Tufts P/F or Ranked?

[MentalDental13]

Does anyone know if Tufts is pass/fail or ranked?

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[mmc12]

It was ranked when I graduated a few years ago. An “A” was a 96 and above and an “A-“ was like a 91-95.

 

[artist2022]

@averageasian

 

[753698]

It was ranked when I graduated a few years ago. An “A” was a 96 and above and an “A-“ was like a 91-95.

Does that mean there is no A+?

And how difficult would you say getting an A(96+) was. It seems like a really low margin of error right? You can only miss 4%.

 

[mmc12]

Certain classes are curved so you could miss more than 4% and still get an A. However, it’s still a lot of work. If you’re looking to specialize (especially in ortho) I would not recommend Tufts. Our GPAs tend to be deflated when compared to other schools due to this grading system and competition is pretty cutthrought. Our of around 180 in our class, only like 3 specialized in ortho.

 

[753698]

Certain classes are curved so you could miss more than 4% and still get an A. However, it’s still a lot of work. If you’re looking to specialize (especially in ortho) I would not recommend Tufts. Our GPAs tend to be deflated when compared to other schools due to this grading system and competition is pretty cutthrought. Our of around 180 in our class, only like 3 specialized in ortho.

Ohh I see. Not really interested in ortho but good to know nonetheless. Thanks.

 

[averageasian]

Current student. Tufts is graded with +\- and ranks 1-200+. Good luck.

 

[BluntForceTrauma]

Current student. Tufts is graded with +\- and ranks 1-200+. Good luck.

Also no curve. So no GPA inflation at all.

 

[753698]

Also no curve. So no GPA inflation at all.

Does GPA matter in dental school or is it more about class rank? Obviously GPA determines rank but does the actual GPA number matter in terms of specializing?

For example, even if a school has grade deflation, that shouldn’t matter in terms of specializing because you are being ranked against other students in the same class so everyone’s grades are being “deflated”. So you could graduate with a 3.2 and still be ranked top 5 theoretically. Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[artist2022]

Does GPA matter in dental school or is it more about class rank? Obviously GPA determines rank but does the actual GPA number matter in terms of specializing?

For example, even if a school has grade deflation, that shouldn’t matter in terms of specializing because you are being ranked against other students in the same class so everyone’s grades are being “deflated”. So you could graduate with a 3.2 and still be ranked top 5 theoretically. Am I understanding this correctly?

Calm down and focus on getting into dental school first. You've been told this numerous times. There's no reason to be overthinking things- what if you get into a P/F school? Just focus on studying for the DAT and graduating a year early if you're so eager.

 

[753698]

Calm down and focus on getting into dental school first. You've been told this numerous times. There's no reason to be overthinking things- what if you get into a P/F school? Just focus on studying for the DAT and graduating a year early if you're so eager.

If I were to graduate early then I would have to apply this cycle for dental school right? I’ve read it’s really competitive for students to get in early, that even with a 4.0 and 25 you might not get in. Even if I were to take the DAT earlier and crush it, would it even be worth applying or will it just be an automatic rejection from most schools?

 

[BluntForceTrauma]

Does GPA matter in dental school or is it more about class rank? Obviously GPA determines rank but does the actual GPA number matter in terms of specializing?

For example, even if a school has grade deflation, that shouldn’t matter in terms of specializing because you are being ranked against other students in the same class so everyone’s grades are being “deflated”. So you could graduate with a 3.2 and still be ranked top 5 theoretically. Am I understanding this correctly?

Yes?

Honestly, at the end of the day almost 100% of the advice on all these forums is anecdotal at best since the VAST majority of individuals here have never served on admissions boards for D-School nor as graduate program directors. These people are the only ones who could actually speak to the questions above. Even those who have successfully applied to such programs can't say with a surety what is or is not the process at X program, though they admittedly have a better understanding.

The moral of the story: I, nor any other dental students, and certainly not any predental students hold the mystical answer to "how can I for sure specialize in the speciality of my choosing while saving the most money in dental school and paying back my loans in 2 years while living in a saturated urban area and having a wife, 3 kids, a dog, a cat, and a pet rooster?"

The overwhelming advice from graduates in all walks of dentistry is this: go to the cheapest school possible. Work your bloody rear off. Be a normal human being. Apply to specialties and see where the chips fall. GPA aside, class rank aside, enjoy the experience and live right now, right now.

And enjoy the pet rooster.