Prepare for Ortho Interviews
This page is built for orthopaedic applicants who want a realistic view of the process and a practical way to get better at interviews.
How to stand out on INTERVIEW DAY!
Interviews should feel effortless on game day because the hard work you have put in beforehand.
Why preparation is everything
• Nerves can shut down your ability to think clearly in the moment, even when you know the material cold.
• Practicing out loud turns your answers from scattered thoughts into smooth, repeatable stories.
• Repetition builds fluency so by interview day, your answer is strong.
The Importance of Interviews
• Everyone who receives an interview is AMAZING
• The interview is a chance to SET YOURSELF APART from the other applicants.
• Interviews are commonly scored and factor into the final ranking.
• The interview is the FINAL IMPRESSION you will leave on programs.
Basic questions
Your “Why orthopaedics?” answer should feel like a highlight reel, not a personal statement recitation.
“Why this program?” needs specifics: cases, mentorship, resident culture, and how that fits your goals.
Future questions (“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”) should be realistic, flexible, and values-driven.
Behavioral / scenarios
These questions test how you think under pressure, not whether you know the “right” script.
Use a structure (like STAR) so your story doesn’t wander.
Pick examples that show teachability, teamwork, and integrity—especially when things went poorly.
Research
You should be able to explain each major project in 60–90 seconds without reading your abstract.
Be prepared to discuss methods, limitations, and your specific role.
Orthopaedic knowledge
It is not uncommon for an orthopaedic knowledge room.
The format can be variable. Could be fracture-conference style prompts or multi-consult call scenarios.
They’re evaluating your growth from ortho rotations.
This is your time to showcase everything you have learned.
Run real interview reps
Use this tool to cycle through realistic questions, time your answers, and build fluency before the real thing.
Practice Interview
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now in your career and life?
Aim for a clear, structured answer in 60–120 seconds. Practice pausing instead of rambling when you hit your main points.
Pro tip: Record yourself on your phone, then replay once to spot filler words, pacing issues, and places to tighten your story.
Interview season timeline
Zoom out and know where you are in the process—from ERAS and aways through Universal Offer Day and the heart of interview season.
Choosing Ortho
• Solidfy your “Why ortho?” and fully commit to the field.
• Build an impressive CV.
• Identify mentors to help you through the process.
ERAS & aways
• Submit ERAS! Celebrate your successes.
• Finish aways strong! You are so close to being an orthopaedic resident.
Universal Offer Day
• 12 PM EST: invites roll out.
• Afternoon: You start to realize you may not be getting interviews at some of your programs.
• Evening: debrief, let yourself feel things, then refocus on what you have!
Interview season
• Travel around the country!
• Showcase how awesome you are.
• Review your notes and build a rank list that feels right.
Reframing the process
You EARNED your interview spots. Someone read your application and decided you belong in the room...that’s not random.
You don’t need to be perfect; you need to show who you really are when you’re working hard, caring about patients, and supporting your team.
What Universal Offer Day actually feels like
On paper, it’s a coordinated invite release. In real life, it’s one of the most emotionally loaded days of medical school.
Before the window opens
In the days before, you’ve heard every reassuring phrase—“all it takes is one,” “trust the process”—but they rarely quiet the noise.
Logically, you know the match is a long game. Emotionally, it can feel like everything you’ve worked for is being judged in a few hours.
When interviews are released
Universal Offer Day is the START of orthopaedic interviews. Many orthopaedic programs (not all) send their interview invites.
That first invite can feel like pure validation: an orthopaedic program looked at your application and said, “Yes.”
By the end of the day
As the day goes on, the emotional whiplash can be real! There will be highs and lows. There will be the creeping question of whether more invites are coming.
By the evening, most people are tired, overstimulated, and trying to interpret what the silence means.
How to navigate Universal Offer Day
Set realistic expectations
- Away rotations do not always translate directly into interviews, even when things seemingly went well.
- Having a strong application may not be enough to receive interviews outside of your rotations.
Plan for silence and mixed news
- Many programs never send formal rejections; silence is common, not personal.
- By the end of the day, it’s reasonable to assume your main UOD wave is done, but occasional later invites still happen.
- You can talk with residents or co-applicants to see whether a program participated in Universal Offer Day this year.
Shift your focus forward
- Once the dust settles, the most productive move is to focus on the interviews you do have.
- Research the programs you’ll visit, organize your calendar, and start practicing your stories and answers.
- It’s completely valid to feel disappointed and you should let yourself experience all the emotions.
If Universal Offer Day doesn't go how you hoped, it's still one day in a much longer story. The goal is to process it, then move your energy toward the interviews and opportunities you do have.
Common questions about Universal Offer Day
Quick answers to what most applicants wonder before, during, and after Universal Offer Day.