J
jackbauer!
I'm a first year at Maryland, so I will answer these to the best of my ability. If a 3rd or 4th year can fill in the blanks, that'd be awesome.
1) Name of Your Dental School
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, University of Maryland
2) What is your examination schedule like? Block Schedule (midterms and finals week) or several every week?
Classes are staggered and exams are every few weeks. We have NO BLOCK EXAMS. Science classes typically have 3-4 exams, with the last being cumulative. Other classes are generally a midterm and a final with quizzes interspersed. Our exam schedule definitely lowers the stress level of students.
3) What is the hardest class? Why?
Second years say Pathology is hands down hardest class
4) What is the easiest class? Why?
Professionalism (if you show up, you pass )
5) Are your classmates generally gunners and try to sabatoge each other? If not, is the culture one where everybody tries to help everybody out?
I'm sure there are a few gunners, but they are few and far between... I haven't personally met one yet. Everyone is super friendly and is willing to help out whenever possible.
6) Are the class notes based primarily on textbooks? or based on lecture powerpoints made up by professors?
Mostly powerpoints; however, some profs require that you read the book for some information
7) Are there any classes taken with medical students? If so, which ones?
No.
8) What is the grading system? Pass/Fail/Honors? Letter Grades? Percentages?
Letter grades. A, B, C, F... no plus/minus
9) Is there a notetaking service for lecture available?
Yes, students organize a notetaking schedule. Also, ALL lectures are video recorded and posted online @ MediaSite... mediasite is a split screen that shows the lecturer on the left screen and the current powerpoint slide on the right. This technology is super helpful if you missed something in class or just didn't decide to go. You can even speed up the lecture (while still understanding the prof too!)
10) Is class attendance mandatory?
Only if you are not maintaining at least a B average in the class. Otherwise, attendance is optional
11) In general, are teachers approachable for questions? Or are they for the most part very busy and unreachable (research, etc...)?
Teachers are extremely approachable. They are constantly asking if we have questions and encourage us to e-mail/stop by their office.
12) Is there a big brother/big sister program that pairs you with an upperclassman or professor who "mentors" you?
Yes, big bro/sis program... get matched up with a 2nd year.
13) What is the % first time board pass rate? What is the average score?
~100%... don't know average score.
14) When do you take the NDBE? 1st year or second year?
1st year.
15) Do you get a block of time off before boards to study? If so, how long? If not, do you have to study simultaneously with classes?
Yes, we get June, July, and August off to study. We must take boards before starting 2nd year.
16) Do most people study in the University Library? Or does the place clear out right after school and everybody studies on their own?
Mix.. some study at the library, others at home.
17) Are patients readily available to fulfill clinical requirements or do you have to do a lot of work to get them in?
The clinic is pretty full. The school is on the border of the poorest area of Baltimore, so you can only imagine..
Maybe a 3rd or 4th year can add some info.
18) Is it a hassle to get a chair once you get patients in? In your opinion, does your school have enough chairs?
No clue..but the 4th years i've talked to have no complaints
19) What are the clinical requirements to graduate? (number of crowns, fillings, etc...) Is it reasonably attainable or pretty difficult?
No clue. Graduation rate is ~100% though.
20) Are there opportunities for different off-site dental clinic rotations? If so, what are they?
Not that I'm aware of.
21) Are there opportunites for outreach trips to underserved areas or countries? If so, what are they and for how long?
Yes, some students spend spring break in central america on dental mission trips.
22) Is there sufficent preparation for practice management? What career placement opportunites does your school offer?
There are a couple of seminars 4th year dealing with practice management.
23) What is the dress code at your school? Scrubs? For what years?
Scrubs or professional attire. However, the school isn't very strict so you can get away with wearing jeans and a polo to lecture, but NOT IN CLINIC OR LAB. NO sandals for guys anytime.
I hope this helps... i know i'm only a D1, but so many people wanted info on Maryland I figured I'd post...good luck! jb!
1) Name of Your Dental School
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, University of Maryland
2) What is your examination schedule like? Block Schedule (midterms and finals week) or several every week?
Classes are staggered and exams are every few weeks. We have NO BLOCK EXAMS. Science classes typically have 3-4 exams, with the last being cumulative. Other classes are generally a midterm and a final with quizzes interspersed. Our exam schedule definitely lowers the stress level of students.
3) What is the hardest class? Why?
Second years say Pathology is hands down hardest class
4) What is the easiest class? Why?
Professionalism (if you show up, you pass )
5) Are your classmates generally gunners and try to sabatoge each other? If not, is the culture one where everybody tries to help everybody out?
I'm sure there are a few gunners, but they are few and far between... I haven't personally met one yet. Everyone is super friendly and is willing to help out whenever possible.
6) Are the class notes based primarily on textbooks? or based on lecture powerpoints made up by professors?
Mostly powerpoints; however, some profs require that you read the book for some information
7) Are there any classes taken with medical students? If so, which ones?
No.
8) What is the grading system? Pass/Fail/Honors? Letter Grades? Percentages?
Letter grades. A, B, C, F... no plus/minus
9) Is there a notetaking service for lecture available?
Yes, students organize a notetaking schedule. Also, ALL lectures are video recorded and posted online @ MediaSite... mediasite is a split screen that shows the lecturer on the left screen and the current powerpoint slide on the right. This technology is super helpful if you missed something in class or just didn't decide to go. You can even speed up the lecture (while still understanding the prof too!)
10) Is class attendance mandatory?
Only if you are not maintaining at least a B average in the class. Otherwise, attendance is optional
11) In general, are teachers approachable for questions? Or are they for the most part very busy and unreachable (research, etc...)?
Teachers are extremely approachable. They are constantly asking if we have questions and encourage us to e-mail/stop by their office.
12) Is there a big brother/big sister program that pairs you with an upperclassman or professor who "mentors" you?
Yes, big bro/sis program... get matched up with a 2nd year.
13) What is the % first time board pass rate? What is the average score?
~100%... don't know average score.
14) When do you take the NDBE? 1st year or second year?
1st year.
15) Do you get a block of time off before boards to study? If so, how long? If not, do you have to study simultaneously with classes?
Yes, we get June, July, and August off to study. We must take boards before starting 2nd year.
16) Do most people study in the University Library? Or does the place clear out right after school and everybody studies on their own?
Mix.. some study at the library, others at home.
17) Are patients readily available to fulfill clinical requirements or do you have to do a lot of work to get them in?
The clinic is pretty full. The school is on the border of the poorest area of Baltimore, so you can only imagine..
Maybe a 3rd or 4th year can add some info.
18) Is it a hassle to get a chair once you get patients in? In your opinion, does your school have enough chairs?
No clue..but the 4th years i've talked to have no complaints
19) What are the clinical requirements to graduate? (number of crowns, fillings, etc...) Is it reasonably attainable or pretty difficult?
No clue. Graduation rate is ~100% though.
20) Are there opportunities for different off-site dental clinic rotations? If so, what are they?
Not that I'm aware of.
21) Are there opportunites for outreach trips to underserved areas or countries? If so, what are they and for how long?
Yes, some students spend spring break in central america on dental mission trips.
22) Is there sufficent preparation for practice management? What career placement opportunites does your school offer?
There are a couple of seminars 4th year dealing with practice management.
23) What is the dress code at your school? Scrubs? For what years?
Scrubs or professional attire. However, the school isn't very strict so you can get away with wearing jeans and a polo to lecture, but NOT IN CLINIC OR LAB. NO sandals for guys anytime.
I hope this helps... i know i'm only a D1, but so many people wanted info on Maryland I figured I'd post...good luck! jb!