Applying for Endodontic Residency with a Significant Other

[EndoBurner]

Hello all

I am considering applying for an endodontics residency. The lack of endo's participation in match can make this very challenging and often requires applicants to make quick, life-changing decisions with little notice. As a planner, this bothers me.

Anyways, my question boils down to this: I have a significant other who is also planning to apply for endo residency. What concerns us is that due to the lack of a match program and the ability to apply as such, it's extremely likely that we'd match (assuming we both do) at different programs. Is there any way to avoid this or prep for this? Has anybody been through or heard of something similar? Thank you for any advice you can offer.

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[BasicG]

Anyways, my question boils down to this: I have a significant other who is also planning to apply for endo residency. What concerns us is that due to the lack of a match program and the ability to apply as such, it's extremely likely that we'd match (assuming we both do) at different programs. Is there any way to avoid this or prep for this? Has anybody been through or heard of something similar? Thank you for any advice you can offer.

My fiance and I applied to 15 dental schools together, went to 7 interviews, and got accepted to the same 6 schools. We made sure to interview on the same day and made it apparent to the director of admissions that we were engaged. It definitely made us stand out and the directors were pleasantly surprised when we told them. I'm pretty sure it was a nice way to 'diversify' the class a bit.

I know residency class sizes are way smaller but it's something to consider if both of you are determined to be endodontists in 2 years. Otherwise, one of you can attend residency while the other works then switch after graduation if you don't want to go through a long distance relationship, plus you guys will have a steady income

 

[EndoBurner]

My fiance and I applied to 15 dental schools together, went to 7 interviews, and got accepted to the same 6 schools. We made sure to interview on the same day and made it apparent to the director of admissions that we were engaged. It definitely made us stand out and the directors were pleasantly surprised when we told them. I'm pretty sure it was a nice way to 'diversify' the class a bit.

I know residency class sizes are way smaller but it's something to consider if both of you are determined to be endodontists in 2 years. Otherwise, one of you can attend residency while the other works then switch after graduation if you don't want to go through a long distance relationship, plus you guys will have a steady income

Thanks for your reply. Part of the problem with endo residency is because it doesn't participate in match, spots are typically offered almost immediately after your interview and you have 24 hours or less to decline or accept

 

[tinman831]

Another thing to look for are cities or smaller states with multiple programs close to each other. It may make it easier for the both of you if you end up at different programs. You could still live with each other and just go to your respective schools for class/clinic.

 

[anonymousdent]

Depending on how competitive of an applicant you and your significant other are I'd say the chance you both are accepted could be less than you maybe think. I just made a cardinal sin and assumed a lot without any information about your qualifications and chances of getting in but generally speaking it is tough to get in especially if you haven't practiced as a general dentist first. The only locations that you stand to both be a resident while being in a different program is the greater NYC metro, LA. Philadelphia, Boston SF and maybe in TX somewhere. this is off the top of my head so maybe there are a few more cities where it's possible.

If it were me I'd just both apply and see where the dust settles. maybe only 1 of you gets in and then your problem is solved. if you both get an offer then it gets dicey...
Best of luck.

 

[FutureDent020]

Hello all

I am considering applying for an endodontics residency. The lack of endo's participation in match can make this very challenging and often requires applicants to make quick, life-changing decisions with little notice. As a planner, this bothers me.

Anyways, my question boils down to this: I have a significant other who is also planning to apply for endo residency. What concerns us is that due to the lack of a match program and the ability to apply as such, it's extremely likely that we'd match (assuming we both do) at different programs. Is there any way to avoid this or prep for this? Has anybody been through or heard of something similar? Thank you for any advice you can offer.

This is going to be tough. Most programs are 3-4 residents and like you said, acceptances and interviews go out very early and sporadically. A lot of programs like to accept residents with different backgrounds too. Combination of research minded, private practice, military, or a bright/skilled student right out of school. I assume you and your wife have similar applications and backgrounds, maybe I’m wrong. All you can do is apply and hope it works out for the best. You never know. But if you and your wife both receive interviews at the same program that’s definitely a good sign. Directors would be fully aware that you’d want to be at the same program.

 

[Digitalangel]

My fiance and I applied to 15 dental schools together, went to 7 interviews, and got accepted to the same 6 schools. We made sure to interview on the same day and made it apparent to the director of admissions that we were engaged. It definitely made us stand out and the directors were pleasantly surprised when we told them. I'm pretty sure it was a nice way to 'diversify' the class a bit.

I know residency class sizes are way smaller but it's something to consider if both of you are determined to be endodontists in 2 years. Otherwise, one of you can attend residency while the other works then switch after graduation if you don't want to go through a long distance relationship, plus you guys will have a steady income

How did you both receive 6 acceptances? Did you guys have amazing apps? That is super cool

 

[BasicG]

How did you both receive 6 acceptances? Did you guys have amazing apps? That is super cool

At the end of interview days, directors think about who interviewed that day and what makes them different from everyone else. I think we really stood out because you can't mix up the engaged couple with anyone else lol

 

[ToothJockey]

At the end of interview days, directors think about who interviewed that day and what makes them different from everyone else. I think we really stood out because you can't mix up the engaged couple with anyone else lol

So what you're really saying is, the secret to getting accepted to dental school is to get engaged to another applicant

 

[AONLINE]

At the end of interview days, directors think about who interviewed that day and what makes them different from everyone else. I think we really stood out because you can't mix up the engaged couple with anyone else lol

I don’t think you need to stand out for your dental school interview. That might be the case for a residency interview where they have only 4 spots. On the other hand, most dental school admissions committees are trying to fill a class of 100 or so. If you try too hard there’s a chance you might stand out in a bad way and that would mean rejection for sure. I personally would not take that chance and instead I would just lay low, don’t do anything stupid, just be the average person. Since you make it to interview, you already have a great chance of getting admitted just by being normal. Apparently that worked out well for me as I applied to 15 dental schools and got admitted to 10 of them. I see this all over again now as a dental student working for my school’s admissions office.

 

[BasicG]

I don’t think you need to stand out for your dental school interview. That might be the case for a residency interview where they have only 4 spots. On the other hand, most dental school admissions committees are trying to fill a class of 100 or so. If you try too hard there’s a chance you might stand out in a bad way and that would mean rejection for sure. I personally would not take that chance and instead I would just lay low, don’t do anything stupid, just be the average person. Since you make it to interview, you already have a great chance of getting admitted just by being normal. Apparently that worked out well for me as I applied to 15 dental schools and got admitted to 10 of them. I see this all over again now as a dental student working for my school’s admissions office.

Oh for sure, you don't want to try too hard to stand out. Its cringe worthy seeing people do whatever they can to be the center of attention. Like during tours there was always that one person who blatantly rushes to the front of the group so they can hold the door open for everyone.

In my case, I think the directors thought it was cool that my fiance and I not only were offered an interview on our own merits alone, but we also went to the interview together.

 

[EndoBurner]

Thank you all for your helpful advice. Our plan is to apply to the areas where there are multiple programs within a readily travelable distance from each other. If necessary, I'm willing to pursue a different specialty at the same school as her--I'm not as "set" per se on endodontics and enjoy many different procedures. Thankfully I have the rank and grades to pursue most of those other options if I feel I need to!

 

[P7898]

What's considered competitive in terms of rank? I am top 10% but I have heard people get denied by endo because of lack of experience even with this rank.

 

[BasicG]

What's considered competitive in terms of rank? I am top 10% but I have heard people get denied by endo because of lack of experience even with this rank.

An endo resident here at UMKC was 1st in her class but they didn't accept her right out of school because they want residents to have at least 1 year of experience under their belts if not more. That's the biggest downside of endo compared to other specialities

 

[FutureDent020]

What's considered competitive in terms of rank? I am top 10% but I have heard people get denied by endo because of lack of experience even with this rank.

Yep, this is true. I was top 20% in my class. 19/108. Got 10/11 interview offers. But I was also military so that played a part. I would say experience and who you are play a bigger part than class rank. View Endo directors as someone shopping for shoes online. They set their filters to (male/ female, Nike, running, color, etc). Endo application is similar. Basically quickly running through apps seeing who passes through their desired filters. All have different filters. As an applicant, you just want to check as many boxes as possible. Top 30 or so class rank would be one of those boxes. Lower than top 50% may just get you set aside by some...

 

[P7898]

Did you get into a program without experience?

 

[FutureDent020]

Did you get into a program without experience?

If you are asking me, no. I was HPSP with 5 years experience as a military dentist.

 

[yappy]

Yep, this is true. I was top 20% in my class. 19/108. Got 10/11 interview offers. But I was also military so that played a part. I would say experience and who you are play a bigger part than class rank. View Endo directors as someone shopping for shoes online. They set their filters to (male/ female, Nike, running, color, etc). Endo application is similar. Basically quickly running through apps seeing who passes through their desired filters. All have different filters. As an applicant, you just want to check as many boxes as possible. Top 30 or so class rank would be one of those boxes. Lower than top 50% may just get you set aside by some...

What is your opinion on pass/fail unranked from a reputable school. How would you recommend overcoming this lack of rank?

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

What is your opinion on pass/fail unranked from a reputable school. How would you recommend overcoming this lack of rank?

It’s called the ADAT.

Big Hoss

 

[endodonia]

I'm not as "set" per se on endodontics and enjoy many different procedures. Thankfully I have the rank and grades to pursue most of those other options if I feel I need to!

What other specialty would you apply to? It’s always interesting to me how people can go from one specialty to another over a one year wait time. That said it always seems to be specialty xyz vs ortho haha. I’d recommend either of you to work as a Gp for one year should one not get in. You or your significant other will learn quickly what specialty you really want after a year or two of GP not to mention it will probably make you a better endodontist.

What is your opinion on pass/fail unranked from a reputable school. How would you recommend overcoming this lack of rank?

Depends on how reputable the school. Isn’t UPenn pass fail? Seems like that place is a breeding ground for specialists.
My opinion is you’re at an obvious disadvantage compared to people who have a top 20% class rank, however, your p/f school may have helped you if you were not the strongest dental student and would have had a bottom 50% rank.
After a certain # of years in private practice some directors will not care much what your class rank is or that you went to a pass/fail school. I know people who have gone back after 15-20 years of pvt practice —> I don’t think they were interviewed based on their class rank, but maybe?
ADAT is a good way to show a school you’re serious. A well written and meaningful personal statement is likely your smoking gun. Other than that it’s all about connections. Pvt Practice Endodontists who know program directors can get you an interview, it’s all up to you after that. Anecdotally I heard Nova has taken people from UCLA before- track that grad down and ask them How they stood out.

 

[Anondds87]

What other specialty would you apply to? It’s always interesting to me how people can go from one specialty to another over a one year wait time. That said it always seems to be specialty xyz vs ortho haha. I’d recommend either of you to work as a Gp for one year should one not get in. You or your significant other will learn quickly what specialty you really want after a year or two of GP not to mention it will probably make you a better endodontist.


Depends on how reputable the school. Isn’t UPenn pass fail? Seems like that place is a breeding ground for specialists.
My opinion is you’re at an obvious disadvantage compared to people who have a top 20% class rank, however, your p/f school may have helped you if you were not the strongest dental student and would have had a bottom 50% rank.
After a certain # of years in private practice some directors will not care much what your class rank is or that you went to a pass/fail school. I know people who have gone back after 15-20 years of pvt practice —> I don’t think they were interviewed based on their class rank, but maybe?
ADAT is a good way to show a school you’re serious. A well written and meaningful personal statement is likely your smoking gun. Other than that it’s all about connections. Pvt Practice Endodontists who know program directors can get you an interview, it’s all up to you after that. Anecdotally I heard Nova has taken people from UCLA before- track that grad down and ask them How they stood out.

I think someone posted on here before that a school with a pass/fail rather than a rank will still actually keep a record of rank but it will only be released to the school you're applying to and just not told to the student

 

[PreDentTechySon]

Like during tours there was always that one person who blatantly rushes to the front of the group so they can hold the door open for everyone.

I cannot stand this. I started being the first one to walk through the door when someone was trying to earn points by doing this. The more people play games like that, the more people can tell you’re not genuine. Sorry, this one just stood out because it literally happens at every interview.

 

[allDAT]

Hello all

I am considering applying for an endodontics residency. The lack of endo's participation in match can make this very challenging and often requires applicants to make quick, life-changing decisions with little notice. As a planner, this bothers me.

Anyways, my question boils down to this: I have a significant other who is also planning to apply for endo residency. What concerns us is that due to the lack of a match program and the ability to apply as such, it's extremely likely that we'd match (assuming we both do) at different programs. Is there any way to avoid this or prep for this? Has anybody been through or heard of something similar? Thank you for any advice you can offer.

You can apply together but you’re very unlikely to both gain acceptance to the same program (they are just too small and there’s no match). Best case - you both get into a program in the same city (like Philly). Next best case, one of you doesn’t get in, and follows the other one. Next best case (IMO), neither of you get in. Worst case, you both get in to different programs in different states and decide to spend 2 years apart....

If I was in your situation I wouldn’t do the last one.

 

[yappy]

I think someone posted on here before that a school with a pass/fail rather than a rank will still actually keep a record of rank but it will only be released to the school you're applying to and just not told to the student

This is a rumour and not standard practice.

 

[EndoBurner]

You can apply together but you’re very unlikely to both gain acceptance to the same program (they are just too small and there’s no match). Best case - you both get into a program in the same city (like Philly). Next best case, one of you doesn’t get in, and follows the other one. Next best case (IMO), neither of you get in. Worst case, you both get in to different programs in different states and decide to spend 2 years apart....

If I was in your situation I wouldn’t do the last one.

Thank you--pretty much exactly what I was thinking. The current game plan is for her to pursue endodontics and I to pursue a different specialty at the same program.