GPR - What kind of GPA/board scores do you need?

[dentist_to_be?]

I've heard that GPR are getting more competitive to get into. What kind of board scores/ GPA do you need typically to be competitive???

Thanks

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[ItsGavinC]

SOME GPRs are getting more competitive. There are always lots (200+) of open GPR/AEGD spots following the match, so it depends on what program you are looking at.

For some programs you probably only need a pulse (seriousy). For others you'll have to have good board scores (85+) as well. It all depends on the program.

 

[Dr. Pedo]

Yes the dead are no longer able to apply---you must now have a pulse.

 

[LonestarYankee]

SOME GPRs are getting more competitive. There are always lots (200+) of open GPR/AEGD spots following the match, so it depends on what program you are looking at.

For some programs you probably only need a pulse (seriousy). For others you'll have to have good board scores (85+) as well. It all depends on the program.

"Good board score= 85???" Interesting. 85. Aim high.

 

[dentist_to_be?]

"Good board score= 85???" Interesting. 85. Aim high.

Well I already wrote my boards, so the damage is done... hahha j/k. I just wanted to know with average grades/average board scores, if you can still get into a decent GPR??

Also does anyone know good websites to look at for overall information on GPR programs, not just what different school release. I tried googleing it, but only came out with SDN for any decent info... Thanks

 

[BuckeyeDDS]

SOME GPRs are getting more competitive.

Gavin is right on the SOME and on the competitive. There is huge variation from program to program, so you have to know what you want out of the program and do your due diligence.

As for the competitive, at the risk of sounding completely conceited...I have what you could consider a good board score, a very good class rank, research experience, and quite a bit of extracurricular involvement. I am interested in general dentistry and simply feel there is so much more to learn and a GOOD program will do nothing but help me. I applied to four programs (3 AEGD, 1 GPR), didn't even get an interview at one, and did not get offered a position at 2 of the 3 with whom I interviewed. Who knows, maybe I said something or did something really stupid in my interview. But, as far as these programs go, the idea that anyone can get in is ridiculous. One program reported getting well over 100 applications for 6 positions. They may not be as competitive as some ortho, surgery, pedo, etc. programs, but nobody is a shoe in.

 

[dentist_to_be?]

Gavin is right on the SOME and on the competitive. There is huge variation from program to program, so you have to know what you want out of the program and do your due diligence.

As for the competitive, at the risk of sounding completely conceited...I have what you could consider a good board score, a very good class rank, research experience, and quite a bit of extracurricular involvement. I am interested in general dentistry and simply feel there is so much more to learn and a GOOD program will do nothing but help me. I applied to four programs (3 AEGD, 1 GPR), didn't even get an interview at one, and did not get offered a position at 2 of the 3 with whom I interviewed. Who knows, maybe I said something or did something really stupid in my interview. But, as far as these programs go, the idea that anyone can get in is ridiculous. One program reported getting well over 100 applications for 6 positions. They may not be as competitive as some ortho, surgery, pedo, etc. programs, but nobody is a shoe in.

where did you apply if you dont mind me asking???

 

[SuperTrooper]

Gavin is right on the SOME and on the competitive. There is huge variation from program to program, so you have to know what you want out of the program and do your due diligence.

As for the competitive, at the risk of sounding completely conceited...I have what you could consider a good board score, a very good class rank, research experience, and quite a bit of extracurricular involvement. I am interested in general dentistry and simply feel there is so much more to learn and a GOOD program will do nothing but help me. I applied to four programs (3 AEGD, 1 GPR), didn't even get an interview at one, and did not get offered a position at 2 of the 3 with whom I interviewed. Who knows, maybe I said something or did something really stupid in my interview. But, as far as these programs go, the idea that anyone can get in is ridiculous. One program reported getting well over 100 applications for 6 positions. They may not be as competitive as some ortho, surgery, pedo, etc. programs, but nobody is a shoe in.

Whoa?! I'm also interested in doing a year of a gpr or aegd, and I find your experience really surprising. I'm curious as well, where did you apply? And what exactly were your board scores (rough range pls. 😳 )? Is there a chance you might be a huge jerk and you just don't know it?

 

[BuckeyeDDS]

Whoa?! I'm also interested in doing a year of a gpr or aegd, and I find your experience really surprising. I'm curious as well, where did you apply? And what exactly were your board scores (rough range pls. 😳 )? Is there a chance you might be a huge jerk and you just don't know it?

I applied at San Antonio VA (AEGD), Jacksonville, FL (AEGD), St. Petersburg, FL (AEGD) and Palmetto Health in Columbia, SC (GPR). From all of the research I did and talking with people who knew about them, these are four of the very best in the country. I interviewed at the last three. All of them are very impressive programs - all with pros and cons - but I would have been happy at any of them. Lots of implants and some really big cases.

As for my scores...90 on part I, top 10% class rank. I didn't feel like any of my interviews went bad, but I didn't get offered a position at either of the Florida programs, so I must not have been what they were looking for. We'll see how the match goes in Jan for Palmetto, which was the one interview that I felt really good about. As for San Antonio, I can only guess as to why I didn't get an interview. I called the program director and he just told me they had a lot of VERY competitive applications. One other program director asked if I had heard from all of the programs that I applied to. When I told him no, he told me it may be because they thought I was going to specialize. These are not programs that are back ups in case you don't get into a specialty. Needless to say, the whole experience was a bit humbling for me, so I can be grateful for that.

Who knows, maybe I AM a big jerk and I just don't know it!🙂

 

[ItsGavinC]

"Good board score= 85???" Interesting. 85. Aim high.

The higher the better, obviously, but in the real world (ie, non-specialty world), a score of 85 seems to be respectable. It probably demonstrates that the test-taker had some idea of what they were doing on the exam.

The goal with most GPR/AEGDs (those that aren't uber-competitive) would seem to not give the program a reason to think you are a *****. That differs from specialty programs where you have to give them a reason to think you are an all-star.

That's my two cents.

 

[SuperTrooper]

When I told him no, he told me it may be because they thought I was going to specialize.

Hmm... so in retrospect, do you wish you had specified on the personal statement that you were NOT applying to specialty programs? Is it fair to include that in the personal statement? I have slightly higher board scores and a few other things going for me, and I want to be in an AEGD/GPR program when I apply for specialty.

Who knows, maybe I AM a big jerk and I just don't know it!🙂

I was just kidding. 🙂

 

[BuckeyeDDS]

Hmm... so in retrospect, do you wish you had specified on the personal statement that you were NOT applying to specialty programs? Is it fair to include that in the personal statement? I have slightly higher board scores and a few other things going for me, and I want to be in an AEGD/GPR program when I apply for specialty.


I was just kidding. 🙂

I thought I had made it pretty clear in my personal statement that I was interested in general dentistry. Maybe not clear enough.