Orthodontic Intern Program

[happybraces]

Hi guys...I would like to have your opinions regarding one-year intern (fellowship) programs for ortho. They charge you about $30,000-$40,000 a year and you get to take some classes with residents and assist faculties. Also you could participate in a research.
But is it worth all the tuition and living expenses? I didn't match for ortho this year and don't know what to do. I already did AEGD years ago. Doing this internship will significantly increase my chance next year? (Considering other test scores are good)

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[charlestweed]

I don't think you should waste your money on these internship programs. I also had to apply twice and I applied to the same 17 ortho programs. Three programs, that called me for the interviews in previous application cycle, called me again. The program director at one of these three programs called me personally and told me that I didn't have to come for the interview again since he already interviewed me a year before. And beside these 3, I got 4 more interviews from the programs that rejected my applications in the previous application cycle.

 

[name123]

I did an Internship after not matching last year. All of the Interns with me this year after not matching last year, also matched at their first choices. I think it was a great investment and all previous interns said that it really helped with their first year of residency. I believe that it will significantly help hitting the ground running next year at my residency. If you have any questions about particular Internships I would be more than happy to help.

 

[happybraces]

Could you recommand some programs please?
Do you know if one could get a financial aid (such as loans) thru school or are u on your own?

 

[Drmeemei]

I did an Internship after not matching last year. All of the Interns with me this year after not matching last year, also matched at their first choices. I think it was a great investment and all previous interns said that it really helped with their first year of residency. I believe that it will significantly help hitting the ground running next year at my residency. If you have any questions about particular Internships I would be more than happy to help.

name123, could you please share your experience about the internship. I heard that the program director evaluates the intern's performance after completion of the internship.

 

[PChemGrad]

Sounds like a way for these programs to make some easy money.

 

[Cleo]

I did a ortho fellowship at one such program. Was told when I enrolled that it did not guarantee an acceptance into the residency. I used all my savings for th tuition, hoping that it would increase my chance of acceptance. Despite the ortho fellowship experience, 3 publications, presentations, research experience, being class president, getting good scores, I have not as yet matched to a position. Had applied to 22 programs this year and interviewed at 4 but still no luck. The chair at the fellowship now tells me probably it is not meant to be!!! So in other words, doing the fellowship can be a sheer waste of time and money. It does increase your ortho experience but makes it even tougher when you can't use it in your private practice. I keep regretting having fallen for it...

 

[IHeartEndo]

Just wondering...

Why did you only apply to 22 programs? I'm assuming you applied to the DS you attended, right?
Did you take the GRE? If so, you should apply to all the 3-yr programs. With boards going P/F, a good score here may really help.
Was your part I >85?

You should not let your training go to waste. I personally know of a few GPs that have limited their practice to ortho, and they do very well, even better than some orthos. You probably have the knowledge to predictably finish easy to moderate cases right now. With some additional CE, you should be fine to tackle the more difficult occlusions.
Did you ever consider pedo? You could easily build an ortho practice within pedo, as you'll have 'first dibs' on all the kids.

You have some options here...

 

[Cleo]

Just wondering...

Why did you only apply to 22 programs? I'm assuming you applied to the DS you attended, right?
Did you take the GRE? If so, you should apply to all the 3-yr programs. With boards going P/F, a good score here may really help.
Was your part I >85?

You should not let your training go to waste. I personally know of a few GPs that have limited their practice to ortho, and they do very well, even better than some orthos. You probably have the knowledge to predictably finish easy to moderate cases right now. With some additional CE, you should be fine to tackle the more difficult occlusions.
Did you ever consider pedo? You could easily build an ortho practice within pedo, as you'll have 'first dibs' on all the kids.

You have some options here...

Thanks for your encouragement. Both my part 1 and 2 scores are greater than 85. I had taken the GRE. I could apply only to 22 programs due to certain constraints on personal front. I had applied to 3 year programs as well. My present job does not allow me to practice ortho. I am so fed up with the ortho application process, that I am still numbed by the match result. I know for sure that I am not going to apply to the program that I did my fellowship from. Don't know if I will apply again. I might just apply for pedo, especially since people say that there are a lot nicer people in pedo. I am sick of being judged not by my hardwork and dedication but by what the other residents think of me being.... I thought that in US, hard work is appreciated. But I have come to realise only otherwise.

 

[BlueToothHunter]

How about applying to non-match programs? Any luck that way?

 

[happybraces]

I am sick of being judged not by my hardwork and dedication but by what the other residents think of me being.... I thought that in US, hard work is appreciated. But I have come to realise only otherwise.

I totally agree with you...

 

[mike3kgt]

I am sick of being judged not by my hardwork and dedication but by what the other residents think of me being.... I thought that in US, hard work is appreciated. But I have come to realise only otherwise.

Well, yes and no. From my prostho perspective, we will strive to take somebody who can gel with the group over somebody who doesn't gel but may work really hard. It's possible that you just don't have the personality that gels with people. That being said, there are simply some people who believe they work really hard but merely go in circles.

But then, I've seen it over and over again where ortho will pick people principally by numerical merit and not look at anything else. This type of selection will often promote those people who only promote themselves.

 

[Cleo]

Well, yes and no. From my prostho perspective, we will strive to take somebody who can gel with the group over somebody who doesn't gel but may work really hard. It's possible that you just don't have the personality that gels with people. That being said, there are simply some people who believe they work really hard but merely go in circles.

But then, I've seen it over and over again where ortho will pick people principally by numerical merit and not look at anything else. This type of selection will often promote those people who only promote themselves.

I understand what you mean. But how is it that at my work place, everyone loves me and only in the residency I am not the "happening person". You are right, I probably just don't have it in me to gel with "certain" kind of people. Anyways, all said and done, I am still where I am.

 

[Cleo]

How about applying to non-match programs? Any luck that way?

I had applied to them , but in vain.

 

[S Files]

It depends on where this ortho fellowship is done. My suspicion is the responders on here with the positive outcomes were from more reputable programs such as Florida. If you go to USN (doesn't even deserve to get accredited), then don't expect that to help you.

 

[Imi Goldberg]

Hi guys...I would like to have your opinions regarding one-year intern (fellowship) programs for ortho. They charge you about $30,000-$40,000 a year and you get to take some classes with residents and assist faculties. Also you could participate in a research.
But is it worth all the tuition and living expenses? I didn't match for ortho this year and don't know what to do. I already did AEGD years ago. Doing this internship will significantly increase my chance next year? (Considering other test scores are good)

Waste of time I say :/

 

[pariscouture]

I know for sure that I am not going to apply to the program that I did my fellowship from. Don't know if I will apply again. I might just apply for pedo, especially since people say that there are a lot nicer people in pedo. I am sick of being judged not by my hardwork and dedication but by what the other residents think of me being.....

Ok, that is a BAD reason to apply to pedo! 👎 Apply to pedo because you really love the field and have an interest in treating children & special needs. Also, from what people tell me, pedo is a lot about personality (so if you're worried about residents judging you for ortho, than it's probably even worse for pedo)! If you want to be an orthodontist, hang in there! 👍 I know people that have applied 2-3 times and finally got in.

 

[Cleo]

Ok, that is a BAD reason to apply to pedo! 👎 Apply to pedo because you really love the field and have an interest in treating children & special needs. Also, from what people tell me, pedo is a lot about personality (so if you're worried about residents judging you for ortho, than it's probably even worse for pedo)! If you want to be an orthodontist, hang in there! 👍 I know people that have applied 2-3 times and finally got in.

Thanks pariscouture!! Luckily for me, I like working on kids; I do it all day already and want to work on special needs. However, ortho is still my first love and I will not give up on ortho and will reapply again. Hope it works out for me..🙂

 

[Wjd13]

Hi. Could you please send me a list of internship programs out there? Thank you