Hello,
I am an IMG really interested in Orthopedics. I have been told (and read from several posts) that it is an uphill task for IMG. A bit about myself so you can give me a fair assessment of my chances.
-Graduated 2004, top 5% of the class.
-Honors in 3 Preclinical course (Anatomy Physiology Biochemistry)
- Honors in clinical(Medicine, Pediatrics)
-High pass in Surgery.
-Step 1 score: 236/99, awaiting step 2
-MPH in 2007/2008
-Been working in surgical research since May 2008 (not directly orthopedics but I have been doing a lot of trauma research). had a first author poster presentation at the AAST. Preparing another manuscript for Journal of Trauma. Also co-authored about 8 other abstracts that have been presented at different surgical conferences. Hope to have more before I am done with the research year in May 2009.
-Got a letter from chair of surgery department here in the US since I mentioned I was interested in Surgery. He is a well known trauma surgeon. Might have written the letter more geared towards general surgery, not sure. Can the letters be useful in applying to ortho since it is non-ortho. Getting another letter from a general surgeon and the last from another trauma surgeon. Is that very negative considering there is no letter from an orthopaedist?
I am planning to apply to categorical and preliminary general surgery just for back. I will appreciate a sincere evaluation.
I really appreciate your time.
From what you have presented I would say that you have a significant uphill battle to say the least. Not having ANY orthopaedic letters of recommendation is a HUGE problem. If you are interested in training in orthopaedic surgery then programs will want to understand why you don't have any orthopaedic surgeons' supporting letters?
My advice would certainly be to have a back-up plan but if Ortho is definitely what you'd like to pursue you will need to apply to >80 programs to try and procure some interview invitations.
