Hi all,
I am new to this forum and really here for advice on whether or not I should pursue ortho. Let me just preface by saying that I've been a sports lover my entire life and my dream job when I was in college was to one day become a team physician for a major sports team. However, I never really acted on this dream because of various reasons and self-doubt that I can do it. Fast forward a few years....I just began my 3rd year of medical school at an institution most would consider as a top-tier medical school. I did not pursue ortho during my first two years. I realized almost all the ortho/plastics kids started research on like day 1 of medical school and knew that's what they wanted to do with their life. I started medical school with an open mind and really was interested in everything that I was learning. However, it wasn't until recent months that I started to really consider ortho and found that passion/dream that I've always had for ortho, but I did not want to make that leap until I get my step 1 score back before deciding where to proceed from there. In a way, I was hoping my step 1 score will tell me to "go for it!" before I commit down that path + take a year off to do ortho research. I was averaging 240+ on my mock nbmes leading up to the test, but unfortunately due to sub-optimal condition on test day (couldn't sleep the night before, test day anxiety, and just feeling physically sick and nauseated on one of the sets), I was not able to perform up to my standards and scored a 238. I know there is no excuse and I don't put any blame on anything other than myself. So, here I am with a less than desirable step 1 score and pondering whether I have still have a chance and whether I should pursue ortho.
In summary,
Gender: Male
Med School: Top 20, in the midwest
Preclinical Performance: Pass (school on P/F system preclinical)
Step 1: 238
Research Experiences:
--3 years of basic science research in undergrad ==> 1 pub as co-author in asthma research during undergrad
--Research in transplant surgery during M1/M2 years ==> Should get a pub or two
--ZERO ortho research
Clinical Rotations: Just started my first rotation of 3rd year. Our school is on H/HP/P/F for clinical years
I would really appreciate any advice/input on whether I should still give ortho a shot! Of course, if I go for it, I am going to go all out and do everything I in my power to make me as competitive as possible. I also want to mention that I was and still am considering getting a dual degree MD/MBA through my institution's program with our business school (top-tier business school), which we would do 1 year of MBA between 3rd and 4th year. However, if I decide to go for ortho, I might just forgo my plan of getting an MBA and focus on perhaps getting a fellowship in ortho research at my home institution. Unless I could juggle both getting and MBA + ortho research, which is probably not feasible.
If you think I should still go for it, what are things I should do to make myself as competitive as possible?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
