Got a "C" = forget about ortho?

[ddsperate]

I'm a D1, and I got a "C" in one of the classes last semester. Kinda freaked out/depressed because this is literally the first "C" I ever got lol. They definitely weren't kidding when they said dschool was going to be hard..

Anyways, I always had my eyes on ortho, and now I'm worried. Should I pretty much give up on ortho?

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[ncide]

Ortho tends to select candidates that are in the top 10 of their class.

 

[LogOff]

What are you going to do just roll over and stop trying now? One C who cares. If you want to do ortho get your head on straight and don't let one shortcoming throw you.

Tough love, but it's better than coddling I think. Those who want to specialize tend to make it because they keep their eye on the prize and consistently put the work in, not because they are inherently more brilliant.

 

[Typical Average Student]

Strive to be in at least the top quarter. If you don't match your first time, go for an internship and apply again.

 

[Tooth Ferry]

One C is not going to torpedo your chances. Keep your eyes on the prize and get involved in Ortho. A strong recommendation is going to outweigh a single C

 

[Steins;Gate]

How hard is it to get an ortho internship?

 

[Tooth Ferry]

How hard is it to get an ortho internship?

Hard. ~Top 10%.

 

[toofdoc22]

Don't get freaked out by one unexpected grade. It happens. Dental school is tough. What will make you a better dentist is to learn and grow from mistakes or bad grades. I had many hiccups which I got back up from and graduated. Then again, I never wanted to do ortho.

 

[SmileItsLife]

A dentist I know didn't get into ortho straight out dental school. She was in top 20-30%, though. She practiced as a GP for 3 years and then applied again. She got in. She has been practicing for a decade now.

Morale: If you want it, you can still make it.

 

[Munks]

A dentist I know didn't get into ortho straight out dental school. She was in top 20-30%, though. She practiced as a GP for 3 years and then applied again. She got in. She has been practicing for a decade now.

Moral: If you want it, you can still make it.

I did the same thing (got super interested in ortho conveniently after apps period during my last year hah), but it's definitely a tougher road.

OP: if your resolve is seriously so weak you would get one C and quit, then you really need to evaluate how badly you want to be a specialist. While sure everyone starting D1 wants to be in ortho or OS, it is almost always those that work the hardest that get into the programs, not the inherently brilliant like LogOff said. Now I don't intent to be so mean, because I do know that everyone (and especially here on SDN) says you have to be #1 in your class to specialize, but really just put the work in and do everything you can to give yourself an edge, and you'll make it.

Like you said yourself, dent school is tough, so really if you have to close the shutters and strap into your study chair for the next year to get all A's, then ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[esqueleto]

What about having B+ in a few courses? Any chance at any specialties?

 

[Medin2017]

What are you going to do just roll over and stop trying now? One C who cares. If you want to do ortho get your head on straight and don't let one shortcoming throw you.

Tough love, but it's better than coddling I think. Those who want to specialize tend to make it because they keep their eye on the prize and consistently put the work in, not because they are inherently more brilliant.

is this true? Doesn't everyone work hard in d school? I read on med forums that everyone puts in the work, but some people still can't break average