How Did You Do It? What Did You Wish You Had Known?

[Clipse]

I am an incoming D-1 that could use your help:

I don't know that I want to specialize - but I do know that I would like to have the option to specialize IF I feel a genuine interest in the specialty and I am willing to make the additional financial/time commitment the training requires. I also know that matching into a specialty requires some advanced planning/preparation.

Unfortunately, I don't personally know any specialists, residents/fellows, or upperclassman .... so I'm turning to SDN community for advice on how to prepare for attaining a match into a competitive specialty.

Can you please share your experiences regarding the specifics of:

• Class Rank (how high does it need to be - is it a litmus test in order to get your file reviewed? What if you're pass/fail?)
• Extracurriculars (what types have you done, how did you get involved?)
• Externships (what did you learn, how did it reinforce/detract from your initial opinions of the specialty?)
• Research / Publications (is this more important for certain specialties than others? Is publishing worth the very large time commitment? Does the research have to be directly applicable to the specialty you are applying to?)
• Board Scores (how high does it need to be? What if it's pass/fail?)
• Importance of Developing Connections / Networking (For those of us who's moms/dads, uncles/aunts are not adcom members of philanthropists)
• Etc... (What else do you think I'm missing?)

Obviously the higher the better - but what if your dental schools does not rank students because they have a pass/fail grading system?

Also, I have heard that when I take my Part I boards, after my second year (summer of 2011), the test results will only be reported as a pass/fail ... so, so much for needing to memorize the decks???

I know I have a lot of questions - don't feel obligated to answer all of them yourself. Thanks for the responses - here's some good karma

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[Mackchops]

It sounds like you're taking the correct approach. Very generally speaking, my understanding is that the competitive specialties (OMS, ortho, less so peds) want solid ranking and board scores for an interview and, after that, it's all up to you. Endo rarely takes new graduates -- they prefer a gpr/aegd-trained dentist or someone who's worked a little. The others (perio, prosth, path, etc etc etc) are much less competitive. I assume they place the same emphasis on boards and grades that the other programs do but without the amazing applicant pool. SO. That said, focus on doing as well as you can in school (I believe most of the pass/fail programs still rank). The general rule is to be top 10% of your class -- higher obviously being better. Get involved with something (research, class council, ASDA, etc) and run with it (can only help!) and spend some time shadowing the different clinics and getting to know the faculty/residents. You don't have to rush into anything but the sooner you get a feel for each respective specialty the easier it will be to choose one. As for the boards going pass/fail, I don't have a clue how that's going to affect things -- sorry. Good luck!

 

[wigglytooth]

Boards are p/f in 2012.

 

[Shingo123]

Boards are p/f in 2012.

I know there has been plenty of discussion on this, but does anyone know what effect this will have on residency matching?

Will they look more towards grades? I hope they don't make a new test.

 

[Clipse]

I know there has been plenty of discussion on this, but does anyone know what effect this will have on residency matching?

Will they look more towards grades? I hope they don't make a new test.

BUMP! How will specialties be determined if your school is pass/fail and the board is also pass/fail?

 

[Hysteria24]

BUMP! How will specialties be determined if your school is pass/fail and the board is also pass/fail?

The 2 year push back from 2010 to 2012 might give them enough time to develop some sort of scored specialty admissions test.

 

[bleech]

I know there has been plenty of discussion on this, but does anyone know what effect this will have on residency matching?

Will they look more towards grades? I hope they don't make a new test.

During interviews this year I heard from several schools that the GRE will be tacked on once the boards go p/f

 

[Clipse]

During interviews this year I heard from several schools that the GRE will be tacked on once the boards go p/f

Did you hear this during your dental school interviews or during your interviews for a dental residency?

 

[bleech]

Did you hear this during your dental school interviews or during your interviews for a dental residency?

During interviews for dental school.

 

[Hysteria24]

During interviews this year I heard from several schools that the GRE will be tacked on once the boards go p/f

It's already required for a decent amount of ortho programs.