It really frustrates me the lack of acknowledgement that DO students even really exist in this statement put out by the AOrthoA/CORD. As you can tell from the copied portion below, the focus is entirely on allopathic students:
i. In general, it is recommended that allopathic students with Step 1 scores >235 apply to no more than 40 programs.
ii. It is recommended that allopathic students with Step 1 scores < 235 apply to no more than 60 programs.
iii. Step scores should be considered in the context of other strengths or areas of concern in a student’s residency application.
b. Data from 2018 NRMP surveys will help students and orthopaedic advisors assess how an individual student’s application characteristics will affect their likelihood of matching: https://mk0nrmp3oyqui6wqfm.kinstacd...rtingOutcomes-in-the-Match-2018_Seniors-1.pdf.
c. Finally, a strong plea: Please do not apply to more than 60 programs unless you have had some academic difficulty, are couples-matching, or are advised to by your orthopaedic medical school leadership. The data supports that the vast majority of applicants do not need to apply to more than 40 programs. We want to ensure that applicants get a holistic review, but this will be difficult to do if programs are flooded by applications.
We know that these recommendations can not apply to DO students because a 235 for a DO applicant is not even remotely close to the same as a MD applicant with a 235 in the eyes of program directors across the nation.
The only mention that we exist is saying the COMLEX Level 2 CE and PE have been delayed for students. Even if some want to say that the AOA is mainly for MDs while DOs have the AOsteoAOrtho, CORD encompasses all of the ortho residency programs now in ACGME. This should have been done by the AOA in partnership with the AOAO. The only thing I have seen from the AOAO is an email a few weeks ago asking what our thoughts were on virtual rotations. I think it's time the AOAO stops focusing solely on the original DO residency programs and starts advocating for students toward the original ACGME programs as well. And I think it's time we as students stop just accepting that we can only really have a shot with 40 something programs in this country. Let's build the DO Orthopedic brand to improve rather than just stay stagnant and hope that the traditional DO programs don't start taking MD applicants essentially eroding future DOs in orthopedics.
*Posted originally in Orthopedics section, but felt this deserved more visibility by DOs so deleted and moved it over here.
i. In general, it is recommended that allopathic students with Step 1 scores >235 apply to no more than 40 programs.
ii. It is recommended that allopathic students with Step 1 scores < 235 apply to no more than 60 programs.
iii. Step scores should be considered in the context of other strengths or areas of concern in a student’s residency application.
b. Data from 2018 NRMP surveys will help students and orthopaedic advisors assess how an individual student’s application characteristics will affect their likelihood of matching: https://mk0nrmp3oyqui6wqfm.kinstacd...rtingOutcomes-in-the-Match-2018_Seniors-1.pdf.
c. Finally, a strong plea: Please do not apply to more than 60 programs unless you have had some academic difficulty, are couples-matching, or are advised to by your orthopaedic medical school leadership. The data supports that the vast majority of applicants do not need to apply to more than 40 programs. We want to ensure that applicants get a holistic review, but this will be difficult to do if programs are flooded by applications.
We know that these recommendations can not apply to DO students because a 235 for a DO applicant is not even remotely close to the same as a MD applicant with a 235 in the eyes of program directors across the nation.
The only mention that we exist is saying the COMLEX Level 2 CE and PE have been delayed for students. Even if some want to say that the AOA is mainly for MDs while DOs have the AOsteoAOrtho, CORD encompasses all of the ortho residency programs now in ACGME. This should have been done by the AOA in partnership with the AOAO. The only thing I have seen from the AOAO is an email a few weeks ago asking what our thoughts were on virtual rotations. I think it's time the AOAO stops focusing solely on the original DO residency programs and starts advocating for students toward the original ACGME programs as well. And I think it's time we as students stop just accepting that we can only really have a shot with 40 something programs in this country. Let's build the DO Orthopedic brand to improve rather than just stay stagnant and hope that the traditional DO programs don't start taking MD applicants essentially eroding future DOs in orthopedics.
*Posted originally in Orthopedics section, but felt this deserved more visibility by DOs so deleted and moved it over here.
. To even get past things like that, the AOAO should be advocating on our behalf, especially if they want us to become future members. They should be working in conjunction with the AOrthoA and get these types of messages out to programs and practicing orthopedic surgeons. We don't have to just accept where we are and hope that we maintain status quo forever when it's very possible that 5, 10, 15 years down the road that DO ortho students spots at DO Ortho programs dwindles.
