ORTHODONTICS Residency Application Development & Strategy: Top Tips 2024

Summary

In this video script, the speaker shares their journey of applying to residency programs four times, initially focusing too narrowly on specific programs which they advise against. They highlight the importance of considering both hospital-based and academic programs, emphasizing the value of visiting programs to understand their culture. The speaker also discusses the significance of timing, patience, and having a strategic application plan, ultimately narrowing down their choices from ten to eight programs and securing interviews at two.

Takeaways

• 🔄 The applicant went through the residency application process four times, initially applying for pediatrics, then general practice residency, orthodontics, and finally matching successfully.
• 🚫 The applicant advises against putting 'all your eggs in one basket' by focusing only on one or two programs, as it limits exposure and opportunities.
• 📚 The importance of not just accepting any program but considering the significant time and financial investment involved in choosing a residency program.
• 🏥 The applicant found a difference between hospital-based and academic-based programs and preferred the latter after experiencing the former.
• 🤔 The applicant emphasizes the importance of timing and being in the right position, both financially and mentally, before committing to a residency program.
• 📝 The need for patience, a strategic plan, and due diligence when preparing and selecting programs for the residency application.
• 🤝 The cultural fit within a residency program is crucial, as it affects the learning experience and personal growth over the next few years.
• 🎯 The applicant narrowed down their program choices from 10 to 8 based on cultural fit and personal preference for academic-based programs.
• 👣 Visiting programs is highly recommended to understand their culture and show serious interest, which can be beneficial for both the applicant and the program.
• 💌 For those struggling with application components like CV, personal statement, or interview preparation, seeking help from experts like 'Dental Residency Headquarters' is suggested.
• 🚀 The applicant's journey highlights the need for persistence, self-awareness, and strategic planning in the residency application process.

Q & A

How many times did the speaker apply for residency before matching?

The speaker applied for residency four times before successfully matching.

What was the speaker's initial application specialty?

The speaker initially applied for a pediatrics (pedo) residency.

Why did the speaker not match in their first application cycle?

The speaker did not match because they focused too narrowly on a few programs, which they later recognized as a mistake.

What did the speaker do after not matching in their first cycle?

The speaker did not postmatch and instead did a General Practice Residency (GPR).

What specialty did the speaker apply to after their GPR?

After their GPR, the speaker applied to an Orthodontics program.

Why did the speaker withdraw from the match in one of the cycles?

The speaker withdrew because they realized the situation was not right for them and they were not in the right position financially or mentally to start the program.

What is the speaker's advice on not just accepting any program's acceptance?

The speaker advises that while it's a blessing to be accepted, one should consider the investment of time and money and choose a program that aligns with their goals and preferences.

What is the importance of culture in choosing a residency program according to the speaker?

Culture is important because it affects how well you fit in with the program and your peers, and it can influence your learning experience over the next two to three years.

What was the speaker's preference in terms of hospital-based versus academic-based programs after their GPR experience?

After experiencing a hospital-based GPR, the speaker preferred an academic-based program for their Orthodontics residency.

How many programs did the speaker apply to in their successful application cycle?

The speaker started with 10 programs and narrowed it down to 8.

What was the speaker's strategy for selecting the programs to apply to?

The speaker looked for programs with a culture that matched their preferences and visited the programs to understand them better and show serious interest.

Outlines

00:00

🔄 Persistence in Residency Application Process

The speaker recounts their challenging journey of applying to residency programs four times. Initially, they applied for pediatric dentistry but did not match. They then completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) and applied again for an Orthodontics program without success. The speaker withdrew from the match process once, reflecting on the importance of not just accepting any program out of desperation but considering the investment of time and resources. They emphasize the need for a strategic approach, including researching programs' culture and fit, rather than focusing on just one or two programs. The narrative includes a promotional message from Dr. Darwin, offering coaching services for residency applications, and concludes with advice on the importance of patience, planning, and due diligence in selecting programs.

05:01

🏥 Distinguishing Between Hospital-Based and Academic Programs

The speaker discusses their experience and preference in choosing between hospital-based and academic-based residency programs. Having completed a GPR in a hospital setting, they decided to seek an academic program for their Orthodontics residency to diversify their experience. They highlight the importance of understanding the culture and environment of each program and the value of visiting programs to assess personal fit and demonstrate serious interest. The speaker started with a list of 10 programs, narrowed it down to 8, and secured interviews at 2, emphasizing the significance of making informed choices and the sacrifices involved in the residency application process.

Keywords

💡Residency

Residency refers to a period of medical training after graduation from medical school, where a doctor specializes in a particular field. In the video, the theme revolves around the process of applying for a residency program, which is crucial for the individual's career development in the medical field. The script mentions applying to residency four times, indicating the competitive nature and the persistence required to secure a position.

💡Pediatrics (pedo)

Pediatrics is a branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. In the script, the speaker initially applied for a pediatrics residency but did not match, which led to a change in their application focus to orthodontics.

💡General Practice Residency (GPR)

A General Practice Residency is a postgraduate medical training program for those who have completed medical school and wish to gain additional training in general practice. The speaker mentions doing a GPR before applying to an Ortho program, showing an alternative path taken when not matching into the desired specialty initially.

💡Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The video's narrative centers on the speaker's journey of applying to orthodontic residency programs, highlighting the challenges and considerations in the application process.

💡Match

In the context of medical training, 'matching' refers to the process where applicants are selected for residency positions through a national matching program. The script discusses the speaker's unsuccessful attempts to match into their desired programs and the eventual success, emphasizing the importance of persistence.

💡Application Strategy

Application strategy pertains to the approach an applicant takes when applying to residency programs, including the number of programs to apply to and how to present oneself. The speaker reflects on their initial narrow focus and advises on the importance of a broader application strategy to increase the chances of matching.

💡Dental Residency

Dental Residency is a postgraduate training program for dentists to specialize in a specific area of dentistry. The script discusses the speaker's journey through dental residency applications, focusing on the orthodontics specialty and the steps taken to prepare for the application process.

💡Cultural Fit

Cultural fit refers to how well an individual's values and work style align with those of an organization or program. In the script, the speaker emphasizes the importance of cultural fit in residency programs, suggesting that it is a significant factor in choosing where to apply and ultimately, where to matriculate.

💡Hospital-Based vs. Academic-Based Programs

Hospital-based and academic-based programs represent two different types of residency training environments. The speaker discusses their preference for academic-based programs after having experienced a hospital-based GPR, indicating a shift in their career goals and the type of training environment they are seeking.

💡Program Visits

Program visits involve an applicant visiting potential residency programs to get a feel for the environment and culture. The script mentions the importance of these visits for both the applicant to assess suitability and for the program to see the applicant's serious interest, which can be a factor in the selection process.

💡Patience

Patience is the ability to wait without complaint in the face of delay or frustration. The speaker discusses the importance of patience in the residency application process, suggesting that it is a virtue that can lead to better outcomes and a more thoughtful approach to applying.

💡Dental School

A dental school is an institution that provides education and training for individuals pursuing a career in dentistry. The script contrasts dental school with hospital-based programs, highlighting the differences in educational environments and the speaker's preference for the former.

Highlights

The applicant applied to residency four times, initially for pediatrics but did not match.

The applicant did a GPR (General Practice Residency) after not matching in the first attempt.

The applicant applied to an Ortho program during their GPR year but did not match again.

The applicant withdrew from the match the following year after applying again.

The applicant matched successfully on the fourth attempt.

The applicant warns against putting 'all your eggs in one basket' by only applying to one or two programs.

The importance of spreading applications to various programs to increase the chance of matching is emphasized.

Dr. Darwin introduces himself as a dentist coach to help with residency applications.

Dr. Darwin offers assistance with CVs, personal statements, and interview preparation for residency applications.

The applicant discusses the importance of school culture and fit when choosing a residency program.

The applicant withdrew from a program because it wasn't the right fit, despite the opportunity to matriculate.

Timing and being in the right season of life is crucial when applying to residency programs.

The applicant emphasizes the need for patience and a strategic plan when preparing a residency application.

Differentiating between hospital-based and academic-based programs is important for the applicant's preference.

The applicant's preference shifted from hospital-based to academic-based programs after experiencing both.

The applicant started with 10 programs and narrowed it down to 8 based on cultural fit.

Visiting programs is important to understand their culture and show serious interest.

The applicant received interviews from 2 out of the 8 programs they applied to.

Transcripts

how did you prepare for your application

because if I

recall this was a

second cycle either torpedo Ortho or

might have been the first uh cycle so so

tell us how did you go about preparing

your application so I actually applied

to residency four

times uh my initial application was for

pedo which I didn't match and then I

didn't postmatch as well I did a GPR and

then I applied that year of my GPR into

a Ortho program and then didn't match

the following year I applied into a

program but then withdrew from the

match then this year I applied and

matched so that yeah I'm a I'm a four

uh I'm conf not confused but I'm dizzy

but again that's part of the process

right that's what

happens I can break it I can break it

down a little further I think you know

the initial time I appli for

Orthodontics you know I I uh I did

something that I think many other

applicants shouldn't do which is putting

a lot of your eggs in one basket which

is essentially saying like this is the

place I want to go this this is uh This

Is The Residency I feel like I fit in

best and so maybe you may not have the

funds or the resources and so you focus

all your attention on this on maybe one

or two programs and I think that that

confines you and puts you in a little

bit of a box and doesn't allow other

programs to see you and for you to see

other programs um you know and I think

it was I would say it was a little bit

arrogant of me to even think that it was

okay to try to apply to just one program

or two programs and think that that was

going to become fruitful even if I ended

up in the programs that I really wanted

to go to apply to it's such a niche

specialty and it's very competitive to

the degree that I have to give it the

respect that it's due like I need to be

able to spread uh you know my eggs right

and so that was that was the first time

trying to get it hey this is Dr Darwin

your new dentist coach Hey look it's

residency time it's residency

application time and the biggest

question that a lot of people have is

how do I prepare my application so look

if you're struggling in getting your

information together your CV your

personal statement or you're ready but

not prepared for your

interviews reach out to me

ASAP right right through my group Dental

residency headquarters we can help you

we can help you get ready for this

residency cycle so that you're able to

do this we want you to match match into

residency cycle this this year all right

but you got some work to do if you need

some help with that application shoot me

an email at new Dennis coach

gmail.com new Dennis coach atgmailcom

and through our program called get into

Dental residency we can help you we can

help you but you got to hurry up cuz

residency application is right now it's

right now so shoot me an email right now

all right let's get back to this

episode though second when I applied in

withdrew I recognized that yes you do

need to do that but you don't just go to

any place you know I think a lot of

people do have a mentality that you

should go where you're accepted because

you're lucky to be accepted by any

program and while I do believe that it

is a blessing to be accepted by any

program I don't want to be just anywhere

you understand what I'm saying you're

giving two three years of your life and

chances are you're investing a massive

amount of funds into acquiring and

learning this specialty and acquiring a

certificate and becoming board certified

it's a huge investment the school you go

to in my opinion it matters uh the

people that um I think culture is

something that a lot of orthodontic

residencies are now coming to really pay

attention to numbers are important to

them but now culture is also something

that's taken into account like how do

you fit into this culture of individuals

that you're going to learn with for the

next two to three years and so and also

what is this residency comprise of and

do you think that the way that you are

as an individual matches up well with

what you can receive from this residency

and so as I was uh you know applying I

won't mention the school but you know I

I'd applied to a particular program and

you know it seemed pretty clearcut that

you know they would allow me to

matriculate into their program in the

following year but I realized that this

this situation was not for me and

besides that I wasn't in the position I

wasn't in the position whether it be

financially or mentally to jump back

into school at the time and so I think

timing and seasons is something that we

really need to pay attention to which is

why I talked about

patience yeah patience matters uh

definitely matters and having a plan and

having a

strategy uh as you are preparing your

application which includes programs

right you have to you have to know and

do your due diligence with the programs

uh it's very very important

so tell us well infusing that a little

bit more about the programs in the

school and

schools and why you particularly were

looking at you know those number of

schools that you that you apply to so

one thing that I found was a big divider

was hospital-based and academic based

programs um programs that were generated

from hospital so you know programs like

Bronx care and so on and so forth then

you got academic programs coming from

schools like Howard University so on and

so forth um and so I realized I did a

GPR that was in a hospital-based program

and I think I gained a lot of valuable

experience from there and so that's an

experience I'd already acquired I

recognized that when going back I would

prefer not to go back to a

hospital-based uh program that's just

what I what I desire that and that was

just based on your experence you know

that that was based on your current or

previous experience being had this

experience in a hospital based program

had I never had one yet then maybe

that's something that I would consider

but because I've already had that I

recognize how precious and important

education is when you do choose to go

somewhere you you're literally you're

saying no to everything else so I've

already said yes to a hospital based

program I've already done it I've gained

that experience so I can say yes to a

more academic based program within a

school within a school system right

school or institutional academic setting

not to say that hospital programs are

not academic right but just that it's a

little bit it's it's a different than a

dental school right it's a little

different it's a little different like I

I think a lot of people going into even

General right some of them do GPRS

versus agds so you know even that even

that dichotomy it matters like like what

are what type of experiences you want

and so you can't go to both you got to

choose one right and say no the other so

so this cycle for for applying to

residency programs and then specifically

for Ortho how many how many programs did

you apply to and and how did you come to

that number of programs or schools so I

started out with 10 and I trimmed it

down to eight um the reason why I chose

those schools I looked for schools that

had

um culture like the culture of those

programs I think one visiting programs

is very important but uh so that you can

understand the culture of those programs

I think it's it's if you have the

ability to travel around and see what uh

programs are about you should definitely

do that it does two things for you one

it shows you if this is a place that you

can be for the next two to three years

it also shows the program that you have

a serious interest within it because

within what we're doing now even if you

know I'm working you know five days a

week sometime six depending on who you

are you have to take off to make sure

you go and visit a program so programs

understand the sacrifice that students

and clinicians make to check their

program out so I think that's really

important

um and so so so so 10 programs narrow it

down to eight narrow it down to eight

and got interviews to

two your next assignment is go to the

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