Thoughts on schools for specializing?

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Is it better to attend a school with a desired specialty program or without that program?

  • With Program

  • Without Program


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ifitfitsyourmolars

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There seems to be two trains of thought on types of school to attend if you want to specialize (barring cost), going to schools with your desired specialty program to get shadowing experiences and LORs from faculty and going to schools with no specialty programs so you get all those specific cases and hands-on experience. Just wanted to know what people's thoughts were on this and if anyone can provide any insight on this?
 
With. It's easier for you to get to know the director/big wigs of the program. I'm not saying you just become buddy buddy with them and not have to put in the work, but it's a good foot in the door
 
Program directors definitely care what dental school you attended. Some schools consistently have multiple OS, Ortho, Pedo acceptances per class and some can barely get their #1 ranked student into ortho. People who say otherwise are people who went to less selective private schools and want to deny reality. Can you get into to OMFS from NYU? Yes. Is it way more likely to get into OMFS having gone to UConn? Certainly.
 
I'd say with. It's much easier to network and establish research with leaders of their respective fields.
 
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