Chances of getting into Endo residency out of dental school

[lucky10_]

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I would like some advice from current residents/endodontists about my chances of getting into a residency right after I graduate.

My stats: 40/80, 3.52 GPA, 3 research projects (1 is endo related), leadership positions in Endo club and some other organizations. I have some outreach experience too.

I know my grades are not the best and they'll hold me back a little. I would ideally like to get in right after school, but if that's not possible would a GPR be better or working in private practice for a year? Any help of how to increase my chances would be much appreciated!!!

 

[Milkteeth12]

I think your GPA will make it a challenge- focus on increasing that if possible prior to graduation. I would cast a wide net (30+ programs) and you may need to apply to the larger more expensive programs. Keep up with the endo experiences and try to get really solid letters of recommendation. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to take the ADAT. If you can do really well (600+) that could be beneficial. I did a GPR and loved it- I think most schools looked at it favorably.

 

[lucky10_]

I think your GPA will make it a challenge- focus on increasing that if possible prior to graduation. I would cast a wide net (30+ programs) and you may need to apply to the larger more expensive programs. Keep up with the endo experiences and try to get really solid letters of recommendation. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to take the ADAT. If you can do really well (600+) that could be beneficial. I did a GPR and loved it- I think most schools looked at it favorably.

Thank you! I'm a D3, and I'm honestly not sure how much my grades can increase with how clinic grades work. It's pretty much a guaranteed B regardless of how well I do. I don't think I could get it much higher (maybe 3.6).

I plan to take the ADAT and hope to score higher to balance out my GPA. Do you think even if I take some time to do a GPR/work I would still have a chance with this GPA?

 

[JustWisdom]

Thank you! I'm a D3, and I'm honestly not sure how much my grades can increase with how clinic grades work. It's pretty much a guaranteed B regardless of how well I do. I don't think I could get it much higher (maybe 3.6).

I plan to take the ADAT and hope to score higher to balance out my GPA. Do you think even if I take some time to do a GPR/work I would still have a chance with this GPA?

I think you’d definitely still have a chance with your GPA.
If you take some time, GPR > Work imo if you are fresh out of school applying to endo. You’d have more connections in academia and your PD or faculty might be able to write better LORs and/or put in a good word if they know any endo programs.
Whole process is so random and so competitive that it’s a lot about networking.

 

[lucky10_]

I think you’d definitely still have a chance with your GPA.
If you take some time, GPR > Work imo if you are fresh out of school applying to endo. You’d have more connections in academia and your PD or faculty might be able to write better LORs and/or put in a good word if they know any endo programs.
Whole process is so random and so competitive that it’s a lot about networking.

Thank you, I appreciate it!! Do you know of any schools that are known to take students with a lower GPA? (I know that's a hard thing to gauge)

 

[JustWisdom]

Thank you, I appreciate it!! Do you know of any schools that are known to take students with a lower GPA? (I know that's a hard thing to gauge)

I can’t tell you which schools accept lower GPA because I do know residents with lower stats that get into really great programs just because they had connections.
But I believe the general consensus for which programs are mostly sought after goes:
2 year stipend based programs > 2 years (cert + ms)> 2 year (cert only) > 3 year > 4 years

Imo always choose the cheaper option (usually the 2 years)

Unless you really love research then the 3+ year programs are your tops.

At the end of the day you’re an Endodontist and if you paid 300k+ vs someone who was paid to become one or had to pay less, I think we all know who the real winner is.