What do you put the most emphasis on in an application (grades, recommendations, community service, etc.), especially now that the boards are pass fail and some schools do not have rankings? Certain medical schools have a minimum requirement for undergraduate GPA for students applying to 6 year programs, are there any other similar requirements or cut-offs that we should be aware of? What are some basic requirements to be competitive in terms of GPA, NBME scores, shadowing hours, extracurricular activities/organizations, etc.? How is the NBME taken into consideration as part of the application?

6 – yr Program (Medical School) OMFS residents are considered advanced standing students. For Medical School accreditation reasons they must satisfy ALL of the 1st year entry requirements (except MCAT).

6 – yr Program (Medical School) Must be a citizen of the US or Canada, or have a green card. There are no exceptions. Must have an undergraduate academic record that is comparable to that of the students in the class to which they hope to enter (the average science GPA for this freshman class is approximately a 3.67). Look at the sciences in particular (grade A, B but no C’s)   Class ranking and trend. NBDE Board scores >90 (from the standpoint of  passing the USMLE Part I exam). Lower than 90 is a concern. NBME CBSE Score >60 Lower than 60 is a concern. Look at letters of recommendation for evidence of personality traits that are important in our selection process. Unique factors – Externship, research, prior work experience etc.

4 – yr Program (Medical School) Open to international graduates. Undergrad GPA   Class ranking and trend. NBDE Board scores NBME CBSE Score Look at letters of recommendation for evidence of personality traits that are important in our selection process. Unique factors – Externship, research, prior work experience etc.

Update on National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE) for OMS Applicants

NBME CBSE for OMS Applicants Background January 1, 2012 National Board Dental Examiners (NBDE) Part I and Part II candidate performance scored as pass/fail Due to change in reporting of NBDE scores, AAOMS developed a relationship with NBME in order to provide OMS faculty with a mechanism to enhance the evaluation of applicants A pilot study was conducted in the Fall 2010, to evaluate the suitability of the content and scoring components of NBME’s current basic science assessments The CBSE reflects the similar format and content coverage of USMLE Step 1

Content of CBSE

Administration of 2012, 2013 & 2014 Examinations Registration and application process is handled completely through the AAOMS In the event that an applicant requires any provisions to the standard test accommodations, the AAOMS will assist in facilitating the special request Once exam registration closes, AAOMS forwards a list of applicants (eligibility roster), along with the appropriate fees to NBME. The eligibility file allows NBME to enter all applicants into the system and forward communications to the various testing centers 2012 & 2013 Exam Fee: $175 2014 Exam Fee: $185 http://www.aaoms.org/members/resources/oms-faculty-and-residents/nbme-for-oms-applicants/

Administration of 2014 Examinations Exam Date: February 15, 2014 Registration Open: July 8, 2013 Registration Closes: October 15, 2013 Estimated Exam Score Reports Available: February 21, 2014 Exam Date: August 16, 2014 Registration Open: January 6, 2014 Registration Closes: April 11, 2014 Estimated Exam Score Reports Available: August 22, 2014

Administration of 2012 & 2013 Examinations September 2012 May 2013 September 2013 Examinees 295 171 368 Mean 53.9 59 54.4 Standard Deviation 10.4 11.6 10.9 Low 34 28 21 High 95 92 93

Administration of September 2012 Examination Summary Performance Profile

Administration of May 2013 Examination Summary Performance Profile

Administration of September 2013 Examination Summary Performance Profile

Current USMLE Step 1 passing score = 192

Administration of 2012 & 2013 Examinations Score Interpretation Guide NBDE CBSE USMLE Step 1 84 56 165 85 57 168 86 58 170 87 59 172 88 60 175 89 61 178 90 62 180 91 63 183 92 64 185 93 65 188 94 66 190 95 67 193 96 68 195 97 69 198 98 70 200 >99 >72 > 205

HOW CAN I PREPARE USMLE STEP 1 Prep materials Review the content reflected in the exam descriptions First aid

Is there a benefit to applying to a large number of programs vs Is there a benefit to applying to a large number of programs vs. a small number of programs and would this differ between 4 and 6 year programs?

Is there any disadvantage to taking the NBME more than once Is there any disadvantage to taking the NBME more than once? Do programs know that you did and do they see any previous scores other than the one you choose to apply with?

How much emphasis is placed on how many externships you go on and where you do your externships?

What is the best way to make a good impression during externships?

What are good ways to learn about programs that I might be interested in applying to or going to for an externship?

What is the interview process like? Are there any clinical components?

How important is research as an application component?

When deciding which programs to apply to, are there any characteristics in particular that we should consider, such as scope, productivity, strength of other specialties at the program (i.e. plastics, ENT), etc.?

What types of training (e. g What types of training (e.g. fellowship programs) are available after residency?

What do the interviewers want to hear in terms of why someone would choose a 6 year program over a 4 year program or vice versa? Is there any difference of what someone is able to do after completing a 6 yr. program vs a 4 yr. program?

When applying for post-residency training, how are applicants assessed in terms of what they did during their residency and potentially how they performed in medical school?