Chances of acceptance in Ortho

[OrthoQueen100]

Hi,

My GPA at dental school was 3.7, ranked at the top 10%. My NDBE-I=87 and NBDE-II=95.
I know my NDBE-I scores are kinda low. Can my NDBE-II scores make up for them? What are my chances to get in an Ortho program?

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[210116]

I would say that those stats and private practice experience would make you competitive for ortho... at least to get you an interview. My thoughts are that once you get to the interview stage, you're pretty much on level playing field and then it's a matter of selling yourself to the residency--what makes them want to rank you high for their program (personality, special skills, etc...)

Mike

 

[OrthoQueen100]

Thanks for your answer braceyourself..
It's just that I know it's extremely competitive to get in ortho.. I have all the right reasons why I wanna become an orthodontist but I am very worried about my NDBEI score..

 

[210116]

No problem.

If you apply to at least several programs, I'm fairly certain that with those scores even if your part 1 was a little low, you would make the interview list at some. Let me put it this way--I've known some people with worse scores than that who get into ortho. Obviously some programs are more competitive than others, and some favor their own grads. If the dental school that you graduated from has an ortho program, definitely apply there since they already know you. Although I am not certain, I heard UNC favors their own graduates and that it's tough for anyone else to get in. MUSC's ortho program (where I went to dental school) takes an even mix of own-grads and out-of-state grads. WVU (where I am in ortho residency right now) is pretty fair as well. Spending a little bit more money to apply to a few more places is a drop in the bucket compared to the career option about to unfold in front of you. As I was once told by a college professor, "The only way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas."

Good luck!

Mike

 

[Ligature]

Most of UNC's ortho residents for the 1st year class did not go to UNC dental. I think most programs that end up with a lot of their own dental schools residents do not necessarily plan it that way. It's just that those students that went there for dental school (especially state schools), are more likely to rank that program highly and thus more likely to end up there.

 

[210116]

Good point.

 

[OrthoQueen100]

That's very helpful Mike.. I am gonna try to apply to as many schools as I can.. I was gonna apply to UNC but now after you told me they prefer their own graduates I won't even bother applying..

 

[OrthoQueen100]

Most of UNC's ortho residents for the 1st year class did not go to UNC dental. I think most programs that end up with a lot of their own dental schools residents do not necessarily plan it that way. It's just that those students that went their for dental school (especially state schools), are more likely to rank that program highly and thus more likely to end up there.

Now I'm confused.. hmm.. so I'm gonna apply to all possible schools and see where my luck is gonna get me..

 

[Ligature]

Orthoqueen, you definitely have to cast the widest net possible, you never know what program will like you and don't make any assumptions about yourself. You never know until you try, and I did not go to UNC for dental school but I got in so GL!

 

[OrthoQueen100]

Orthoqueen, you definitely have to cast the widest net possible, you never know what program will like you and don't make any assumptions about yourself. You never know until you try, and I did not go to UNC for dental school but I got in so GL!

Congrats ligature for getting in... and thanks for the advice