Do specialty programs look at your undergrad transcript?

[dds2013]

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I saw on SDN a long time ago that some specialty programs require you to send your undergrad transcript. Now, I know some folks here are gonna say you’re getting ahead of yourself by thinking about specialty already. And they’re right, I am. But, just in case I decide to apply for specialty in May 2012, will any of the specialty programs look at my undergrad transcript, or is it just your d-school transcript?

This is my final semester, so i am wondering if i can lay back and relax, or push hard for 2 more months, and then enjoy a 4 month long summer.

 

[DrReo]

I saw on SDN a long time ago that some specialty programs require you to send your undergrad transcript. Now, I know some folks here are gonna say you’re getting ahead of yourself by thinking about specialty already. And they’re right, I am. But, just in case I decide to apply for specialty in May 2012, will any of the specialty programs look at my undergrad transcript, or is it just your d-school transcript?

This is my final semester, so i am wondering if i can lay back and relax, or push hard for 2 more months, and then enjoy a 4 month long summer.

I recall reading that some of the 6 yr OMFS/MD programs require Ugrad transcripts. Specifically, Emory. Although, I'm not sure other combined programs.

 

[Black Teeth]

I saw on SDN a long time ago that some specialty programs require you to send your undergrad transcript. Now, I know some folks here are gonna say you're getting ahead of yourself by thinking about specialty already. And they're right, I am. But, just in case I decide to apply for specialty in May 2012, will any of the specialty programs look at my undergrad transcript, or is it just your d-school transcript?

This is my final semester, so i am wondering if i can lay back and relax, or push hard for 2 more months, and then enjoy a 4 month long summer.

The short answer is YES!!! There are several programs from most of the popular specialties (Endodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, etc) that will ask to see your undergrad transcripts...especially pediatric dentistry!

 

[JamesOSU]

I wonder why esp. Pedo? Glad I didn't mess around in my last quarters 🙂

 

[eldirty]

i dont really see the point ... you were accepted to dental school and are now 4+ year removed from undergrad. Maybe I should keep my middle school transcripts on file as well just in case.

 

[Simiam]

i dont really see the point ... you were accepted to dental school and are now 4+ year removed from undergrad. Maybe I should keep my middle school transcripts on file as well just in case.

Dude, I still have my pre-school finger paintings on file, just in case. I always got the most stars!

 

[armorshell]

Yes, some 6 year OMFS programs will heavily weigh your undergraduate scores because the program requires that you be accepted to the medical school. Almost all programs will ask for the transcipts, but I doubt they're weighed heavily outside of the MD/OMFS programs.

 

[Black Teeth]

I wonder why esp. Pedo? Glad I didn't mess around in my last quarters 🙂

Depending on which sources you look at, the income of many pediatric dentists can rival those of orthodontists. On top of that, pedo is one of the few specialties that doesn't seem to be affected by the economic turmoil because almost all of its procedures are deemed to be necessary as opposed to being cosmetic. Regardless of the difficult economic times, parents will do whatever it takes when the health and welfare of thier children is involved. Some publications claim that there are only 5000 - 7000 board certified pediatric dentists in the entire United States. If that is true, there are clearly not enough pediatric dentists to satisfy the demand. Thus, pediatric dentists are in great need right now. For those reasons, pedo is currently the hot specialty and the competition to get in is getting intense. Hence, the need for an additional criteria (e.g. undergrad transcripts) to screen out applicants. If you thought competing for dental school was hard, just wait until you try to apply to specialty programs. Whereas most dental schools have around 100 spots, most specialty programs have on average only 3-5 spots and hundreds of people are competing for those few positions.

P.S. - I do agree with Armorshell that for Oral Surgery, the undergrad transcripts are heavily scrutinized. Hence, any "C, D, and F" grades that you may have gotten in undergrad could come back to haunt you. I honestly don't know to what degree that undergraduate transcripts play in the admissions process for other specialties. I just know that many programs request that you send them an official copy of transcripts for all undergraduate colleges that you attend. The burning hole in my wallet from all those transcript fees is proof of that!!!

 

[achilles2]

ah man undergrad coming back to haunt me again 👎

Hope the masters degree pulls some weight.


If you ace dental school and crush part I of the boards do you think undergrad transcripts can really hold you back? 😕

 

[nchrist]

I wonder if they ask for your undergrad transcripts just to verify that part of the application, otherwise what is to prevent someone from falsification? I wouldn't think your grades are considered unless they contradict other parts of your application.

 

[dentstd]

If you ace dental school and crush part I of the boards do you think undergrad transcripts can really hold you back? 😕

Depends on your competition. Are there many people who aced dental school, crushed Part I AND did well in college?

 

[Black Teeth]

I wonder if they ask for your undergrad transcripts just to verify that part of the application, otherwise what is to prevent someone from falsification? I wouldn't think your grades are considered unless they contradict other parts of your application.

That's a good guess but unlikely to be the reason. All specialty programs do a thorough background check on you and all your credentials. In other words, they don't need your actual hardcopy undergrad transcripts in order to verify that you recieved your degree because your undergrad degree will be verified through the background check. The only other logical reason is to use it as a selection criteria. The fact that the PASS application for specialty programs requires you to report your undergrad GPA and dental school GPA supports this notion. While I was in dental school at UCLA, I attended a workshop on applying to specialty programs and one of the faculty at UCLA told me that postgraduate admissions people like to see an applicant with a "long history of academic excellence". At least for specialty programs at UCLA, there is every indication that your undergraduate grades are being used as a selection criteria. Your undergrad grades may take on more of a significance if the national boards become pass/ fail too. Since they can't use the national boards to support your academic achievement in dental school, they may have to rely on your undergraduate grades. Hence, the "long history of academic excellence" becomes more important. But lets hope it doesn't come to that. Keep your fingers crossed. This whole pass/ fail thing for the national baords is a fiasco in my opinion.

 

[armorshell]

ah man undergrad coming back to haunt me again 👎

Hope the masters degree pulls some weight.


If you ace dental school and crush part I of the boards do you think undergrad transcripts can really hold you back? 😕

I'll find out for you over the next year. I have good/high dental school credentials and poor undergraduate credentials and will be applying to 6 year and 4 year OMFS programs.

 

[Epictetus21]

The only other logical reason is to use it as a selection criteria. The fact that the PASS application for specialty programs requires you to report your undergrad GPA and dental school GPA supports this notion. ... Your undergrad grades may take on more of a significance if the national boards become pass/ fail too. Since they can't use the national boards to support your academic achievement in dental school, they may have to rely on your undergraduate grades. Hence, the "long history of academic excellence" becomes more important.

Yeah, but how do they compare a Geography or English major with a 4.0 undergrad to a Neuroscience or Chemical Engineering major that had a 3.2 undergrad GPA? Undergrad GPA has zero bearing on how well you will do in a specialty program, while your dental school grades, LORs, and clinical skills/experience would be a much better predictor. There is such a wide variability among undergrad institutions, not to mention majors, that it would be very difficult to gauge the quality of an applicant based on their undergrad GPA. I don't really care, because I'm planning on being a GP, but it seems like undergrad GPA would be a very poor predictor of success in a specialty.

 

[Black Teeth]

Yeah, but how do they compare a Geography or English major with a 4.0 undergrad to a Neuroscience or Chemical Engineering major that had a 3.2 undergrad GPA? Undergrad GPA has zero bearing on how well you will do in a specialty program, while your dental school grades, LORs, and clinical skills/experience would be a much better predictor. There is such a wide variability among undergrad institutions, not to mention majors, that it would be very difficult to gauge the quality of an applicant based on their undergrad GPA. I don't really care, because I'm planning on being a GP, but it seems like undergrad GPA would be a very poor predictor of success in a specialty.

You make very valid arguments but I'm not the one you need to convince. You need to convince the postgraduate admissions people of your argument. I don't make the rules...I just play by them like everyone else.

 

[achilles2]

I'll find out for you over the next year. I have good/high dental school credentials and poor undergraduate credentials and will be applying to 6 year and 4 year OMFS programs.

best of luck to you playa 👍

if its too personal feel free to not respond but what were your part I board scores (unless you have not taken them yet) I am not sure what year you are....

From what I've heard OMFS is pretty much the most competitive that or ortho but I'm just going by word of mouth.

 

[achilles2]

Depends on your competition. Are there many people who aced dental school, crushed Part I AND did well in college?

If your in the top 5%ile of your class there is still a finite amount of people.


What I am asking is what matters most. Of course if two applicants are dead even for a program then perhaps undergrad grades could make or break. But if one student out ranks another significantly on the boards and in dental school is it possible that undergraduate grades could really deter a program from accepting that student over the other?

I guess I am asking a weight questions.

 

[armorshell]

best of luck to you playa 👍

if its too personal feel free to not respond but what were your part I board scores (unless you have not taken them yet) I am not sure what year you are....

From what I've heard OMFS is pretty much the most competitive that or ortho but I'm just going by word of mouth.

Ortho seems to be more competitive, but I don't think they emphasize undergrad grades quite like some of the 6 year OMFS programs do.