University of Oklahoma OMS

[OMSDMDWannabe]

Hey everyone, this is my first post on this website, but I've been a long time lurker. Anyways, I'm applying to OMS programs for 2013. I was talking to a buddy of mine whos at a program on the east coast and asked him what programs I should apply to and which ones were the best. He told me the typical answers like parkland, alabama, etc. but then he said that he thought that Oklahoma has the best program in the country. I started asking around and I've gotten very positive feedback but I can't find anyone whos actually been there (as a resident/intern/extern), its all been people saying that they heard that its probably the best undercover program out there.

So heres my question: Is Oklahoma the best OMS program in the country? I'd like to hear from someone whos been there or knows someone whos been there. I think its too late in the application cycle to do an externship so please help!!

Thanks everyone

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[Profeshnul]

oh dear ....

 

[OMSDMDWannabe]

oh dear ....

Whats wrong? Isnt it ok to ask for opinions on this website?

 

[GTFOOMICT]

Hey everyone, this is my first post on this website, but I've been a long time lurker. Anyways, I'm applying to OMS programs for 2013. I was talking to a buddy of mine whos at a program on the east coast and asked him what programs I should apply to and which ones were the best. He told me the typical answers like parkland, alabama, etc. but then he said that he thought that Oklahoma has the best program in the country. I started asking around and I've gotten very positive feedback but I can't find anyone whos actually been there (as a resident/intern/extern), its all been people saying that they heard that its probably the best undercover program out there.

So heres my question: Is Oklahoma the best OMS program in the country? I'd like to hear from someone whos been there or knows someone whos been there. I think its too late in the application cycle to do an externship so please help!!

Thanks everyone

Different programs will be on the top of different people's list. But in GENERAL, the programs with a wider scope are considered 'better'. It's quite easy to see the flaws in this logic but that's the deal.

I hear from many people that Oklahoma really is a great program. It's not to late to extern and let everyone know how it goes. But it's fairly well understood it's a great place to learn.

Rumors are that Parkland still is the best though. Just what I've heard.

 

[Michael Scarn]

Different programs will be on the top of different people's list. But in GENERAL, the programs with a wider scope are considered 'better'. It's quite easy to see the flaws in this logic but that's the deal.

I hear from many people that Oklahoma really is a great program. It's not to late to extern and let everyone know how it goes. But it's fairly well understood it's a great place to learn.

Rumors are that Parkland still is the best though. Just what I've heard.

Weird. I've heard the same thing about Parkland. Must be true.

 

[PChemGrad]

the best program, is the one you graduate from.

 

[billythekid]

the best program, is the one you graduate from.

👍 haha. totally true.

 

[OMSDMDWannabe]

the best program, is the one you graduate from.

That's like giving medals to kids just for competing. Your happy you got a medal, but you're not as good as the kid who came in first place. I'm looking for a program that will help me be the kid with the first place medal, so to speak. I'd just like someone to give me an overview of this program if they have some first hand information. Obviously, I'd be grateful to match anywhere, but I think your statement is totally wrong.

 

[Maxmand]

Different programs will be on the top of different people's list. But in GENERAL, the programs with a wider scope are considered 'better'. It's quite easy to see the flaws in this logic but that's the deal.

I hear from many people that Oklahoma really is a great program. It's not to late to extern and let everyone know how it goes. But it's fairly well understood it's a great place to learn.

Rumors are that Parkland still is the best though. Just what I've heard.

Parkland is but a shell of its former glory

 

[UNLV OMS GUNNABE]

Parkland is but a shell of its former glory

Agreed, but their egos are just as strong as ever... They all come from the same cookie cutter. Most frequent quote from any parkland grad I've met... "wanna see my log?"

Wow buddy, 300 mandible fractures, soooo awesome... You are super rad...

 

[The Anhedonia]

Agreed, but their egos are just as strong as ever... They all come from the same cookie cutter. Most frequent quote from any parkland grad I've met... "wanna see my log?"

noo no silly he means what he left in the toilet.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

Parkland is but a shell of its former glory

There is probably truth to this. However what's it say about all of our other programs in the country. If its fallen so far and still so desirable...we have some improvement to do on the bottom end.

 

[OMSCardinal]

"Still so desirable" is a statement of 100% opinion. Not saying it's not a good program but I know a lot of us didn't really see what the big deal was when interviewing there. It was in the bottom third of my rank list. People need to remember what makes a program good to one applicant can be very different than what makes it appealing to the next applicant. You simply can't replace loads of surgical "stick time" and I would never deny that. However, how you get this stick time (hands off attendings vs hands on) and the variation of operations you get it from (OR and Clinic, Orthog/Trauma/Thirds/Implants/Cosmetics, etc) makes in my opinion a well rounded solid program! Best of luck to all applying this year

 

[Michael Scarn]

Anything said about a program is 100% opinion unless it is a log of surgeries etc. I interviewed at all what are generally considered "top" programs in the south. I felt like I could be very happy and extremely well trained at any of these programs.
One of the most important criteria I looked at when considering a program was what the senior residents were like in terms of knowledge base and comfort operating (you kind of need to extern to get a real feeling for this). I felt that parkland was ahead of the pack here. I think this has in part to do with the type of residents they take and also to do with the type of training.
Parkland is extremely well rounded in traditional OMS. It's no secret that it lacks in implant experience but I would put Parkland up against any other program in orthognathics, trauma, cosmetics, and reconstruction.
And again, the biggest thing for me is when I look at my chief residents I am extremely impressed at their level of comfort in all things OMS.

 

[CMistry]

" However, how you get this stick time (hands off attendings vs hands on) and the variation of operations you get it from (OR and Clinic, Orthog/Trauma/Thirds/Implants/Cosmetics, etc) makes in my opinion a well rounded solid program!

I don't want to derail this thread anymore than it is already, but I have to agree with you here 100%. And I think those reasons are why Parkland is such a great program. We are extremely strong in core OMFS (minus implants), but also touch on all the "expanded-scope" aspects (cosmetics/onc/micro/cranio/younameit).

Despite that, the main reason I'm proud to be a resident here are my chiefs. They are absolutely awesome at what they do, and that's the level I want to be at when I finish.

 

[GTFOOMICT]

Not saying it's not a good program but I know a lot of us didn't really see what the big deal was when interviewing there. It was in the bottom third of my rank list.

I believe you are 100% correct. I too walked away thinking 'what's the big deal?' The whole truth opens up once you actually immerse yourself in the program.

Parkland was back in the day the only superstar out there. Today we have quality programs all over. So in fact parkland hasn't fallen relatively far at all, there is finally a peer group to evaluate it against. That shows a lot about the progress at our top notch programs.

Plus 'Parkland' as in Parkland Hospital represents about 1/4-1/3 of our OMS training. Our other sites are what really seal the deal.

And at the end of the day I dont care what anyone thinks. Log books are the foundation for a solid career and they provide that for me.

 

[armorshell]

I do quite enjoy how the Parkland bashing in this thread got it's start from two self-depricating, wildly sarcastic jokes from current Parkland residents.

I don't even think people choose Parkland at this point because it's "the best." I didn't. I picked it because it was a large residency with a ton of stability and variety in terms of faculty, good stick time, solid logs, good variety in terms of procedures and cheap medical school/cost of living.

 

[DaleDoback]

Didn't really see too much Parkland bashing above. Long time lurker here. Earlier post said it best that each program has its strengths and weaknesses and fits each individual a little differently. I didn't like some programs because I felt they were not family friendly. Some programs I didn't like because I thought the residents were cocky. Some programs didn't like me I'm sure because they thought I was cocky. Some cities I didn't like. Parkland may not be the tier above everyone else like I heard it used to be, but it's still a top-tier program in my opinion. Just wasn't what I was looking for in a program. I think one very good indication about a program's status would be to see if those programs matched their top choices. If a program matches their top choices, that usually means quite a few people wanted to go there....unless there's insider trading going on.

To the OP about Oklahoma. I loved Oklahoma when I interviewed and externed there. Like Armorshell said, good stability, good faculty, good stick time, good logs, good cost of living. I thought the group of residents were very laid back and approachable. Is it the best program in the country? Maybe. Is it a top-tier 4-year program? I think definitely. But again, that all depends on what you are looking for in a program. Good luck to all those applying this year.

 

[omfsquirrel]

Parkland is but a shell of its former glory

Apparently MaxMand hasn't been in the parkland OR lately..... The entire scope of our specialty is performed on that campus.

 

[Kundalini]

Oklahoma is a stellar program, no doubt. But keep in mind that several factors must be considered to make sure that a program is the best fit for you.
Most programs meet accreditation standards and minimum requirements. It is what they do over that minimum, that sets them apart. In some programs, it is the clinical experience, whereas in others it is a didactic curriculum. Yet others, may be the personality of the current residents(which is actually a useless parameter, since by the time you pass through a program, there is complete turn over), or may be the personailty of attendings. A big factor is the geographic location of the program as well.
Its hard to say, based on all these variables and even more, which the 'best' program in the country might be.
You must make the best out of whichever program you choose to match into. Dont be influenced by a lot of others' opinions.

Externing helps....