what did you do to match into a residency?

[PreDental88]

Hey,

I will be matriculating into dental school this Fall and was hoping to hear your success stories on what you did to get to where you are now. I recognize there is no "cookie cutter" strategy on getting matched into a residency, but was wondering what ECs you guys enjoyed, what networks were important to establish, and how you guys ranked in your class (if you don't mind me asking).

I'm not set on a particular specialty, but am very interested and open-minded to learn more about all of them. What experiences inspired you to choose said residency?

Thanks in advanced!

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[Regmata]

It is kind of common sense...do your best academically, do well on the boards, get as involved in EC's as you can and show interest in the specialty that you want. The earlier you start the better. As you learn more about a given specialty, you will learn how to better yourself as an applicant.

For now, concentrate on doing well the first year. Your D1 gpa will largely determine your class rank when you apply.

 

[amalgamator42]

Do research with someone in the specialty dept you are interested in. They tell you you can do research with anyone and it will look good....this is a lie. You need to make connections and get to know people in the dept. Remember they will write letters of rec. for you. That being said, work your butt off and make a good impression.

Shadow some private prac. specialists so you know what it's really like.

Study hard and get an A on every quiz, test, assignment. You are lucky because you still have your class rank in your control. (if you school ranks) Persevere because someone else will work harder than you.

Study even harder for national boards part 1. (are they pass/fail yet? if they are pass/fail when you will take them forget it)

Work you butt off to keep the window open, because it is extremely competitive.

 

[drgoro]

If you have no love for general dentistry to begin with, do something else.

 

[PreDental88]

Do research with someone in the specialty dept you are interested in. They tell you you can do research with anyone and it will look good....this is a lie. You need to make connections and get to know people in the dept. Remember they will write letters of rec. for you. That being said, work your butt off and make a good impression.

Shadow some private prac. specialists so you know what it's really like.

Study hard and get an A on every quiz, test, assignment. You are lucky because you still have your class rank in your control. (if you school ranks) Persevere because someone else will work harder than you.

Study even harder for national boards part 1. (are they pass/fail yet? if they are pass/fail when you will take them forget it)

Work you butt off to keep the window open, because it is extremely competitive.

Thank you for all the responses. I will be attending UCSF this Fall, which is on a P/F evaluation system, and by the time I take my boards, they will be P/F. I know I put this dilemma on myself, but wasn't sure what other options I had. Is networking and doing research with the department my best bet?