ms3
OSRR Newbie
Posts: 1
(3/10/02 9:59:51 pm)
68.1.140.176
Reply | Edit | Del All Need some advice regarding applying to ortho
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I understand the match is coming up quickly, and wish everyone the best!
I have a few questions regarding ortho as a residency. My school does not have a residency program affliliated with it, so there is no co-ordinator that can give me some advice.
Upon entering med school, I had NO IDEA of what specialty I wanted to pursue. I did very well throughout my first 2 years of school, but 2 weeks before the boards, my wife and I lost our baby, which almost destroyed me.
I postponed my boards a month, and when I finally took Step 1, I recieved a 227....certainly a disappointment after doing so well in the basic sciences.
I realize that Step 1 scores are not everything, and neither is AOA, but these really boost your chances of landing a position. I have done well so far during my clerkships, but on my last clerkship (medicine) I recieved a high pass. I couldn't put all of my efforts into the rotation, my wife was again pregnant, and hospitalized for the same reason she was 9 months ago when she lost our first child.
Currently I am in a state of confusion, having to submit my 4th year schedule. I really want to do ortho, but am worried now that my AOA hopes are shot and my step 1 scores are not as high as I would like them to be....without a ortho co-ordinator to talk to, I have no idea of my chance of matching....
If I have very strong letters of recommendation, do well on step 2 (I plan to take it in late JUNE), and do well on my otho rotations away, would these points offset my lower Step 1 scores, lack of AOA, and lack of all honors in my clerkships?
How many programs should I apply to?
What advice would you give an MS-3 that decided later in his med school career to pursue ortho?
I realize this post is long, and many before me have asked the same old, if I have a 230 and AOA, will I get ortho? I appreciate ANY input from those more experienced!
thanks, and GOOD LUCK with the match!
Edited by: ms3 at: 3/10/02 10:03:04 pm
Ortho2002
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 198
(3/10/02 10:51:57 pm)
172.143.140.104
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Need some advice regarding applying to ortho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i think that you have to realistically look at what your situation is. can you match in ortho? certainly. however, you might have to spend a lot of money on apps and interviewing at some places that are less than desirable. but, if ortho is what you want to do, you can find a spot if you work your butt off. as we have mentioned before, a couple of good aways with letters can really help your chances. i had a friend with your scores, non-aoa that matched last year. the key is to apply everywhere that you could possibly imagine going. this means that you need to be prepared to shell out a couple of grand on apps, but this is a small investment when compared to taking a whole year off and doing it again. with a 227, you will realistically not make the initial cutoffs of most, but not all, major programs. the "but not all" is the reason that you just have to send the app and find out. if i were you, i wouldn't spend a whole lot of time focusing on trying to explain your scores. @#%$ happens and everyone knows that. take your step 2 and crush it. stand by your step 1 score and don't make excuses (even if they are legitimate). so, to answer your question of how many to apply to. i would say as many as you can afford if you really want to do ortho. better to have to turn down a few interviews than not have enough to feel comfortable. i am sure that some of the others here will chime in on this too.
timmytibia
OSRR Intern
Posts: 23
(3/10/02 11:14:21 pm)
68.83.4.202
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Need some advice regarding applying to ortho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I read your post correctly, the only poor clinical grade you have is a high-pass in medicine.
WIth a 227 Step I and good grades, if you take step II early and do well, I don't see why you won't have a fighting chance.
Granted, you may not get interviews at the 'top' programs, but if you just want to match anywhere, I know of plenty of people with 220ish Step I scores who interviewed at many community programs.
Check back with us after the 21 -- then people with scores similar to yours will let you know how they did in the match. Perhaps I'm naive, but with I think if you apply to TONS of programs and don't set your sights solely on the 'big name' places, you have a fighting chance. If you are picky regarding location or type of program you may need to reconsider. Find out from people you know who got interviews at programs with Step I
OSRR Newbie
Posts: 1
(3/10/02 9:59:51 pm)
68.1.140.176
Reply | Edit | Del All Need some advice regarding applying to ortho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I understand the match is coming up quickly, and wish everyone the best!
I have a few questions regarding ortho as a residency. My school does not have a residency program affliliated with it, so there is no co-ordinator that can give me some advice.
Upon entering med school, I had NO IDEA of what specialty I wanted to pursue. I did very well throughout my first 2 years of school, but 2 weeks before the boards, my wife and I lost our baby, which almost destroyed me.
I postponed my boards a month, and when I finally took Step 1, I recieved a 227....certainly a disappointment after doing so well in the basic sciences.
I realize that Step 1 scores are not everything, and neither is AOA, but these really boost your chances of landing a position. I have done well so far during my clerkships, but on my last clerkship (medicine) I recieved a high pass. I couldn't put all of my efforts into the rotation, my wife was again pregnant, and hospitalized for the same reason she was 9 months ago when she lost our first child.
Currently I am in a state of confusion, having to submit my 4th year schedule. I really want to do ortho, but am worried now that my AOA hopes are shot and my step 1 scores are not as high as I would like them to be....without a ortho co-ordinator to talk to, I have no idea of my chance of matching....
If I have very strong letters of recommendation, do well on step 2 (I plan to take it in late JUNE), and do well on my otho rotations away, would these points offset my lower Step 1 scores, lack of AOA, and lack of all honors in my clerkships?
How many programs should I apply to?
What advice would you give an MS-3 that decided later in his med school career to pursue ortho?
I realize this post is long, and many before me have asked the same old, if I have a 230 and AOA, will I get ortho? I appreciate ANY input from those more experienced!
thanks, and GOOD LUCK with the match!
Edited by: ms3 at: 3/10/02 10:03:04 pm
Ortho2002
OSRR Fellow
Posts: 198
(3/10/02 10:51:57 pm)
172.143.140.104
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Need some advice regarding applying to ortho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i think that you have to realistically look at what your situation is. can you match in ortho? certainly. however, you might have to spend a lot of money on apps and interviewing at some places that are less than desirable. but, if ortho is what you want to do, you can find a spot if you work your butt off. as we have mentioned before, a couple of good aways with letters can really help your chances. i had a friend with your scores, non-aoa that matched last year. the key is to apply everywhere that you could possibly imagine going. this means that you need to be prepared to shell out a couple of grand on apps, but this is a small investment when compared to taking a whole year off and doing it again. with a 227, you will realistically not make the initial cutoffs of most, but not all, major programs. the "but not all" is the reason that you just have to send the app and find out. if i were you, i wouldn't spend a whole lot of time focusing on trying to explain your scores. @#%$ happens and everyone knows that. take your step 2 and crush it. stand by your step 1 score and don't make excuses (even if they are legitimate). so, to answer your question of how many to apply to. i would say as many as you can afford if you really want to do ortho. better to have to turn down a few interviews than not have enough to feel comfortable. i am sure that some of the others here will chime in on this too.
timmytibia
OSRR Intern
Posts: 23
(3/10/02 11:14:21 pm)
68.83.4.202
Reply | Edit | Del Re: Need some advice regarding applying to ortho
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I read your post correctly, the only poor clinical grade you have is a high-pass in medicine.
WIth a 227 Step I and good grades, if you take step II early and do well, I don't see why you won't have a fighting chance.
Granted, you may not get interviews at the 'top' programs, but if you just want to match anywhere, I know of plenty of people with 220ish Step I scores who interviewed at many community programs.
Check back with us after the 21 -- then people with scores similar to yours will let you know how they did in the match. Perhaps I'm naive, but with I think if you apply to TONS of programs and don't set your sights solely on the 'big name' places, you have a fighting chance. If you are picky regarding location or type of program you may need to reconsider. Find out from people you know who got interviews at programs with Step I