Seeking July 2010 PGY-1 Ortho. Have Very Prestigious Prelim.

Not to over-emphasize, but WOW!! I hope no one reading this would seriously consider leaving a position in an orthopaedic surgery residency, any orthopaedic surgery residency in the worst hole in the earth town with the most malignant program, to take a one year prelim internship that in and of itself leads to a career in absolutely nothing.

Having done a prelim general surgery year before matching into ortho I can say that any position in ortho is better than doing a prelim year, and doing the prelim year at the most prestigious program in the solar system does not give you a spot in ortho the next time around, and I can just imagine the interview questions about why you left ortho the year before, assuming you got any interviews.

If someone wanted to switch to general surgery or any other specialty from ortho there are constantly CATEGORICAL residents in very "prestigious" programs wanting to switch into ortho all the time. Pick your program for the most part if you really want to switch and land a categorical spot.

I think what the origional poster may have wanted to say (or at least should have said) is "please let me know if there are any PGY 1 2010 or PGY 2 2011 ortho spots that open up". In reality these spots are in such high demand that asking people here to let you know is a bit presumptious. However, the right course of action is to keep checking often and jump on every opportunity that you hear about (been there, done that). Be proactive, but be realistic about what you have to offer in return for an ortho spot. You may have an excellent application, strong work ethic, whatever. However, offering a prelim year for an orthospot is like asking Gates to give you Microsoft in exchange for your old toilet, even a prestigious old toilet. Sorry to be dramatic, but it's nonetheless true. Get through the prelim year and fight for an orthospot. It's doable.

My understanding is that there were 2 categorical gen surg spots left, vs ortho 3. This may be a fluke. I know ortho is more desirable and competitive, but every person has a different situation and calculus in his/her mind--that's why rank lists are not identical. Every year is different, and some years have weird match results. I know one Neurosurg PGY-2 that left a Northeast program...and matched for medicine in the West. Why? I don't know. But he had his reasons.

Obviously I am interested in any Ortho spot that opens...I am just putting an offer out there. I did not mean to offend anyone, and i don't mean to be pretentious. It's nice that you guys are all so concerned but there is a line after which one becomes a know-all busybody. Preferences are subjective. Not everyone wold rather do Ortho anywhere, than do something else in a place to which they are tied (spouse, children, etc...)

jdoc, congrats on matching btw. Would love to hear any advice you have.

I will trade my shiny $1 bill for your tattered, dirty $5 bill and call it fair.

Bonemetal,

You didn't offend anyone. People just get exceedingly sensitive sometimes.

I don't see why anyone on here had to gang up on you. You're just trying to find a way to reach your career goals. You offer your conditions, and if anyone wants to abide by them-- whatever the circumstances may be for any of the four parties involved (2 apps, 2 programs)-- so be it. Anyone who has nothing to do with making such an arrangement, yet gives you flack for it on this forum, likely is someone who has a major chip on their shoulder for whatever reason; otherwise they wouldn't be wasting their time venting at your post.

So don't feel bad about what anyone says if they try to discourage you. You gotta do what you gotta do, if for no other reason, so that you can go to sleep every night knowing that you've exhausted every conceivable option. And you don't need anyone's approval for that.

Bottom line: Don't apologize for you're efforts. You've done nothing wrong.

Hang in there. I wish you the best of luck.

AJ