Undergraduate transcripts for OMFS?

[ziptree]

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I'm only a D1 right now, so I suppose it's a tad early to start worrying, but I like to get a handle on things before it's too late.

I had a question about applying to OMFS. Schools want a copy of the undergraduate transcript, but how much does it really matter? I'm concerened because my last year of college, I took some classes that were way too tough and demanded more time than I had and thus, I did poorly.

I called UCLA OMFS and they said that the undergraduate transcript is weighed a little more heavily with the medical school rather than the dental school, but I don't know if that will stop me from getting in.

Anyone have any experience applying to OMFS that can help me with this question?

 

[tjb]

I'm only a D1 right now, so I suppose it's a tad early to start worrying, but I like to get a handle on things before it's too late.

I had a question about applying to OMFS. Schools want a copy of the undergraduate transcript, but how much does it really matter? I'm concerened because my last year of college, I took some classes that were way too tough and demanded more time than I had and thus, I did poorly.

I called UCLA OMFS and they said that the undergraduate transcript is weighed a little more heavily with the medical school rather than the dental school, but I don't know if that will stop me from getting in.

Anyone have any experience applying to OMFS that can help me with this question?

If your dental school record is solid, it really doesn't make a difference, trust me. Board scores are key.

tjb

 

[toofache32]

In general, it doesn't matter, but I think it depends on the school. My undergrad records SUCKED but I still matched in a 6-year program. I didn't get interviews to some places that I thought I would, and it was probably due to my undergrad grades, even though I was able to rock my dental grades & boards.

 

[Rezdawg]

Sweet!! My undergrad record is going to haunt me forever.

 

[toofache32]

Sweet!! My undergrad record is going to haunt me forever.

If those are your undergrad numbers in your signature...mine were lower. Now that I think about it...how did I even get into dental school?

 

[uicd2]

I agree, it probably won't matter too much, but at some (a few) programs it WILL!

You're only a D1 and you're already calling admissions people at OMFS? Slow down, and don't become a burnout like me...

In general, it doesn't matter, but I think it depends on the school. My undergrad records SUCKED but I still matched in a 6-year program. I didn't get interviews to some places that I thought I would, and it was probably due to my undergrad grades, even though I was able to rock my dental grades & boards.

 

[1-16-17-32]

I'm only a D1 right now, so I suppose it's a tad early to start worrying, but I like to get a handle on things before it's too late.

I had a question about applying to OMFS. Schools want a copy of the undergraduate transcript, but how much does it really matter? I'm concerened because my last year of college, I took some classes that were way too tough and demanded more time than I had and thus, I did poorly.

I called UCLA OMFS and they said that the undergraduate transcript is weighed a little more heavily with the medical school rather than the dental school, but I don't know if that will stop me from getting in.

Anyone have any experience applying to OMFS that can help me with this question?

In most 6yr programs, the medical school has to accept you into their programs. sometimes there is a separeate interview, sometimes there is not. but they do look at your undergrad grades to make that determination. Also, programs want to see that you were always a hard worker, not just that you worked hard the past 3-4 years. If they had a choice between 2 applicants that were simmilar in every regard, but one had a much higher GPA in college, which do you think they would choose?

 

[Brutus0725]

Is there a difference and making a 90 on your boards rather than a 95? Is it that big of a deal to get into a good program. And what is a realistic GPA. I am not a 4.0 dental student, more like a 3.4.

 

[tjb]

Is there a difference and making a 90 on your boards rather than a 95? Is it that big of a deal to get into a good program. And what is a realistic GPA. I am not a 4.0 dental student, more like a 3.4.

I think a 90 vs 95 on boards is a big difference in terms of 6 year programs. The med schools use it to predict performance on the USMLE. There is a study out there on this. Rank is also more important than GPA.

tjb

 

[toofache32]

GPA means absolutely nothing, even though some programs do lean on it a little. You can't compare a 3.80 at one school with a 3.80 at another. For instance, my school didn't give any A's in several of our courses over the 4 years. My GPA was only 3.5, but there were only 5 out of 83 people in my class who could do better. Our #1 guy only had a 3.78 and there was no such thing as a 4.0. Percentile class rank and board scores are the only way to accurately compare between schools (in my opinion).

 

[1-16-17-32]

I think a 90 vs 95 on boards is a big difference in terms of 6 year programs. The med schools use it to predict performance on the USMLE. There is a study out there on this. Rank is also more important than GPA.

tjb

The difference between 90 and 95 is huge. At some schools that I interviewd at, the average board score of the group of students interviewing was 95. I would thinkg that means that there probably wasn't anyone below a 92.

Also, the way the boards are scaled, a 90-92 score puts you at the top 20.9 to 8.8 percentile, while a 93-95 score puts you at the top 8.8 to 2.9 percentile.

Put another way, 20.9% score a 90 or better, while only 2.9% score better than a 95.