Residency Help

[PI423LCA]

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I am a 3rd year finishing up my first ortho rotation with a great evaluation and score from preceptor. I have always wanted to do orthopedics but am afraid that my chances are dismal. I am top 15% class rank, research (non-medical), in process of two publications in orthopedic journal and have gotten stellar scores on all my rotations. My only problem is of course a big part of getting in, COMLEX. My score on step I was just under 500. I am not a person that likes to hear someone say "no shot" or "impossible" but after reading posts on here thats the only thing I can think of.

My main question is, are there any residency programs for ortho that focus highly on credentials other than COMLEX I score? I plan on crushing step II, but still will have the looming step I score.

Advice please!

 

[nalgie24]

In my experience throughout the ortho application process, audition rotations, and interview encounters I will say that no one ever asked me about my step 1 COMLEX score. I talked with students who contacted Program Directors to find out why an interview was not granted and low board scores were cited as the reason. I think a lot of programs use scores as a tool to screen applications. There are however a handful of programs that do not seem to care as much about board scores as they do about work ethic, personality, etc...

The best advice I can give is to do extensive research on all the ortho programs you are interested in. Get a hold of residents and directors if you have to in order to find out how they view board scores in the application process. Then schedule audition rotations with those programs that do not rely on COMLEX scores very heavily through the application process. A sub 500 COMLEX I score doesn't preclude you from getting a spot but you have closed the door on some of your options making it more difficult to get in. It is "possible" and you do "have a shot" if you put in some leg work and do a great job of scheduling your 4th year audition rotations. If it's what you really want to do, give it 100%. If you don't match at least you can say you tried your best.

 

[PI423LCA]

Thank you for your reply and optimism. I have already begun my extensive research into programs and am confident that I will find my place with a program. I appreciate your thoughts.