OMFS PASS application tips for 2011 applicants

[wantchurwizzys]

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Hey everybody, I have just started my PASS application and I thought it would be nice if we could share tips and thoughts about what kind of things to include in the various sections of the application. Lets try and keep this to the point and make it so we can all benefit from this! So I will start with a question I have...

In the 3rd section under Applicant Information titled "Professional Experience" it asks for relevant work experience. Could anyone elaborate on what that might mean...I am assuming that Lifeguarding and Dishwashing during undergrad does not apply? What about Dental Assisting? Otherwise I am pretty much blank in this section. Any thoughts?

 

[shabu2]

Hey everybody, I have just started my PASS application and I thought it would be nice if we could share tips and thoughts about what kind of things to include in the various sections of the application. Lets try and keep this to the point and make it so we can all benefit from this! So I will start with a question I have...

In the 3rd section under Applicant Information titled "Professional Experience" it asks for relevant work experience. Could anyone elaborate on what that might mean...I am assuming that Lifeguarding and Dishwashing during undergrad does not apply? What about Dental Assisting? Otherwise I am pretty much blank in this section. Any thoughts?

Its been so long, I forget whats on the app, but I remember putting tutoring, assisting, etc.

Tip #1. Get them LORs early. My attending took 2 months and the chair of my dental school longer than that.
Tip #2. Only OMS write the LOR. Although my chair reads the LORs, he only scans the info, and will only remember during interviews if he knows who is the author is. I don't think a LOR from the chair of your restorative dept commenting on how beautiful your class 2's are will impress on a program that you can survive 4-6years in an OMS program.
Tip #3. Rolling interviews. Although there are final deadlines, interviews are handed out much earlier than the published deadlines.
Tip #4. Have extra packets (LORs, transcripts, Board schores, CV, Picture, etc) made just in case the even you dont match. The last minute scramble to post-match is a hectic and quck frenzy.
Tip #5. Don't apply to programs you don't want to go to, or live in the city where the program is based because 4-6yrs is a LONG time to hate your job/city. Not to mention expensive applying; each program can cost upwards of $100-150 (board scores copy, transcripts copy, application fee, med school secondary fee, travel expenses).
Tip #6. Send everything signature required, tracked. Stuff gets lost, and even when it gets there properly, may get lost in one pile of papers on the coordinators desk.

Your best chance is the first, so spend the extra time and money to do it right! Be super organized because you will get replies, secondaries, denials, interview requests, emails, letters.........all while trying to finish requirements to graduate during your 4th year.

 

[Ninety]

it would benefit more members if thread title changed to "all 2011 PASS applicants" =)

anyway, lets share experiences here since i am applying to Ortho 2011 and will be soon done with the PASS

 

[The Don]

does anyone know where you are supposed to put externships in the PASS application? I was thinking under practice of dentistry in porffesional experience, but then again, that seems like its more for people who have been out in practice. Extracurrics?
any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[MVA]

shabu- you say LOR from OMS only. What do you think is better, a stellar LOR from our non-OMS Dean who knows me personally (2 years of research with him) or a mediocre LOR from an OMS faculty member who knows who I am and not too much else???

 

[armorshell]

shabu- you say LOR from OMS only. What do you think is better, a stellar LOR from our non-OMS Dean who knows me personally (2 years of research with him) or a mediocre LOR from an OMS faculty member who knows who I am and not too much else???

If it's the dental school dean you need a letter from them anyway at most programs.

 

[armorshell]

does anyone know where you are supposed to put externships in the PASS application? I was thinking under practice of dentistry in porffesional experience, but then again, that seems like its more for people who have been out in practice. Extracurrics?
any thoughts?
Thanks

I think that's where I put them. Either way it shouldn't matter, they'll find them as long as you put them on there somewhere.

 

[MVA]

Thanks! 🙂
So is it 3 LORs from OMSs (or whoever) on top of the Institutional letter (aka Dean's letter) or do we count that as one of the required LORs?

 

[OMFS ORIF]

Thanks! 🙂
So is it 3 LORs from OMSs (or whoever) on top of the Institutional letter (aka Dean's letter) or do we count that as one of the required LORs?

You are correct. 3 LOR's in addition to Dean's letter.

 

[Ninety]

is there a difference between sending transcripts (ece) directly from ECE and including closed envelopes of them in your supplemental documents?

and whether i can ask ECE to provide me with stamped/signed envelopes?