My classmate, who scored 86 on NDBE part I, got matched to our own school. Everybody in my class was shocked when he got matched and the #1 guy in our class did not get matched anywhere. I heard that this #1 guy only applied to 5 schools. The 1 special thing about my classmate w/ an 86 score was that he did and published an impressive ortho research (not just some lame papers that I and the rest of my class did). Almost all the programs that he applied to called him for interview.QUOTE]
These stories that showcase people w/ less-than-stellar stats are only encouraging to those w/ less-than-stellar stats. It's another example that a balanced, merit-based approach doesn't always work.
Politics definitely plays a role. From my experience, it was not easy to make inroads with faculty--especially, certain ones. It's clear to me that these "impressive ortho research" opportunities aren't open to everyone. Ortho-aspiring dental students are often hand-picked by faculty or current residents to work on such projects. Like I said, there ain't equal opportunity for cool publications. That's what makes it so frustrating to those whose merits are their only options.
What was the publication on, by the way? I'm fine that the above fellow hit a gold mine w/ his research. He otherwise doesn't sound like a strong candidate. In the end, the directors choose whom they want. Some favor merit, some don't.
#1 guy will get in eventually, and will do so on merit. He'll continue to work hard his entire life. Research guy likely got in primarily through contacts because of a paper that likely few will read and even fewer will care about. And he'll go about life the way he always has. And hang-out-with-residents-and-faculty-during-the-summer girl proves the point that short-term relationships pay off big and overshadow poor long-term performance.
You guys may not like the frankness with which I speak, but these are real people. Some get in, some don't. Many times, I'd argue the "wrong" person got in. I talk to applying students who are dismayed and frustrated by the extent of the politics. These two examples (low scores coupled with compensatory high-level faculty/resident interactions and/or based-on-whom-you-know research) are exactly what applicants are talking about.
