I have a question about Howard University if anyone could help me out, it would be great. I want to go to their dental school, and wish to pursue a OMFS program. My question is if I attend Howard will I be able to apply to a good OMFS program? Is it frowned upon that I go to Howard? What is their program like, does it have a good reputation? Thanks
Howard University
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Howard sets the bar pretty low as far as scores go for admittance. In my opinion, if you want to specialize, you should shoot for a more competitive school. I'm not saying that Howard grads are not competent dentists by any means, Howard is an accredited dental school and therefore is a good school, but I would guess that schools that have more prestige like Harvard would carry more weight when you apply to OMFS program. Because how you look on paper is so important in this aspect, I would not apply to Howard. But what do I know, this is just my opinion.
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Also, don't forget that Howard's acceptance scores are lower because they accept such a diverse group of students, most of which are african american. If you're not African American then those stats don't even apply to you because it will be that much harder to get interviewed.
Residency programs are based on your performance in dental school. Regardless of what it was like getting into a school, that does not indicate what kind of an education that school will give you. Once you're in, do your best and keep your goal in mind, if you do well and meet the criteria for OMFS, then there should be no reason that they turn you down. Good luck.
Residency programs are based on your performance in dental school. Regardless of what it was like getting into a school, that does not indicate what kind of an education that school will give you. Once you're in, do your best and keep your goal in mind, if you do well and meet the criteria for OMFS, then there should be no reason that they turn you down. Good luck.
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I spoke with the secretary of admissions at Howard last year because I was interested in why their entrance scores are so low in comparison to other dental schools. She told me that although they have mimimum requirements for applicants, they look at each individual as a whole. During the course of the conversation I got the feeling they really care about finding those individuals who really love dentistry and who are committed to service. As a previous poster said, they do prefer minority applicants such as African Americans and women.
Even though this is (IMO) an admirable trait, many people judge Howard on their entrance stats. I tried to find board exam scores to see where their graduates were in comparison to the rest of the nation but was unsuccessful. This information might give you a better idea of how Howard would be viewed by OMFS programs.
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A big thing to consider is not their admissions statistics, rather the quality of dentistry coming out of the school. I understand completely that Howard may have lower average DAT scores and gpas, but that doesn't determine if you're going to be a great Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. OMFS is an intense specialty that isn't meant for everyone, so I'm confident that a residency will not deny you based on attending a specific dental school. They want the best board scores and the top ten percent of a class along with the qualities that will make a great surgeon.
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it would not be hard to get into a OMFS program from howard at all... many of their students go to the specialty of their choice.... as far as going to harvard vs. howard you can't say that the name would grant you admission into the program of your choice because they really can not be compared... the hand skills that you will get coming from howard are undeniable and will prepare you for any program... having friends who attended both dental schools, the ones who graduated from howard were much more prepared... clinically it is outstanding... i do know for a fact that if you so want to attend a OMFS program and you are a good student you will be very prepared to do so, but if you work hard you will be prepared anywhere....
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Maybe they get in to OMFS program for the same reason they get into howard, because they're a minority.
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This is not true at all, if you arent black and you fit in with Howard's mold and would be a good asset to their class you can get in with a lower GPA... they dont hold whites to a different standard... My best friend was a WHITE MALE who applyed in FEB with a 3.0 Cum and 2.9 Science and he was admitted because of his interview... He is currently serving underserved populations in New York and Howard was a good fit for him...
It has nothing to do with race, usually people who are white don't apply or apply there as a saftey school and don't want anything to do with what their mission stands for and they were not a good fit for the school...
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that is the most ignorant thing that i have heard, you do not get into a program based on your race, you get in based on board scores, passion, and skills...
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they do really care about the applicant as a whole and they also have a 70% retention rate because some students may not be able to handle the rigors of dental school... they may give you a chance to prove yourself, but if you can't handle the work and you cant handle the pressure... YOU WILL NOT MAKE IT THROUGH... dental school is hard everywhere being admitted doesnt mean that you will be a doctor...
and i am not sure if they really prefer women (i cant speak accuratly on that), but i know that black men tend to not apply as much because there are a lack of black men in college and so it really does seem like they prefer women... looking at the class there really are alot of girls
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Really? THAT is the most ignorant thing you have EVER heard? Don't exaggerate. It was not an ignorant statement. For one thing, I said maybe. For another, you seriously think that race has nothing to do with it? If it has something to do with getting into dental schools, it probably has something to do with getting into specialties. Also, you do not get in based on boards, "passion", and skills. It's complex. They are probably factors though. Besides, nepotisim rules the world and we both know it.
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you are really bitter and honestly need to chill out... it is ignorant you arent going to get into a OMFS program because you are black... simple as that... and nepotism has nothing to do with race unless the person who is doing the admitting is black and that is their relative... in many cases that person isnt black...
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I am not sure if that little comment is a shot at me personally, but I am not applying to schools where I have connections, and def not Howard for that very reason... If a parent did not work at that school then, yes it would be my first choice, but since a parent does work there (and I know about the school personally) I feel that they should be defended and represented on this site because there are not many people from Howard on here... I think it is an AMAZING school with a great family atmosphere and anyone would be lucky to attend Howard and be a graduate just like they would be lucky to attend many of the other dental schools in this country...
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I don't know about you guys but all things being equal, I'd be more confident applying to a specialty program being top 10% from Harvard than top 10% from Howard. I don't have anything againt Howard. I'd go there, probably prefer Howard over Harvard anyways.
I am glad that you are here to defend Howard. Since I have been a member of SDN, there have always been issues surrounding both Howard and Meharry. Its good that someone who is there and knows the school very well can come here and defend it because it always seems to get raked over the coals. Regardless of the subject, it seems like whenever a thread pops up about either school, an arguement ensues. I have heard great things about Howard from various alum as well as current students and I have seen some things firsthand that have convinced me that Howard is a great place to be. I never seem to understand where all of the bitterness comes from but to each its own.
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I am not sure why people are so against the school, there are other schools out there that I dont personally like because of hear-say, but I never speak on those schools because I don't know about them personally... If I knew more about the school such as going on a visit and doing further research, then I would make my statement about my personal experience, I would not bash a school knowing nothing about that school... Fortunatly, many people on this actual thread gave their views and said that they were views, they were constructive and I think will help the OP in his/her decision... but there is always one...
So from reading the responses I can see that whatever dental school you go to, you can eventually specialize afterwards. I am still interested in Howard, I have great stats (3.5 GPA) so i'm not going there because it's the only school I can get into. I want to go to Howard because of what they believe in, community service. I just wonder how much will they prepare me for the board exams? I have heard horrible things on how they prepare their students, and also their retention rates. I feel like Howard and Loma Linda would be a great fit for me, because they believe in community service, but they are smaller schools with a reputation on their programs that scare me. Would Howard prepare me for a great residency?
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