Scott Silverstein
WVU Staff
Posts: 17
(3/17/02 10:44:34 am)
24.50.190.67
Reply | Edit | Del All Advice to MS3's - soon to be 4's
A few things after reading the numerous posts on matching...
Board scores matter as does AOA but neither is the most important thing.(although some places do use cutoffs - what can you do) We dont like to take people who fail the USMLE or do VERY poorly (because you want people to pass their boards when they are done or your program can get suspended).
More important is your letters of recommendations(the last line in the letter tells the tale - orthospeak - how interested the person really is in you as a candidate) and your rotation if you do one with us(even though we take lots of people who never do). Get letters from as many orthopedists as possible, as the other ones mean NOTHING AT ALL REALLY! A chief resident letter is required some places and can be helpful anywhere. We invite our chiefs to the rank meeting every year to get the residents input.
Research is a part of it too but again not even close to the most important thing.
Bottom line is to kick butt on your subI's and ask people for letters of recommendation afterwards. The problem is most people dont seem to know what to do on a sub I to stand out so we put together a tip sheet. If anyone wants it just email me and i'd be happy to forward it.
Also no matter how good you think your application is, be humble and apply to more programs than you need. If you limit areas of the country you may get burned, ive seen it happen to good applicants. Take all statements of interest in you with a grain of salt, applicants and programs both tend to exagerate interest in each other.
Anyone interested in our program (its not well known but is outstanding - i stayed on as staff because i like it alot) feel free to contact me as well after checking out our web site if you have any questions. I'd encourage people to consider a sub I here as we really let our students do a lot (easier since we have no fellows).
Good luck,
Scott Silverstein MD
WVU Orthopedics
[url=mailto]
[email protected][/url]
nd kid
OSRR Newbie
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ms3
OSRR Newbie
Posts]
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orthopedics
OSRR Newbie
Posts: 2
(3/23/02 6:13:16 pm)
63.61.222.242
Reply | Edit | Del "Away" rotations
Dr. Silverstein and Dr. Levine:
How does it work for the "away" rotations for people who are already physicians (USMLE Steps 1-3 taken and licensed)? Do programs have the physician work as a sub-I for a month? Is this something done through the hospital's program director or the rotating physician's Dean's Office? Having graduated a few years ago I feel that I am at a terible disadvantage trying to make face time with programs. Thank you.
nd kid
OSRR Newbie
Posts: 2
(3/27/02 6:19:21 am)
156.145.106.99
Reply | Edit | Del Re: "Away" rotations
It is definitely more difficult for people in your situation. Most of the "sub-I" rotations are filled by our own medical students and rotating medical students. My best advice is to contact the Dean's offices of programs you are interested and see if you can schedule 1-month rotations during your "elective" time. Good luck.
WNL
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