Honestly, there are a million different routes and timetables for applying to OMFS. Because of this, I am only going to outline the “traditional route,” which is straight to residency from dental school. Actually, the beginning of this timetable could begin with college, or possibly even high school. I’d rather not make this a guide about “choosing the right college” or “getting accepted to dental school,” so I’ll be avoiding those areas. The focus of this article will be to outline reasonable, and average dental school check points of events in order to make yourself a competitive applicant and apply in a timely manner. Obviously, every dental school curriculum is different. I’ll try to keep this in template form as much as possible so you can adjust it as you see fit.
As a quick overview, the goal, in the traditional route, would be to match in the spring of your D4 year. This means your application only reflects your first three years of dental school. If you assume you match your D4 year (HUGE ASSUMPTION), you technically only have to worry about grades for three years. Personally, I would not recommend this mentality, but I know a lot of people look at it this way to counter burnout. For a complete application, these three years need to include a high class rank/GPA, a competitive CBSE score, extracurriculars, externships, and, if possible, research. Fourth year consists of applying, interviewing, and hopefully matching to residency, in addition to graduating from dental school.
The first year of dental school can be summed up in two words: blank slate. For many, you are in a new city, and are starting a new saga of your life with a group of people whom you have never met. Take advantage of that new opportunity and make friends. I’m not talking about “friends” who you call to ask about the latest assignment or their study techniques, but lifelong, share a beer with, go to their wedding, and have memories to share with friends. I mention this not to be sentimental, but to emphasize the importance of perspective. Dental school is not a zero-sum game. Treating it as such is how you end up labeled a gunner. Don’t be a gunner. These next four years are going to be another stepping stone to the rest of your life. It will be tough, and extremely frustrating at times, but having a support group will make it much more memorable and fun.
Soapbox aside, there are some very important things you need to do in your first year of dental school in the pursuit of OMFS. First, adjust to school and make good grades. For many, this is easier said than done because you will be taking a large amount of hours in advanced classes. Staying organized and prioritizing is key. For the non-geniuses, this is going to take a lot of effort because it will be frustrating to see some of your classmates ace tests after barely looking at the material when you spent a much larger amount of time. Also, since you will be taking many of your basic sciences in your D1 year, this is a good time to start preparing for the CBSE. You can do this by taking the time to really learn the material in depth. This results in good grades and a strong foundation for the material you will have to know for the CBSE. It wouldn’t hurt to pick up a copy of USMLE First Aid your D1 year either. This allows you to see what material is covered and what you might be missing from your dental school classes. Keep in mind this is not advocating that you start studying First Aid this far in advance. It is only a way to look ahead and be prepared.
Other things to keep in mind during your D1 year are extracurriculars and involvement in the OMFS department. It is never too early to get involved in either one of these, and can be very beneficial for getting on a leadership path or finding a mentor. As an extension of this, I included the ASDA National Leadership Conference and Annual Session on the timelines because they are great ways to meet people from other schools and there are some OMFS specific sessions. As a whole, D1 year is new and challenging. Make the most of it, and set yourself up for success.
Important D1 Dates
July/August: Start school
Oct/Nov: ASDA National Leadership Conference
March: ASDA Annual Session
April: Set up summer OMFS involvement (research, shadowing, or work)