Choosing OMFS Externships

[Tongxican57]

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Hi everyone. Thank you all for all your posts and help thus far. It has really guided me on this path towards residency. I was hoping for some guidance on choosing externships.

I have a 66 EPC and the rest of my app is solid. Coming from an IVY league so no class rank or grades. I know 6 vs 4 is a hot topic but I care more about being an Oral surgeon so getting in is the most important. I will be applying broadly and am willing to go anywhere. I have a wife and kids so being able to live somewhere safe and affordable would be huge.

I only have time for 4 externships and I want to chose them intentionally. 3/4 programs I’m planning on going to are MD programs. Does this hurt my chances of getting interviews at 4 yr programs? Should I do 2 externships at 6 yr and 2 externships at 4 yr or is 1 externship at a 4 yr enough? Also I would love any recommendations to programs that could be a good fit for me. Thank you!

 

[rangs0208]

I’ve been externing, and it’s clear that it matters especially since I’ve been favoring 6-year programs. At programs that offer both 4- and 6-year tracks, I’m often asked directly which path I’m interested in. I usually say I’m keeping my options open and prioritizing the right overall fit to avoid closing any doors or giving the wrong impression. That said, once they see where I’ve externed, there’s often an immediate assumption that I’m leaning toward a 6-year pathway. Whether accurate or not, your externship list can strongly shape how programs perceive your goals and can place you into a certain category.