How much can an internship increase your chance for acceptance into OMS?

[pathwizard]

What if NBME score was very low but the internship resident excelled, showed great passion for OS, and had great work ethic? but just couldn't do well on this test... I'd also imagine it would be very hard to study for the NBME again during an OMS internship if he/she were to try and increase said score

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[AlbinoPolarBear]

Balance out our pros and cons man. Look at your class rankings, the stuff you've done so far in terms of extracurrics/research and your current NBME scores. The NBME is the current de facto score that standardizes kids, and in some places, the #1 criteria for determining who gets the interview. Everyone and their mothers can show passion for something, and you won't separate yourself from anyone by showing passion.

If your scores aren't great, do a GPR. You'd still be in the academic setting, so they don't ding you for going out and wanting to make money, and you'll actually have time to study for this beast of an exam.

 

[Sublimazing]

Internships can go a long way with certain programs, but a good NBME goes a long way with all programs. If you don't think you'll ever be able to do well on the test (which anyone who reads my posts knows I believe is a load of horse hockey), then an internship is your best bet imo. I would try to find a 4 year program that has a history of accepting their interns and just working your a$$ off for a year. They might offer you a spot the following year, but at the very least they'll write you good letter of recs.

I think APB's advice about a GPR is definitely something to consider since a GPR will hopefully give you good training if OMFS doesn't work out, while at the same time giving you something to put on your resume that may give you a little advantage over the peeps coming straight outta dental school (and you'll definitely have more time to study in a GPR than an internship). The GPR, however, is really hedging your bets...and some programs may view this as you not committing to the cause.

My advice, find an internship with q4-5ish call and then devote the next 5 months of your life to the CBSE and get a 75+...if you're unwilling to do that, then find an internship that takes their interns.

Hope it works out.

 

[vaanhalen]

Hey guys,

1. Do you consider a GPR at a program with a OMFS program as any kind of "in" for that program? Assume standard of say 1 mo. OMFS rotation, GPR on call is say 3 nights/mo.

2. If you do a GPR, do they much care where you went or is it more of a checkmark experience? in terms of omfs resume.

 

[tennisrocker]

OMFS Internship >>> GPR
I definitely respect the handwork the GPRs put in at our clinic but from a future applicant standpoint, completing a non-categrocial internship year at an OMFS program and retaking the NBME will get you noticed by more programs come application time.

 

[yappy]

EDIT: NM Answered.

 

[pathwizard]

OK but what happens to the interns who do not get accepted into OS residency? Are they very prepared to do extractions in private practice? Or do they just take a big hit? I'm assuming there restorative skills would get a little rusty from not putting those into use for a year... Or maybe they intern for another year?

 

[AU07DMD]

OK but what happens to the interns who do not get accepted into OS residency? Are they very prepared to do extractions in private practice? Or do they just take a big hit? I'm assuming there restorative skills would get a little rusty from not putting those into use for a year... Or maybe they intern for another year?

Yes they will be very prepared to do extractions in private practice - at least more prepared than any colleague who did a GPR/AEGD or an associateship during that same year. They would also probably be more versed in how to handle some of the post op complications and perioperative management of patients with various medical conditions.

Restorative skills would come back to them. Like riding a bike.

Yes they can do another intern year either at same program or somewhere else. The second intern year is kind of like a last ditch effort to get in somewhere. If you don't match during a second intern year, you probably will never match.

 

[setdoc7]

We have accepted two residents from in house over the last 4 years. One was a GPR with amazing work ethic, hands, and ultra hi national board scores. the second was a current intern with great grades, boards, and NBME. The scores mattered a lot. Some excellent folks have been through here and have not been offered residency spots. Work on getting hi scores. With that said, I have seen marginal candidates slip into open positions, but those were quite unusual circumstances.

 

[agent2362]

How much does location of internship play a factor into those who might get accepted? Will it be more beneficial to do an internship at one of the crazier programs like Parkland or LSU? Or would an internship at you average OMS residency suffice?

 

[Sublimazing]

How much does location of internship play a factor into those who might get accepted? Will it be more beneficial to do an internship at one of the crazier programs like Parkland or LSU? Or would an internship at you average OMS residency suffice?

I feel like you know the answer to this...doing a non-categorical internship at a program that is well known for it's training and has well known faculty that will vouch for you at the end of your servitude is tremendous...doing 1 year at a point and pull that does more dental extractions in the OR than Orbits isn't impressing anyone.

 

[tuffnuts]

Does that mean GPR?edit: I realized you were talking about oms programs.

 

[agent2362]

I feel like you know the answer to this...doing a non-categorical internship at a program that is well known for it's training and has well known faculty that will vouch for you at the end of your servitude is tremendous...doing 1 year at a point and pull that does more dental extractions in the OR than Orbits isn't impressing anyone.

Yeah, I kinda did know the answer to this already. I guess I have a couple of followup questions though:

1. Are there any programs known for their rigor that accept interns (seeing that Parkland doesn't) at all? Is UPenn considered in the same league as LSU or Parkland at all (they seem to accept their interns more frequently.) Or would a heavier trauma call residency like Cook County (chicago) also fit into this category?

2. Since application for PASS/match open up in September and one has only been at the internship for about 2-3 months, can you still get good letters of recommendation after such a short time?

 

[setdoc7]

I will re stress that grades are more important than anyone vouching for your work ethic. 6 year programs are interested in your excellent performance in med school and passing step 1 and 2. The actual residency is interested in excellent performance on the in service exam. Good test taking and scores are quite important to program directors. Demonstrate that as well as a good work ethic and clincal capability.

 

[thesellsword]

What would you say are good grades? And how much does the school's reputation matter? I have a 3.5 at Penn, for example. Do you think I would stand a solid shot, assuming I have the usual, leadership, research etc?

 

[The OMFS]

What would you say are good grades? And how much does the school's reputation matter? I have a 3.5 at Penn, for example. Do you think I would stand a solid shot, assuming I have the usual, leadership, research etc?

Grade inflation is insane at Penn. You are at some disadvantage because most students at Penn range from 3.7-3.9. You will have to do well on the NBME.

 

[thesellsword]

Lol do you go to Penn? It's quite the opposite...while I can say most people get in the 3.3-3.5 range, there's no way the average is 3.7-3.9. Do you have any sources?

 

[agent2362]

I will re stress that grades are more important than anyone vouching for your work ethic. 6 year programs are interested in your excellent performance in med school and passing step 1 and 2. The actual residency is interested in excellent performance on the in service exam. Good test taking and scores are quite important to program directors. Demonstrate that as well as a good work ethic and clincal capability.

What grades are we talking about here. More than half of the dental school grades are based on dentistry related courses that have little to nothing to do with OMFS or medicine. Could someone with mediocre grades, say 3.0-3.3 but with excellent NBME scores (80+) be considered a good candidate? I personally would argue yes, since they are very likely able to pass Step 1. I would also assume that someone who could well on Step 1 would also likely do well on the OMSITE

 

[The OMFS]

Lol do you go to Penn? It's quite the opposite...while I can say most people get in the 3.3-3.5 range, there's no way the average is 3.7-3.9. Do you have any sources?

I graduated from Penn this past month. I don't know what year you are in, but after your 2nd year your GPA does go up tremenduously. If your GPA is in the low or lower-mid 3s after D2, then you are doing something wrong.

Most people from Penn still do end up specializing, especially in OMFS. We have a lot of time studying for the NBME and our class had a great match rate this past year.

 

[thesellsword]

I graduated from Penn this past month. I don't know what year you are in, but after your 2nd year your GPA does go up tremenduously. If your GPA is in the low or lower-mid 3s after D2, then you are doing something wrong.

Most people from Penn still do end up specializing, especially in OMFS. We have a lot of time studying for the NBME and our class had a great match rate this past year.

That's good to hear...I just finished D1 and I have like a 3.5...I did hear from your classmates and some D3s though that after 2nd year, your GPA will improve very little since there are very few courses that are graded in 3rd year, and 4th year is essentially just clinic....don't know if you comment on that...