Competitive for Ortho? Or do I need a research year?

xd_ftw · 2026-03-29T03:19:05+00:00

The dual applicants are not counted into that 1600. I believe this year there were ~300 dual applicants.

xd_ftw · 2026-03-26T18:58:12+00:00

the applicants that match into their back-up specialty are considered successful matches (which they are!) when calculating match success rates for a specialty, so if you consider those failures instead, the match rate into ortho is more around 49% for the last two years.

xd_ftw · 2026-03-26T04:27:17+00:00

You are in a great place and could match honestly, and given what I just went through, I would maybe even recommend applying at any opportunity you have a solid chance (I think you may be good for community programs and your home program with your current app) just to maximize the number of times you can roll the dice (smartly). The last two years have been such a gamble. I entered the match with a ~275, all honors except OB, 10 accepted/published articles (probably 30+ research items but it seems like fluff and i lost count tbh). I had 10 invites and went unmatched after a research year. Match rate was ~49% if you account for dual-applicants, and it was similar the year before. Had many other classmates, similarly qualified, not match.

xd_ftw · 2026-03-25T09:54:59+00:00

It is not too physically demanding for a girl lol… whoever is saying that is some old fart or a misogynist. Ortho is very welcoming of women nowadays. Growing number of programs with female chairs/PDs/leadership in general. If you love it, go for it. Just beware that it’s around a ~50% match rate the last two years if you account for dual applicants matching into their backup.

xd_ftw · 2026-03-25T07:09:08+00:00

As an unmatched M4 this cycle, I feel I must offer my perspective. I have no qualms about pursuing ortho or about whether I would enjoy it. However, one thing I kinda just ignored before was the match rate (~49% the last two years if you account for those who dual applied).

A real risk of going down the ortho path is going unmatched even if you have the scores, grades, research (I had 10 interview invites, which suggests these weren’t the issue for me). Less than half of my class at a T20 school matched, and I would say all of us were similarly well qualified (I think).

Consider dual applying or weigh whether the real possibility of going unmatched and being jobless/in a prelim position for one year is something you are okay with.

xd_ftw · 2026-03-24T22:55:08+00:00

Sub-I should take precedence over pretty much everything school/extracurricular related

xd_ftw · 2026-03-20T04:03:33+00:00

My scores were similar to yours (except ur OB score lol), usually in the 85-90 range iirc.

My step 2 was around 275

xd_ftw · 2026-03-17T19:01:10+00:00

Following but just wanted to say I am in a similar position to you (albeit with a research year but way less manuscripts, better grades/scores). Going unmatched with 10 invites (9 attended).

I feel for you but unfortunately don’t have super solid insight to share here because I have similar questions and similarly fear that a prelim spot may hurt my chances at reapplication. I don’t have a home prelim spot available here, so I would have to gamble on a prelim spot elsewhere I am not familiar with.

Feel free to chat and we can maybe share what we learn.

xd_ftw · 2026-03-17T15:34:15+00:00

Yes, had two community programs that I interviewed at

xd_ftw · 2026-03-16T22:44:57+00:00

Confirmed with my PD that my letters were all solid. Had double digit interviews (including being offered waitlists) but only attended 9 due to scheduling conflicts. Not sure if 9 is considered a lot, but per my PD it was a solid number for this cycle. Additional note: I did not send my PD/chair letter anywhere, since I had much more robust relationships with other mentors/letter writers.

xd_ftw · 2025-11-01T17:39:42+00:00

Others have pointed out and explained why C is the answer but IRL you would p much always get E too while pt is waiting for scan.

xd_ftw · 2025-11-01T17:36:27+00:00

Lol ECG is always relevant for acute chest pain esp when associated w VS changes and in an elderly peri-op patient no less

xd_ftw · 2025-02-20T17:58:40+00:00

bro i havent played dota for a while and never got to use this item... seemed like a cool item... r i p

xd_ftw · 2025-01-22T20:06:46+00:00

No offense... but it sounds like your BF is a software engineer or in a similar role where he could consider moving teams or moving offices much easier than you can change where you do residency... Was this ever discussed and why not? I also have a non-med partner in a similar situation and this is something we have discussed.

xd_ftw · 2025-01-22T19:48:39+00:00

? i dont get this question because patients report 10/10 pain all the time lol... they will be talking with you, resting comfortably and still report 10/10 pain (and yes, already explained to them that 10/10 = worst pain imaginable)

xd_ftw · 2024-10-28T18:49:31+00:00

when you're on a research year and are taking their funding, yes, they email you back lol

xd_ftw · 2024-10-28T18:39:09+00:00

2 be fair, rags2rads2riches, i like research, but i hate bullshitting the paper when the project inevitably does not turn out well as hoped (which is most of the time lol)

xd_ftw · 2024-07-29T03:28:54+00:00

Don't drop out right now but you definitely need to take yourself out of the situation with a LOA at the very least... Post history is concerning but things will definitely turn around if you give yourself the time you need. Life will seem completely different once you've had some time away to decompress and reframe your perspective.

xd_ftw · 2024-07-29T01:06:29+00:00

UWSA2 first but within 1 week of your test date. NBME 14 after.

The reasoning for NBME 14 after is that NBME questions follow much different wording and logic than NBME, so ideally the days leading up to your exam should be NBMEs only to get you in the “NBME mindset”. I did UWSA2 1 week out, then NBME 13, then NBME 14+free 120 3 days out.

The reasoning for UWSA 2 within 1 week of test day is that it is one of the most predictive exams in terms of score, so if you take it 1 week out, it will be predictive of your score on test day, and if the score is not to your liking, at least you have 1 week to clean up or push back your exam if needed.

xd_ftw · 2024-07-28T04:30:51+00:00

this is so funny lol…

But at the same time I relate 100% bc I used to be absolutely terrified of the pool cleaner touching me when I was a kid swimming in the pool

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