PASS Program requirements

[HawkDoc33]

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I was looking around the PASS website and discovered that each OMFS program has requirements to apply. These requirements included statements such as: Must have passed Parts I and II, National Dental Board Examination, Must have 90 or above on Part 1, National Dental Board Examination, Must have a class rank in the 90th percentile, etc.

My question is whether one should bother applying to a program that has a requirement for application that they don't meet? i.e. not in the 90th percentile if it requires you are to apply.

Thanks alot

 

[ItsGavinC]

I can't comment on OMFS programs specifically, but from my own experiences the programs usually hold to those board-score requirements. In my view, they probably get a boat-load of applications and use that as an attempt to cut down on the number of unqualified applications they receive.

You could apply--especially if it a program or location that you really want, the worst that can happen is you get a rejection (you'll probably get some of those anyway). The best that can happen is you get an interview and it goes on from there.

 

[brycethefatty]

I was looking around the PASS website and discovered that each OMFS program has requirements to apply. These requirements included statements such as: Must have passed Parts I and II, National Dental Board Examination, Must have 90 or above on Part 1, National Dental Board Examination, Must have a class rank in the 90th percentile, etc.

My question is whether one should bother applying to a program that has a requirement for application that they don't meet? i.e. not in the 90th percentile if it requires you are to apply.

Thanks alot

I emailed a several program directors about the cut-offs when I was applying. The vast majority said that they had taken applicants under their cut-offs in the past and I was welcome to apply. I did receive a couple interviews from schools with that cutoff so it was worth it for me. I had >90 NBDE but was slightly out of the 90th percentile of my class.

 

[servitup]

Ignore those. Most PD's don't even know what is on the website.

Some 6 yr programs stick to the >90 on the boards b/c the med schools mandate it. Parkland comes to mind per Dr. E at the interview. With the new board scores, it should be interesting.