Will Class Ranking Effect Future Income?

[Darya]

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Hey guys,

I'm a second year student I'm doing just fine in school. My GPA is 3.15 and class ranking is 52 out of 74.

I had a discussion with a friend of mine whose wife is a dentist and he told me as a newbie my ranking will greatly effect the offers I'll get. I'd never thought about that! IS THAT TRUE? 🙁 ... I'm really concerned now. Help please!

Thanks

 

[armorshell]

LOL.


Also, no.

 

[DrJeff]

The "only" way that a lower class ranking may effect your future earning potential is if you want to specialize, where that lower ranking may close a few doors to residency programs.

If you're going to be a GP, then class ranking means absolutely nothing. Heck, 99+% of patients don't even care where you went to dental school, let alone what your class rank was. What matter to a patient, is #1 Did it hurt? #2 Does it look good/funtion fine #3 Did this person treat me nicely. As lame as it sounds, that is what matters most to a majority of patients

 

[Saddleshoes]

I am extremely thankful that class rank has nothing to do with my income as a dentist....

If It did I might be on food stamps.

 

[Tooth]

The "only" way that a lower class ranking may effect your future earning potential is if you want to specialize, where that lower ranking may close a few doors to residency programs.

If you're going to be a GP, then class ranking means absolutely nothing. Heck, 99+% of patients don't even care where you went to dental school, let alone what your class rank was. What matter to a patient, is #1 Did it hurt? #2 Does it look good/funtion fine #3 Did this person treat me nicely. As lame as it sounds, that is what matters most to a majority of patients

I couldnt agree more. This is one of the greatest things about being a dentist. Just be nice, do good work and you get paid nicely.

 

[Darya]

It all makes sence. He was telling me, as an associate, you can't negociate with a low ranking initially!

 

[dentstd]

I see what he was saying. Your friend never said it affected income. He said it affected the offers you get, as in who you get offers from and how many you may get. Some dentists don't want you in their clinic if you suck. Others just want some blue collar to help them make more cash and'll take anyone.

 

[airwolfrocks999]

he told me as a newbie my ranking will greatly effect the offers I'll get. I'd never thought about that! IS THAT TRUE?

No one here can tell you that.

A dental position is like any other; the quality and quantity of other job applicants for the same position will affect the hiring factors.

There were some jobs for which I was denied offers. These were supposedly popular positions and I did not list my gpa and board scores on my resume.

I'm not establishing a causation here but I would get suspicious if those recruiters told me they didn't consider the grades of their applicants.

I don't know how the market is for experienced dentists but I obviously imagine it to be better.

 

[Darya]

So which one do you guys think matters the most? GPA class ranking or National board scores and ranking?

 

[jackbauer!]

So which one do you guys think matters the most? GPA class ranking or National board scores and ranking?

I'm under the assumption that GPA/class ranking and NBDE scores are really only important when applying for a residency (specialty or GPR). I've been told that if you're looking for an associate position and the dentist grills you concerning the stats mentioned above, run away.. quickly.

jb!🙂

 

[rkamsterdam]

What matter to a patient, is #1 Did it hurt? #2 Does it look good/funtion fine #3 Did this person treat me nicely. As lame as it sounds, that is what matters most to a majority of patients

I dont think this sounds lame. I'd hope that my dentist 1. didnt hurt me (unecessarily), 2.provided me with good looking funtional restoration, and 3. treated me nicely. --And wouldnt choose dentists based on class rank even as a somewhat knowledgeable predent.

Are these not good qualities to strive for as a dentist?

 

[Darya]

Thanks for all your inputs.

 

[ss56workhorse]

I've never heard of or encountered any prospective employer inquire about class rank. I'd even venture to suggest an inverse relationship between class rank and income level.

 

[BuckeyMcGee]

Agree with most everything said, if you are business-savy and portray yourself as likeable and do decent work you will be fine. A dentist in preclinic lab recently told me how he did quality work that was near perfection but the guy down the road made about double his income doing average to below average work. Unfortunately most patients can't tell a difference b/w average and outstanding work, clinically acceptable works for them. Some dentists with the most outstanding work in their field fail to make the most money due to their poor business and social skills with an ordinary patient. It is important to find a balance between being the best technical dentist and an easy to talk to, well rounded, and business oriented dentist. I'd say connections are VERY important in dentistry and makes for a large difference in opportunities post-graduation. This goes for most any professional field. Class rank really does mean nothing for the student entering general practice - whatever happened to a couple new graduates getting together and opening or taking over a retired dentist's practice? Sure it can be expensive, but the more people involved, the less expense per person.

 

[Denticized]

The last I heard was if you rank below 20% your salary is automatically reduced to half.

 

[mmasurf]

what would rank have to do with what it takes to being a dentist. patients never ask what school you went to or whats your rank. i think more imporant is your social skills instead of your grades in anatomy and pathology. if your mean and not social no one wants to visit you even if you were the top dentist who graduated from the top school. I would rather visit a cool dentist who is laid back, knows what to do and doesnt think he is god.

 

[Cold Front]

I think the biggest concerns for a dentist hiring an associate are; a) you have your DMD/DDS degree, b) passed your regional and national boards, c) have met any other criterias that will allow the associate to start seeing patients. I think it would be stupid (from business perspective) for the hiring dentist(s) to request transcript/GPA, especially when the goal is to get the associate to generate $$$ for the boss.

That's why - when you see ads for dental positions, they never mention class rank nor GPA.