Specializing Chances

[sap1622]

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Hi all, I'm applying to dental schools this upcoming cycle. I am really interested in specializing after I get my DMD. I just wanted to know if it would be advantageous to attend a specific school over another so that it would be easier to specialize. I think some schools have like 2 year extended programs or something. I got 11 schools that I'm applying for. (UCONN, UMD, BU, Tufts, UMDNJ, NYU, Columbia, Temple, UPITT, UPENN, and Meharry). Out of these which may seem like the best for specializing (assuming I get in)??

 

[Predoctalk]

Hi all, I'm applying to dental schools this upcoming cycle. I am really interested in specializing after I get my DMD. I just wanted to know if it would be advantageous to attend a specific school over another so that it would be easier to specialize. I think some schools have like 2 year extended programs or something. I got 11 schools that I'm applying for. (UCONN, UMD, BU, Tufts, UMDNJ, NYU, Columbia, Temple, UPITT, UPENN, and Meharry). Out of these which may seem like the best for specializing (assuming I get in)??

You are really jumping the gun. Worry about getting into school first, and then just work your hardest towards your goal. As long as you do well in dental school, there is not a huge difference where you go to school. Every school has students from every year who go on to specialize.

 

[Maygyver]

You are really jumping the gun. Worry about getting into school first, and then just work your hardest towards your goal. As long as you do well in dental school, there is not a huge difference where you go to school. Every school has students from every year who go on to specialize.

+1. Get into dental school first.

 

[Dentite21]

If you are thinking about specializing I assume you have stats. So heres the thing. If you want to specialize there are two major things to think about and be aware of. Every school has about 15% (usually top 15%) go on to specialties right away. And not everyone specializes right away plus some do GPRs (general practice residencies). The other issue to realize is this: schools that do not have advanced degree programs such as Creighton give you more exposure to a variety of cases. Thus you get much more time to work on specialty cases rather than those cases being referred out to the residents. But it is also notable to mention it doesn't hurt going to a school with advanced degrees because you get to know the staff (ultimately the people who will accept you to an advanced degree if you apply to the same school for the specialty). With all this being said, get into a few good schools and ask them about it. That was one of my main questions and its important to know if you want to specialize later on.

 

[whodat4life]

Hi all, I'm applying to dental schools this upcoming cycle. I am really interested in specializing after I get my DMD. I just wanted to know if it would be advantageous to attend a specific school over another so that it would be easier to specialize. I think some schools have like 2 year extended programs or something. I got 11 schools that I'm applying for. (UCONN, UMD, BU, Tufts, UMDNJ, NYU, Columbia, Temple, UPITT, UPENN, and Meharry). Out of these which may seem like the best for specializing (assuming I get in)??

From what I've heard, and from what I've seen on here...I think NYU will give you the best chance to specialize. Right now, just worry about getting in though (as others have said), you're getting way ahead of yourself. Truth is, you can specialize no matter what school you go to. The key is being in the top 10% of your class and scoring 90+ on your boards. Those are things that are completely out of your control right now, so just chill and be patient.

 

[Dentite21]

From what I've heard, and from what I've seen on here...I think NYU will give you the best chance to specialize. Right now, just worry about getting in though (as others have said), you're getting way ahead of yourself. Truth is, you can specialize no matter what school you go to. The key is being in the top 10% of your class and scoring 90+ on your boards. Those are things that are completely out of your control right now, so just chill and be patient.

Boards are turning into pass/fail by the time you guys matriculate. It is a very good idea to look at schools for specialization. Things are changing.

 

[glo1984]

From what I've heard, and from what I've seen on here...I think NYU will give you the best chance to specialize. Right now, just worry about getting in though (as others have said), you're getting way ahead of yourself. Truth is, you can specialize no matter what school you go to. The key is being in the top 10% of your class and scoring 90+ on your boards. Those are things that are completely out of your control right now, so just chill and be patient.

Out of his list, NYU wouldn't give him the best chance at specializing.

 

[flapaTron]

these threads are becoming a dime a dozen. allow me to stand on my soap box:

what does not objectively matter:
- the choice of school: a DDS/DMD is a DDS/DMD wherever you go. if you think reputation is important, you probably wear velcro-strapped shoes.
- the boards going pass/fail

what does matter and is a universal truth:
- Good grades/rank (where applicable)
- good <insert new standardized post-graduate placement exam here> scores
- good ETS Personal Potential Index (PPI) report (please look at ADEA's website for details as to what this is)
- solid externship experiences
- research experience
- extra-curriculars

Feel free to demonstrate to me what it is about a given school that 'increases your chances'.

 

[Pennywisdom]

these threads are becoming a dime a dozen. allow me to stand on my soap box:

what does not objectively matter:
- the choice of school: a DDS/DMD is a DDS/DMD wherever you go. if you think reputation is important, you probably wear velcro-strapped shoes.
- the boards going pass/fail

what does matter and is a universal truth:
- Good grades/rank (where applicable)
- good <insert new standardized post-graduate placement exam here> scores
- good ETS Personal Potential Index (PPI) report (please look at ADEA's website for details as to what this is)
- solid externship experiences
- research experience
- extra-curriculars

Feel free to demonstrate to me what it is about a given school that 'increases your chances'.

👍

 

[kitejunky27]

columbia, upenn, uconn

when residency programs have less to judge people on due to the p/f boards they are going to continue to take people from programs they know

possible everywhere for sure, but seems like some schools have an edge based on the numbers

 

[doc toothache]

Attending a ds that might increase your chances of specializing does not guarantee that you will in the top percentage that would pretty much be a pre requisite. Moreover, you could decide/have it decided for you, to drop out of ds after the first semester.

 

[whodat4life]

👍

these threads are becoming a dime a dozen. allow me to stand on my soap box:

what does not objectively matter:
- the choice of school: a DDS/DMD is a DDS/DMD wherever you go. if you think reputation is important, you probably wear velcro-strapped shoes.
- the boards going pass/fail

what does matter and is a universal truth:
- Good grades/rank (where applicable)
- good <insert new standardized post-graduate placement exam here> scores
- good ETS Personal Potential Index (PPI) report (please look at ADEA's website for details as to what this is)
- solid externship experiences
- research experience
- extra-curriculars

Feel free to demonstrate to me what it is about a given school that 'increases your chances'.

 

[UBERlowGPA]

Just a little something to think about...

If you're asked if you have an interest in specializing during a dental school interview and you answer "yes," a follow-up question you might be given is "can you see yourself as a general dentist?"

In my opinion, the answer to this question also better be "yes." Getting into specialty programs can be very competitive and regardless of your "desire," it is not always guaranteed that you will get into a specific program. If you want to specialize and can't see yourself ever being "simply" a general dentist, the 4 years of dental school, as well as all the associated costs of going to school, would be a BIG waste if you didn't/couldn't get in.

 

[Doc Smile]

Hi all, I'm applying to dental schools this upcoming cycle. I am really interested in specializing after I get my DMD. I just wanted to know if it would be advantageous to attend a specific school over another so that it would be easier to specialize. I think some schools have like 2 year extended programs or something. I got 11 schools that I'm applying for. (UCONN, UMD, BU, Tufts, UMDNJ, NYU, Columbia, Temple, UPITT, UPENN, and Meharry). Out of these which may seem like the best for specializing (assuming I get in)??

While schools like Harvard are stereotypically specialist grinding mills, any school will get you into a residency program. I would make sure the school you choose has said program of interest so you can spend time in their clinic, making good relations with the people who work their and run the clinics so you can get a good letter of rec, etc. I dont think you are jumping the gun. It is awesome you are looking ahead so you can hit the ground running!

 

[sap1622]

Thanks all for the feedback. It helps a lot! 😀