**Official 2024 Ortho PASS/Interviews/Match/Non-Match**

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Members don't see this ad.
futureortho(hopefully) said:
Externships are a great way to get a feel for a particular program, learn what ortho residency is like, and connect with faculty/residents/staff. I definitely suggest going on at least one externship before submitting your application that way it’s already on your app. In addition to an externship and research, leadership, professional development (conferences, meetings), professional affiliations, volunteering and part time work all look good.
Click to expand...
How long would you suggest an externship be to put on an app like 3 days at least?
 
OncePreDent said:
Is there a comprehensive list of the orthodontic fellowships that are offered at different schools and the cost?
Click to expand...
There are some programs with different tuitions, either research or clinic or both. I am sure you will find more details if you search "preceptorship in orthodontics" or "fellowship in orthodontics" Also, you might not be able to practice during that period and your earning will be limited. However, I believe it improves your chances.
 
So at 8AM EST they email you whether you matched or not then you have to log in to check where?
 
thenexttoothfairy said:
Question for anyone that has applied before or is currently applying to Ortho… do any of you regret choosing/not choosing a P/F dental school?
Click to expand...
Don’t regret it at all. Received multiple interviews. Many very reputable dental schools are P/F so it’s not looked down upon at all anymore. I felt being a P/F school allowed me to make genuine connections with faculty instead of just gunning for that top score. Which resulted in good letters of recommendation.
 
Is there anyone else who didn’t match last year that had only one interview this cycle and just hoping for the best?
I need some emotional support here.
 
good luck everybody!!!! also i hear emails for matches dont necessarily all come out at the same time so dont fret if you dont receive one at the same time as others
 
Ortho616 said:
Don’t regret it at all. Received multiple interviews. Many very reputable dental schools are P/F so it’s not looked down upon at all anymore. I felt being a P/F school allowed me to make genuine connections with faculty instead of just gunning for that top score. Which resulted in good letters of recommendation.
Click to expand...
Yup I totally agree. Going to a reputable pass/fail school aka "specialty school" is probably the best strategy for entering Ortho, as students can focus on building research and other extracurricular.

The next best schools are likely honors pass/pass/fail institutions, where students can concentrate on excelling in courses that they can get honors while still passing others and they can spend more time on research and other ECs.

The main advantage of some schools with grades and rankings is the cheaper in-state tuition. These 'general dentistry' schools prioritize producing graduates as general dentists for opening practices in rural, under served areas, recognizing that many new grads find success in under served areas where established dentists do not want to go. In this way, both state schools and the state government, which subsidizes the state schools, can help address access to dental care in rural, underserved areas.
 
Last edited:
clubwestpua said:
Yup I totally agree. Going to a reputable pass/fail school aka "specialty school" was probably the best strategy for entering Ortho, as students can focus on building research and other extracurriculars.

The next best schools are likely honors pass/pass/fail institutions, where students can concentrate on excelling in courses that they can get honors while still passing others that they cannot and they can spend more time on research and other ECs.

The main advantage of some schools with grades and rankings is the cheaper in-state tuition. These 'general dentistry' schools prioritize producing graduates as general dentists for opening practices in rural areas, recognizing that many new grads find success in underserved areas where established dentists do not want to go.
Click to expand...
keyword reputable, currently at a less reputable p/f school, amazing program, but it seems extremely difficult to get interviews for ortho, endo, or OS. Not impossible, but difficult. It is an amazing program though, just wish it was better at getting students into specialties. I think for the last 3-4 years 0 people have gotten into OS (5 applied last year) or endo. Normally a few get into ortho every year (typically expensive programs like Georgia).
 
OncePreDent said:
keyword reputable, currently at a less reputable p/f school, amazing program, but it seems extremely difficult to get interviews for ortho, endo, or OS. Not impossible, but difficult. It is an amazing program though, just wish it was better at getting students into specialties. I think for the last 3-4 years 0 people have gotten into OS (5 applied last year) or endo. Normally a few get into ortho every year (typically expensive programs like Georgia).
Click to expand...
If you don’t mind me asking, which ones are not considered reputable. Aka from what you know, is UCLA known to reputable to Ortho directors?
 
thenexttoothfairy said:
If you don’t mind me asking, which ones are not considered reputable. Aka from what you know, is UCLA known to reputable to Ortho directors?
Click to expand...
UCLA, Harvard, UCSF, Columbia, etc. are more of the reputable programs that consistently have their students getting accepted into residency. I cannot speak for the ortho directors, just looking at other dental programs and seeing where and how many of their students are accepted into specialties. I think Columbia is one of the best places to go to dental school if you plan to specialize.

Check out how many of their students match typically - Statistics
 
OncePreDent said:
UCLA, Harvard, UCSF, Columbia, etc. are more of the reputable programs that consistently have their students getting accepted into residency. I cannot speak for the ortho directors, just looking at other dental programs and seeing where and how many of their students are accepted into specialties. I think Columbia is one of the best places to go to dental school if you plan to specialize.

Check out how many of their students match typically - Statistics
Click to expand...
In my opinion, the strongest applicants are often those who rank in the Top 10 in reputable schools, boasting exceptional grades, class rankings, and simultaneously engaging in extensive research and extracurricular activities (ECs). For these applicants, impressive grades and high class rankings serve as distinguishing features alongside their substantial research and EC involvement. Institutions such as UNC and Michigan are known for their rigorous grading systems and competitive class ranks. However, a select few excel within these challenging environments, making them the strongest candidates with the highest chances of acceptance into programs like VCU, Iowa, Houston, and other nearly cost-free 2 to 2.5-year programs.

Yet, these top 10 students often face challenges in building their research and EC involvement due to the priority of maintaining their top rank. Consequently, they usually apply with solely a high GPA and top class rank and maybe some ECs.

Therefore, Harvard, UCLA, UCSF, Columbia, and UConn stand out as the best schools for specialization due to their Pass/Fail (P/F) and Honors Pass/Pass/Fail (HP/P/F) curricula.
 
Last edited:
Good luck to everyone tomorrow!! For all the people that match if you could fill this out below it would be extremely helpful for everyone 🙂

Name of Ortho Program:
Dental School Attended:
Year Earned DMD/DDS:
AEGD/GPR/Fellowship/Residency:
International Student (yes/no):
NBDE Part I/II scores:
ADAT Score:
GRE Score:
Class Rank:
Match/Non-Match:
Externship(s)/where:
Research:
Extracurriculars:
Programs Applied to/Interview Invites/Interviews Attended/Programs Ranked:
 
dolichodefender said:
good luck everybody!!!! also i hear emails for matches dont necessarily all come out at the same time so dont fret if you dont receive one at the same time as others
Click to expand...
Maybe it is this case? 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
 
And the perio thread is a zombie land so I can't check with them
 
Guys for getting list of post match open spots itll be on the match site only available at 12 pm for us to look? Or will it be updated same time as email?
 
pkyle98 said:
Guys for getting list of post match open spots itll be on the match site only available at 12 pm for us to look? Or will it be updated same time as email?
Click to expand...
Ya believe at noon the site will either show you your matched program or the list of available positions if you don’t match becomes available.
 
I didn't receive anything yet.
I am worried now
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
**Official 2026 Ortho Pass/Interviews/Match/Non- match**
Replies
40
Views
7K
aligner_
A
Look'nFishy
***Official 2026 GPR+AEGD PASS/Interviews/Match/Non-Match***
Replies
0
Views
787
Look'nFishy
Look'nFishy
jreed0102
***Official 2026 PERIO PASS/interviews/match/non-match information***
Replies
16
Views
3K
soft_tissue.ninja
soft_tissue.ninja
Futureoms26
**Official 2026 OMFS PASS/Interviews/Match/Non-Match/Information**
Replies
0
Views
2K
Futureoms26
Futureoms26
snailz
**Official 2025 Ortho Pass/Interviews/Match/Non- match**
7 8 9 10 11
Replies
509
Views
147K
kb25_
K
Top