearly 10 months. Where should I try to do research? Should I try to get a position teaching in the anatomy lab at a school where I may want to get a residency? Should I attempt to do both of the aforementioned in the same location?
Thank you in advance for any and all advise you may be able to afford...
