The field of Orthopaedics has always been one that is highly competitive, attracting the interest of some of the brightest medical students. The well-regarded applicant pool is often a group of some of the top medical students with strong potential for greatness, so how do we select those we think may best find success at Tulane Orthopaedics?
We consider many factors when selecting students to invite for interviews, and in ultimately ranking students to match with our program. There is no magical formula in our residency selection process, but we do look for information that shows that students are well-rounded academically, professionally and socially. We recognize the value of students from a broad range of backgrounds and aim to recruit students with diverse life experiences who may mirror and complement our diverse patient population here in New Orleans.
Some examples of criteria we prioritize as we review each applicant’s portfolio:
- Exceptional Academic Performance: We review each applicant’s educational background, including grades, test scores, class rank, honors, and awards as appropriate.
- Commendable References: We carefully review all letters of recommendation, and appreciate references from other programs and healthcare providers, including those who have worked with students, particularly during visiting clerkships. Applicants should provide a minimum of three letters from writers who know them well, including a letter from their Department Chair if their school has an orthopaedic surgery department.
- Demonstrated Interest in the field of Orthopaedics: We respect students’ interest in research, work experience, and other volunteer efforts related to medicine and the specialty of orthopaedics. By the time they apply for residency, we expect that students will have participated in multiple research projects. Those who have held leadership roles, published in journals and textbooks and who have presented at conferences often stand out from their peers.
- Demonstrated Interest in Tulane Orthopaedics: Students who have a connection to our program may have an advantage over those we do not know personally. We enjoy the opportunity to get to know applicants prior to the applicant season. We offer opportunities for students to get to know our program throughout the year; examples include attendance (in-person and virtual) at grand rounds, research projects, clerkships, and sub-I rotations.
- Life Experience: Residents with varied and atypical life experiences add value to our program. We look at applicants’ work history, education, extracurricular activities and social endeavors to find hardworking, and often unique, students who will enrich our residency.
- Personality: We know that our most successful past residents have been ones who work well with others as a team. Students who demonstrate maturity and professionalism and are willing to learn and receive direction and criticism excel in residency. We look for students who are leaders who can motivate and support others, including their co-residents. Honesty, humility and respect for others are some of the most important traits demonstrated by our most successful residents. Our patient population here in New Orleans comes from a broad and varied background, so we value the ability to communicate with a wide spectrum of people across all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups.
- Diverse Background: We are keenly aware of the overall lack of diversity in the field of orthopaedics, and the low numbers of women and underrepresented minorities currently in orthopaedic residency programs. We aim to recruit students and support residents from diverse backgrounds who bring unique perspectives to our learning environments.
Many of these factors, like academic performance, are no surprise; however, we strive to search beyond impressive academic records to find future residents who will work well with our team, contributing their talents to our program so that we all can grow and build upon prior success together.
