Hey all,
Soon to be graduating D4, US resident. Was always interested in applying OMFS but things didn't go too smoothly in dental school. Took CBSE in the midst of a really bad period of time, wasn't able to make it through all of the material, scored low and never had the chance to study to take again. No externship experience, no research, nothing really that stands out in my CV. I'm at a crossroads where I initially planned to do a non-cat but am now considering some sort of "gap year." I mostly want some extra breathing room to study for CBSE, but also have something productive to do. Wanted some opinions on moving forward, and if taking a year off before applying for non-cats is an issue.
My main considerations are:
- working GP as a year. Pros: expanding my clinical skills and knowledge. Cons: Can I even find a job?
- trying to find a last minute open GPR position. Pros: same as above. Cons: can I even find a position?
- some sort of clinical research with an OMFS department (one in particular I have in mind, unsure of any others). Pros: familiarity with people in department, having research experience, could be really helpful if it's affiliated with a program I'm interested in for non-cat or beyond. Cons: not using my skills for a whole year, in case things don't work out would make things very hard.
My biggest concern with going straight into non-cat is being able to score well on CBSE, as I know it's an extremely difficult task to add on. I don't see a point to doing a non-cat if I won't even be considered for not having a good enough CBSE. I know I would also have to do a non-cat the following year to even have a chance. I don't mind taking the additional year outside of the non-cat, but I'm worried about how it will make me come off. I feel very shameful for how my time in dental school went, but if OMFS is still a possibility with a gap year, it's what I truly want to do.
My initial thought is that a clinical research job would be best
Appreciate all responses.
Soon to be graduating D4, US resident. Was always interested in applying OMFS but things didn't go too smoothly in dental school. Took CBSE in the midst of a really bad period of time, wasn't able to make it through all of the material, scored low and never had the chance to study to take again. No externship experience, no research, nothing really that stands out in my CV. I'm at a crossroads where I initially planned to do a non-cat but am now considering some sort of "gap year." I mostly want some extra breathing room to study for CBSE, but also have something productive to do. Wanted some opinions on moving forward, and if taking a year off before applying for non-cats is an issue.
My main considerations are:
- working GP as a year. Pros: expanding my clinical skills and knowledge. Cons: Can I even find a job?
- trying to find a last minute open GPR position. Pros: same as above. Cons: can I even find a position?
- some sort of clinical research with an OMFS department (one in particular I have in mind, unsure of any others). Pros: familiarity with people in department, having research experience, could be really helpful if it's affiliated with a program I'm interested in for non-cat or beyond. Cons: not using my skills for a whole year, in case things don't work out would make things very hard.
My biggest concern with going straight into non-cat is being able to score well on CBSE, as I know it's an extremely difficult task to add on. I don't see a point to doing a non-cat if I won't even be considered for not having a good enough CBSE. I know I would also have to do a non-cat the following year to even have a chance. I don't mind taking the additional year outside of the non-cat, but I'm worried about how it will make me come off. I feel very shameful for how my time in dental school went, but if OMFS is still a possibility with a gap year, it's what I truly want to do.
My initial thought is that a clinical research job would be best
Appreciate all responses.
