OMFS programs that have both 4yr and 6yr tracks...

[CMistry]

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So as I'm applying this year, I have a few schools on my list that have both 4yr and 6yr tracks (for example UF Gainsville, UMDNJ, Emory, etc.). I'm not really partial to 4yr or 6yr. My question is, are the 4yr tracks generally reserved for people who have completed GPRs/internships? Will I stand a better chance applying to their 6yr tracks?

Thanks in advance,
-Cyrus

 

[senpai]

My advice would be to not worry so much about which track will be easier to gain acceptance but rather whether you desire to pursue a 4 or 6 year track. If it is no difference to you, why would you spend an extra 2 years and take on more debt if a medical degree doesn't make a difference in your eyes? Unless you are set on academics as a career, doing a fellowship or another residency on top of it (plastics, ENT, etc.) the medical degree won't serve for much more than satisfying your pride and the pride of others. 4-year guys medically manage their patients just fine with their training. Decide what YOU want. YOU be the one to dictate your career path rather than doubt.

 

[flapaTron]

My advice would be to not worry so much about which track will be easier to gain acceptance but rather whether you desire to pursue a 4 or 6 year track. If it is no difference to you, why would you spend an extra 2 years and take on more debt if a medical degree doesn't make a difference in your eyes? Unless you are set on academics as a career, doing a fellowship or another residency on top of it (plastics, ENT, etc.) the medical degree won't serve for much more than satisfying your pride and the pride of others. 4-year guys medically manage their patients just fine with their training. Decide what YOU want. YOU be the one to dictate your career path rather than doubt.

agreed.

 

[FattyRiver]

So as I'm applying this year, I have a few schools on my list that have both 4yr and 6yr tracks (for example UF Gainsville, UMDNJ, Emory, etc.). I'm not really partial to 4yr or 6yr. My question is, are the 4yr tracks generally reserved for people who have completed GPRs/internships? Will I stand a better chance applying to their 6yr tracks?

Thanks in advance,
-Cyrus

A few programs out there will only take people with some kind of experience. This can be an internship, GPR, armed forces, or less likely pvt practice. There are plenty of 4 year positions that match people fresh out of Dental school. Applying to both is not a bad idea if you are unsure but you need to inevitably be prepared for the questions that are going to be asked on the interview trail. Why did you apply to both? Which is better and why? I don't think that applying to both is a waste of time. I also disagree with the above replies that 6 year programs are only for people wanting to go into academia or another residency. You ultimately have to find the best program that fits you. Ultimately one is not easier to get into than the other.

 

[servitup]

Pick a track and apply. It is usually very obvious who wants the 6 and who wants the 4 at interviews.

 

[CMistry]

You ultimately have to find the best program that fits you.

I feel the same, and hence I'm applying to both 4yr and 6yr programs. The majority of my programs are 6yr, but that is not keeping me from applying to some excellent 4yr programs. Should it? I am focusing more on the program itself / it's fit rather than 4yr or 6yr.

Thanks,
Cyrus

 

[GTFOOMICT]

I feel the same, and hence I'm applying to both 4yr and 6yr programs. The majority of my programs are 6yr, but that is not keeping me from applying to some excellent 4yr programs. Should it? I am focusing more on the program itself / it's fit rather than 4yr or 6yr.

Thanks,
Cyrus

If the majority of your programs are MD integrated, it must be important to you. Just apply all 6. You are talking about 2 years of your life, interruptions in your training, 2 years of lost income (conservative $400k), 2 years of tuition (conservative $30k), 2 years of compounding interest (conservative $50k). If you feel the MD is worth all that, then it really is worth it. So you should not apply to 4 year programs. Just my opinion.

 

[DCRedskinsRule]

Pick a track and apply. It is usually very obvious who wants the 6 and who wants the 4 at interviews.

What do you mean?

 

[servitup]

What do you mean?

Two years of your life is a long time. It is far too important to think people will take or leave the 2 years for reasons other than they either really want the MD deep down or they don't. When people interview here, you can smell a 4 year guy from a mile away. All you have to do is look at where else they interview, externships, etc.

My point is: not deciding up front is just a form of procrastination. Deep down, 99% of applicants know what they would truly prefer. They just have to admit it to themselves. Most people who apply to both tracks end up ranking either all of the 4's the highest or all of the 6's the highest at the end. So decide now and save yourself thousands of bucks worth of wasted time.

 

[GreatOMFSHope]

Two years of your life is a long time. It is far too important to think people will take or leave the 2 years for reasons other than they either really want the MD deep down or they don't. When people interview here, you can smell a 4 year guy from a mile away. All you have to do is look at where else they interview, externships, etc.

My point is: not deciding up front is just a form of procrastination. Deep down, 99% of applicants know what they would truly prefer. They just have to admit it to themselves. Most people who apply to both tracks end up ranking either all of the 4's the highest or all of the 6's the highest at the end. So decide now and save yourself thousands of bucks worth of wasted time.

Agree, yet disagree. I think deep down you do know which track you prefer. That being said, I would much rather have attended a 6-year program, rather than not matching into a 4-year program, doing an internship, thus making it a 5-year program. The fear of not getting enough interviews (or good interviews) was enough to make me consider both tracks.

I applied to both. Interviewed at both. Enjoyed aspects of both programs. I saw major benefits of both tracks. I had two 6-year programs in my top 5 but matched at my #1 (a 4-year). My honest opinion, apply to both and just see what fits you. You may not know enough now to make that decision and the extra $1000 you spend on applications and interviews may give you an idea of what you truly want. Some programs like servitup's may judge you because you are "procrastinating", but they gave you an interview for a reason. Enjoy your free dinner on them.

 

[servitup]

Some programs like servitup's may judge you because you are "procrastinating", but they gave you an interview for a reason. Enjoy your free dinner on them.

I only rep my own opinion, not that of my entire program. We get great applicants annually who clearly prefer the 4 yr track. We rank em how we see em but seems like a lot of trouble to go on interviews to 6 yr programs if you don't think the MD is a big deal.