I certainly think that hard work does pay off, especially if you miss a "cut-off" by a few points. It's true that a program may not offer you an interview because you missed by a few points. But once the interviews are offered, I think that the points get lost in the "big picture" of the application (research, interesting background, etc). Getting the interview seems to be the biggest hurdle, and emphasizes the scores the most. I think hard work comes through when you do your AIs at programs that you are interested in. Many programs interview all of their rotators, so the hurdle is passed. Busting your butt during the AI and making a good impression will definitely make up for the few points that you lacked for the cut-off. I personally think that a program will take an applicant who worked hard and well with others during a rotation with sub-par scores than someone who aced the boards and didn't rotate at the program (at least for most programs). Just my thought...

i think you should quit trying to get into ortho. right? because then you'll never have to regret working your ass off for three months of your life only to not match. or, you could work your ass off, doing what you apparently want to do for the rest of your life, wow some people at a great program and match. don't know what the outcome will be, but hell, it's three months of your life. chose the former, you're a coward chose the latter, they may write songs about you

Hard work will show through ... if it is consistent ...

Yes

I liked Soudes's's post. It reminds me of this quote: "Well, I guess if a person never quit when the going got tough, they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their life." Lance Armstrong - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story