experienced people ...please guide me

[sonam]

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Hi all,
I m FTD , last year i came to USA on H4 visa ...previously we did not have much plan to stay( just for 2-3 years )in USA... i gave GRE and toefl n ielts to get into any MPH or MHA program so that when i go back ,i will not have much debt on my head and have atleast a masters degree in my hand.... therefore last year i did not joined any dental clinic for observership and all that.. as i have to do prepare for GRE this year i gave exams and applied for MPH program for 2012 fall ...

NOW here is the thing .... MY husband got opportunity to file GC n (we did filed it now) ....as we have to stay in USA now i will definately go for DDS so ... GRE TOEFL n MPH thing and 1 year of my life got wasted 🙁

i Decided to to finish NBDE part 1 and 2 by next june /july ....the problem is till that time it will be like 2yr break in my carrier chain ...i dont know how universities will take it ...
as NBDE is going pass /fail next year ...i need to improve my resume ...kindly help how can i do this ...

any guidance is really appreciated ....
Thanks

 

[goldendoc]

First of all take it slow..
If you've already applied or have done everything for MPH,I suggest you finish that and see what happens whether you get accepted or not..
In the meanwhile you give your NBDE part 1 and 2..
Make sure your TOEFL score meets the requirements for the universities you apply to.' coz a lot of times people are not able to apply to some universities just because of their TEFL scores.
The other thing I would suggest is start going to a clinic to volunteer/observe so that you can add that on your resume and also get a recommendation letter from them.(US reco letters are very helpful).You could also try to get a volunteer research assistant post if you're near a University(Dental school will be the best bet) by e-mailing them.That will again help build up your resume. Some people suggest X ray certification and online CE courses.Depends on the time you have and the money you want to spend.
And don't worry about the gap in your career.As long as you can convince the schools why you had that gap and that you're extremely interested in pursuing dentistry ,it shouldn't be a problem.There are a lot of people applying with even more gap.
As bench exams are very important in many schools,you might also want to work on your hand skills. But first concentrate on your boards.
This is all I can remember right now.

 

[goldendoc]

About MPH.. a lot of people do it to improve their GPA and to get US recommendation letters and research experience .So it's not a complete waste.And besides,it might be safe for you as the exam pattern is changing from next year and noone knows the real criteria for accepting international graduates.So it might be a better idea to continue with your MPH until you get accepted.Just a suggestion as you've already worked towards it.

 

[begottedBDS]

join the MPH couse as that would give you an US master degree..after that prepare for NBDE part 1 and 2. at the same time prepare for Dental Adimission test ( DAT)... I have a feeling all dental schools will ask for this exam .. Now only NYU wants it from 2013...its along battle ahead.. so tighten your belt... !!!

 

[Hope4]

About MPH.. a lot of people do it to improve their GPA

Just a question here, the GPA of your MPH is separate from your graduate program isn't it?! So how can you "improve" something that doesn't change?

As far as I know what counts for school is the GPA from dental schoo...

The fact that you have a MPH or is looking for one would be great on your resume and would sum a lot to your app for a future DDS. Having experience on a MPH program in the US is a really big boost to anyone's application.

The GPAs aren't joint together though. My dentistry graduate GPA is 3.14, and I have master in Ortho with a 3.94 GPA, but as I said they show up separately on the ECE report, and the one that is taken in consideration as being your GPA is the one from graduate school (this I can tell for sure as I had it confirmed from UOP, UPenn and UIC).

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

sonam, you've got to prioritize on your goals, what exactly are you aiming for?

 

[sonam]

Thank u guys for replying
@Goldendoc and BegottedBDS...thanks for ur replies ...n yeah i m almost done with MPH applications...but not with all the universities what i shortlisted.Yeah ur correct that we dont know what universities are going to do with NBDE pass-fail thing and for us its like wait n watch n then nail it.But NBDE is quite hard i wonder whether it easy to deal with NBDE while doing MPH.

@ Hope4 ...Now my goal is DDS for sure..that is why I m so confused ......because in a long run i think DDS will be the best thing....n well as far as GPA is concerned I m not at all worried about it because i have many awards n merits and have GPA of 3.9

I m just worried to fill these gaps...as anyhow i cannot enter in dental school before 2013 ... 2 years from now on.. so from 2010 end to 2013mid. Therefore I want to do things which are really helpful for me to get into dental school n r fruitful.

 

[goldendoc]

What I meant by improving your GPA is ..In case your Dental school GPA is low,it can help in showing that you can pushh yourself to do well and that your a good student if you can show a high GPA in a Masters Program.
Of course, the dental school GPA cannot be changed.
I'm sorry for putting it the wrong way..
Anyway Sonam has a good GPA.. so there's no worry..

 

[begottedBDS]

What I meant by improving your GPA is ..In case your Dental school GPA is low,it can help in showing that you can pushh yourself to do well and that your a good student if you can show a high GPA in a Masters Program.
Of course, the dental school GPA cannot be changed.
I'm sorry for putting it the wrong way..
Anyway Sonam has a good GPA.. so there's no worry..

In case you are applying in 2013...I still insist that you prepare for DAT... NYU wants it from 2013... and I have a feeling that many other schools will want the same.. bench exam will not replace the NBDE scores..so since you have 2 yrs head start it will be better for you to start...you just need to pass the NBDE...your GPA tells me that you will breeze through NBDE part 1... pls start concentrating on DAT also.. its really hard to go back to organic chemistry,physics..bio. etc..

 

[asd1234]

.

 

[begottedBDS]

I don't think you should be promoting DAT and scaring people just because one school is choosing to do it. Most other schools care about hand skills and will base their decision on that. NYU will never have a practical because most east coast schools only care about research unlike west coast that care about clinical work. Also physics isn't on the DAT.

I have no intention of scaring ppl my frnd.... only hoping to place future aspirants on the guard...bench exams are only criteria AFTER they have called ppl for interview.. the most important aspect of grading students in order to call for interviews used to be NDBE scores..which will no longer be there.. so they have to come up with another similar grading tool.. which NYU has come up with as DAT.....

 

[sonam]

In case you are applying in 2013...I still insist that you prepare for DAT... NYU wants it from 2013... and I have a feeling that many other schools will want the same.. bench exam will not replace the NBDE scores..so since you have 2 yrs head start it will be better for you to start...you just need to pass the NBDE...your GPA tells me that you will breeze through NBDE part 1... pls start concentrating on DAT also.. its really hard to go back to organic chemistry,physics..bio. etc..

@ begottedBDS -Thanks for the encouragement ,n your right DAT will be tough to get through ...
@asd1234...thanks for the concern. U r right ,that every school is not the same but for that we have to wait n see , that is why BegottedBDS is also guiding me to be prepared.

anyways guys do u thing part 1 and part 2 ...both can be done in 6-7 months ?

 

[goldendoc]

it will depend on you,your style of learning and the time you spend each day..
I would say it's sufficient.. You can take part 1 after 3 or 4 months.and then part 2 after a gap of 3 months may be..
Think you should be fine if you're able to focus..
You'll feel much better learning for part 2 once you're done with part 1.

 

[sonam]

it will depend on you,your style of learning and the time you spend each day..
I would say it's sufficient.. You can take part 1 after 3 or 4 months.and then part 2 after a gap of 3 months may be..
Think you should be fine if you're able to focus..
You'll feel much better learning for part 2 once you're done with part 1.

Thanks 🙂

 

[sonam]

Anyone who did MPH or MS before DDS ?
plz share ur experience.

 

[My Dentist]

I would recommend you to consult a local dentist in your state and join them as a volunteer or observer and learn the way they practice. You might also look into alternative education programs like MBA-Healthcare where in you can use your existing foreign Dental Degree + Top it of with MBA to get into a management position for a group dental practice. This is a new trend, as getting into Dentistry in USA and finishing it with good grades is tuff and Group Dental practices do appreciate foreign dental experience witha higher education and experience from USA. Hope this helps you.
Dentists in Tulsa

 

[Tashn]

Anyone who did MPH or MS before DDS ?
plz share ur experience.

I got in university where I did my MPH , so it really helped..in case you wanna do mph or other masters , aim for one which has a dental school in its vicinity..Good luck👍

 

[dent1912]

Anyone knows ..what is the scope after MS in oral biology ?

 

[sonam]

I got in university where I did my MPH , so it really helped..in case you wanna do mph or other masters , aim for one which has a dental school in its vicinity..Good luck👍

thanks for ur input ..I heard MPH colleges need high GRE scores ..is it true ?

 

[esctasy]

i have a similar story...gave gre last week with the aim of getting into a public health school and then had planned to apply for dental school after finshing off wid the mph course..xpcting a gud score too..but nw i have a change of mind..will keep mph aside and will ultimately aim for dds.
if u calculate then doin mph first and then applying for dental schools would
1.take more of your time(first 2 yrs of mph and then probably an extra yr. to get into a dental school=total 3-4 yrs,without mph can think abt getting into a dental school in maybe nxt 2 yrs..=total 2-3yrs)
2.would cost more
3.there is a fear that one might get pushed towards public health,maybe because of the circumstances..
4.also there are so many options available to boost up ur resume besides mph as have been mentioned above in the earlier posts...

this is wat my point of view is...plz guide me if im goin wrong somewhere..
thanx..

 

[sonam]

i have a similar story...gave gre last week with the aim of getting into a public health school and then had planned to apply for dental school after finshing off wid the mph course..xpcting a gud score too..but nw i have a change of mind..will keep mph aside and will ultimately aim for dds.
if u calculate then doin mph first and then applying for dental schools would
1.take more of your time(first 2 yrs of mph and then probably an extra yr. to get into a dental school=total 3-4 yrs,without mph can think abt getting into a dental school in maybe nxt 2 yrs..=total 2-3yrs)
2.would cost more
3.there is a fear that one might get pushed towards public health,maybe because of the circumstances..
4.also there are so many options available to boost up ur resume besides mph as have been mentioned above in the earlier posts...

this is wat my point of view is...plz guide me if im goin wrong somewhere..
thanx..

No ur not wrong ..ur calculations are absolutely correct.
But the thing is 4 yrs = 2 degrees + more money
3 yrs = 1 degree + less money ...
the thing is I m not done with NBDE yet not even part 1 ..n How Pass /fail pattern is going to bring on surprises we dont know, so just to be on the safer side i m still doing my application thing ..n preparing for NBDE,can not afford to waste 1 more year .

 

[esctasy]

yeah dats true..but mph is just a secondary degree.this is wat i think..dds is way above it..n nbde part 1 can be given in nxt 6 months..even i have 2 yet start wid the preparations...n if u consider gre then also pattern has changed since august 2011 n i hv gvn it under nw pattern only..it really does nt matter..wat matters is our confidence and dedication to achieve a target...peopla can hv different opinions abt the nw pattern but since we hv no options we will hv 2 dedicate ourselves 2 the new format only..dere is no lookin behind..it will be diificult to concentrate on dental school preparations once we get into mph..but yes people have done mph and then got into dental schools also...
in the end its ur decision only...gud luck.

 

[sonam]

yeah dats true..but mph is just a secondary degree.this is wat i think..dds is way above it..n nbde part 1 can be given in nxt 6 months..even i have 2 yet start wid the preparations...n if u consider gre then also pattern has changed since august 2011 n i hv gvn it under nw pattern only..it really does nt matter..wat matters is our confidence and dedication to achieve a target...peopla can hv different opinions abt the nw pattern but since we hv no options we will hv 2 dedicate ourselves 2 the new format only..dere is no lookin behind..it will be diificult to concentrate on dental school preparations once we get into mph..but yes people have done mph and then got into dental schools also...
in the end its ur decision only...gud luck.

yeah Ur right DDs is way above it ...but i m saying that... NBDE + application procedure itself will take min 1 yr .If we r about to start today with part 1 ...we will get in 2013 batch , not before that....yeah but we can always improve resume n application by other things ..MPH is not the only way .

 

[sundentist]

Sonam, D.D.S is the best route if you plan to settle down in the u.s and want to practice dentistry. With your GPA and good c.v. you will have a very good chance of getting in. Just pass the NBDE and get strong recommendations. While u wait, try to do an observeship, where if you can impress a professor, you will have a strong chance of getting in. Good Luck.

 

[sonam]

Sonam, D.D.S is the best route if you plan to settle down in the u.s and want to practice dentistry. With your GPA and good c.v. you will have a very good chance of getting in. Just pass the NBDE and get strong recommendations. While u wait, try to do an observeship, where if you can impress a professor, you will have a strong chance of getting in. Good Luck.

Thanks sundentist.

 

[danavjet]

A friend of mine who came on F1 visa to do MPH after doing BDS in india. After completed his MPH he did AEGD and then perio speciality and currently he is practicing Perio somewhere in Tennessee. I dont have any more details than that..but i would say that after MPH you can try for GPR or especially 2 yr AEGD courses in some universities.

 

[shinesmile]

Hey Sonam, I just went through what you wrote on this forum... Even I am in CA on H4.. and i am planning to get into a dental school... I was just wondering where do i start with...
When r u plannin to take up part 1 n Toefl?

 

[shinesmile]

Hi Goldendoc... I just read your reply to sonam...
I just moved to US from India... i want to get into a dental school but before that i would like to know how do i get observer post in a local clinic with a international degree??
your reply would be very helpful! thanks..

 

[shinesmile]

hi sundentist...
how do we get observership with an international degree? is it difficult / possible?
how do we apply to the clinics?
any guidance will be very helpful..

 

[goldendoc]

look around for dentists near your place. give a call before you go. talk to them and submit your resume. that should be good.

 

[shinesmile]

thank you goldendoc.. i really appreciate ur reply..
N can i know what books should i use for nbde part 1?
as much research i have done, the first step to get into dds is take nbde?

 

[goldendoc]

there are lots and lots of threads on this forum about materials used for NBDE part 1 Prep.. I f you ask me what I used , it's Dental Decks and Kaplan NBDE lecture notes mainly. MOsby's review for Dental Anatomy.Used some of my old books for reference once in a while. ASDA papers play a great role in getting you prepared for the type of questions.

 

[shinesmile]

there are lots and lots of threads on this forum about materials used for NBDE part 1 Prep.. I f you ask me what I used , it's Dental Decks and Kaplan NBDE lecture notes mainly. MOsby's review for Dental Anatomy.Used some of my old books for reference once in a while. ASDA papers play a great role in getting you prepared for the type of questions.

Hmm ok... thanx...so do i need the latest edition of dental decks and Kaplan??? since the nbde is changed from this year,do the study materials also b the latest one or is using the old editions is okay?
I did some research and i have a doubt... is Kaplan Dentessentials and Kaplan lecture notes the same?? Please help me with this...
How much did u score?? and when did u take up the exam??

 

[goldendoc]

Kaplan dentessials and lecture notes are different.
And I don't really think you need the latest edition. Even though there is a pattern change, the matter that they expect you to know is the same. And if you're planning to take it soon, I don't think there's any change in the pattern of questions that are going to be scored. Right now the change is only to a pass/fail.They have said that they'll include the new style of questions(ordering, matching, multiple answers) but they won't be scored.
So I don't think you've to shell out your money just trying to get the latest edition.
eg I studied for part 2 from DEcks 2007-08
my scores
Part 1- 89( June 2011)
part 2- 85(Dec 2011)

 

[shinesmile]

Kaplan dentessials and lecture notes are different.
And I don't really think you need the latest edition. Even though there is a pattern change, the matter that they expect you to know is the same. And if you're planning to take it soon, I don't think there's any change in the pattern of questions that are going to be scored. Right now the change is only to a pass/fail.They have said that they'll include the new style of questions(ordering, matching, multiple answers) but they won't be scored.
So I don't think you've to shell out your money just trying to get the latest edition.
eg I studied for part 2 from DEcks 2007-08
my scores
Part 1- 89( June 2011)
part 2- 85(Dec 2011)

oh thank u!!! n congrats ... ur scores seem nice... so have u got into school yet?
I m plannin to take it either in aug/sept... u mean to say the new style questions will not be scored?
I have been lookin for buying the used study materials? whr do u suggest me to buy so that it is cheaper in price?
Thanks again..

 

[goldendoc]

Thanks and yes got admitted at UCLA by God's grace.

Check pg 21 in the link below to be certain about the scoring..
http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/nbde01_examinee_guide.pdf

ebay is where I've found cheap materials.
SDN also has a classifieds section. Check out there too.

Good luck with your preparation.

 

[shinesmile]

Thanks and yes got admitted at UCLA by God's grace.

Check pg 21 in the link below to be certain about the scoring..
http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/nbde01_examinee_guide.pdf

ebay is where I've found cheap materials.
SDN also has a classifieds section. Check out there too.

Good luck with your preparation.

wow congrats!! That z exactly the school i want to get in since my husband works in LA and i have been here for 1 month now and i liked it a lot...
I hope I can find the study materials... do u have urs so that i can buy from u? or i can start looking up for it in ebay...
Thanks..Good luck to u too...

 

[goldendoc]

I have either sold or given away my stuff to friends..

 

[sonam]

Hey Sonam, I just went through what you wrote on this forum... Even I am in CA on H4.. and i am planning to get into a dental school... I was just wondering where do i start with...
When r u plannin to take up part 1 n Toefl?

--

 

[sonam]

Hey Sonam, I just went through what you wrote on this forum... Even I am in CA on H4.. and i am planning to get into a dental school... I was just wondering where do i start with...
When r u plannin to take up part 1 n Toefl?

hi shinesmile, sorry I m replying lil late ...I m planing to give NBDE in May end ..n yeah m done with TOEFL n GRE ...what about u ?

 

[shinesmile]

hi shinesmile, sorry I m replying lil late ...I m planing to give NBDE in May end ..n yeah m done with TOEFL n GRE ...what about u ?

Thanks for replying... i m plannin to give by Aug...how is ur prepartion goin on? I m done with GRE... TOEFL i m yet to take... how much did u get in toefl?
What are the study materials you have? and where do u stay in CA?

 

[shinesmile]

I have either sold or given away my stuff to friends..

Oh ok... Thank you..

 

[sonam]

Thanks for replying... i m plannin to give by Aug...how is ur prepartion goin on? I m done with GRE... TOEFL i m yet to take... how much did u get in toefl?
What are the study materials you have? and where do u stay in CA?

Each and every thing is available on net...and there are some you tube lectures which will direct you how to prepare for speaking section and listening sections ( some are really very very helpful ) ....i have given Toefl before GRE , so may be that's y didnt score that well... as i was not well prepared for vocab .. I scored 90 😡 ..I live in NY not in CA ..my prep is going ok ..not that gr8 ..what about u ?

 

[shinesmile]

Each and every thing is available on net...and there are some you tube lectures which will direct you how to prepare for speaking section and listening sections ( some are really very very helpful ) ....i have given Toefl before GRE , so may be that's y didnt score that well... as i was not well prepared for vocab .. I scored 90 😡 ..I live in NY not in CA ..my prep is going ok ..not that gr8 ..what about u ?

oh ok... so r u plannin to retake toefl?
i have just started with my preparation as i came here last month with kaplan stuff..
thanks for tellin me about toefl... i m plannin to take it in apr...
hey, i saw ur GPA is 3.9..that z great.. did u get it done in ECE course by course evaluation?if u get it evaluated, how long is it valid?

 

[vdt2009]

..

 

[sonam]

yes I m done with ECE evaluation and my ECE evaluation 3.9 , dont know how long its valid. yes I m palnning to retake toefl but after NBDE ...