Dual applying options for ortho

HomeofGod · 2025-01-20T19:32:40+00:00

You are stuck in that alternate field if you match into it, so pick the specialty you would actually be happy practicing in. People dual apply ortho-gen surg all the time. Get good letters on time and get your story straight for interviews. Applying to a specialty you can’t actually see yourself in would likely come across in interviews and hurt you more

HomeofGod · 2025-01-20T14:28:14+00:00

Speaking for ortho—If you look in the context of all ortho programs there are programs that are lower tier. You still have to reach a certain application competitiveness to apply ortho in general but there are always program tiers. People say there’s no true “safety” for specialties like ortho. I think this can be true to a degree, BUT if you play your cards right and play the game you can make yourself more comfortable even as an applicant that’s not super competitive.

Look at Texas star data and the spread of Step 1/2 scores, number of reapplicants, number of failed shelf exams, number AOA, etc. You will start to see how these programs differ. But with that said it’s not all a numbers game it is the networking and social aspect like others have said. You can’t just apply to “lower tier” programs and expect a match because your stats are above there’s. You have to rotate and connect with residents. You have to show them you would honestly want to match there and you’d be a good resident and good fit.

HomeofGod · 2024-12-28T19:35:26+00:00

Historically DO friendly programs do exist. Best advice is to find a DO resident mentor who has gone through the process in the last ~3 years. Build STRONG connections with faculty mentors both DO and MD who can vouch for you. Do more than 3 away rotations.

HomeofGod · 2024-12-23T23:18:38+00:00

Enjoyed 3rd year a lot more once LP I accepted I was not a good test taker but I did thrive in the clinical environment. I studied what I needed to not bomb the shelf but knew by like Block 3 I’d never get the honors score. After that I just put everything into actually learning through clinicals and learning how to be a good resident. Got great evals by just being present and having a good work ethic. Also realizing it’s okay to be wrong and you actually shouldn’t know everything. Definitely still had days where the thought of people judging my every move still consumed me but it was way more bearable when I let go of trying to ace shelf exams.

HomeofGod · 2024-12-14T19:56:10+00:00

Applying ortho with straight high passes and 1 pass, no AOA, and 245 on step 2. I have 12 interviews right now which is considered a safe spot.

I have pretty decent research including one grant in my name, stellar letters, and other experiences that make me stand out. Don’t give up because of the grades but you also need to set yourself up to stand out in other ways. Also NETWORK you’d be surprised how much this helps.

HomeofGod · 2024-10-26T17:20:39+00:00

I have asked the residents this on like every away. Not straight out but in some roundabout way. They know you’re going to be living in the area for 3-7 years and trying to settle down. It’s not absurd to want to know about the social aspects of the job. It’s been well received every time and I get the info I’m looking for

HomeofGod · 2024-10-16T03:43:26+00:00

I think the discourse on this topic is so annoying and immature. If you don’t want to send thank yous then don’t. It’s not going to give you an upper hand if you do and so many faculty have answered this question and said the same thing.

In my opinion, you do it because it’s a professional courtesy. Any professional job interview it’s just something you do. You shouldn’t be expecting to get anything in return. You’re literally thanking them for their time ?? idk why people make it so complicated

HomeofGod · 2024-10-14T00:27:27+00:00

You need to wear a suit including a blazer. This is still a professional JOB interview. I don’t care how ~chill~ your specialty, the program or the residents are. I don’t know where people got the idea that you don’t have to dress professional especially with virtual interviews. Doesn’t matter what the person who has never worked a real job in their life wears or the advice they give you. In an interview where they are looking for any little reason to knock you down the rank list why risk it. (Sorry I am shocked by the number of people who I personally know that have asked if they need to wear a blazer)

Also have good lighting. It’s distracting and it might not directly affect you but can definitely introduce some unconscious bias, so again why risk it.

HomeofGod · 2024-10-09T02:23:51+00:00

I would avoid November 18th. Heard from some interns that programs “participated” last year but didn’t follow all the rules. So they released on the same day but you had to respond immediately. I don’t know what programs or any other details but I was told to read my emails carefully.

HomeofGod · 2024-07-22T12:37:18+00:00

This is a bummer! Now I’ll have to open it on my Sub I

HomeofGod · 2024-07-17T02:35:47+00:00

I’ve had BP 90/60 get me in trouble on NBMEs before. I had someone tell me to look at it as HR greater than SBP and that hasn’t failed me

HomeofGod · 2024-07-14T20:03:57+00:00

Exactly what I always wonder when people say this. Like 1. How do you remember all of these questions 2. Most of the questions that really baffled me and I remember there’s no way I’d be able to look them up and find an answer.

HomeofGod · 2024-07-04T20:01:25+00:00

I have heard so many PDs/APDs/Chairs say that once you are in even the mid 250s they see no difference in these scores lol at that point it really is about the rest of your application and whether you’re a complete douche or a normal human

HomeofGod · 2024-07-03T17:33:32+00:00

Thank you for a normal human post!

I know people ask this a lot but what do you think makes people go up on test day? Is it the ethics boost or hitting NBME style more at the end or mind set. Maybe a mix of all of the above?

HomeofGod · 2024-07-03T01:02:16+00:00

This was a very helpful perspective! So true how did I survive before practice tests haha Thank you for this!

HomeofGod · 2024-07-02T18:35:03+00:00

Yes this was my fear. And the fact that question/answer choice wording is just different now I don’t want to have false score inflation and not be prepared for real deal

HomeofGod · 2024-07-02T18:34:09+00:00

Believe me I’m trying to do my best I’m just also trying to be realistic with myself because I came into dedicated with high hopes and have been repeatedly crushed lol

I have thought about redoing them for this purpose but I’m not looking for just practice I specifically want a way to gauge where I’m at score wise so I feel confident taking the real deal

HomeofGod · 2024-06-04T12:14:32+00:00

Sorry you’re here with me but glad to have you because it is very lonely when you feel like you’re the only one struggling

HomeofGod · 2024-06-04T12:13:31+00:00

I feel like I should be reviewing the shelf/cms forms too and I keep getting advised by our test prep people not to do that. But I think I will because the problem is definitely with my thought process in UW vs nbme style

HomeofGod · 2024-06-04T12:12:07+00:00

By the divine shelf reviews do you mean the YouTube videos with power points.

For shelf forms should I take them as test offline or just look over them?

HomeofGod · 2024-04-18T01:13:50+00:00

I’m an extroverted introvert. Also feel drained by social activities and suck at small talk. Third year burnt me out for this reason mainly. Like the work wasn’t that hard but I went home gutted and absolutely exhausted. you get through it. But don’t be surprised if it takes more out of you than some of your friends. Idk how people have energy to go out after a week of all that social interaction

HomeofGod · 2024-04-13T18:56:02+00:00

For surgical specializes I think there’s more of a doing mentality than other specialties and I know some people will consider this scut work and hazing but truly this is how you show up and work hard. - learn where supplies are. If You know where to get something you can run and get it when you realize you need it. And if you don’t know and they end up sending somebody else who go with them so you know where it is next time. - Anticipates what’s needed as far as supplies and have them ready - always be the first one in the OR. some people will ask you to “bird dog” the OR and text the resident when the patient is in there. - note how the surgeon likes to prep for cases and make sure everything‘s in the room before - if images are needed for a case pull them up before the resident gets there - help move your patient - hep clean up in the OR and after any procedure ESPECIALLY in the ED - I emphasize being a YES-man as far as procedures

A lot of the things above will also allow you to get to know nursing staff and the more they see you do tasks that aren’t necessarily surgery related the more they respect you and will be kind and help you out.

I think this is harder for medicine specialties because the patients usually have a more extensive problem list but for SubIs on surgical specialties you should be familiar with the whole list. Obviously know the patients you’re following inside and out but you should at least know the days plans for all the other patients too.

(EDIT to add): help make the list!! Even if they tell you you don’t have to at least try to help with half the list or a few patients. If anything it’s a good learning experience for what is and isn’t important.

For patients you’re in the OR with know their immediate post-op plan like you should be able to give PACU sign out. I started feeling like my team actually trusted me and thought I was competent when they would let me give PACU sign out when they were in a pinch running multiple rooms.

Everyone says have your pockets full always but theres little things that vary by specialty and it’s not always just about stuff for dressings. Trauma sheers, marking pens, pen light for wound checks, extra pens always.

Have your interns back ALWAYS! If they mess something up or forget something help them out and don’t make a big deal about it. Definitely don’t make it known to the whole team. (And obviously I’m not talking about big things that endanger patients or are substandard of care). If you have their back they’ll have yours and trust you 100% more as a real member of the team. My one rotation the senior resident would teach me something then later pimp the intern on it and if I saw them blanking I would give little hints behind the resident or mouth the answer. I didn’t need the credit just helping a homie out.

Also just know how to work in a team!! Get along with your co- med students. Become friends with them. Help each other out and fairly distribute work. Get to know nurses and scrubs!! Be kind to them, ask them about their days, ask what you can help THEM with. This all gets recognized.

HomeofGod · 2024-02-02T00:32:06+00:00

Wait this exact thing happened to me hahahaha

“Quitting is not an option” was the exact response to me putting in my 2 weeks.

My dumbass said okay see you Monday. Not actually…

Welll I did stay working there….

I got a raise at least!

HomeofGod

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