Worth it to express interest in ortho?

[Saturday’s Child]

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I’m definitely aware that there is the possibility of bias against an applicant expressing interest in orthopedics, but I’ve gotten mixed info about whether it’s possible to mention it without generating that bias.

I feel like I have legitimate research/academic, shadowing, and life experiences to support my interest in ortho, and I don’t want to just work with athletes, but is it worth it to express that interest in my app or interviews? Or should I just avoid it altogether and save myself any trouble?

Thank you for your help!
@LizzyM @gonnif @Goro @Moko

 

[Moko]

I believe LizzyM has discussed how to address this multiple times before. Talk about the things that you enjoy about orthopedics. I suspect you are interested in Orthopedics because you enjoy working with your hands, etc. Go about it from that angle so you appear open to more than just one subspecialty.

 

[Etopn23]

If it's what you want to do, I don't see why you couldn't elaborate on your interest. However I would make it clear that you're not locked into that speciality and are opened to exploring the breadth of medicine as a student.

 

[Engrailed]

I’m definitely aware that there is the possibility of bias against an applicant expressing interest in orthopedics, but I’ve gotten mixed info about whether it’s possible to mention it without generating that bias.

I feel like I have legitimate research/academic, shadowing, and life experiences to support my interest in ortho, and I don’t want to just work with athletes, but is it worth it to express that interest in my app or interviews? Or should I just avoid it altogether and save myself any trouble?

Thank you for your help!
@LizzyM @gonnif @Goro @Moko

Say you’re interested as youve done xyz things but that you’re still *openminded*
That’s key.

 

[Saturday’s Child]

Totally unrelated specialty, but what about concierge primary care? Would the same rules still apply?

 

[Engrailed]

Totally unrelated specialty, but what about concierge primary care?

What’s concierge primary care???

 

[Saturday’s Child]

What’s concierge primary care???

You can probably find better definitions online, but basically a PCP doc serves a smaller subset of patients who pay a fee to keep him/her on retainer. The doc is essentially on-call for their patients and spends more time with them during visits, but since the doc sees way fewer patients, that extra effort is possible. I like the idea of getting to provide more personalized care, but since the pay is higher and typically caters to wealthier patients, there may be a negative stereotype... IDK.

 

[Moko]

Totally unrelated specialty, but what about concierge primary care? Would the same rules still apply?

Don't mention your interest in concierge care. You're essentially saying that you only want to deal with wealthy patients.

 

[Engrailed]

Don't mention your interest in concierge care. You're essentially saying that you only want to deal with wealthy patients.

Yeah that was my understanding as well. Sounds pretty much like a bougie service haha.. which would neutralize any positive connotation of the primary care interest.

 

[LizzyM]

I’m definitely aware that there is the possibility of bias against an applicant expressing interest in orthopedics, but I’ve gotten mixed info about whether it’s possible to mention it without generating that bias.

I feel like I have legitimate research/academic, shadowing, and life experiences to support my interest in ortho, and I don’t want to just work with athletes, but is it worth it to express that interest in my app or interviews? Or should I just avoid it altogether and save myself any trouble?

Thank you for your help!
@LizzyM @gonnif @Goro @Moko

Say that you are particularly interested in working with the elderly to improve their quality of life and help them regain/maintain their independence and that orthopedics or physical and rehabilitation medicine are interests of yours but that you are particularly interested in a career that has a surgical component. There is enough misdirection in a statement like that to distract an adcom. 😉

 

[Engrailed]

Say that you are particularly interested in working with the elderly to improve their quality of life and help them regain/maintain their independence and that orthopedics or physical and rehabilitation medicine are interests of yours but that you are particularly interested in a career that has a surgical component. There is enough misdirection in a statement like that to distract an adcom. 😉

This is legit gold. Take it OP!

 

[deleted976595]

Can I cite my bench press # to support my interest in ortho 🤣

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Can I cite my bench press # to support my interest in ortho 🤣

Only if it's 3 plates or more. If yes, then do it. They'll put a call in to the PD to reserve a spot for you in 4 years.

 

[sadpremed121]

Can I cite my bench press # to support my interest in ortho 🤣

Mcat+bench needs to be greater than 750 to be competitive

 

[907914]

Mcat+bench needs to be greater than 750 to be competitive

230 bench? That’s a negatory.

 

[907914]

@MemeLord If I can do it, so can you Memes

My record for 3 rep max was 185 for bench. My squat is where it’s at though - 385 3 rep max. For a 5’7” 165 pound guy, that is not too shabbyz

 

[907914]

@MemeLord 225 for 8 on bench at 175lb bodyweight for me. Maybe we're destined for ortho

I mean, I am currently working on 3 projects that are directly linked to both osteoclasts and post implant infections...if my research is any indication, I def could go the ortho route...but family is #1 and ortho doesn’t allow a family lol

 

[Dr. Stalker]

To declare interest in ortho is analogous to declaring oneself pre-med freshman year of college.

Source: MS1 (now MS2) going for ortho.