undergrad record & specializing

[mg777]

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For those of you who have or who are applying to a speciality program or GPR, how much emphasis do they place on your undergraduate record? How relevant are these grades with respect to your grades in dental school and the national boards?

 

[texas_dds]

For those of you who have or who are applying to a speciality program or GPR, how much emphasis do they place on your undergraduate record? How relevant are these grades with respect to your grades in dental school and the national boards?

i was asked for undergrad transcripts but was never asked anything during interviews - and i had a couple ugly grades early in undergrad. not a word about it. i think the only specialty that cares very much is OMS from what i hear. (i applied to ortho)

 

[txdent2be2007]

Hey texasdds -- I'm getting excited about your big news on Dec. 6th! I can't wait to hear how it turns out!

What makes you say OMS looks more carefully at bad undergrad grades? I've heard this from some of the new residents here, but they won't say what is bad -- I figure, I got into dental school, right?

I would be really bummed if my chances for OMS were due to my screwing off in undergrad! 🙁

I hope to hear the big news next week...I know you're excited!

 

[River13]

Hey texasdds -- I'm getting excited about your big news on Dec. 6th! I can't wait to hear how it turns out!

What makes you say OMS looks more carefully at bad undergrad grades? I've heard this from some of the new residents here, but they won't say what is bad -- I figure, I got into dental school, right?

I would be really bummed if my chances for OMS were due to my screwing off in undergrad! 🙁

I hope to hear the big news next week...I know you're excited!

There are only a handfull of OMS residencies that care, and most are 6 year ones. The reason is that at most of those programs, the respective med school may have some say in whether or not the applicant gets in. A classmate of mine for example was denied an interview at Emory because his undergrad gpa was below a 3.5. It is really the exception and not the rule even for most OMFS residencies, so don't sweat it.

 

[txdent2be2007]

I'm hearing similar things from the residents and faculty here in S.A., i.e., you should be fine for a four-year program and may be kept out of only the most "elite" 6-year programs. Even as I read the threads on the best OMS programs, at this point I'd be happy to get into any accredited program!

River13, what has been your experience with students who apply with a significantly higher dental GPA compared to their undergrad GPA? Is the 6-year program impossible if my science GPA is low? (really low!)

 

[Jediwendell]

I had a 2.8 undergrad GPA and got interviews almost everywhere I applied for OMS. I only applied to 6 year programs. I had a couple of places get on my case a little about a 2.8, but the bottom line was that I got an interview and therefore the medical school was willing to take me. If you do well enough on part 1 and have good grades, you won't have an issue. That was in 2001. I got interviews at about 50% of the orthodontic programs I applied to this year. I don't think undergrad grades mean diddly poop except maybe at harvard.

 

[River13]

I'm hearing similar things from the residents and faculty here in S.A., i.e., you should be fine for a four-year program and may be kept out of only the most "elite" 6-year programs. Even as I read the threads on the best OMS programs, at this point I'd be happy to get into any accredited program!

River13, what has been your experience with students who apply with a significantly higher dental GPA compared to their undergrad GPA? Is the 6-year program impossible if my science GPA is low? (really low!)

You'd be fine! There's probably only like 3-5 of the 6 years that would make a big deal out of it...even all the other 6 year residencies wouldn't care. Jedi is right...you may or may not have heard/read about the article in JOMS published by the guys outta Nebraska correllating the part I dental board with pass rate on part I medical board...basically, the higher on dental the better chance you'll pass medical on your first try...many programs brought this up on my interviews last year...90 is a minimum for virtually all 6 year residencies, and ideally you want to be as far above the minumum as possible.

 

[txdent2be2007]

I had a 2.8 undergrad GPA and got interviews almost everywhere I applied for OMS. I only applied to 6 year programs. I had a couple of places get on my case a little about a 2.8, but the bottom line was that I got an interview and therefore the medical school was willing to take me. If you do well enough on part 1 and have good grades, you won't have an issue. That was in 2001. I got interviews at about 50% of the orthodontic programs I applied to this year. I don't think undergrad grades mean diddly poop except maybe at harvard.

You'd be fine! There's probably only like 3-5 of the 6 years that would make a big deal out of it...even all the other 6 year residencies wouldn't care. Jedi is right...you may or may not have heard/read about the article in JOMS published by the guys outta Nebraska correllating the part I dental board with pass rate on part I medical board...basically, the higher on dental the better chance you'll pass medical on your first try...many programs brought this up on my interviews last year...90 is a minimum for virtually all 6 year residencies, and ideally you want to be as far above the minumum as possible.

You guys make a nervous DSII feel much better 🙂 . Thanks for the encouragement! River13, I read the article on NBDE I scores compared to USMLE step I scores...interesting stuff. I read another article relating DAT to NBDE I scores also, now that you mention it. Hopefully after this summer I'll be asking you questions about what type of questions to expect during interviews! NBDE here I come -- it's going to be a long summer .