Specialty roadmap/requirements?

[njfuturedds]

Hey everyone, current D2. I intended to specialize, but like many people, after a soul crushing first year I don't really know if I'm built for it. I didn't get involved in anything first year and I feel pretty behind in comparison to the rest of my classmates because I feel like I'm just struggling to get by. I also go to a program where a large majority of students specialize. I'm not even sure if I want to specialize anymore, but I was told by some mentors that I should at least try to set my resume up so that the door is still open in the future. I know every residency is different in what they look for, but I would appreciate if anyone could share their knowledge for what they know of different specialty requirements, ie leadership, volunteering, research (all general stuff), but especially other required standardized exams, application timelines, general layout of the 4 years if planning on going for that specialty. I was also wondering what people know about applying to residencies after graduating, as I know for example endo programs like to see people with some work experience or GPR/AEGD, and there are also internships for different specialties available after graduation.

I will also add that the specialties I'm generally interested in at the moment are OMFS, Endo, Ortho, maybe Perio. I appreciate any and all information!

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[Ivy.ch]

The roadmap for each speciality is so different, that step one should be hang around the specialities and see which one speaks to you.

If you like pushing yourself, seeing blood, facing challenges, being around emergencies, and you're willing to stomach 4+ years of training, do OMFS. If you like fast-paced action, social relations, and are likable to strangers and children, check out Peds. If you like tinkering with your hands, like long challenges rather than busting out short tasks, and you're the type to sit and concentrate well, check out Endo.

Until you decide which speciality you might like...
1) Get the best grades you can.
2) Get involved with whatever clubs/activities speak to you. It could be a cultural club, it could be a sports team, it could be a dance club. It doesn't need to be dental related. Get leadership roles.
3) Cultivate great relationships with a couple of faculty.

The rest depends on what you want to do. Some specialities have their own admission exams (GRE vs. ADAT vs. CBSE), some require site visits. So until you decide on a speciality, there's not too much to be done.

Specializing for the sake of just doing it is bad mojo - you're setting yourself up for a miserable career. No shame in taking a year or two or three to figure it out after school. I know plenty of people who decided after a GPR or a couple years working in general.

I can only speak specifically about OMFS....
1) Start studying for the CBSE. Most people need 6+ months of studying (I needed 12+). You essentially need to teach yourself the entire first two years of medical school.
2) Hang around academic and practicing surgeons because you'll need LORs from at least 3 of them.
3) Schedule week-long externship visits to various OMFS programs.
4) Join your school's OMFS club. It really helps to know the people 1 and 2 years above you going through the process of applying and interviewing. Plus, there's a good chance they might be interviewing you at a program some day.

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

Hey everyone, current D2. I intended to specialize, but like many people, after a soul crushing first year I don't really know if I'm built for it. I didn't get involved in anything first year and I feel pretty behind in comparison to the rest of my classmates because I feel like I'm just struggling to get by. I also go to a program where a large majority of students specialize. I'm not even sure if I want to specialize anymore, but I was told by some mentors that I should at least try to set my resume up so that the door is still open in the future. I know every residency is different in what they look for, but I would appreciate if anyone could share their knowledge for what they know of different specialty requirements, ie leadership, volunteering, research (all general stuff), but especially other required standardized exams, application timelines, general layout of the 4 years if planning on going for that specialty. I was also wondering what people know about applying to residencies after graduating, as I know for example endo programs like to see people with some work experience or GPR/AEGD, and there are also internships for different specialties available after graduation.

I will also add that the specialties I'm generally interested in at the moment are OMFS, Endo, Ortho, maybe Perio. I appreciate any and all information!

After reading this, it seems you want to specialize for the sake of specializing, not because of a genuine interest. You literally rattled off pretty much every specialty at the end. You need to figure out your motivation in pursuing advanced training and then go from there.

Big Hoss

 

[schmoob]

Hey everyone, current D2. I intended to specialize, but like many people, after a soul crushing first year I don't really know if I'm built for it. I didn't get involved in anything first year and I feel pretty behind in comparison to the rest of my classmates because I feel like I'm just struggling to get by. I also go to a program where a large majority of students specialize. I'm not even sure if I want to specialize anymore, but I was told by some mentors that I should at least try to set my resume up so that the door is still open in the future. I know every residency is different in what they look for, but I would appreciate if anyone could share their knowledge for what they know of different specialty requirements, ie leadership, volunteering, research (all general stuff), but especially other required standardized exams, application timelines, general layout of the 4 years if planning on going for that specialty. I was also wondering what people know about applying to residencies after graduating, as I know for example endo programs like to see people with some work experience or GPR/AEGD, and there are also internships for different specialties available after graduation.

I will also add that the specialties I'm generally interested in at the moment are OMFS, Endo, Ortho, maybe Perio. I appreciate any and all information!

Do your best and keep your options open. But don’t underestimate how successful and how much money one can make as a GP.

 

[njfuturedds]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Very helpful, especially the first comment.

After reading this, it seems you want to specialize for the sake of specializing, not because of a genuine interest. You literally rattled off pretty much every specialty at the end. You need to figure out your motivation in pursuing advanced training and then go from there.

Big Hoss

Thanks for the brutal answer, I definitely understand what you’re saying but I do disagree for a bit. It’s not that I’m not interested in specializing, but that my interests are so broad that I probably could end up doing anything (but peds) and enjoy my work. I know that sounds like GP is a good fit for me, but I don’t believe that makes anything a not so good fit either. Motivation in pursuing advanced training is primarily things like better work-life balance and higher income potential. In my opinion, that’s motivation enough.

I’m definitely interested in hearing your/others’ opinions too though. I personally don’t believe there needs to be an intrinsic passion for specializing, but if you feel differently please feel free to tell me why!

 

[Ivy.ch]

Motivation in pursuing advanced training is primarily things like better work-life balance and higher income potential. In my opinion, that’s motivation enough.

That alone is not going to get you through facial trauma nights and q3 call while you spend 4 years making minimum wage.

 

[njfuturedds]

That alone is not going to get you through facial trauma nights and q3 call while you spend 4 years making minimum wage.

Thanks for the perspective! Maybe this is different per specialty, as a lot of my opinion is molded by a family member who went into peds, where there’s no tuition and a stipend/salary. I know that’s not normally the case so cost:benefit changes.

 

[yappy]

Thanks for the perspective! Maybe this is different per specialty, as a lot of my opinion is molded by a family member who went into peds, where there’s no tuition and a stipend/salary. I know that’s not normally the case so cost:benefit changes.

i think a lot of people specialize for the reasons you listed, even in OMS. You’re likely not going to pursue a career for any one reason (ie passion or money). Just make sure it’s a good fit for you. Shadow multiple specialists and make sure you like their bread and butter procedures. Residency is only 2-4 years at a minimum, career may be the rest of your working years.

 

[music314]

These may help you (or not lol):