Only 1 Interview...what do I do?

Any body else out there not getting invitations yet except from home programs and aways?

I am an "average" applicant for ortho. First quartertile, 241 on step1, 249 step 2, Honored all of my ortho rotations, H's and HP's in 3rd year with H in surgery, and some research.. My letters are all strong from well respected people that I worked with quite a bit.. So what do you guys think is going on?

Applied to 72 programs. Applied broadly.
Received: 4 waitlists. No invitations except for Home program and 2 aways. 41 rejections so far.

You would think that an "average" applicant should receive an "average" number of invitations which is about 8-10.. My ego is hurting!! Anybody else out there in the same boat?

Thanks guys! And good luck to all.

When did you submit your application? Are you FMG or nontraditional?

I think that one of the issues is that the bar is being raised every year regarding what makes an ortho candidate "average". This is based strictly on observations of the last few classes at my home institution as well as looking back on old Interview Invite threads on this site. Looking at the 2009-2010 list it seemed like if you were mid 230s with a mix of H and HP in clinical rotations you were going to be doing ok. Those stats would maybe not be impossible to overcome this (or last) year, but it seems they would certainly put one at a disadvantage. Who knows, this year average board scores may bump to the 250s (above what I got). Maybe somebody who wants to go through all the NRMP data can refute this observed trend?

That said I hope that there are more invites in your future, there still seem to be a good number of programs that have not yet started to send out decisions. Good luck!

Maintain hope. Should be some offers off wait lists coming in soon as people cancel their dates that overlap. You might consider talking to your PD or your mentor about your situation. They might be able to give you insight/suggestions or even put in a call for you.

Submitted the App first day it opened up: 09/15.

Normal dude from a good middle tier school. Not nontraditional or anything.

My written evals are all stellar. Physicians from different specialties told me numerous times that I was one of the strongest med studs they worked with in their careers. It was shelf exams that held me back from getting all honors in 3rd year. All of my HP's were super close to the 'H' cutoff.. But whatever, still HP's..

KidWhoCantRead: Looking at previous years from what is published thru NRMP, the trend has been that step 1 avg for ortho has been on the rise-you are correct. But it has been going up by 1-2 points per year consistently for the past 5 or so years. There is NO WAY it would jump up 10 points in one year. Last year it was 240. The step1 NATIONAL avg overall is just about the same as previous years. That tells me that most people performed just about the same, more or less. If the national step1 avg all of the sudden jumped up to high 230's or low 240's, then I would agree with you and think that the avg ortho applicant this year might have a 250+, but I truly doubt that that is what is going on..

Any other classically known as "average ortho applicant" out there not getting invites yet?

I consider myself one of those "average" students and have only received 1 interview (besides the places i have rotated).