Stuff to do now if interested in Ortho?

[osli]

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I'll be matriculating (hopefully) next fall, and while I know it is still early to be worrying about specialties, ortho is one of the things that has always fascinated me. I've found a lot of the posts on this subforum very informative.

My background is mechanical engineering (masters four years ago), and, naturally, nothing in the human body seems quite as compelling to me as the skeletal system. Maybe after a year or two in med school, or during rotations, I'll see something I think I'd enjoy more, or perhaps something about ortho that turns me off, but for now I don't think it would hurt to find out more about what interests me.

I have gathered that ortho related research is a big plus for matching... perhaps my background will help there. Maybe I can find some cool failure load analysis to contribute on - FEA was/is one of my specialties. Heck, I did a cervical spine stress analysis as one of my graduate projects. Anyway, the school I am hoping to be accepted to isn't particularly known for being strong in research... or much else for that matter. A good, solid state school, with good clinical experience and above average USMLE scores and pass rates. I believe they even have had an ortho residency in most years.

From what others have asked/answered on this forum, it seems like the track to ortho matching is:
- good step 1 scores, 230+
- ortho research
- aways in ortho
- networking with people who can help
- being a generally laid back, cool dude who is fun to hang with

I think my only problem is the "average" school I plan to attend. I'm married, and this state school is both close and cheap, and plenty good enough for me not to uproot to some distant prestigous school. Any suggestions on things to do in the early (1, 2) years that might make me stand out compared to other applicants from "top" schools?

Oh - and the area I'd like to eventually practice and raise a family is a smallish city (under 50,000 pop) in a rather rural area of the South. I have read on some posts here that working in the sticks is an advantage for ortho. Any thoughts on that? One of my concerns is going into a specialty that makes it hard for me to eventually move back near family and lifelong friends.

And I know... I've got a lot ahead of me, and who knows where med school will take me? Cool forum though... and really cool area of medicine.

 

[osli]

lol, ok, for now I'll chill, enjoy the plush pre-med life, fret over typical med student stuff next year, and ask the same questions next fall.

 

[HP11]

I don't think it's too early at all. It's good to get started in research now and see if you would actually like the field. If your school does not offer much research, try the private sector. Talk to orthopedic surgeons in your area. I have actually picked up the yellow pages and just cold called doctors. Some actually love to have students in their office and some are involved in research even though they have private practices. You'll be surprised what you learn with just contacting physicians in your area.

If you really are interested in research and want the academic experience, then, you might want to go to a more prestigous school with strong clinical research. Ultimately, it's up to YOU. Just know that many applicants have research and publications and that makes for a more solid candidate. It sounds like you have some graduate work under your belt. That is fantastic. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to get involved early and make connections!

Just remember that your plans and how you view the medical field will probably change to some degree and you may not actually want many of the things that you mentioned in your post and time goes by.

 

[osli]

Thanks for the tips on private sector research. I know there is a good possibility that what I find interesting will change during med school... it seems the prevailing wisdom is that you just have to go through it to understand what it's all about, so who knows how I'll feel in a few years.

On the other hand, I'd rather not be in my 3rd or 4th year and realize that I need to squeeze in some quality research to be competitive in a competitive residency field. Especially if my university (which still isn't "my" - far from a certainty) isn't particularly strong in research offerings.