*****Official PASS 2026 Endodontic Residency Interviews/Information***

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For everyone that took the ADAT. I have been studying, but I am still scoring only about 60-70% on ADAT Knockout exams. Im trying to figure out how comparable this is to the real exam
 
Are there any current Marquette residents or anyone who had experience interviewing there on here? Please DM me!
 
For everyone that took the ADAT. I have been studying, but I am still scoring only about 60-70% on ADAT Knockout exams. Im trying to figure out how comparable this is to the real exam
I would say pretty comparable- but the amount of material that could be on the ADAT is vast. I think the hardest part was not knowing what type of questions I would get because there were so many topics that could have been asked.
 
For everyone that took the ADAT. I have been studying, but I am still scoring only about 60-70% on ADAT Knockout exams. Im trying to figure out how comparable this is to the real exam
for me biomedical and clinical were somewhat similar with some repeats but biostats was vastly different, multiple calculations etc. left the exam feeling like I'd completely failed it but that seems to be the norm.
 
Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18; 07/02 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01), (07/15), (07/22) Offers Sent
University of Louisville - Invite (06/05 email); Interview (7/11)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07) Offers Sent
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ??? Offers Sent
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26) Offers Sent
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24) Offers Sent
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16) Offers Sent
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10) Offers Sent
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09) Offers Sent
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); interview (06/27) Offers Sent
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of Illinois at Chicago - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/16, 07/17) Offers Sent
Boston University - Invite (6/25 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)
University of Florida - Invite (06/27 email); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Tufts University - Invite (6/30 email), Interview (8/4, 8/5, 8/6)
University of Iowa - Invite (6/30 phone), Interview (7/10, 7/11) Offers Sent
University of Washington - Invite ( 06/30/ phone), Interview (07/08 or 07/10) Offers Sent
Medical University of South Carolina - Invite (07/01 phone), Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
University of Michigan - Invite (7/02), Interview (7/14)
University of North Carolina - Invite (early July?), Interview (07/16)
University of Connecticut - Invite (07/01 email), Interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of California at Los Angeles - Invite (07/07 email), Interview (07/11)
Temple University - Invite (07/08), Interview (07/23, 07/24)
University of Nebraska - Invites (first week of July), Interview (07/18)
Harvard University - Invite (07/10 email), Interview (07/18, 07/25)
Nova Southeastern University - Invite (07/11 email), Interview (8/12)
University of Southern California - Invite (07/11), Interview (7/28)
University of Alabama at Birmingham - Invite (07/12), Interview (07/18)
Southern Illinois University - Invite (7/14 email), Interview (08/04)
Marquette University - Invite (?), Interview (08/01)
West Virginia University - Invite (07/17), Interview (08/04)


Loma Linda University -
University of the Pacific -
University of Maryland -
University of Detroit Mercy -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
Case Western Reserve University -
University of Pennsylvania -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
 
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did you have everything in by the first week of the app opening? thats so tough to hear sorry 🙁
Yea it sucks. I submitted 5 days after it opened. 3 out of 4 of my LOR’s were in within a week, so my app was complete 7 days after opening
 
Anyone know what the number of applicants to available spots is in a given cycle?
 
Adding Penn

Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18; 07/02 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01), (07/15), (07/22) Offers Sent
University of Louisville - Invite (06/05 email); Interview (7/11)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07) Offers Sent
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ??? Offers Sent
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26) Offers Sent
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24) Offers Sent
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16)
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10) Offers Sent
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09) Offers Sent
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); interview (06/27) Offers Sent
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of Illinois at Chicago - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/16, 07/17) Offers Sent
Boston University - Invite (6/25 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)
University of Florida - Invite (06/27 email); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Tufts University - Invite (6/30 email), Interview (8/4, 8/5, 8/6)
University of Iowa - Invite (6/30 phone), Interview (7/10, 7/11) Offers Sent
University of Washington - Invite ( 06/30/ phone), Interview (07/08 or 07/10) Offers Sent
Medical University of South Carolina - Invite (07/01 phone), Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
University of Michigan - Invite (7/02), Interview (7/14)
University of North Carolina - Invite (early July?), Interview (07/16)
University of Connecticut - Invite (07/01 email), Interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of California at Los Angeles - Invite (07/07 email), Interview (07/11)
Temple University - Invite (07/08), Interview (07/23, 07/24)
University of Nebraska - Invites (first week of July), Interview (07/18)
Harvard University - Invite (07/10 email), Interview (07/18, 07/25)
Nova Southeastern University - Invite (07/11 email), Interview (8/12)
University of Southern California - Invite (07/11), Interview (7/28)
University of Alabama at Birmingham - Invite (07/12), Interview (07/18)
Southern Illinois University - Invite (7/14 email), Interview (08/04)
Marquette University - Invite (?), Interview (08/01)
West Virginia University - Invite (07/17), Interview (08/04)
University of Pennsylvania - Invite (7/18), Interview (07/30, 08/04)


Loma Linda University -
University of the Pacific -
University of Maryland -
University of Detroit Mercy -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
Case Western Reserve University -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
 
Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18; 07/02 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01), (07/15), (07/22) Offers Sent
University of Louisville - Invite (06/05 email); Interview (7/11)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07) Offers Sent
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ??? Offers Sent
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26) Offers Sent
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24) Offers Sent
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16)
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10) Offers Sent
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09) Offers Sent
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); interview (06/27) Offers Sent
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of Illinois at Chicago - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/16, 07/17) Offers Sent
Boston University - Invite (6/25 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)
University of Florida - Invite (06/27 email); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Tufts University - Invite (6/30 email), Interview (8/4, 8/5, 8/6)
University of Iowa - Invite (6/30 phone), Interview (7/10, 7/11) Offers Sent
University of Washington - Invite ( 06/30/ phone), Interview (07/08 or 07/10) Offers Sent
Medical University of South Carolina - Invite (07/01 phone), Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
University of Michigan - Invite (7/02), Interview (7/14)
University of North Carolina - Invite (early July?), Interview (07/16)
University of Connecticut - Invite (07/01 email), Interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of California at Los Angeles - Invite (07/07 email), Interview (07/11)
Temple University - Invite (07/08), Interview (07/23, 07/24)
University of Nebraska - Invites (first week of July), Interview (07/18)
Harvard University - Invite (07/10 email), Interview (07/18, 07/25)
Nova Southeastern University - Invite (07/11 email), Interview (8/12)
University of Southern California - Invite (07/11), Interview (7/28)
University of Alabama at Birmingham - Invite (07/12), Interview (07/18)
Southern Illinois University - Invite (7/14 email), Interview (08/04)
Marquette University - Invite (?), Interview (08/01)
West Virginia University - Invite (07/17), Interview (08/04)
University of Pennsylvania - Invite (7/18), Interview (07/30, 08/04)
University of Detroit Mercy - Invite (7/18),
Interview (7/28)


Loma Linda University -
University of the Pacific -
University of Maryland -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
Case Western Reserve University -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
 
Adding Penn

Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18; 07/02 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01), (07/15), (07/22) Offers Sent
University of Louisville - Invite (06/05 email); Interview (7/11)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07) Offers Sent
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ??? Offers Sent
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26) Offers Sent
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24) Offers Sent
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16)
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10) Offers Sent
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09) Offers Sent
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); interview (06/27) Offers Sent
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of Illinois at Chicago - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/16, 07/17) Offers Sent
Boston University - Invite (6/25 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)
University of Florida - Invite (06/27 email); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Tufts University - Invite (6/30 email), Interview (8/4, 8/5, 8/6)
University of Iowa - Invite (6/30 phone), Interview (7/10, 7/11) Offers Sent
University of Washington - Invite ( 06/30/ phone), Interview (07/08 or 07/10) Offers Sent
Medical University of South Carolina - Invite (07/01 phone), Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
University of Michigan - Invite (7/02), Interview (7/14)
University of North Carolina - Invite (early July?), Interview (07/16)
University of Connecticut - Invite (07/01 email), Interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of California at Los Angeles - Invite (07/07 email), Interview (07/11)
Temple University - Invite (07/08), Interview (07/23, 07/24)
University of Nebraska - Invites (first week of July), Interview (07/18)
Harvard University - Invite (07/10 email), Interview (07/18, 07/25)
Nova Southeastern University - Invite (07/11 email), Interview (8/12)
University of Southern California - Invite (07/11), Interview (7/28)
University of Alabama at Birmingham - Invite (07/12), Interview (07/18)
Southern Illinois University - Invite (7/14 email), Interview (08/04)
Marquette University - Invite (?), Interview (08/01)
West Virginia University - Invite (07/17), Interview (08/04)
University of Pennsylvania - Invite (7/18), Interview (07/30, 08/04)


Loma Linda University -
University of the Pacific -
University of Maryland -
University of Detroit Mercy -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
Case Western Reserve University -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
this one hurt
 
Got rejected from Texas yesterday and NYU Langone today. All I have left is Columbia and after the BBB passing, Idk if I can even afford it given we will have restrictions of 50K per year for grad loans. Just sucks.
 
Georgia Regents University (Augusta University) – Invite (05/20); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Louisiana State University - Invite (05/27 email/phone call); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of Texas at Houston - Invite (05/30 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
VA New York - Invite (late May email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
New York University - Invite (06/04; 06/18; 07/02 email); Interview (06/17), (07/01), (07/15), (07/22) Offers Sent
University of Louisville - Invite (06/05 email); Interview (7/11)
Saint Louis University - Invite (06/06 email); Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
Stony Brook University - Invite (06/06); Interview (06/30, 07/07) Offers Sent
Ohio State University - Invite (06/06); Interview ??? Offers Sent
University of Texas at San Antonio - Invite (06/09 email); Interview (06/20) Offers Sent
University of Pittsburgh - Invite (06/10 email); Interview (07/11) Offers Sent
University of California at San Francisco - Invite (06/12 email); Interview (06/26) Offers Sent
Albert Einstein Medical Center - Invite (06/09 ???); Interview (06/24) Offers Sent
Oregon Health & Science University - Invite (06/16 call); Interview (07/16)
Virginia Commonwealth University - Invite (06/16 email); Interview (07/10) Offers Sent
Texas A&M University - Invite (06/17, 6/18 phone call); Interview (07/15)
University of Kentucky - Invite (06/17); interview (07/10)
University of Minnesota - Invite (06/17 call); interview (07/08-07/09) Offers Sent
Indiana University - Invite (06/18 email); Interview (07/11)
NYU Langone (Lutheran Medical Center) - Invite (06/19 email); Interview (07/16-07/17)
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine - Invite (06/23 phone and email); interview (06/27) Offers Sent
University of Missouri-Kansas City - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of Illinois at Chicago - Invite (6/24 email); interview (07/16, 07/17) Offers Sent
Boston University - Invite (6/25 email); Interview options (7/17, 7/18, 7/19, 7/24, 7/25, 8/1)
University of Florida - Invite (06/27 email); Interview (07/07) Offers Sent
Tufts University - Invite (6/30 email), Interview (8/4, 8/5, 8/6)
University of Iowa - Invite (6/30 phone), Interview (7/10, 7/11) Offers Sent
University of Washington - Invite ( 06/30/ phone), Interview (07/08 or 07/10) Offers Sent
Medical University of South Carolina - Invite (07/01 phone), Interview (07/08) Offers Sent
University of Michigan - Invite (7/02), Interview (7/14)
University of North Carolina - Invite (early July?), Interview (07/16)
University of Connecticut - Invite (07/01 email), Interview (07/09) Offers Sent
University of California at Los Angeles - Invite (07/07 email), Interview (07/11)
Temple University - Invite (07/08), Interview (07/23, 07/24)
University of Nebraska - Invites (first week of July), Interview (07/18)
Harvard University - Invite (07/10 email), Interview (07/18, 07/25)
Nova Southeastern University - Invite (07/11 email), Interview (8/12)
University of Southern California - Invite (07/11), Interview (7/28)
University of Alabama at Birmingham - Invite (07/12), Interview (07/18)
Southern Illinois University - Invite (7/14 email), Interview (08/04)
Marquette University - Invite (?), Interview (08/01)
West Virginia University - Invite (07/17), Interview (08/04)
University of Pennsylvania - Invite (7/18), Interview (07/30, 08/04)
University of Detroit Mercy - Invite (7/18),
Interview (7/28)
Loma Linda University - Invite (7/18 email), Interview (8/24)


University of the Pacific -
University of Maryland -
Columbia University -
NYU Langone Puerto Rico -
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York -
Case Western Reserve University -
University of Tennessee Health Science Center -
 
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Anyone know what the number of applicants to available spots is in a given cycle?
I think it’s gonna end up that 1% who apply to a program gets accepted. 2% get an interview. The schools I know of had up to 400-450 applicants, but these schools are very popular.
 
I had 2 schools tell me numbers were way up this year with 350+ applicants
This number will drop down significantly next cycle due to the new bill, limit federal loan to students. In my opinion !! Even for cheap programs because i don’t know now if you can do loan deferment
 
This number will drop down significantly next cycle due to the new bill, limit federal loan to students. In my opinion !! Even for cheap programs because i don’t know now if you can do loan deferment
I dont think it will change much. Private loans will start to take over and will probably match similar interest rates for healthcare students similar to doctor loans for mortgages. Still risky but borrowers will not care. The expensive programs will probably see some decline in applications but the lower tuition programs will definitely become even more competitive. Just my guess.

Sent from my SM-S906U using SDN Forums mobile app
 
I dont think it will change much. Private loans will start to take over and will probably match similar interest rates for healthcare students similar to doctor loans for mortgages. Still risky but borrowers will not care. The expensive programs will probably see some decline in applications but the lower tuition programs will definitely become even more competitive. Just my guess.

Sent from my SM-S906U using SDN Forums mobile app
Yes ! I agree ☝🏼
 
BU had 2 interview days already. Any offers ?? I heard sometimes they send offers same day or days after.
 
I have a question;
What would someone do if they encountered my situation?
I have worked with a director for 3 years in a row on a research article and remained in good contact with him over time. He gave me interviews 3 times back to back; 1st when i barely knew him and he said you need more research experience, second when i worked this research experience out and went to major conferences out of my own pockets and spent thousands yet and he said you need more clinical experience, and third time after he claims he won’t write me a recommendation letter due to conflict of interest of what would other directors say if he didn’t choose me in his program; he sent offers but not for me and had no reason to reject me after I had an AEGD at one of the biggest university names in the U.S., and he simply didn’t have any excuses for me not getting in.

I am devastated by this decision and action and felt like I gave up on the whole endodontic postgraduate program process.

If you were in my shoes; what would you do going forward with endodontic applications and proceeding forward? I wish to learn from your feedback and opinions.
 
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I have a question;
What would someone do if they encountered my situation?
I have worked with a director for 3 years in a row on a research article and remained in good contact with him over time. He gave me interviews 3 times back to back; 1st when i barely knew him and he said you need more research experience, second when i worked this research experience out and went to major conferences out of my own pockets and spent thousands yet and he said you need more clinical experience, and third time after he claims he won’t write me a recommendation letter due to conflict of interest of what would other directors say if he didn’t choose me in his program; he sent offers but not for me and had no reason to reject me after I had an AEGD at one of the biggest university names in the U.S., and he simply didn’t have any excuses for me not getting in.

I am devastated by this decision and action and felt like I gave up on the whole endodontic postgraduate program process.

If you were in my shoes; what would you do going forward with endodontic applications and proceeding forward? I wish to learn from your feedback and opinions.
Hey, I don’t have a perfect answer either, but I just wanted to say — I can really relate. I'm in a very similar situation.

I’ve been out of school and in private practice for 4 years now, and I’ve applied to Endo 4 times. Like you, I’ve stayed closely involved with my dental school, attended the AAE four years in a row, and spent a lot of time and effort building relationships within the field (specifically my schools program the most). My brother was a current resident when I first applied, and my wife and two sisters were/are in other specialties at the same school, so I’ve stayed very connected and personable with all the faculty/residents year after year.

Despite all that, I haven’t even received an interview in the last two cycles. It’s exactly as you said — devastating, and frustrating when there’s no clear explanation. I’ve been careful to maintain professionalism and not burn any bridges, but it really feels like there’s no obvious reason for the rejections besides being "middle-of-the-class" academically/rank. And even that doesn’t always correlate — I’ve seen new grads or applicants with just 1–2 years of experience match and their rank isn't that much better than mine. But then of course there are ones ranked top 5 or 10 which is understandable, what can you do. So many people work so hard and I'm always happy for people to get in because to have a rank like that, you deserve it. I never want to come off as bitter, but it's tough we're all human.

The whole process can feel incredibly political. Even trying to ask for feedback is tricky — you don’t want to come off as pushy or desperate, especially since program directors are often in close contact with one another. And I’ve been told the same thing you were: someone declined to write me a letter due to a “conflict of interest,” and it honestly feels like being left in limbo — not chosen, but not supported elsewhere either simply to preserve image.

Besides venting — which is totally valid and necessary — I try to focus on what I can control. Continuing to work, building clinical skills, and staying grounded in the privilege we have as providers. Being able to serve patients and continue improving every day is still incredibly rewarding. I’ve had multiple residents tell me that the best people in their programs were those who had been out in private practice for years and came in ready to soak everything up.

Things I’ve been told to consider: the ADAT, continued AAE involvement (which idk if I can do a 4th time it's so damn awkward), and maybe even looking into internships. But ultimately, as frustrating as it is, sometimes the right year just has to line up.

You clearly have the passion and the drive — and going through this kind of adversity will only make you that much stronger when you do finally get there. It’ll make you a better resident, a better clinician, and a better Endodontist. Please don’t give up. You're not alone.

Sorry if this was long or unhelpful and maybe even more so for me venting, I've been part of this sdn forum year after year and barely have responded so this is like my first real time.
 
Hey, I don’t have a perfect answer either, but I just wanted to say — I can really relate. I'm in a very similar situation.

I’ve been out of school and in private practice for 4 years now, and I’ve applied to Endo 4 times. Like you, I’ve stayed closely involved with my dental school, attended the AAE four years in a row, and spent a lot of time and effort building relationships within the field (specifically my schools program the most). My brother was a current resident when I first applied, and my wife and two sisters were/are in other specialties at the same school, so I’ve stayed very connected and personable with all the faculty/residents year after year.

Despite all that, I haven’t even received an interview in the last two cycles. It’s exactly as you said — devastating, and frustrating when there’s no clear explanation. I’ve been careful to maintain professionalism and not burn any bridges, but it really feels like there’s no obvious reason for the rejections besides being "middle-of-the-class" academically/rank. And even that doesn’t always correlate — I’ve seen new grads or applicants with just 1–2 years of experience match and their rank isn't that much better than mine. But then of course there are ones ranked top 5 or 10 which is understandable, what can you do. So many people work so hard and I'm always happy for people to get in because to have a rank like that, you deserve it. I never want to come off as bitter, but it's tough we're all human.

The whole process can feel incredibly political. Even trying to ask for feedback is tricky — you don’t want to come off as pushy or desperate, especially since program directors are often in close contact with one another. And I’ve been told the same thing you were: someone declined to write me a letter due to a “conflict of interest,” and it honestly feels like being left in limbo — not chosen, but not supported elsewhere either simply to preserve image.

Besides venting — which is totally valid and necessary — I try to focus on what I can control. Continuing to work, building clinical skills, and staying grounded in the privilege we have as providers. Being able to serve patients and continue improving every day is still incredibly rewarding. I’ve had multiple residents tell me that the best people in their programs were those who had been out in private practice for years and came in ready to soak everything up.

Things I’ve been told to consider: the ADAT, continued AAE involvement (which idk if I can do a 4th time it's so damn awkward), and maybe even looking into internships. But ultimately, as frustrating as it is, sometimes the right year just has to line up.

You clearly have the passion and the drive — and going through this kind of adversity will only make you that much stronger when you do finally get there. It’ll make you a better resident, a better clinician, and a better Endodontist. Please don’t give up. You're not alone.

Sorry if this was long or unhelpful and maybe even more so for me venting, I've been part of this sdn forum year after year and barely have responded so this is like my first real time.
Thank you very much for your support and reply. It can clearly show that this process is unfortunately devastating and has no clear path. Even investing in a place so hard does not guarantee you a spot.
I had the exact same experience but i don’t know how i was going to convey the same message you just expressed. I have been carrying this over my chest over the past years. But thank god someone was able to convey this.

Thank you so much for your message. I am not sure if I would keep pushing forward with this anymore because it needs an investment a lot more again in another program. And seeing how unfair the process is, I am just going to get that license and start practicing. If anything changes with time, I might consider reapplying.

Thanks so much
 
Thank you very much for your support and reply. It can clearly show that this process is unfortunately devastating and has no clear path. Even investing in a place so hard does not guarantee you a spot.
I had the exact same experience but i don’t know how i was going to convey the same message you just expressed. I have been carrying this over my chest over the past years. But thank god someone was able to convey this.

Thank you so much for your message. I am not sure if I would keep pushing forward with this anymore because it needs an investment a lot more again in another program. And seeing how unfair the process is, I am just going to get that license and start practicing. If anything changes with time, I might consider reapplying.

Thanks so much

I think I can provide a bit of insight. This is a time when knowing a program too well can actually hurt your chances of getting in there / they will not accept you. I know residents who obviously were super compatible with their home program, knew the faculty extremely well, but did not get accepted there even after being invited to more than 1 interview. I was super confused, but was told that some directors don't choose who they know well due to subconscious favoritism when the program starts AND/OR they believe who they have already mentored should have a different experience and be educated at a different institution. The director also probably saw you as a competitive candidate who could get into another program. Sometimes it's not you, but that you might not be the optimum selection for resident class. Why did they interview you? They probably still liked you and wanted to test out if you'd get a long with the selected cohort. Remember that sometimes it's not the PD that makes the ultimate decision, it's the entire panel who need to agree on a good class. We will never know what goes through the mind of the panel for a specific year or how selections are made.

Did you apply to any other programs and were successful in getting an interview? Because as a competitive applicant, the director was likely thinking you'd score at a good or better program. I don't think you need to reinvest, but just connect a bit with another program and cast your net wide, so you can get in somewhere else. All the requests of the PD only made your applications stronger, as well as experience with interviews.
 
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