hard to get into a gpr

[cubase94672]

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I'm a 4th yr at a private, northeastern dental school. I'm ranked exactly in the middle of my class and my part 1/2 scores are around an ~80. My letters of rec were lukewarm, at best. ( what can I do if the faculty didn't like me? I felt lucky to even get the letters of rec required to apply to these programs)

Evidently, I didn't match into a single gpr. ( I originally applied to 5 programs. These weren't programs that were way over my head; for the past few years, all of them always had 5-8 unfilled spots and are located in the ghettos. I was invited for 2 interviews, ranked them both, but didn't match. )

But those two programs both again have 5-8 unfilled spots as we speak.

They didn't want me enough to even rank me; should I bother to contact them and inquire if they're willing to take in an interviewee they rejected? ( Then again, I wouldn't feel comfortable working with attendings who rejected me in the first place )

And one more thing, I noticed some big-name and prestigious-sounding hospitals that have a few unfilled spots as well. Some of the faculty in my school recommended against these programs, saying they don't provide enough experience in various dentistry.

Well, I live close to some of them and so I called them up to see how I can apply. And the guys that got the phone were saying they wanted me to fax in my CV, transcripts, etc. first because they don't want to interview everyone who didn't match. They were willing to wait until the right candidate came along. I got the same reply even when calling up smaller, less-known gpr programs that have spots open.

All in all, I didn't realize that it's this hard to get into a gpr. And I don't know what I should even do. I really do want a gpr before I start working.

 

[Ramathorn]

I'm a 4th yr at a private, northeastern dental school. I'm ranked exactly in the middle of my class and my part 1/2 scores are around an ~80. My letters of rec were lukewarm, at best. ( what can I do if the faculty didn't like me? I felt lucky to even get the letters of rec required to apply to these programs)

Evidently, I didn't match into a single gpr. ( I originally applied to 5 programs. These weren't programs that were way over my head; for the past few years, all of them always had 5-8 unfilled spots and are located in the ghettos. I was invited for 2 interviews, ranked them both, but didn't match. )

But those two programs both again have 5-8 unfilled spots as we speak.

They didn't want me enough to even rank me; should I bother to contact them and inquire if they're willing to take in an interviewee they rejected? ( Then again, I wouldn't feel comfortable working with attendings who rejected me in the first place )

And one more thing, I noticed some big-name and prestigious-sounding hospitals that have a few unfilled spots as well. Some of the faculty in my school recommended against these programs, saying they don't provide enough experience in various dentistry.

Well, I live close to some of them and so I called them up to see how I can apply. And the guys that got the phone were saying they wanted me to fax in my CV, transcripts, etc. first because they don't want to interview everyone who didn't match. They were willing to wait until the right candidate came along. I got the same reply even when calling up smaller, less-known gpr programs that have spots open.

All in all, I didn't realize that it's this hard to get into a gpr. And I don't know what I should even do. I really do want a gpr before I start working.

You say that your part 1/2 scores were "around an ~80." Do you mind if I ask what precisely they were? Because if I were a gpr admissions person, I would definitely be nervous about accepting somebody with board scores in the low 80s. I don't think i'd even consider you if you were in the high 70s; that would indicate to me that you really don't care at all, or that you're seriously unable to gain the necessary knowledge to be a qualified dentist. Adding to the fact that you couldn't get decent letters of rec, I can see how you had difficulties.

Sorry I can't help you with what to do now. I don't know what the etiquette is for trying to get into un-matched programs you applied to. I'd guess that if they didn't want you before, they won't want you now.

Good luck. 🙂

 

[Ramathorn]

http://drslounge.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=366393

 

[cubase94672]

http://drslounge.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=366393

So you think it's pretty funny?

I suppose everything will turn out so well for you in dentistry, health, and family that you can mock someone else's personal problems.

 

[Ramathorn]

I suppose everything will turn out so well for you in dentistry, health, and family that you can mock someone else's personal problems.

Hey man, in your other thread you didn't say anything about personal problems. All you implied (I assumed you were referring to yourself) is that you've decided that "dentistry isn't for 'you' "

I just thought it was funny, you know, wondering why you didn't match into a GPR, and at the same time saying that you want to quit dentistry.

But seriously, good luck with everything.

 

[cubase94672]

Hey man, in your other thread you didn't say anything about personal problems. All you implied (I assumed you were referring to yourself) is that you've decided that "dentistry isn't for 'you' "

I just thought it was funny, you know, wondering why you didn't match into a GPR, and at the same time saying that you want to quit dentistry.

But seriously, good luck with everything.

I didn't match to a residency ( I admit my credentials/letters weren't strong. But it's not like I scored in the 70s for the boards. And I'm far from being last in my class; I'm ranked right in the middle )

And I don't think the market is in above-average demand for dentists.

So I figured it's time to let go and see if there's something else I can do to pay off my loans in a reasonable period. Personally, I enjoy doing dentistry but I don't want to bother if it's not going to be worth it in the long run.

But I doubt this makes sense to someone who has it all and never has any problems in life.

 

[Ped2thdoc]

Because if I were a gpr admissions person, I would definitely be nervous about accepting somebody with board scores in the low 80s. I don't think i'd even consider you if you were in the high 70s; that would indicate to me that you really don't care at all, or that you're seriously unable to gain the necessary knowledge to be a qualified dentist.

There are many VA GPRs that would be more than happy to take a resident such as yourself.
Since when did GPRs become so difficult to get into? Shouldn't they be exactly for someone in your situation? A qualified dentist whom wants to gain experience in dentistry over and beyond what they received in dental school. IMO high board scores do not equal great dentist, nor do lower board scores equal bad dentist.

 

[InMyCrossHairs]

I didn't match to a residency ( I admit my credentials/letters weren't strong. But it's not like I scored in the 70s for the boards. And I'm far from being last in my class; I'm ranked right in the middle )

And I don't think the market is in above-average demand for dentists.

So I figured it's time to let go and see if there's something else I can do to pay off my loans in a reasonable period. Personally, I enjoy doing dentistry but I don't want to bother if it's not going to be worth it in the long run.

But I doubt this makes sense to someone who has it all and never has any problems in life.

Your board scores should not exclude you from a GPR. They are not indicative of a quality dentist, I dont care what anyone says. Just call a bunch of programs and you are bound to get accepted somewhere. Hopefully you will enhance your dental skills, and perhaps more importantly, your confidence.

I couldnt help but read the attached thread placed above. The question you asked whether you could have your debt forgiven if you elected to forefit (sp) you DDS degree, ARE YOU KIDDING? That is the most absurd question I have ever heard. I am not trying to be insolent or disrespectful when I say this, but, when you interview, the less you talk, the better off you will be. As a matter of fact, I would make up an illness that prevents you from opening your mouth on interview day. I imagine your poor letters of rec are reflective of your inability to think critically.

Also, if all you want to do is pay off debt, and get out of dentistry, look into public health in a rural area, they have great loan assistance, some up to 50K a year. Good luck man

 

[TempleDMD]

I'm a 4th yr at a private, northeastern dental school. I'm ranked exactly in the middle of my class and my part 1/2 scores are around an ~80. My letters of rec were lukewarm, at best. ( what can I do if the faculty didn't like me? I felt lucky to even get the letters of rec required to apply to these programs)

Evidently, I didn't match into a single gpr. ( I originally applied to 5 programs. These weren't programs that were way over my head; for the past few years, all of them always had 5-8 unfilled spots and are located in the ghettos. I was invited for 2 interviews, ranked them both, but didn't match. )

But those two programs both again have 5-8 unfilled spots as we speak.

They didn't want me enough to even rank me; should I bother to contact them and inquire if they're willing to take in an interviewee they rejected? ( Then again, I wouldn't feel comfortable working with attendings who rejected me in the first place )

And one more thing, I noticed some big-name and prestigious-sounding hospitals that have a few unfilled spots as well. Some of the faculty in my school recommended against these programs, saying they don't provide enough experience in various dentistry.

Well, I live close to some of them and so I called them up to see how I can apply. And the guys that got the phone were saying they wanted me to fax in my CV, transcripts, etc. first because they don't want to interview everyone who didn't match. They were willing to wait until the right candidate came along. I got the same reply even when calling up smaller, less-known gpr programs that have spots open.

All in all, I didn't realize that it's this hard to get into a gpr. And I don't know what I should even do. I really do want a gpr before I start working.

Sounds like you aren't that qualified. You should forget a GPR. Programs don't like to take rejects which is a catagory you fall into. Just give it up and move on. You are wasting your time and energy for something that was obvioulsy never in your reach. I know, the truth hurts.😉

 

[inter]

man u can get GPR in new york easy, they dont are, every year they have tons of empty seats.. goodluck

 

[TempleDMD]

http://drslounge.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=366393

Exactly!!!!!!!👍

 

[Dr. Dai Phan]

I'm a 4th yr at a private, northeastern dental school. I'm ranked exactly in the middle of my class and my part 1/2 scores are around an ~80. My letters of rec were lukewarm, at best. ( what can I do if the faculty didn't like me? I felt lucky to even get the letters of rec required to apply to these programs)

Evidently, I didn't match into a single gpr. ( I originally applied to 5 programs. These weren't programs that were way over my head; for the past few years, all of them always had 5-8 unfilled spots and are located in the ghettos. I was invited for 2 interviews, ranked them both, but didn't match. )

But those two programs both again have 5-8 unfilled spots as we speak.

They didn't want me enough to even rank me; should I bother to contact them and inquire if they're willing to take in an interviewee they rejected? ( Then again, I wouldn't feel comfortable working with attendings who rejected me in the first place )

And one more thing, I noticed some big-name and prestigious-sounding hospitals that have a few unfilled spots as well. Some of the faculty in my school recommended against these programs, saying they don't provide enough experience in various dentistry.

Well, I live close to some of them and so I called them up to see how I can apply. And the guys that got the phone were saying they wanted me to fax in my CV, transcripts, etc. first because they don't want to interview everyone who didn't match. They were willing to wait until the right candidate came along. I got the same reply even when calling up smaller, less-known gpr programs that have spots open.

All in all, I didn't realize that it's this hard to get into a gpr. And I don't know what I should even do. I really do want a gpr before I start working.

If you really find that dentistry is NOT for you regardless of the reasons, please find another alternative career. Having a dental degree is a huge accomplishment and is a BIG plus for you should you choose to apply to medicine, optometry, chiropractic or any other field. Doing a GPR while you know that dentistry is not for you simply torturing yourself to death. Thinking about being called at 3:00 am or staying late at night to treatment a case when you simply hate doing it ain't worth it. Please think about other careers while you can at this stage. Regarding forfieting your loans, you have two options that your debt can be nullified:

1. Permanently disabled ( ie. your right hand chop off).
2. Death

Are you willing to consider these options? DP