OrthoDoc Administrator (2/6/00 4:10:52 pm) Reply Old Post: Selection factors for ranking students. This message was posted on May 16, 1999 coming from 144.92.151.78 This message is a reply to selection factors for ortho residency posted from James Matz posted at May 04, 1999 > I'm a first-year medical student and I'm very interested in orthopedics and sports medicine. What are the most important factors that residency directors consider when ranking prespective residents (grades, USMLE, research, etc.)? Can you give me any advice as to what the best course of action for me would be over the next three years of medical school? > Thanks, > Jim There are a lot of things program directors look for in candidates. Because orthopedics is so competitive, most programs get several hundred applications for just a handful of positions. Therefore, they need a way to screen the applications. Unfortunately, most programs utilize grades, class rank, USMLE scores, and AOA as a quick way to wean the pile down. They also look at research, and outside activities. Some programs place an emphasis on whether or not you did and elective rotation with them, while others don't. If you truly want to do orthopedics and want to maximize your chance of matching, I would recommend working your tail off during medical school and getting the best grades you can, especially your surgical clerkships. I would also join a research project in Orthopedics if possible. Also, try to be active outside of medicine. These recommendations are just one persons opinion on how to better your chance of landing a position in orthopedics. Hopefully, some other people will respond with their opinions. orthoPT Unregistered User (5/11/00 4:19:52 pm) Reply improving residency chances I am hoping to begin Medical School in 2001. I know I want to pursue orthopedics. I am a nontraditional student and would be starting my residency at age 36. Does that affect my chances? Also, I have been an orthopedic physical therapist for 6 yrs. Will that experience help me? Thanks. Kent Unregistered User (5/12/00 8:47:58 am) Reply Old dog, new tricks I'm an old dog, too, but I think it was an advantage (especially during interviews). I'm currently 36, matched with my first choice, and start residency on July 1st. I had tons of questions about my former career and people were interested in what I had done. At one program, my interview with the Chairman consisted of 30-45 minutes of talking about BMW mechanics (one of my jobs). Programs respect older applicants for diversity of experience, maturity and all those little things that younger applicants simply haven't been on the Earth long enough to experience. Sure, there will be some programs that will probably use your age against you and you won't even get an interview. And sure, being up all night on-call is far less appealing both physically and emotionally, but these things are generally outweighed by good traits that come with age. If you've got a strong record, a long record of acheivement in many areas (not just med school stuff--everybody has that), a previous career that is closely related to medicineor that developed a skill useful to your medical career (you've got something that isboth very closely related to orthopaedics and useful) and interview well (at that point, it's about "fit"), you'll have no problem. It's important to stress during theapplications and interviews what you have that, especially the younger applicants, others don't have. The personal statement is a great place to introduce the topic and knock 'em dead when they ask about this stuff during the interviews. Good luck, old dog, and show them your old tricks (and your ability to learn new ones). =================================