Looking for Advice - Lower Step 2 score

Thanks for helping out.

M4 here. Got back my Step 2 score: 221. Been dealing with a family death during my study month, but no excuse.

Other Stats:
Step 1: 237
Step 2: 221
Classs rank: top 50
Research: ortho and public health
School: South
Pre-clnical & clinical grades: A's/B's.
AOA: Nope

That Step 2 score is a pretty decent blow to my confidence. Still love ortho though. I know it is going to be a tough road for me. Advice?

Based on your paper application from what you've shared, you can match in ortho. The key is doing aways and being well liked. Also, you would need to apply very broadly but it is certainly possible to match with a little luck and some good interview skills. I'd apply to 100+ programs with your application.
Good luck

Most important thing for you is make sure your aways are worthwhile - not reaches but reasonable programs where the away rotation is taken seriously and likely to garner you an interview.. and destroy them.

Thank you for the advice. I will follow them closely. What are some reasonable away's for me? I may add another one for November.