1. Major in a science (any science) in college and do well. Make sure to knock off med school prereqs like bio with lab even if you don't study biology.
2. After graduation, get a job. A pay for position, real world, working man's job. This will give you the perspective to make step 4 seem easy compared to your straight through from college buds. Do this for 2-3 years (might seem like a while, but ortho is already a 10 year journey, so relax and enjoy the ride). Use money earned to invest for retirement, buy a car maybe a house. You will have jumpstart on being an adult.
3. Get into med school. Prepare diligently for MCATs using the insight gained in real world experiences during #2.
4. Preclinical years - Study hard. Pre-read. Attend class. Review anytime anyone mentions or you even think of something you have learned but cannot remember like you are looking at a book. You are a walking anatomy cheat sheet. Always be studying anatomy. You are going to be a surgeon, you have to know it cold. If you are consciencous, you will score 75th percentile or above on step one virtually without trying
5. Clinicals - Show up early. Do things before being asked to (do not overstep your bounds). Carry more patients than every other med student. Never make students or especially residents look bad at rounds. You are really making yourself look bad and you WILL get bad reviews. Make them look good by giving them all the info on your patients and topics about those patients you have researched over night. Stay late. Do scut work with a smile. You WILL get good reviews. Make sure to have scheduled time with attendings or department heads. Be prepared for these. These people's letters will MAKE your application.
6. Application - By this time if you are the type of person described above; hard working, prepared, dedicated and someone people like working with, then you will likely have no trouble getting a residency as an orthopaedic surgeon.
7. Sping of your senior year - Enjoy, you have matched. Take medicine electives so you stay sharp - do not consult medicine for a sugar of 200.
These steps may seems like are common sense, but I can tell you that almost nobody apples these to their lives. Work hard and above all do not be discouraged if your undergraduate work isn't 4.0 with a double in bio and biochem. You can be an orthopaedic surgeon if you want to. You just have to decide you are willing to work hard enough to acheive it.
