What's the point of going to an ivy/expensive D-School?

[visbimmer79]

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I want to go to a "big named school" because it opens many doors. While there are probably many exceptions, I feel this is, for the most part, an accurate generalization that.

Firstly, there are the connections I would be able to make. I am a strong believer in the saying "you are the 5 people that are closest to you." I always feel the influence of those around me, and likewise always try to better those around me. I feel that big name schools attract, for the most part, the cream of the crop. I want to be influenced for the better by these students as they would be by me. The quality of ideas, the ambition and the minds that will surround me at such an institution will change me and I am willing to pay for that. Furthermore, the student body at a University is a very active organization and one that often goes under appreciated. For the most part, ivy leagues attract over achievers, better guest speakers, more prominent people in society, ones who are involved, outgoing and ready to make a difference in our collective situation. I view my attendance of such an institution as me being apart of the movement as opposed to the coattails of someone else's.

Also, I feel the quality of education is better in terms of what type of research happens at these schools. The bigger names got their names by being at the forefront of their fields. The novel research and innovation that comes from these schools is the type of atmosphere I want to have my education in. I don't want to be restricted to doing one project in my four years because noone is willing to give me a research grant. I want that opportunity that comes with the name.

Finally, hate me for it if you must, I want the respect and authority that comes with saying "I want to so and so school." What is another $20k a year if you can wake up each morning knowing you had the best education money can buy, took every opportunity possible, and am damn proud of your community. Sure, there are many other ways to be proud, like doing good onto people and being respected as a healthcare provider, but not everyone will see how good your hand skills are. The reality is, many will not even sit in your chair, but instead will know you and where you went to school.

I would be ecstatic to accept an offer of admission from a big name school.

Wow~ you can say that again!

But, I think tuition & location seem to beat it!

 

[Contach]

I see you didn't understand what I said. Unfortunately there is difference.

Put your ego in it and it just becomes a deadlock where intelligence and reasoning disappear and me vs you and me winning at all costs appears.

get it?

but it's not like the ideas are not getting out there.. the fact is: they are and everyone can see them, both sides too. Whether they are presented because i'm pissed off or not is irrelevant, and us posting on a very non-imposing medium like a forum board makes the tone even less important.

no1 is going to reason or make your decision for you, and i dont think you should be taking the judgment of others to make up your mind. But instead, people can extract the ideas, the views, take them for what they want, and make their own choice.. and that is an engaging and inspiring discussion. If we were making a decision that we have to all agree on, then yeah, i would be worried too.

 

[dentstd]

You can expend variable amounts of effort on classes in a graded system as well, as long as you pass the class. We have a saying at Pacific that goes like this: UCSF is P/F for everyone, Pacific is P/F for everyone who isn't planning on specializing. Best of both worlds.

Difference is...I don't want a 76 on my transcript. Having a "p" in an ethics course looks much better than a 76, because the number grade implies certain things.

 

[visbimmer79]

Let me know about this, PLEASE!

P/ F grading system

True / False

1. P/F grading system means competition within class is less fierce, and it will promote collaboration among dental students.

2. Grading system doens't matter for those who want to pursue GP

3. It will hurt those who wish to puruse specialty programs.

 

[MissionDental]

Difference is...I don't want a 76 on my transcript. Having a "p" in an ethics course looks much better than a 76, because the number grade implies certain things.

Just curious, but do you mind sharing which dental school you attend? Thx.

 

[armorshell]

Difference is...I don't want a 76 on my transcript. Having a "p" in an ethics course looks much better than a 76, because the number grade implies certain things.

Looks better to who?

 

[armorshell]

Let me know about this, PLEASE!

P/ F grading system

True / False

1. P/F grading system means competition within class is less fierce, and it will promote collaboration among dental students.

2. Grading system doens't matter for those who want to pursue GP

3. It will hurt those who wish to puruse specialty programs.

None of these can be answered by a simple T/F, and all of them are subjective and based primarily on opinion. I would happily tell you what I think the answers to these are, but I bet you can find someone who'll say the exact opposite.

 

[visbimmer79]

None of these can be answered by a simple T/F, and all of them are subjective and based primarily on opinion. I would happily tell you what I think the answers to these are, but I bet you can find someone who'll say the exact opposite.

If it's not out of scope in this thread, I want to ask your thinking!

I will just start from there.

Actually, there are at least two dental students here, so I think it's good chance to know more about it.

The above three sentences are about what I am thinking now based on SDN forums & interviews.

 

[armorshell]

If it's not out of scope in this thread, I want to ask your thinking!

I will just start from there.

Actually, there are at least two dental students here, so I think it's good chance to know more about it.

The above three sentences are about what I am thinking now based on SDN forums & interviews.

1. P/F grading system means competition within class is less fierce, and it will promote collaboration among dental students.
My experience in dental school is that a grading/ranking system hasn't made for a highly competitive class. I'd characterize the top 10 within our class as competitive in terms of difficulty, but it's a very collaborative atmosphere, devoid of "secret gunners," sabotage and the like.

2. Grading system doens't matter for those who want to pursue GP
I believe this to be more or less true, and falls in line with the attitude of 90% of my classmates.

3. It will hurt those who wish to puruse specialty programs.

I disagree with this. Achieving a high rank show's that your abilities are well rounded, that you have drive and determination to succeed in the long-term. It also amazes me that so many high-caliber students worry that they won't be able to maintain a high rank.

 

[visbimmer79]

2. Grading system doens't matter for those who want to pursue GP
I believe this to be more or less true, and falls in line with the attitude of 90% of my classmates.

---> What about GPR program? If you want to be at your desired GPR programs, it sounds there is no difference than if you want to be at your deisred specialty program.

3. It will hurt those who wish to puruse specialty programs.

I disagree with this. Achieving a high rank show's that your abilities are well rounded, that you have drive and determination to succeed in the long-term. It also amazes me that so many high-caliber students worry that they won't be able to maintain a high rank.
---> I heard top 5~10 students are normally accepted to specialty programs. Is it true? No exception? Strict? What about those dental students in P/F grading system?

Thanks for sharing your thinking. Let me go over #2 & #3 again.

Please refer to the above quote.

Feels I have to go over it again at least one more time. Anybody?

 

[armorshell]

Thanks for sharing your thinking. Let me go over #2 & #3 again.

Please refer to the above quote.

Feels I have to go over it again at least one more time. Anybody?

The rigor for acceptance into general dentistry residencies is much less than say OMFS, Endo or Ortho.

The "top 10% rule" is more of a guideline than anything. It's like saying "20+ on the DAT is competitive." Lots of people get in with lower scores, it's just a general trend.

 

[visbimmer79]

The rigor for acceptance into general dentistry residencies is much less than say OMFS, Endo or Ortho.

The "top 10% rule" is more of a guideline than anything. It's like saying "20+ on the DAT is competitive." Lots of people get in with lower scores, it's just a general trend.

NOW GOT IT! THANKS!

But,

MY last question is..

How do ADCOM compare one with letter grade and the other with P/F grade? Actually, sounds like one in the P/F grading system has advantage over the other guy with non straight A, if I exaggerate..

 

[dentstd]

Looks better to who?

To me. I don't want a 76 on my transcript.

 

[armorshell]

To me. I don't want a 76 on my transcript.

So you're okay with getting a 76 as long as it shows up as a "P" on your transcript? That doesn't really make any sense.

 

[glk2101]

So you're okay with getting a 76 as long as it shows up as a "P" on your transcript? That doesn't really make any sense.

if you happened to do badly in a class why would you want a low number if you can get a pass..

 

[harrygt]

NOW GOT IT! THANKS!

But,

MY last question is..

How do ADCOM compare one with letter grade and the other with P/F grade? Actually, sounds like one in the P/F grading system has advantage over the other guy with non straight A, if I exaggerate..

Are you guys considering the fact that the dean still keeps track of the ranking of the class in the P/F system? That's what they told us on the Columbia interview.

 

[armorshell]

if you happened to do badly in a class why would you want a low number if you can get a pass..

It's still a 76. You know what grades you got on the tests, you know what your final percentage was. In this case, being happy because you got a "P" is no different than not looking up your test scores or looking at your report card.

 

[visbimmer79]

It's still a 76. You know what grades you got on the tests, you know what your final percentage was. In this case, being happy because you got a "P" is no different than not looking up your test scores or looking at your report card.

Extra three questions~

1. Even though it's P/F system, I heard that D-schools will have your a)percentage, b)ranking, & c)scores on your transcripts. Is it true? (a,b & c)

2. If I remember my observation during one of my interviews, I saw majority of D-students at that school get over B in one exam. Can it reflect a) their overall academic environment, b) general academic atmosphere at all D-schools? (I can guess there may exist difference in the harshness of grading)

3. Just curious! You don't have to answer this. Is it really difficult to get over 90 scores in multiple quiz? How come? Do they ask what is not covered in class, too? Maybe, they ask so many tricky questions? I believe dental school deals with the factual things instead of thought provoking questions. Plz share your experience, and let me know. However, I can imagine how difficult bio (or biomedicine) questions can be without thought provoking questions.

 

[DCRedskinsRule]

just thought I would throw this out there...

My school has a grading/ranking where each individual grade is taken to three decimal places...so a 94.5 is different from a 94.6 and that's actually how the grades are recorded transcript. The three decimal places come into effect when looking at the overall GPA.

But despite that ridiculous grading system, we still have a VERY collaborative environment here at the school and a really great atmosphere with the professors as well.

And yes, I go to a cheap state school, but that does NOT mean that we aren't on the forefront for cutting edge research and academic training. Many prof's are doing stem-cell research and we're right in the middle of the largest medical center in the world (and basically share a wall with the MD Anderson Cancer Research Facility), so a lot of our faculty participates in research.

So basically, the reason I'm wasting everyone's time with this post is just to keep in mind that name/status does NOT necessarily imply quality. Harvard vs. Houston may sound better to you on your application and a P look better to you than a 76, but there's gotta be a lot of things to consider when really choosing a good program for yourself.

 

[DRHOYA]

just thought I would throw this out there...

My school has a grading/ranking where each individual grade is taken to three decimal places...so a 94.5 is different from a 94.6 and that's actually how the grades are recorded transcript. The three decimal places come into effect when looking at the overall GPA.

But despite that ridiculous grading system, we still have a VERY collaborative environment here at the school and a really great atmosphere with the professors as well.

And yes, I go to a cheap state school, but that does NOT mean that we aren't on the forefront for cutting edge research and academic training. Many prof's are doing stem-cell research and we're right in the middle of the largest medical center in the world (and basically share a wall with the MD Anderson Cancer Research Facility), so a lot of our faculty participates in research.

So basically, the reason I'm wasting everyone's time with this post is just to keep in mind that name/status does NOT necessarily imply quality. Harvard vs. Houston may sound better to you on your application and a P look better to you than a 76, but there's gotta be a lot of things to consider when really choosing a good program for yourself.

Well said.

 

[visbimmer79]

Are you guys considering the fact that the dean still keeps track of the ranking of the class in the P/F system? That's what they told us on the Columbia interview.

HarryGT? You think you can beat me if I race with you? My ride is NA+SUPERcharged! Just kidding!

I remember that, too!

Let me ask if you remember they had told us that ranking is also appeared on the transcript.

 

[DRHOYA]

HarryGT? You think you can beat me if I race with you? My ride is NA+SUPERcharged! Just kidding!

I remember that, too!

Let me ask if you remember they had told us that ranking is also appeared on the transcript.

I hope you're kidding.

 

[armorshell]

My school has a grading/ranking where each individual grade is taken to three decimal places...so a 94.5 is different from a 94.6 and that's actually how the grades are recorded transcript. The three decimal places come into effect when looking at the overall GPA.

Let me revise my position. If you have the chance to go to a P/F school vs. that grading system, I'd go with the P/F school.

Here it's straight A/B/C no +/-, rank calculated off of GPA.

 

[DCRedskinsRule]

Let me revise my position. If you have the chance to go to a P/F school vs. that grading system, I'd go with the P/F school.

Here it's straight A/B/C no +/-, rank calculated off of GPA.

I 100% agree...I feel like an idiot because I knew that individual grades counted at my school and that rank was based off of them...but I ASSUMED it was an A/B/C etc...at worst maybe a +/- system like undergrad. I would have never in a million years thought that there would be a situation where people in the class are upset about a 98 vs a 100....reminds me of my crazy high school lol

 

[dentstd]

Bottomline is, the grading system affects how you prepare for an exam. There may be minute differences in those grading systems, but you play the game as you see fit. On an A/B/C system, it may be better to get 2 90's than a 95 and a 85, because the first is a 4.0 while the 2nd is a 3.5 (assuming the same credit hours). On a p/f system, you do whatever you want as long as you pass everything.

 

[misstoothfairy]

I didn't read anyone's post but this is how I see it. Lots of people choose school based on opportunity to specialize. If you wanna specialize, go to a school you can get high marks, less competition, you'll be at the top of your class. It's more competitive at ivy leagues. Ask yourself another question. When you went to your dentist, did you ask him/her where he went to school before deciding to hop in that chair.

 

[visbimmer79]

Bottomline is, the grading system affects how you prepare for an exam. There may be minute differences in those grading systems, but you play the game as you see fit. On an A/B/C system, it may be better to get 2 90's than a 95 and a 85, because the first is a 4.0 while the 2nd is a 3.5 (assuming the same credit hours). On a p/f system, you do whatever you want as long as you pass everything.

but, some schools with P/F grading system indicate the ranking on their transcripts.

First, I really can't figure out how they can rank their students within P/F grading system .
(Based on what?)

And, I have been asking which schools with P/F grading system put their students' ranking on the transcript

 

[cobalt31]

i've only been to two interviews at P/F schools, but they do NOT put your ranking on your transcript. your ranking is never released. and my friends at med schools with P/F don't have rankings either. I have never heard of a P/F school that including class rank on the transcript.

 

[visbimmer79]

i've only been to two interviews at P/F schools, but they do NOT put your ranking on your transcript. your ranking is never released. and my friends at med schools with P/F don't have rankings either. I have never heard of a P/F school that including class rank on the transcript.

SOUNDS LIKE P/F grading system is actually advantage!

Do you agree? A bit more laid-back nature!

 

[RealDeal]

Always remember that dental school is just a start of your dental education. Your education will not end after those four years. All medical professionals are life long students. Fifteen years from your graduation, most of what you have learned in dental school will be obsolete.

 

[armorshell]

SOUNDS LIKE P/F grading system is actually advantage!

Do you agree? A bit more laid-back nature!

It's pretty easy to change your mind isn't it?

 

[visbimmer79]

It's pretty easy to change your mind isn't it?

situation! 😉

 

[UCSF2012]

We have a saying at Pacific that goes like this: UCSF is P/F for everyone, Pacific is P/F for everyone who isn't planning on specializing. Best of both worlds.

We have a saying here at UCSF: When those UoP kids say that, do they not realize they're actually saying that we (at UCSF) have it better?

 

[armorshell]

We have a saying here at UCSF: When those UoP kids say that, do they not realize they're actually saying that we (at UCSF) have it better?

I don't think it really makes a difference. The kids who aren't specializing don't care, and the kids who are get their top 10% rank.

 

[achilles2]

Bottomline is, the grading system affects how you prepare for an exam. There may be minute differences in those grading systems, but you play the game as you see fit. On an A/B/C system, it may be better to get 2 90's than a 95 and a 85, because the first is a 4.0 while the 2nd is a 3.5 (assuming the same credit hours). On a p/f system, you do whatever you want as long as you pass everything.

x2

Competition breeds adaptation, and rank will always remain even if they don't throw it in your face on every test. I'd rather know my standings instead of pretending they don't matter.

If you just want to be a GP then you shouldn't care what your rank or grade is as long as you pass.


Cliffs:

P/F is weak sauce and boring

 

[dentstd]

x2

Competition breeds adaptation, and rank will always remain even if they don't throw it in your face on every test. I'd rather know my standings instead of pretending they don't matter.

If you just want to be a GP then you shouldn't care what your rank or grade is as long as you pass.


Cliffs:

P/F is weak sauce and boring

Until you go to dental school and realize what you learn's not all important. In the easiest example, you go to Columbia and learn about medicine. 80% of what you learn is not important to dentistry. When you're at Columbia memorizing pharmacology, it's easy to complain because pharmacology isn't even taught in dental schools. Having a high class rank implies that you also know more of what's not important. You're better off reading off the Kaplan NBDE text and getting a 90 in class than trying to pull that 90 up to a 95 learning unimportant things. (in philosophy)

P/F allows the strong to strategize and become the strongest.

 

[armorshell]

Until you go to dental school and realize what you learn's not all important. In the easiest example, you go to Columbia and learn about medicine. 80% of what you learn is not important to dentistry. When you're at Columbia memorizing pharmacology, it's easy to complain because pharmacology isn't even taught in dental schools. Having a high class rank implies that you also know more of what's not important. You're better off reading off the Kaplan NBDE text and getting a 90 in class than trying to pull that 90 up to a 95 learning unimportant things. (in philosophy)

P/F allows the strong to strategize and become the strongest.

Does this mean my test on Monday is cancelled?

You can still strategerize and "BECOME THE STRONGEST" under a graded system as well. I posted how the grading system works at UoP above; guess how many classes I've gotten x>90% or x<92% in?

 

[Major Groove]

Some people have that "cream of the crop" bias, but personally I think it's just that, a bias.

Are they "better" or just driven to be in that kind of environment? No offense to them, but there are benefits, that's a certain culture, and it's not for everyone.

Personally I was a big time metalhead in high school, cut my hair only a couple years ago to get a job. In fact I'm listening to Megadeth right now. I am a really nice and caring person, but I like to rock, and I like fast cars, I like hanging out with ordinary folks, etc.

That's not the kind of person who fits in at an Ivy, I'd say. It's not good or bad, it's who I am.

I'm also pretty decent at guitar, I play multiple instruments and have a manual dexterity advantage from all those years of learning Marty Friedman and Randy Rhoads stuff.

I'd probably hate an ivy league environment, and no one I know is that well off financially. We're all middle to lower-mid class. Hard workers, honest people. That's who I respect and get along with.

Some people are more elite, and that's fine. Best of luck to them.

 

[dentstd]

Does this mean my test on Monday is cancelled?

You can still strategerize and "BECOME THE STRONGEST" under a graded system as well. I posted how the grading system works at UoP above; guess how many classes I've gotten x>90% or x<92% in?

No, it means you'll be taking it for a grade, so you'd better get to studying. If it's a topic not of great importance, too bad.

Everyone can strategize. P/F just gives you more wiggle room.

 

[dentstd]

Some people have that "cream of the crop" bias, but personally I think it's just that, a bias.

Are they "better" or just driven to be in that kind of environment? No offense to them, but there are benefits, that's a certain culture, and it's not for everyone.

Personally I was a big time metalhead in high school, cut my hair only a couple years ago to get a job. In fact I'm listening to Megadeth right now. I am a really nice and caring person, but I like to rock, and I like fast cars, I like hanging out with ordinary folks, etc.

That's not the kind of person who fits in at an Ivy, I'd say. It's not good or bad, it's who I am.

I'm also pretty decent at guitar, I play multiple instruments and have a manual dexterity advantage from all those years of learning Marty Friedman and Randy Rhoads stuff.

I'd probably hate an ivy league environment, and no one I know is that well off financially. We're all middle to lower-mid class. Hard workers, honest people. That's who I respect and get along with.

Some people are more elite, and that's fine. Best of luck to them.

There were lots of metalheads at the ivies. And potheads, starving artist-to-be's, etc. We're not the lacross players in polo shirts depicted in TV. There's certainly a stereotype of Ivy Leaguers. Most came from Warner Bros and the like.

 

[armorshell]

No, it means you'll be taking it for a grade, so you'd better get to studying. If it's a topic not of great importance, too bad.

Everyone can strategize. P/F just gives you more wiggle room.

It's pharmacology, which apparently isn't taught in dental school.

 

[dentstd]

It's pharmacology, which apparently isn't taught in dental school.

Not in its full scope, I'm assuming. You're knitpicking details and are overlooking the main point. We share information with the medical curriculum, but we shouldn't go to medical school to learn dentistry. It's just overlearning.

We learn gross anatomy, but only one chapter's any important to us in detail. We only need basics of a few other systems. We learn path, but we can leave out many systems that don't pertain to the oral area. Do you really want to go to a school learn the course of the gonadal artery, when that information isn't on the boards and won't ever come up in practice during the course of your entire career? I don't. For that topic, I'd aim to pass and move on. Get grey hair in another topic.

 

[achilles2]

Until you go to dental school and realize what you learn's not all important. In the easiest example, you go to Columbia and learn about medicine. 80% of what you learn is not important to dentistry. When you're at Columbia memorizing pharmacology, it's easy to complain because pharmacology isn't even taught in dental schools. Having a high class rank implies that you also know more of what's not important. You're better off reading off the Kaplan NBDE text and getting a 90 in class than trying to pull that 90 up to a 95 learning unimportant things. (in philosophy)

P/F allows the strong to strategize and become the strongest.

I disagree, a task is a task is a task...bottom line if two people are given an identical task then the intelligence part of the equation evolves into who can better complete this task. Rinse and repeat for every single class and you end up with a person who found a way to excel beyond those around them. Kinda like flipping a coin, do it 10 times you may not get 50% heads....but flip it 100 million times your going to approach 50% heads vs tails. Take two people (or 100) and give them enough tests eventually a trend will show who can learn and apply more material.

Intelligence to me is the ability to adapt to a situation and if the situation involves a pharmacology test then the more intelligent individual will devise a way to outscore the competition.

At the end of the day competition is competition, I'm bitter I have to learn alot of things in grad school right now but you know what despite all my crying at the end of the day what matters is how I preform compared to everyone else.

The strongest always survives, now the definition of strength is whats up for grabs....like I said stress breeds adaptation those that can adapt will excel why those who can't won't.

Its simple a line is drawn whoever crosses it first wins.



Now onto the debate on how this applies to dentistry. Upon first glance it appears it doesn't, however, what you breed with stress is a mentality, and that mentality of finding a way to compete a task better then the rest of the competition carries over to everything you do. From working out to filling a cavity to placing an implant. Intelligence is the ability to adapt and the field of dentistry is evolving and the game is changing fast. What you do today you may not do 5 years from now and the ability to find a way to do it better then the guy next to you may make or break you down the line. Satisfaction is the death of desire, if you don't want to learn pharmacology thats fine because there are 1000 guys/girls behind you that will. No ones making you choose this route so don't expect pity because you don't want to pay part of the toll.

 

[DrReo]

Furthermore, "all men dream, but not equally "

I disagree, a task is a task is a task...bottom line if two people are given an identical task then the intelligence part of the equation evolves into who can better complete this task. Rinse and repeat for every single class and you end up with a person who found a way to excel beyond those around them. Kinda like flipping a coin, do it 10 times you may not get 50% heads....but flip it 100 million times your going to approach 50% heads vs tails. Take two people (or 100) and give them enough tests eventually a trend will show who can learn and apply more material.

Intelligence to me is the ability to adapt to a situation and if the situation involves a pharmacology test then the more intelligent individual will devise a way to outscore the competition.

At the end of the day competition is competition, I'm bitter I have to learn alot of things in grad school right now but you know what despite all my crying at the end of the day what matters is how I preform compared to everyone else.

The strongest always survives, now the definition of strength is whats up for grabs....like I said stress breeds adaptation those that can adapt will excel why those who can't won't.

Its simple a line is drawn whoever crosses it first wins.

 

[dentstd]

I disagree, a task is a task is a task...bottom line if two people are given an identical task then the intelligence part of the equation evolves into who can better complete this task. Rinse and repeat for every single class and you end up with a person who found a way to excel beyond those around them. Kinda like flipping a coin, do it 10 times you may not get 50% heads....but flip it 100 million times your going to approach 50% heads vs tails. Take two people (or 100) and give them enough tests eventually a trend will show who can learn and apply more material.

Intelligence to me is the ability to adapt to a situation and if the situation involves a pharmacology test then the more intelligent individual will devise a way to outscore the competition.

At the end of the day competition is competition, I'm bitter I have to learn alot of things in grad school right now but you know what despite all my crying at the end of the day what matters is how I preform compared to everyone else.

The strongest always survives, now the definition of strength is whats up for grabs....like I said stress breeds adaptation those that can adapt will excel why those who can't won't.

Its simple a line is drawn whoever crosses it first wins.



Now onto the debate on how this applies to dentistry. Upon first glance it appears it doesn't, however, what you breed with stress is a mentality, and that mentality of finding a way to compete a task better then the rest of the competition carries over to everything you do. From working out to filling a cavity to placing an implant. Intelligence is the ability to adapt and the field of dentistry is evolving and the game is changing fast. What you do today you may not do 5 years from now and the ability to find a way to do it better then the guy next to you may make or break you down the line. Satisfaction is the death of desire, if you don't want to learn pharmacology thats fine because there are 1000 guys/girls behind you that will. No ones making you choose this route so don't expect pity because you don't want to pay part of the toll.

You don't prepare for the World Series by preparing for the World Cup. If your goal's to throw a spiral, why practice throwing a knuckleball? Talented people can overcome obstacles. But can he compete against an equally talented person who knows more about what's being test on?

You can apply whichever study philosophy you want. But while you study pharmacology, someone can be doing embryology. After you're done studying the perineum, thorax, and sciatica, that other person'll be done reviewing the head/neck, dental anatomy, and physio for the 5th time. Again, can you compete against an equally talented person who knows more about what's being test on

The one exception I'd make is if you want OMFS. The reason why you'd want to go to Columbia, Harvard, or UConn is because the first few years of oral surgery training'd be an exact repeat of the first 2 years of "dental school."

 

[armorshell]

The one exception I'd make is if you want OMFS. The reason why you'd want to go to Columbia, Harvard, or UConn is because the first few years of oral surgery training'd be an exact repeat of the first 2 years of "dental school."

The first few years of oral surgery training when you're taking trauma call, shucking thirds and rotating on anesthesia? Or do you mean M3 and M4 when you're on OBGYN and Pediatrics clerkships?

Seems like D1 and D2 at any of those schools would rapidly prepare you for those things 🙄

 

[Bruinlove]

I've always wondered which school this famous dentstd guy goes. Now I have a feeling that he might be a 2nd or 3rd year at Columbia.

 

[dentstd]

The first few years of oral surgery training when you're taking trauma call, shucking thirds and rotating on anesthesia? Or do you mean M3 and M4 when you're on OBGYN and Pediatrics clerkships?

Seems like D1 and D2 at any of those schools would rapidly prepare you for those things 🙄

Whenever they prepare for Step I material. I havn't read up on OMFS programs yet, so I know nothing about the particulars.

And OB/Gyn and peds are during M3 only. M4's clincial electives.

 

[achilles2]

You don't prepare for the World Series by preparing for the World Cup. If your goal's to throw a spiral, why practice throwing a knuckleball? Talented people can overcome obstacles. But can he compete against an equally talented person who knows more about what's being test on?

You can apply whichever study philosophy you want. But while you study pharmacology, someone can be doing embryology. After you're done studying the perineum, thorax, and sciatica, that other person'll be done reviewing the head/neck, dental anatomy, and physio for the 5th time. Again, can you compete against an equally talented person who knows more about what's being test on

The one exception I'd make is if you want OMFS. The reason why you'd want to go to Columbia, Harvard, or UConn is because the first few years of oral surgery training'd be an exact repeat of the first 2 years of "dental school."

your point is valid don't get me wrong, I'm sure some individuals barely passed dental school and have exceptional hands and do exceptional work. I guess my point is more comprehensive ideology in that everything ties into everything ultimately, as well as a competition standpoint, in that a challenge regardless of its merit is still a challenge.

But at the end of the day if you don't want to specialize then why do grades even matter as long as you pass????

IMO at the next level everyone is going to be somewhat equal unless they attended a graduate program in pharmacology, cell biology, biochemistry, etc. So at the end of the day your all taking the same courses, whos going to come out on top comes down to three major factors, 1) effort, 2) intelligence, and 3) ability to preform under pressure. Personally I think all three of those factors are important esp the last one.


I'm not saying you should strive to be a gunner and create the downfall of others but rather learn the material as best as you can and leave it all on the field. Dental school is an important time to develop friendships and make connections and you should help each other out whenever possible. But its always nice to be the one to stick it to one of the gunners 😉

 

[makushin]

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