Picking a school for specialty

[Blackhorse90]

Hi everyone,
I don't know if want to specialize or not yet since my main focus is getting into a dental school first, but I did have some questions if any of you know how specialty programs work. Looking at the schools that I have interviewed at there are some school that have better "average" stats than others. When you try to specialize when they say top 10% is that referring to your school or in the nation? I'm just trying to think about what schools would be best for me if I am fortunate enough to get multiple acceptances, if any at all. Thanks for your responses.

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[Daneosaurus]

Top 10% is referring to your class ranking.

 

[Incis0r]

Top 10% is referring to your class ranking.

For the purpose of specializing, would you say it's better to go to a large private school (100+ students) or a small public school (< 50 students) assuming all costs are the same. The top 10% from each school can specialize. Which would you pick?

 

[toothdriller2k17]

it does not matter where you go if you want to specialize. just do well.

for example, ivy league schools will admit higher quality students--it's pretty evident that a good majority of these students will do well and go on to specialize, which is why a lot of these schools have higher specialization rates. of course this is only one factor, but you get the idea.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

go to the cheapest school you can, and if you do well and you want to specialize try to go to that school's specialty programs.

keep in mind that residency programs cost a lot of $$, so you want to keep that debt down as much as possible.

 

[Incis0r]

keep in mind that residency programs cost a lot of $$, so you want to keep that debt down as much as possible.

Wise words.

 

[Pro-Dentite19]

go to the cheapest school you can, and if you do well and you want to specialize try to go to that school's specialty programs.

keep in mind that residency programs cost a lot of $$, so you want to keep that debt down as much as possible.

Not all residency programs cost money, in fact some programs give you a salary! Ortho definitely costs a ton, as does OMFS

 

[dentistreason]

it does not matter where you go if you want to specialize. just do well.

for example, ivy league schools will admit higher quality students--it's pretty evident that a good majority of these students will do well and go on to specialize, which is why a lot of these schools have higher specialization rates. of course this is only one factor, but you get the idea.

Firstly, upenns avg is 21.5-22 dat with 3.67 avg GPA. Hardly exceptional. Secondly, some states are very cheap so kids who COULD go to ivys rejected them to go to their cheaper school. Texas especially.

 

[BYU4you]

Contrary to what student doctor network pre-dental students would like to tell you. If your school has a specialty that's a pretty good way of getting in. The school and residency directories could know you well. What better way to be known to a residency then to go to school there.

 

[akog]

Not all residency programs cost money, in fact some programs give you a salary! Ortho definitely costs a ton, as does OMFS

Ortho almost always costs a lot... OMS invariably pays you a stipend/salary. Pediatrics seems more variable, from what I remember. Also, if I recall, AEGD's tend to cost while GPR's tend to pay---the latter thusly having harder working hours.

 

[toothdriller2k17]

the programs that pay you are GPR/AEGD residencies, and any oral surgery residency. other residency programs have stipends, but those are usually tough to get. the majority of programs require you to pay tuition.

 

[ReptileDisfunction]

If you're high enough caliber to specialize you will be able to do that regardless of which dental school, just go where you think you would be happiest and where you think would allow you to do the best you can do

 

[nucshuc]

But isn't it true that certain schools pump out more specialists? Obviously, you have a degree of selection bias (Harvard for example), but I don't think its crazy to consider a school if your intent on specializing. That being said, you can specialize from any dental school, no matter where

If you're high enough caliber to specialize you will be able to do that regardless of which dental school, just go where you think you would be happiest and where you think would allow you to do the best you can do