need advice in applying to OMS programs

[Utdarsenal]

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Hey there, I know this may sound a little crazy, but I'm a 22 year old student currently in my final year of dental school (international dental program approved by the state of California). The school is located in Mexico and the education system is a bit different here, it's VERY hard to get "high" grades in the more difficult classes here. In a way, they put you on the verge of failing the class so you study your brain off (In General Pathology here for example, getting a 70% is a pretty good grade). They make the tests extremely difficult and do this intentionally. After I graduate from here and go back to California, I'm scared that this education system will affect me if I want to apply for a specialty.

Anyways, out of the different clinic work I've done, I've noticed that I really like oral surgery. The maxillo-facial surgeons at my school have been training me to do certain procedures (because they know i'm interested), they let me do horizontally impacted 3rd molar extractions, difficult extractions etc. by myself plus they invite me to shadow more difficult procedures like bone grafts, certain surgeries at the city hospital (rhinoplasties, reconstructions from trauma, etc., whatever comes in)

I'm getting a lot of clinical experience but I know that grades matter a lot when it comes to applying to a maxillo-facial surgery residency back home in the states and i'm worried the way the system is here will affect me. I'm guessing my best bet would be to get an outstanding score on the NDBE's? I'm wondering if you guys think that what I'm currently doing with the surgeons at my school can help me get in though? I'm also interested to hear about the age aspect.
Thank you!

 

[CMistry]

Your situation certainly is a confusing one. Most programs will not consider an applicant unless you have graduated from an ADA-accredited dental school (which yours is not). However, California OMFS programs may consider you since they are more familiar with your school and licensing possibilities. And of course the final confusing factor is that you are a U.S. citizen (I assume?), which can only help you (this is another big reason international graduates typically aren't considered).

Take a look at some OMFS programs here: http://programpages.passweb.org/search

Under Part II of requirements, you will see: "Must be a graduate of a U.S. or Canadian dental school: Yes". You may be able to find a handful of programs that have checked "No" and those are your key players.

GPA is mostly irrelevant when it comes to OMFS selection. Class ranking is much more important, as it is an equalizer for programs like yours which are scaled very differently. Ideally you'd be in the top 10% of your class, but top 25% is certainly good and top 50% is considerable.