Short answer...no, unless your Dad's the chairman, or you're banging one of the chief residents on the committee. Some people I know with rotations at these places with high level inside family/friend connections didn't get spots, ortho and non-ortho... I would venture a guess that faculty at most of the big name places (and many others) have multiple wet dreams a night for the entire months of Jan and Feb exclusively about candidates with BIG numbers who have anywhere from cool to acceptable personalities.
Also, for those places, what school you're from is a big deal for Harvard, HSS, and others... I't all about the pedigree baby (exceptions exist but are not the rule). Oh, and I don't necessarily think that any of this stuff is unfair, either...If you knew you could get the hottest chicks at the school dance, why would you settle for Janey the butter face?
Keep in mind, however, you can always get great letters for people at these places who want you to do REALLY well in ortho (just not there), and they can be helpful. (All based on observational experience)
