UCLA Pass/Fail Grading - Specializing

[w4nt2baDDS]

UCLA is known for their very high specializing rates but I am wondering if that only pertains to civilian programs. I'm highly considering going to UCLA SOD and am currently in the process of applying for a 4 year Army HPSP. I am considering giving OMFS a shot if my interest is still strong after the first two years of dental school and I also believe if I study hard enough I could do decent on the newer NBME CBSE test that has been required ever since the dental boards/NBDE tests also went Pass/Fail.

Will not having grades hurt me? Or if I do decent to well on the NBME and it's coupled with a strong program like UCLA will I be viewed more competitive?

I know the military specialties can differ from civilian specialty programs in regards to an applicant's commitment to the military through the completion of a military AEGD program and the number of deployments they have completed. If two applicants had all other factors the same:

Both:
1 year AEGD
1 Deployment
75 (same competitive score, 75 is just an arbitrary number) on the NBME CBSE
Same LORs from military personnel
Same level of charisma / ideal character qualities (of course I'm just being hypothetical here)
Same DAT Score (if this is even a metric the military uses for specialties)
Same Undergrad GPA (if this is even a metric the military uses for specialties)

BUT:
1 has a 3.5GPA from a decent/good dental school

while the other

1 has no GPA and graduated from UCLA


Who has the leg up??

I know their isn't necessarily a definitive answer to this question but I want to get a feel for what the general consensus is out there. I'm not trying to stir up an argument either, just curious what you all think.

appreciate the feed back!

also, I'm looking at this from a pre-dental perspective so let me know if there are other aspects I need/should be considering!

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[nanilla]

Just sent you a pm, in short no you will not have any problem with a pass/fail program

 

[w4nt2baDDS]

Thanks for the pm nanilla, it really affirms my decision to go UCLA.

 

[CougarDental]

I'm a 4th year at UCLA with the HPSP scholarship so I have some input for you. I have a good friend who graduated last year and did well on the NBME and did well in classes (Honors) and was just an overall solid applicant and he was accepted for an OMFS residency in the Army straight out of school. For OMFS in particular where you have a scored exam to help your case, I think the P/NP grading system becomes a non-issue. I'm applying for the 2 year AEGD now and honestly for the other specialties I'm inclined to say that it does hurt you a little bit. There are lots of reasons that UCLA is able to match many people to the residency of their choice and not all of them apply to the Army IMO. Ultimately, I would just go to the school you want to go to based on location and how you feel about the program in general without worrying too much about it. If you're a good applicant, then you should have a shot from any school regardless of the grading system. I'm happy to discuss over the phone so PM me if you're interested in chatting about it.

 

[w4nt2baDDS]

I'm a 4th year at UCLA with the HPSP scholarship so I have some input for you. I have a good friend who graduated last year and did well on the NBME and did well in classes (Honors) and was just an overall solid applicant and he was accepted for an OMFS residency in the Army straight out of school. For OMFS in particular where you have a scored exam to help your case, I think the P/NP grading system becomes a non-issue. I'm applying for the 2 year AEGD now and honestly for the other specialties I'm inclined to say that it does hurt you a little bit. There are lots of reasons that UCLA is able to match many people to the residency of their choice and not all of them apply to the Army IMO. Ultimately, I would just go to the school you want to go to based on location and how you feel about the program in general without worrying too much about it. If you're a good applicant, then you should have a shot from any school regardless of the grading system. I'm happy to discuss over the phone so PM me if you're interested in chatting about it.

Wow, this is the type of insight I was hoping to get. Hearing from UCLA HPSP students currently going through the whole process really changes it from speculation to matter of fact. Thanks for the info, it definitely lets me see the whole picture better!

Good luck with the 2 year AEGD, I hope you get it!

 

[KillaCam]

Im not sure about that Nanilla guy, I mean he went to UCLA so there's not much trust in his decision making right off the bat. You should have seen his patient's dentures. Lets just say it was a good thing his chair was next to The Legend (as they say in Dallas) to help lend a hand or items that were never returned.

 

[nanilla]

This thread should be honored to be graced by the man the myth the legend that is killacam. I heard he once ran three OR's all by himself... as an extern... now he's a lowly med student