sjohnson7 Registered User Posts: 3 (5/6/01 11:14:26 am) Reply just want a little advice Taking all other factors out of play (experience, research, AOA, ), what is the average board score (step 1) for the "average" ortho residency. I am taking mine in July, and in the likelihood that I don't do well - the nauseating reality - what would get me an interview? Thanks to all of the responders OrthoStud Registered User Posts: 8 (5/6/01 12:35:59 pm) Reply Re: just want a little advice I'd say over 230, you'd get interviewed at most places...I hear you may get weeded out of top programs like HSS, Mayo, Harvard if you're not AOA, etc...I'd say over 220, you'll get a bunch of interviews, but I hear many top programs don't interview below 230...Don't know if there's a lot of truth to that since I'm a 3rd year and still haven't gone through it. But from what I hear, 220 is the magic number for most "average" programs. I know of one guy who got a 218 and didn't get interviewed at a bunch of places (had only like 4 interviews)!!!! So you definitely want to break 220. If you break 230 you're pretty safe. og71 Registered User Posts: 6 (5/6/01 12:39:27 pm) Reply Re: just want a little advice I know a guy who had 240 and jr. AOA interviewed a bunch of places and got nothing. I also know a guy who had less than a 220, no AOA, interviewed at 8 or 9 and was accepted. There is no standard score which is why I look forward to what B.S. will be sprayed in the process of responding to this post. OrthoStud Registered User Posts: 10 (5/6/01 12:57:49 pm) Reply Re: just want a little advice He asked what score is likely to get him an INTERVIEW...Anecdotes of some ass who had over 240 and junior AOA and didn't match is BS being sprayed on this post. I think most people would agree that you need a score of over 220 to get a decent number of interviews. But yes there are many exceptions to this. og71 Registered User Posts: 7 (5/6/01 6:49:54 pm) Reply Settle Down My simple point is there is no standard score that guarantees you anything including interviews. There are guesses like you are throwing around but there is no magic number. Relax and everything becomes easier. og71 Registered User Posts: 8 (5/6/01 6:54:30 pm) Reply The Guy I would also like to add that the guy with the 240 and jr. AOA was not an "ass" as labeled by someone who simply read one sentence but simply an aberration of a system that sometimes allows very good candidates to fall through cracks. It also could very well have been his own fault for not taking his rank list deep enough; however, I don't think any of it requires you to label him as an "ass". IamNikolas Registered User Posts: 13 (5/6/01 7:21:25 pm) Reply step I Yes there are no set numbers that guarantee anything, but I would think that if you have over a 230, you have a reasonable chance of securing a number of interviews if you apply to enough places. That score makes you a "competitive" applicant for many ortho programs. Also, while it is not right to label anyone "an ass"...if someone has over a 240 and is junior AOA, they should match SOMEWHERE...either they didn't rank enough programs or their personality cost them a position. The whole process is anything but perfect, but with those credentials, either you're so arrogant that no one can stand you, or the whole system needs to be revamped if you don't match! Come on now. crazy joe davola Registered User Posts: 32 (5/7/01 9:30:31 am) Reply Advice Also keep in mind that the ERAS program allows residency directors an unprecedented amount of control over how they weed out/include applicants in their interview pools. They can choose a group of applicants based on ANY factor on your application. On one of my interviews, one of the faculty gave the hypothetical example of choosing "only applicants from states x, y, and z with these board scores, these grades, and who graduated from x, y, and z schools". Obviously, he was simply describing the flexibility of the system, which could explain a lot of the bizarre anecdotes about various applicants that we know or have heard about. Just another idea (though not very comforting). B0NEHEAD Registered User Posts: 1 (5/27/01 8:31:11 pm) Reply Re: just want a little advice OVER 220 AND YOU'LL GET IN. ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL. Nail It Registered User Posts: 2 (6/1/01 8:41:23 pm) Reply Average applicant I would have to agree that 220 on Step I is a critical threshold to reach. At my school, our residency director also uses other factors like only interviewing applicants with an Nail It Registered User Posts: 3 (6/1/01 8:44:15 pm) Reply Average applicant I would have to agree that 220 on Step I is a critical threshold to reach. At my school, our residency director also uses other factors like only interviewing applicants with an "A" in their surgery clerkship. However, there are many variables to consider so don't fret if you stumble on Step I (for instance, take Step II early and do well!) or your surgery clerkship (do some externships and work your ass off!). I just went through all the mystery of the match (and successfully got a spot at my first choice), and the bottom line is get the best grades you can, work your ass off, make connections, and talk to residents who just went through it. There is no magic formula to get a spot. Each applicant has a good chance at matching in ortho somewhere, but you have to find then use your strengths to get in. Good Luck! sjohnson7 Registered User Posts: 5 (6/1/01 9:41:59 pm) Reply Thanks I appreciate all of the advice. I guess I'm shooting for a 220. bonzer321 Registered User Posts: 1 (6/5/01 4:23:40 pm) Reply 1st year how important is getting AOA status? also, is it better to get it your junior year? thanks hurricane26 Registered User Posts: 13 (6/8/01 11:33:45 am) Reply Ignorant! Bonzer321, Are you for real? Are you seriously asking if AOA will make a difference? Is Jr. AOA better? Have you read ANY of the past 830 posts on this message board? This has been discussed ad nauseam. AOA will make a difference and Jr. AOA is better! Residencygirl Registered User Posts: 3 (6/10/01 5:50:47 pm) Reply Re: just want a little advice Most of you guys admit that all you know about this process is what you've heard. Most of you are still in med school so you've not actually been through the process. Well, I'm a residency coordinator so I know what kind of scores will get you an interview, whether AOA matters or not, what different programs are looking for. I've read all of your answers and I have e-mailed friends of mine who are coordinators throughout the country. Taking into account the answers that I got back, I would say that a score of 235 would get you interviews at top programs. However, there is a lot more to take into consideration besides whether you are 235 and up, AOA, have lots of research, did well in your clerkships. There is the way that you treat staff in other departments yes we do check those kinds of things out. There was a young man from our school who applied to a PGY2 spot not long ago. The head of the search committee wanted to speak with ME and not my boss about whether I felt that he should consider this young man. You see, program directors know that residency coordinators spend a lot of time dealing with medical students and residents alike. We have a feel for who is going to be a good addition to our program, whether that person will fix in with the rest of the residents. Also, when you sit down to write out your personal statement for your ERAS application, write from the heart. Let that reader know and feel that you really want to be an Orthopaedic Surgeon if that is your desire. I read every single personal statement because I want to give everyone an equal chance. There are some nights that I am at work late because I haven't had the chance during that day to look at the new applications that have been added but I don't want anyone who would be a good candidate to lose their chance because I didn't give them an opportunity. Remember, 235, good letters of recommendation, be polite in all dealings with all programs.