OMFS a possibility?

[TEforME]

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Hi!

I'm a female dental student in my third year. I would LOVE to specialize in OMFS; I am doing externships (x3) this upcoming year, and I have been working hard in the oral surgery clinic at my dental school. The director likes me a lot and has faith in me. I spend every extra hour in there. My CV is pretty good - a ton of leadership, community service. I am beginning a research project (x2) this upcoming semester. The weakest part of my CV is my board score - a 90. Although a great score, I don't know how competitive that makes me for OMFS, esp 6 year programs. I have been told by many to not re-take the exam, but I have been preparing. There was an obvious discrepancy in my performance that day. I don't know if I will be able to take it in December, before the format changes in Jan 2007. Can anyone advise? I want this so bad so that I am willing to try, try again, but would like to get in my first try (I know, I may be dreaming).

Let me know - just a tad bit discouraged here 🙁

 

[drhobie7]

If I were you I'd retake it. Just make sure to study a lot so you do better. That being said, if you don't think you can do better, don't retake it.

 

[InMyCrossHairs]

Hi!

I'm a female dental student in my third year. I would LOVE to specialize in OMFS; I am doing externships (x3) this upcoming year, and I have been working hard in the oral surgery clinic at my dental school. The director likes me a lot and has faith in me. I spend every extra hour in there. My CV is pretty good - a ton of leadership, community service. I am beginning a research project (x2) this upcoming semester. The weakest part of my CV is my board score - a 90. Although a great score, I don't know how competitive that makes me for OMFS, esp 6 year programs. I have been told by many to not re-take the exam, but I have been preparing. There was an obvious discrepancy in my performance that day. I don't know if I will be able to take it in December, before the format changes in Jan 2007. Can anyone advise? I want this so bad so that I am willing to try, try again, but would like to get in my first try (I know, I may be dreaming).

Let me know - just a tad bit discouraged here 🙁

After going through the interview process, with a score very similar to you, I dont think you need to retake the exam. I received many interviews. I also was not in the the top 10%, probably closer to the 35% mark. In addition, you mentioned you may want to have a higher score b/c of the six year programs. Trust me on this, and ask around, you do not need a 93 or above for all six year programs. I know people who have interviews at six year programs with below 90's. Yes, some will require mid 90's, but that is probably a small percent. My evidence is limited to a small # of applicants, but I still maintain you will get interviews with a 90. Probably not to all programs, but to some.

Dont take this the wrong way, but the fact that you are female will probably keep you out of more programs than the 90. I noticed that at programs where all the residents were male, there were only male applicants, at programs where at least one of the residents was a female, there were female applicants.

Good luck

 

[High Desert Doc]

hey te,

i sent you a pm...go read it...pm me for more questions...later

 

[Motown]

If you feel like you just had a bad day and you have been preparing I think you should just go ahead and retake it if you feel you can do better. Sure you can get interviews with a 90 (you will hear every anecdotal story: this guy i know...., when i interviewed... etc.) but when it comes down to it - do you want to wait and see what interviews you get - or do you want to get the interviews you want. If you're pretty sure you can do it - it can't hurt to have a higher score.

 

[OMFSdoc]

I think you will be fine with a 90 if your dental school grades are good and are in the top 10%. I wouldn't re-take it. You should be open to applying to a lot of 6 year programs in different parts of the country. Lots of programs have the 90 cut off and you reached that.

 

[shabu2]

I think you will be fine with a 90 if your dental school grades are good and are in the top 10%. I wouldn't re-take it. You should be open to applying to a lot of 6 year programs in different parts of the country. Lots of programs have the 90 cut off and you reached that.

Undergrad grades will be a factor in many 6yr programs. As long as you did well, no prob but some programs require 3.5+.

 

[OMFSdoc]

I know the undergrad GPA plays a role in your being an acceptable candidate, but I do not believe that most schools require a 3.5 from OMFS people. They may require that of their own admitted students, but I didn't quite have a 3.5 and had no trouble with med schools. I'm not saying that a 2.9 is acceptable, but I think the cuttoff is closer to a 3.2-3.3.

 

[Doggie]

I know the undergrad GPA plays a role in your being an acceptable candidate, but I do not believe that most schools require a 3.5 from OMFS people. They may require that of their own admitted students, but I didn't quite have a 3.5 and had no trouble with med schools. I'm not saying that a 2.9 is acceptable, but I think the cuttoff is closer to a 3.2-3.3.

For the most part, only the med schools want the higher undergrad GPA....something to do with that stupid stepping test. I think as long as your board scores are good enough, most residencies wont care about the gpa.

 

[TEforME]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I have been thinking long and hard about this issue. Like one of you mentioned, a lot of what I hear is anecdotal evidence, but there's nothing like experience. Also, I am not oblivious to the gender issue. Having been around the OMFS crew for some time now, I can definitely see it. But that's life, and it happens in a lot more places than just OMFS - so it doesn't really bother me much. As far as my score, I got rocked in dental anatomy alone. I took it computerized, and had been told certain things would not appear on the exam. The day of, to my surprise, at least 20 questions were of that nature (the old pictures with the arrows) - I had not prepared for those at all 🙁 My fault...

Anyway, again, thanks for all the advice! I will keep you posted if anything changes.

 

[wizziefiend]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I have been thinking long and hard about this issue. Like one of you mentioned, a lot of what I hear is anecdotal evidence, but there's nothing like experience. Also, I am not oblivious to the gender issue. Having been around the OMFS crew for some time now, I can definitely see it. But that's life, and it happens in a lot more places than just OMFS - so it doesn't really bother me much. As far as my score, I got rocked in dental anatomy alone. I took it computerized, and had been told certain things would not appear on the exam. The day of, to my surprise, at least 20 questions were of that nature (the old pictures with the arrows) - I had not prepared for those at all 🙁 My fault...

Anyway, again, thanks for all the advice! I will keep you posted if anything changes.

There is a Dr. Casagrande in AZ. She would be a good person to contact...she can give you advice for being a female heading into OMFS. The way she has talked to me about it, it seems like quite the uphill battle in comparison to your male counterparts. She's great though. Look her up.

 

[dark_horse]

Being a girl wanting to go into OMS, it's hard. My friend is currently in a 6 year program and she loves it. She said that she felt as girls, we had more to prove, so the more experience and better grades/scores you have the better chance. She was #2 in her class, and she was worried. I'm not saying that you should worry, but pick out all the best qualities about you and your experiences and showcase that to the schools. Also, ask if the school how many girls have attended and completed their program. Good luck!

 

[shabu2]

I have interviewed at a dozen places for omfs, and have only met less than 10 females. Males are definately a majority, and there are programs that are definately female hostile. Make the best out of your CV and do externships and other activities to show OMFS PDs that you are passionate and would make an awesome resident. The higher you score the better, but a 90 will still get you interviews, especially 4yr programs.Gluck