Chnaces of getting 6 yr OMFS residency

[babytooth]

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Hi everyone,

I just wanted some input from you guys..I'm considering applying to a 6 yr OMFS program with the following stats:

1.Completed a 2 year hospital based Pedo residency
2.Dental School GPA ~3.7
3.Undergrad GPA ~3.33
3.Part 1 87
4.Part II 76 (I know its low)
5.Research in cleft lip/palate and craniofacial disorders during residency

I'm interested in the following programs: UMDNJ, Drexel/Hahnemann, Upenn, Thomas Jefferson, Columbia, NYU, Mt. Sinai, LIJ, St.Vincent's/NYMC

Any advice would be greatly appreciated....Thanks

 

[DcS]

Out of curiousity, what pedo residency did you complete? I am in the process of applying to hospital programs and would like feedback about any specific programs. Feel free to private message if you don't want to discuss on the forum.

Thanks!

 

[ajmacgregor]

I'm not an OMFS resident, but I did my GPR at a hospital that had a 6-year program and interacted with a number of OMFS residents.

I think your numbers are a little low for a 6-year program. I think it depends on how much of a role the associated medical school has on residency admissions. If the med school has a significant role, then anything less than a 90 on Part I is going to be an issue.

Also - what was your class rank - GPA is meaningless without the context of class rank.

You might be at an advantage having a pedo residency under your belt...However, this could also play against you for a 6-year program, as they may wonder about your committment to the specialty, and the possibility of jumping ship to another program in medicine after getting your MD.

I'm sure the OMFS residents on here will be able to give you a more detailed synopsis.

In any event, I think that you should apply if you know that nothing would make you happier than being an OMFS.

 

[babytooth]

I did not have a rank in dental school, but I graduated in the top 15% of my class. I also did an externship at Thomas Jefferson Univ. Hospital in OMFS during dental school. Thanks again for any inputs.

I'm not an OMFS resident, but I did my GPR at a hospital that had a 6-year program and interacted with a number of OMFS residents.

I think your numbers are a little low for a 6-year program. I think it depends on how much of a role the associated medical school has on residency admissions. If the med school has a significant role, then anything less than a 90 on Part I is going to be an issue.

Also - what was your class rank - GPA is meaningless without the context of class rank.

You might be at an advantage having a pedo residency under your belt...However, this could also play against you for a 6-year program, as they may wonder about your committment to the specialty, and the possibility of jumping ship to another program in medicine after getting your MD.

I'm sure the OMFS residents on here will be able to give you a more detailed synopsis.

In any event, I think that you should apply if you know that nothing would make you happier than being an OMFS.

 

[jk5177]

Interesting OP. I wonder the same question as well. Do you guys think that OMFS is the hardest specialty to get into.

 

[toofache32]

How do you know you were top 15% if you didn't have class rank?

 

[tx oms]

Your 87 on part I is a bigger concern than the 76 on part II. I think the pedo residency probably will help you. I don't think it will hurt you at all.

Part I has be shown to predict pass rates on the USMLE step I, with the sharpest drop-off around 90. Many 6 year places don't like to take applicants with less than a 90 on part I. Based on your numbers, I don't if you would get an interview at our program or not. We generally set the cut-off at 90 and about 3.5, but that's not hard and fast. I had a 93, 3.3, and was about #38/95 in my class and got accepted. Maybe your pedo residency would help make up for the 87.

Bottom line: apply to a bunch of six year places and see what happens. I would apply to at least 20, though. If it doesn't work out and you're really set on 6 year OMFS, retake part I.

 

[babytooth]

My dental school only ranked students in the top 10 of the class. I knew that I was not in the top 10, however I was in the top 25..approximately in the top %15.

How do you know you were top 15% if you didn't have class rank?

 

[predentchick]

Does residency work like dental school acceptance? Say an applicant has a board of only 85ish but they are ranked like #1.... what then?

 

[shariq]

Your 87 on part I is a bigger concern than the 76 on part II. I think the pedo residency probably will help you. I don't think it will hurt you at all.

Part I has be shown to predict pass rates on the USMLE step I, with the sharpest drop-off around 90. Many 6 year places don't like to take applicants with less than a 90 on part I. Based on your numbers, I don't if you would get an interview at our program or not. We generally set the cut-off at 90 and about 3.5, but that's not hard and fast. I had a 93, 3.3, and was about #38/95 in my class and got accepted. Maybe your pedo residency would help make up for the 87.

Bottom line: apply to a bunch of six year places and see what happens. I would apply to at least 20, though. If it doesn't work out and you're really set on 6 year OMFS, retake part I.

Do you think that with my 3.3 and 90 on the boards, i stand a chance of getting accepted somewhere be it four or six??
I also completed two externships, and am in the process of doing a GPR

 

[drhobie7]

Interesting OP. I wonder the same question as well. Do you guys think that OMFS is the hardest specialty to get into.

I think ortho is the most competitive residency to get into. They say by the time my class applies for residencies half of those specializing will be applying to ortho! Crazy.

 

[drhobie7]

Does residency work like dental school acceptance? Say an applicant has a board of only 85ish but they are ranked like #1.... what then?

Getting a score of 85 on part I and being ranked #1 would be pretty odd. It would indicate to me that your class was really weak. Either that or you busted your ass in every class, didn't retain any of the information, and decided not to study for part I.

 

[shiftyeyes]

Do you think that with my 3.3 and 90 on the boards, i stand a chance of getting accepted somewhere be it four or six??
I also completed two externships, and am in the process of doing a GPR

A 90 is pretty low for OMFS, based on people I know who have been successful matches.

Also - it's pointless for you to tell us yor GPA without a class rank, although I can't imagine that a 3.3 puts you in the top of your class.

 

[shariq]

A 90 is pretty low for OMFS, based on people I know who have been successful matches.

Also - it's pointless for you to tell us yor GPA without a class rank, although I can't imagine that a 3.3 puts you in the top of your class.

thanks for completely dissing my grades man

 

[DcS]

Out of curiousity, what pedo residency did you complete? I am in the process of applying to hospital programs and would like feedback about any specific programs. Feel free to private message if you don't want to discuss on the forum.

Thanks!

To the OP, thanks for not answering my question, I appreciate it. It's nice to see you have your hand out when you have a question but then won't return the favor to someone else in the application process.

 

[north2southOMFS]

this thread is getting angry.

 

[shiftyeyes]

thanks for completely dissing my grades man

No problem. Let me know if you have anything else you'd like me to diss.

Seriously though - I'm just giving my opinion regarding your grades. Based solely on the numbers, you are not a very strong applicant.

 

[Doggie]

No problem. Let me know if you have anything else you'd like me to diss.

Seriously though - I'm just giving my opinion regarding your grades. Based solely on the numbers, you are not a very strong applicant.

I have classmates with similar stats that matched into middle of the road OMS programs. Anything can happen.

 

[shariq]

I have classmates with similar stats that matched into middle of the road OMS programs. Anything can happen.

Thanks doggie. I mean i really dont care what people really say about my grades. I want oral surgery really bad, and i am willing to fight tooth and nail to get into a pogram.

Btw shifty eyes, i may not be the strongest applicant, but i am still top 20% of my class(ranked 50-60 out of 250 students), plus done externships plus scored a 90. I may not be the top of the line but i still think i am decently competitive. But no offence taken. yu have an opinion, and i still thank you for it

 

[babytooth]

Sorry DcS,
I was trying to PM you but for some reason my computer didn't allow me. I went to Long Island Jewish for my pedo residency. If you have any questions about the program then please let me know.

To the OP, thanks for not answering my question, I appreciate it. It's nice to see you have your hand out when you have a question but then won't return the favor to someone else in the application process.

 

[tx oms]

Do you think that with my 3.3 and 90 on the boards, i stand a chance of getting accepted somewhere be it four or six??
I also completed two externships, and am in the process of doing a GPR

Yes, you have a fair chance with the six years and an even better chance with the fours. I hate to discourage anyone since my own stats aren't earth shattering. That said, I would tell you if you don't have a chance in hell.

It is very hard to define a good and bad applicant by numbers. I'm sitting here trying to do it and I can't come up with hard numbers that are inflexible. I knew my stats sucked and I knew I wasn't willing to work hard enough to raise them. I don't care about MODs, cavo-surface margins, and the like. In clinic I did fine, but the didactic classes kicked my ass.

If you're worried you have options:
1. externships
2. use connections
3. take electives in oral surgery, anatomy, pathology
4. tutor anatomy if your school allows it
5. go on mission trips to pull teeth
6. do a GPR/AEGD
7. do a year long internship
8. retake part I
9. research and then bore me with your research when you interview. I swear it impresses me.