Specializing in reality

[LVKE]

Hi all,

This is my first time posting in the Dental section, as I'm just kind of curious what you all think about specializing. For a little background on me, I'm a senior at IU right now finishing up my Biology BS. This fall I've applied to 6 midwest schools and finished interviewing at 4 of them (Michigan, IU, Louisville, and MW-IL). I originally was attracted to orthodontics (as is everyone else) due to a lot of the work I had to have on my own teeth when I was younger (crazy impacted canine). But after branching out a bit and shadowing more general dentists, I've realized that I can't make that decision before I get to learn and am actually hands on with the specialties in the clinic. I'm curious as to how hard it actually is to be competitive for specializing. I realize you have to be in the top of your class while also being well-rounded (research, extra curriculars, etc).

But my question for you all is: how hard is it to do that well in school and be that active? Is it something that is worth the time and investment of being a gunner and getting straight A's? Is it even realistic to think one could do this without going crazy or burning out? From all the D1's I know in school right now they all say that it's very hard, so I'm just wondering how realistic it is to want to specialize. I feel like my interviews went really well and that I will (hopefully) at least get into one school, so I've been doing some forward thinking and am hoping to hear what you all have to say about specializing.

Thanks in advance!

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[THS]

I can tell you that the difference between failing and getting a B is about an extra hour or two of study per week.
However, the difference between getting a B and an A seems to be exponentially more time studying.
As a third year,

how hard is it to do that well in school and be that active? Is it something that is worth the time and investment of being a gunner and getting straight A's?

That's subjective. I'm at school from 7:00-6:00 almost every day, and that's enough for me. I don't think it's worth it to stress myself out studying, or to take time away from my wife, just to get slightly better grades. Then again, I don't plan on specializing.

I think unless you're 100% sure you don't want to specialize, you should try to get the highest grades possible and get involved in as much as you can so that when you are exposed to the different disciplines in clinic, you can decide to pursue those and you'll already be in good shape, academically.

 

[Jalcalde]

I can tell you that the difference between failing and getting a B is about an extra hour or two of study per week.
However, the difference between getting a B and an A seems to be exponentially more time studying.
As a third year,


That's subjective. I'm at school from 7:00-6:00 almost every day, and that's enough for me. I don't think it's worth it to stress myself out studying, or to take time away from my wife, just to get slightly better grades. Then again, I don't plan on specializing.

I think unless you're 100% sure you don't want to specialize, you should try to get the highest grades possible and get involved in as much as you can so that when you are exposed to the different disciplines in clinic, you can decide to pursue those and you'll already be in good shape, academically.

This is exactly my experience, also a 3rd year.

 

[LVKE]

Thank you @THS and @Jalcalde, this is in line with what my D1 friends are saying. I appreciate the response!

 

[fa_tth]

Thank you @THS and @Jalcalde, this is in line with what my D1 friends are saying. I appreciate the response!

Keep in mind that its highly dependent on the school, as well. That said as everyone else already mentioned, getting 'straight A's' is extremely difficult and will absolutely burn you out unless you're the type that learns things at an extremely rapid pace or just love to study all the time. Personally, I know that after 8 years of school I don't have the stomach to tack on a few more years to specialize especially when you can just do additional CE to expand your repertoire as a GP (since you seem keen on orthodontia, invisalign might scratch that itch).

Before I started DS, I never bought into the hype of how difficult it was. I'm sure you've come across people who complain about how hard ochem, pchem, anatomy, etc... was but DS is on a whole different dimension of difficulty. The amount of information you will cover is on a level you've never seen and you will be amazed at the mountain of work you're going to be tackling. Hell, I still don't know how I managed to get through some of these classes. I guess what I'm saying is you really won't know if you're able to specialize or not until you start doing the work. You might just find that you're overwhelmed just trying to pass or float a B.

 

[schmoob]

Specializing is great, but many pre-dents want to specialize before they realize what being a GP entails. There is so much to being a specialist, it's not so cut and dry. Yes, you make more money, but it comes at a price.
Imagine you are an excellent GP that has a great skill set and are competent and confident in many advanced procedures. Pedo? Sure. Molar endo? Bring it on. 3rd molars? Easy. Now let's say you get a particularly difficult case that you are not too comfortable with, you have the option to refer. As a specialist, you no longer have that option.
So many people enter dental school thinking they are going to be the next hottest surgeon, only to realize that they are unable to make the cut as far as specializing. It's not a bad thing, because they still come out as dentists.
You don't need to have a 4.0 to be a great dentist. You don't need to be top of the class to make good money. Study hard, practice in clinical, and take advantage of the opportunities you are paying for. This way, you know that you did your best and have no regrets.

 

[Advance]

I can tell you that the difference between failing and getting a B is about an extra hour or two of study per week.
However, the difference between getting a B and an A seems to be exponentially more time studying.
As a third year.

This is so true, its almost ridiculous.
So much truth to all of these posts.

 

[fogorvostan]

This is so true, its almost ridiculous.
So much truth to all of these posts.

Also agreeing. It's so true.

 

[Pedodel]

I agree with the analogy of failing vs B's vs A's.
I found it very difficult getting A's in dental school. I worked my arse off just to stay in the top 1/2 of my class. I was just surviving to get by and stay sane at the same time.
I finished mid pack,,,, did a GPR , had a good CV ( for pedo) and got into a Pedo program. I have the right personality for PEDO so that is what helped most for me getting in.
I have friends who also mid pack that got into endo, perio and OMFS programs. Most worked as GP's for a few years before going back.

A few who went into OMFS programs got in via the GPR they did. They got along very very well with the OMFS guys and got into that hospitals OMFS program the next year by being liked and impressing the OMFS guys.
Having good rank in dental school does help a ton though. It is always best to have a high rank,,,,, but that alone won't get you in or,,,, completely prevent you from getting in.