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

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Endopercha said:
Very good point. After not receiving the acceptance, I immediately thanked them for interview call and asked what I can do to improve for next cycle. They all said that application is strong and keep on working towards attending CE
I was going to AAE already and not sure what else would benefit on top of that
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Endo programs are looking for candidates that they really want to work with and also represent their program. If you are getting interviewed by the same program they like you. If you aren’t getting in it’s because they are finding someone they like better or fits their mold better that year. They do spend a little effort trying to diversify a class. 1) Straight out of school—1) Military—1) Good research back ground. Just an example. But the diversification could be based on gender, experience, strengths, etc. That’s why they rush to interview. It’s easier to create your class with the best candidates. The ones that wait end up with candidates that may not fit their style albeit qualified. So while it’s flattering to keep getting interviewed it’s also a little insulting to be honest. One time is whatever, but several :/ They are basically keeping you as a reserve. But we’ve all been on a waitlist before right? Ultimately sometimes you are basically competing for one spot. A program isn’t going to want 3 students straight out of school for their class. Or 3 white dudes from the military. Regardless of how qualified you are.
 
FutureDent020 said:
Endo programs are looking for candidates that they really want to work with and also represent their program. If you are getting interviewed by the same program they like you. If you aren’t getting in it’s because they are finding someone they like better or fits their mold better that year. They do spend a little effort trying to diversify a class. 1) Straight out of school—1) Military—1) Good research back ground. Just an example. But the diversification could be based on gender, experience, strengths, etc. That’s why they rush to interview. It’s easier to create your class with the best candidates. The ones that wait end up with candidates that may not fit their style albeit qualified. So while it’s flattering to keep getting interviewed it’s also a little insulting to be honest. One time is whatever, but several :/ They are basically keeping you as a reserve. But we’ve all been on a waitlist before right? Ultimately sometimes you are basically competing for one spot. A program isn’t going to want 3 students straight out of school for their class. Or 3 white dudes from the military. Regardless of how qualified you are.
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You just said it, repetitive interviews is insulting and frustrating. Especially in a place you invested a lot of energy into. So if you really wanted someone in and you like him, give him what they deserve rather than have them loose interest in you.
 
Speaking of which;
Would you rather ask a director you worked with over 3 years and had 3 times interview and each time not being selected; if there is ever any chance for yourself in their program and how to address that or if you should prioritize investing in somewhere else to move on with life if there is no clear path for you in their program?
 
Mo K said:
Speaking of which;
Would you rather ask a director you worked with over 3 years and had 3 times interview and each time not being selected; if there is ever any chance for yourself in their program and how to address that or if you should prioritize investing in somewhere else to move on with life if there is no clear path for you in their program?
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At this point don’t waste your time. It’s clear you are not their number one choice.
 
Rocklandm said:
At this point don’t waste your time. It’s clear you are not their number one choice.
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Fair point, I had the same feeling. I just didn’t want to break bridges even though it’s a bad one.
Thank you very much.
 
Mo K said:
Fair point, I had the same feeling. I just didn’t want to break bridges even though it’s a bad one.
Thank you very much.
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There’s so person here that applied 5 times I think. I personally would just do CEs and do endo that way. It’s a dying specialty
 
Mo K said:
Speaking of which;
Would you rather ask a director you worked with over 3 years and had 3 times interview and each time not being selected; if there is ever any chance for yourself in their program and how to address that or if you should prioritize investing in somewhere else to move on with life if there is no clear path for you in their program?
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wait so for three years you only applied to that one program? I'd still apply to the same program next year but also apply to many other programs.
 
FutureDent020 said:
Endo programs are looking for candidates that they really want to work with and also represent their program. If you are getting interviewed by the same program they like you. If you aren’t getting in it’s because they are finding someone they like better or fits their mold better that year. They do spend a little effort trying to diversify a class. 1) Straight out of school—1) Military—1) Good research back ground. Just an example. But the diversification could be based on gender, experience, strengths, etc. That’s why they rush to interview. It’s easier to create your class with the best candidates. The ones that wait end up with candidates that may not fit their style albeit qualified. So while it’s flattering to keep getting interviewed it’s also a little insulting to be honest. One time is whatever, but several :/ They are basically keeping you as a reserve. But we’ve all been on a waitlist before right? Ultimately sometimes you are basically competing for one spot. A program isn’t going to want 3 students straight out of school for their class. Or 3 white dudes from the military. Regardless of how qualified you are.
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No wonder this process is so unfair and random! Anyways, will keep on pushing. All we can do is try and give our best 😎
 
Has anyone who was practicing for few years did observership or internship programs ? Is it worth doing to boost your application and leave clinical practice for few months
 
xjoohn said:
wait so for three years you only applied to that one program? I'd still apply to the same program next year but also apply to many other programs.
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This is not exactly what I meant. I applied in total first cycle to 30, second to 15, and last to 4 only because of budget constraints
 
Mo K said:
This is not exactly what I meant. I applied in total first cycle to 30, second to 15, and last to 4 only because of budget constraints
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That's a lot of money (and TIME) for applications with little to no end product. I empathize with you as I have invested a similar amount in my applications.
 
Vendetta27 said:
That's a lot of money (and TIME) for applications with little to no end product. I empathize with you as I have invested a similar amount in my applications.
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Yepp unfortunately. That’s why I am not applying anytime soon unless I take a break to vent and repay my debt
 
Mo K said:
Yepp unfortunately. That’s why I am not applying anytime soon unless I take a break to vent and repay my debt
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Are you a new grad? That is a big factor, too. Considering a good pool of applicants have been practicing for a few years, some were practicing up to 10 years. The time of practicing is also very valuable.
 
chunkylover86 said:
Are you a new grad? That is a big factor, too. Considering a good pool of applicants have been practicing for a few years, some were practicing up to 10 years. The time of practicing is also very valuable.
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I am not exactly a new grad. I am an international trained dentist currently taking an AEGD and will do my licensure exam in a month to get my license. I had 2 years of international experience as a dentist, both in an endodontic clinic and a general dental clinic.
 
Mo K said:
I am not exactly a new grad. I am an international trained dentist currently taking an AEGD and will do my licensure exam in a month to get my license. I had 2 years of international experience as a dentist, both in an endodontic clinic and a general dental clinic.
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Keep on trying! Practicing in the U.S. and taking some time to save up money will be helpful in the long run.
 
Mo K said:
I am not exactly a new grad. I am an international trained dentist currently taking an AEGD and will do my licensure exam in a month to get my license. I had 2 years of international experience as a dentist, both in an endodontic clinic and a general dental clinic.
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Don’t give up. Keep applying and work as a general dentist in the US for couple of years. Or you can apply into perio and get in right away. I know some IDPs applied to endo 3 times and don’t get in but the second they applied to perio last year, they got in.
 
StarENDO1 said:
Don’t give up. Keep applying and work as a general dentist in the US for couple of years. Or you can apply into perio and get in right away. I know some IDPs applied to endo 3 times and don’t get in but the second they applied to perio last year, they got in.
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Yeah 🙁 that’s a harsh truth.
 
StarENDO1 said:
Don’t give up. Keep applying and work as a general dentist in the US for couple of years. Or you can apply into perio and get in right away. I know some IDPs applied to endo 3 times and don’t get in but the second they applied to perio last year, they got in.
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why perio?
 
-anyone did Dr. John west IDEA mini residency course in san francisco ? is it worth the time and the money to invest in it, it costs around $9000 for four days. I am looking into improving my skills (in case I stayed working as GP) and to connect with other endodontists maybe getting LOR??
 
Mo K said:
I am not exactly a new grad. I am an international trained dentist currently taking an AEGD and will do my licensure exam in a month to get my license. I had 2 years of international experience as a dentist, both in an endodontic clinic and a general dental clinic.
Click to expand...
Do as many endo courses. Start shadowing, improve your CV.. unfortunately being an international is very sucky.
And most of the international dentists usually hold an endo diploma.
Work as a GP and keep applying every year …
I’m also an international btw 😂
 
AAdentist said:
-anyone did Dr. John west IDEA mini residency course in san francisco ? is it worth the time and the money to invest in it, it costs around $9000 for four days. I am looking into improving my skills (in case I stayed working as GP) and to connect with other endodontists maybe getting LOR??
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How about UCLA continuuum? People up there in academia taught that cause, if you want to get into endo. John West is more like for general dentists I don’t think it will help you.
 
StarENDO1 said:
How about UCLA continuuum? People up there in academia taught that cause, if you want to get into endo. John West is more like for general dentists I don’t think it will help you.
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Do you know if they offer the course more than one time per year ?? They have it on oct. I can’t make it on oct.
 
For all the endo candidates that didnt get in this cycle or who have been constantly applying with no success, i want to tell you im in the same boat, i have been going to aae meetings for years, tried networking with multiple residents from programs im interested in, met the directors , and have been emailing them for 5+ years. it comes down to how badly you want it, i recommend working and and putting heavy focus on endo in your practices, get into the flow and just do a bunch of endo. find a endodontist who can be a mentor. i am a gp but just limit my practice to endodontics and im doing very well where its getting to the point of me thinking twice if i should apply again to get into endo. Be a great clinician, do the standard of care that an endo does and know your limitations, but dont stop your life just because someone doesnt put you in a program. learn to create your own success with endo with just tackling on the endo cases at your office. keep up to date with the literature and most importantly just enjoy what you do. im lucky i established myself over the course of 5 years where i just go to office to office and do root canals. im making a great living and have no worry about the back end of running an office. so enjoy the ride
 
Does anyone have a breakdown of cost for any endo residencies? Some clearly state estimated cost of attendance while others are hard to find. UF for example is not clear on the cost of attendance of in state/out of state for endo. This would help a lot for those that have to consider high dental school loan amounts already
 
dentaltx said:
Does anyone have a breakdown of cost for any endo residencies? Some clearly state estimated cost of attendance while others are hard to find. UF for example is not clear on the cost of attendance of in state/out of state for endo. This would help a lot for those that have to consider high dental school loan amounts already
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When I was creating the list of programs I wanted to apply to I used chat gpt to find each program's tuition. It saved a ton of time. Make sure you read through each answer it gives you because a couple of times it thought there was only one semester per year or thought that a program was three years instead of two.
 
alice496 said:
Do as many endo courses. Start shadowing, improve your CV.. unfortunately being an international is very sucky.
And most of the international dentists usually hold an endo diploma.
Work as a GP and keep applying every year …
I’m also an international btw 😂
Click to expand...
I see,
I still feel this is impractical tbh 🙁 I mean you will find out age is passing by and you are still applying and hoping to get to an endodontic program. wonder how some endodontic residents get in at a young age..
 
strawburt123 said:
For all the endo candidates that didnt get in this cycle or who have been constantly applying with no success, i want to tell you im in the same boat, i have been going to aae meetings for years, tried networking with multiple residents from programs im interested in, met the directors , and have been emailing them for 5+ years. it comes down to how badly you want it, i recommend working and and putting heavy focus on endo in your practices, get into the flow and just do a bunch of endo. find a endodontist who can be a mentor. i am a gp but just limit my practice to endodontics and im doing very well where its getting to the point of me thinking twice if i should apply again to get into endo. Be a great clinician, do the standard of care that an endo does and know your limitations, but dont stop your life just because someone doesnt put you in a program. learn to create your own success with endo with just tackling on the endo cases at your office. keep up to date with the literature and most importantly just enjoy what you do. im lucky i established myself over the course of 5 years where i just go to office to office and do root canals. im making a great living and have no worry about the back end of running an office. so enjoy the ride
Click to expand...
Did the program directors you know tell you what you are missing to get into their program or did they tell you to "apply broadly"?
 
dentaltx said:
Does anyone have a breakdown of cost for any endo residencies? Some clearly state estimated cost of attendance while others are hard to find. UF for example is not clear on the cost of attendance of in state/out of state for endo. This would help a lot for those that have to consider high dental school loan amounts already
Click to expand...
I know exactly where you're coming from, but I'll say this. If you really want to do this specialty, sometimes you have to go where they take you...

UF had >450 applications this year, they interviewed 20 for 4 spots.

Their tuition, which I can't find right now (they gave us a welcome package with the info), is one of the lowest for non-paid residencies, for both in/out of state. If you get into this program, I really wouldn't stress too much about their tuition burden. Consider yourself lucky.
Just my 2c.
 
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