**Official PASS 2024 Endodontic Residency Interviews/Information

[dpandg]

Wait, did OHSU ever interview?

Yes. In-person interview was Nov 7th

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[Asquared2]

Yes. In-person interview was Nov 7th

Did you hear back from them since the interview?

 

[redchesus]

When the prep is more focused on how to conduct yourself and how to approach the process and less on the actual knowledge you know it’s an issue

Lol so true. I did okay on mock orals and I got a comment about my face looking like I wasn't "having fun" (I wasn't).

 

[dpandg]

Did you hear back from them since the interview?

I have not.

 

[EndoNerdd]

Hi everyone, I have a question, do you know anyone got accepted without having ADAT??? I am wondering should I consider retaking the exam because it is gonna expire for next cycle or I have a chance with applying without having ADAT?
Any recommendations is appreciated 🙏

I didn’t take it and was accepted

 

[rb19]

I didn’t take it and was accepted

Where accepted, if don't mind me asking

 

[bluejay18]

Heard from someone who interviewed at Case a few years ago. They said they interviewed in October, then Case didn’t pick candidates for acceptance by Thanksgiving…then not by winter break….then February when they filled the class. Don’t know if it’s that slow every year.

So they give out offers in february?

 

[Rocklandm]

Where accepted, if don't mind me asking

Most people aren’t forthcoming here so I doubt they’ll tell you the actual truth

 

[Boat on the Chesapeake]

So they give out offers in february?

One year they did, who knows if it matters to this year? They can do whatever they want.

 

[MidwestOwl]

Did oral boards this year and if you take them right after residency it is very doable. Memorize the main trivia, be confident in your clinical decision making, don’t panic. You don’t have to get everything right to pass. It sounds like lots of programs make their mock-orals harsher than the real thing.

I agree a lot of faculty and directors are out of touch with private practice and there are no tangible financial benefits.

Main reasons to do the boards are 1) your ego 2) your faculty’s ego 3) give you better options for teaching/expert witness type jobs when you don’t want to practice

they did ask me about doing an intentional replantation of a molar on a 10 yo, shake my head..

 

[MidwestOwl]

This is what they tell you in residency. The actual process is a nightmare and not worth it at all. That’s their own fault. The questions don’t reflect what you know. It’s more of a game. When the prep is more focused on how to conduct yourself and how to approach the process and less on the actual knowledge you know it’s an issue. A lot of egos are involved. So don’t let them convince you it’s out fault our numbers are down. My Ortho buddy did his board certification online.

yeah, if they ask us, endodontists questions that are strictly endo-related, we will all be able to answer...instead they "expect" us also know pathology like a pathologist, pharmacology like a pharmacist...come on, after dental school, how many dentists actually remember what the histology of ameloblastoma, OKC look like under microscopes

 

[Torshammer]

This is what they tell you in residency. The actual process is a nightmare and not worth it at all. That’s their own fault. The questions don’t reflect what you know. It’s more of a game. When the prep is more focused on how to conduct yourself and how to approach the process and less on the actual knowledge you know it’s an issue. A lot of egos are involved. So don’t let them convince you it’s out fault our numbers are down. My Ortho buddy did his board certification online.

yeah, if they ask us, endodontists questions that are strictly endo-related, we will all be able to answer...instead they "expect" us also know pathology like a pathologist, pharmacology like a pharmacist...come on, after dental school, how many dentists actually remember what the histology of ameloblastoma, OKC look like under microscopes

Studying for the oral boards strengthened my medicine and pathology a lot, and it also made me re-examine some of my endo clinical decision-making so I have more clarity in some aspects of my daily endo practice as well. I am very glad I went through that process because it has 100% made me a better doctor and endodontist, and I'd encourage any endo to do it.

I don't agree that the prep is more focused on how to conduct yourself and approach the exam than the actual knowledge, but I get where that sentiment is coming from. Some questions I answered definitely didn't showcase all I knew, and because examiners aren't able to probe, it's easy to mis-speak or leave a point unclarified. There's a 75% pass rate though, which I feel like is pretty generous.

 

[MidwestOwl]

Studying for the oral boards strengthened my medicine and pathology a lot, and it also made me re-examine some of my endo clinical decision-making so I have more clarity in some aspects of my daily endo practice as well. I am very glad I went through that process because it has 100% made me a better doctor and endodontist, and I'd encourage any endo to do it.

I don't agree that the prep is more focused on how to conduct yourself and approach the exam than the actual knowledge, but I get where that sentiment is coming from. Some questions I answered definitely didn't showcase all I knew, and because examiners aren't able to probe, it's easy to mis-speak or leave a point unclarified. There's a 75% pass rate though, which I feel like is pretty generous.

I dont agree...but everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. The reason that we are specialists is because we want to be experts in our small field. What is the point of half-ass knowing pathology... What do we do if we see/ suspect a OKC/ KCOT in practice, biopsy it?...nope, look at it under microscopes?...nope..., refer it...yes... do we really have to remember what PMN, leukocytes look like under the microscopes in practice?...no
does it help to know the percentage of mid-mesial?... probably not when the number can range from 3-40%...does it matter if the study was done by Trope or a random guy in Africa, no...
They do expect us to know quite a bit for an elective exam though...it means that you have to study quite a bit to pass...most private practice endo are practical and money-consious, that is why many donot want to waste their time on it..
if you look at most/ all examiners' credentials, most are foreign trained with lots of degrees...sure they will have lots of free time to memorize those random facts...

 

[Torshammer]

I dont agree...but everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. The reason that we are specialists is because we want to be experts in our small field. What is the point of half-ass knowing pathology... What do we do if we see/ suspect a OKC/ KCOT in practice, biopsy it?...nope, look at it under microscopes?...nope..., refer it...yes... do we really have to remember what PMN, leukocytes look like under the microscopes in practice?...no
does it help to know the percentage of mid-mesial?... probably not when the number can range from 3-40%...does it matter if the study was done by Trope or a random guy in Africa, no...
They do expect us to know quite a bit for an elective exam though...it means that you have to study quite a bit to pass...most private practice endo are practical and money-consious, that is why many donot want to waste their time on it..
if you look at most/ all examiners' credentials, most are foreign trained with lots of degrees...sure they will have lots of free time to memorize those random facts...

I think you may be overstating the amount of histology that is on the exam. I anticipated 1 or 2 questions and was asked none, IIRC. I agree there are some random questions that come out of nowhere, but for the most part, the questions are fair. Personally, it does help my clinical practice to know the % of mid-mesials that others have observed (not joking).

Unsure about most examiners being foreign-trained. All the examiners should have been trained at US endo programs, no? Unless you're talking about where they did their dental school training, but also unsure what that has to do with anything.

 

[MidwestOwl]

I think you may be overstating the amount of histology that is on the exam. I anticipated 1 or 2 questions and was asked none, IIRC. I agree there are some random questions that come out of nowhere, but for the most part, the questions are fair. Personally, it does help my clinical practice to know the % of mid-mesials that others have observed (not joking).

Unsure about most examiners being foreign-trained. All the examiners should have been trained at US endo programs, no? Unless you're talking about where they did their dental school training, but also unsure what that has to do with anything.

i might be bitter because i have to retake it. Im just talking about the randomness that they can throw at candidates...they also dont allow us to clarify the question if we have difficulty in understanding what they are trying to ask..
i was able to answer most of the clinically relevant questions with references but still did not pass??? sure, I didnt study as much as i should have and it is my fault. i only studied after work perhaps like 3-4 weeks before the exam. It has been a few years since i left residency so it will take quite a bit of studying to re-remember those things. ANyway, im taking it to boost my ego and to make my PD happy. ..i will take it again will pass for sure
foreign trained folks, many of them have endo training in the US but do not have DDS license...they cant practice off campus in most states; as a result, they have all of the free time to study/ to read papers...
I was trained at Harvard med for the first two years and honestly we were not used to memorizing facts like this. they used to tell us, memorization is the lowest form of learning. what im trying to say is unless you love reading papers or love to memorize random facts that you can google easily...the exam is a little ridiculous, especially for an elective one

 

[Torshammer]

i might be bitter because i have to retake it. Im just talking about the randomness that they can throw at candidates...they also dont allow us to clarify the question if we have difficulty in understanding what they are trying to ask..
i was able to answer most of the clinically relevant questions with references but still did not pass??? sure, I didnt study as much as i should have and it is my fault. i only studied after work perhaps like 3-4 weeks before the exam. It has been a few years since i left residency so it will take quite a bit of studying to re-remember those things. ANyway, im taking it to boost my ego and to make my PD happy. ..i will take it again will pass for sure
foreign trained folks, many of them have endo training in the US but do not have DDS license...they cant practice off campus in most states; as a result, they have all of the free time to study/ to read papers...
I was trained at Harvard med for the first two years and honestly we were not used to memorizing facts like this. they used to tell us, memorization is the lowest form of learning. what im trying to say is unless you love reading papers or love to memorize random facts that you can google easily...the exam is a little ridiculous, especially for an elective one

I think I read earlier you are doing it to fulfill a promise to your PD - I admire you staying true to your word. It definitely gets less easy taking the exam the further out you are from residency. No one likes taking an oral exam, but I am sure you will do well the 2nd time around now that you know what to expect.

 

[MidwestOwl]

I think I read earlier you are doing it to fulfill a promise to your PD - I admire you staying true to your word. It definitely gets less easy taking the exam the further out you are from residency. No one likes taking an oral exam, but I am sure you will do well the 2nd time around now that you know what to expect.

i promised him to come back to teach part time but it didnt happen, hard to sacrifice a few day worth of income...but i can tackle the board to make him happy..and boost my ego...

 

[bluejay18]

Did anyone get any offers from Case western?

 

[nehabhalla_1999]

Does anyone know how is UConn for endo residency?

 

[Rocklandm]

Did anyone get any offers from Case western?

Im sure they’ve filled their spots by now

 

[EndoCracker]

Hello Guys! Im planning to take ADAT in March!
Any solid study suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[BasicG]

Thinking about applying next cycle, so I looked up some ADAT questions. Yeah I don't think I want to put myself through weeks of studying for this thing 😂

 

[OncePreDent]

Thinking about applying next cycle, so I looked up some ADAT questions. Yeah I don't think I want to put myself through weeks of studying for this thing 😂
View attachment 381352

What's the answer to the question lol

I think I would go with A, maybe C. Could be completely wrong though

 

[BasicG]

What's the answer to the question lol

I think I would go with A, maybe C. Could be completely wrong though

The answer is B. Sorry but it seems like you wouldn't be a good fit for endo

 

[princeafrica]

Thinking about applying next cycle, so I looked up some ADAT questions. Yeah I don't think I want to put myself through weeks of studying for this thing 😂
View attachment 381352

I didn't take it. just applied to all the ones that didn't require it

 

[redchesus]

Thinking about applying next cycle, so I looked up some ADAT questions. Yeah I don't think I want to put myself through weeks of studying for this thing 😂
View attachment 381352

I wouldn't take it unless you have a low GPA and need them to see you've improved academically.
I took it because I went to a P/F school with no rankings, thinking having a number attached to my application would help. It was mentioned in ONE interview and it wasn't even at one of my favorite programs, so all-in-all, was not worth it LOL

 

[BasicG]

I wouldn't take it unless you have a low GPA and need them to see you've improved academically.
I took it because I went to a P/F school with no rankings, thinking having a number attached to my application would help. It was mentioned in ONE interview and it wasn't even at one of my favorite programs, so all-in-all, was not worth it LOL

Yeah that's the gist I'm getting from reading the endo threads from the last few cycles. I'm ranked 22/100 and I can get an LOR from an endo faculty that's a new program director at a school. I think no ADAT is better than an average to below average ADAT score in my case. I might go scorched earth @princeafrica style and apply to 30+ schools and hope for the best 😂

 

[rb19]

I wouldn't take it unless you have a low GPA and need them to see you've improved academically.
I took it because I went to a P/F school with no rankings, thinking having a number attached to my application would help. It was mentioned in ONE interview and it wasn't even at one of my favorite programs, so all-in-all, was not worth it LOL

Which P/F school you go to? Where you going to be going for Endo?

 

[redchesus]

Which P/F school you go to? Where you going to be going for Endo?

LOL I'd prefer not to be identified. It's not hard to connect the dots if you know those two pieces of information. Sorry!

 

[Rocklandm]

LOL I'd prefer not to be identified. It's not hard to connect the dots if you know those two pieces of information. Sorry!

People really act like celebrities here…

 

[redchesus]

People really act like celebrities here…

No because I have spicy opinions sometimes and I don't need it getting back to my PD. Endo is very small.
Also, I have been aggressively contacted by applicants this past cycle... so yeah...
You're welcome to reveal yours tho!

 

[cmjacks5]

People really act like celebrities here…

LOL

 

[Hawkeye-DDS]

Hey everybody, just wanted to give you some hope if you didn’t get in this cycle…from a non-superstar applicant.

-I graduated with a 3.03 GPA and likely lower 10-20% of class is my guess (had major medical situation D1 year and failed a class and had to join the class below me).

-I was in the Army (HPSP) for 3 years so that helped. I had a total of 5 LORs (3 endos), none were professors. I didn’t take the ADAT. I had great working relationship and mentorship from 2 endodontists in the Army, the more the merrier.

-Advice: Apply to as many schools as you can IMHO. I applied to 25 and received 1 interview and 1 acceptance. It just takes one person to notice your application.

-Hours of preparation (personal statement, LORs, endo CE, microscope use) creates yourself a little luck 🍀. I spent months refining my personal statement and buttoning up my application before the cycle opened. If you have a low GPA like me, you want to have a powerful personal statement that speaks volumes more than your dental school GPA. You graduated just like everyone else applying so impress them with your words, because your numbers won’t. Emphasize your teachability and your passion for learning. No one wants to teach a know it all for 2+ years.

-If you get an interview, just be yourself (if you have a good personality lol). Talk to all the residents at the interview and be humble. The selection committee does weigh the residents thoughts on the interviewees…at least where I got in. There will always be someone more qualified than you…but once you get to the interview it’s all about personality and fit with their program. You can be the best dentist ever but if you can’t get along with others you are SOL. (Many have reiterated this on here and it’s 100% the case)

Thank you everyone that has given their advice and helpful tips to applicants, it definitely helped me shape my approach.

Keep on keepin’ on, happiness is in the journey.

 

[nehabhalla_1999]

Just submitted my Marquette Application today. This is the only program I am applying to. My stats are GPA 3.812 and rank 24/130. I have been running a private office solo in Wisconsin since graduation. My husband is running a practice that has been in his family for 3 generations and we just cannot relocate. How crazy am I ?

Hi did you get through. I am planning to apply in the current cycle to only one school because of family. Would love to know from you how that went?

 

[appleandpie]

Which are the most affordable programs? I know NYU langone, New York VA, UCSF and UCLA pay you- am I missing other programs? Which programs have lower tuitions? Thanks!

 

[Fred13]

Which are the most affordable programs? I know NYU langone, New York VA, UCSF and UCLA pay you- am I missing other programs? Which programs have lower tuitions? Thanks!

The most affordable program and dream school is the program that gives you admission, that’s it😁

 

[princeafrica]

Which are the most affordable programs? I know NYU langone, New York VA, UCSF and UCLA pay you- am I missing other programs? Which programs have lower tuitions? Thanks!

Osu

 

[Boat on the Chesapeake]

Which are the most affordable programs? I know NYU langone, New York VA, UCSF and UCLA pay you- am I missing other programs? Which programs have lower tuitions? Thanks!

Generally the southern and mid-western state schools will have lower tuition and sometimes a small stipend. These usually only have 2-4 spots per year. The stipends are often not obvious on their website.

 

[jttzz112]

Hey guys, looking for some advice.

I got a couple interviews last year but ultimately did not get in.

When applying again this year do you all recommend rewriting another personal statement or could I just use the same one?

Also I am taking the ADAT this year but I am currently studying for it and holy crap does it suck. It feels like some of the info is so specific/irrelevant that I am half tempted to eat the test cost and not take it. Do you guys recommend just taking it?

Thanks and I hope we can all get into a program next year!

 

[cmjacks5]

Hey guys, looking for some advice.

I got a couple interviews last year but ultimately did not get in.

When applying again this year do you all recommend rewriting another personal statement or could I just use the same one?

Also I am taking the ADAT this year but I am currently studying for it and holy crap does it suck. It feels like some of the info is so specific/irrelevant that I am half tempted to eat the test cost and not take it. Do you guys recommend just taking it?

Thanks and I hope we can all get into a program next year!

You probably could use the same. I know I rewrote one every year I applied. I think take it and mark it as a thing you checked. Also maybe don’t apply to ADAT schools 😂

 

[BasicG]

Hey guys, looking for some advice.

I got a couple interviews last year but ultimately did not get in.

When applying again this year do you all recommend rewriting another personal statement or could I just use the same one?

Also I am taking the ADAT this year but I am currently studying for it and holy crap does it suck. It feels like some of the info is so specific/irrelevant that I am half tempted to eat the test cost and not take it. Do you guys recommend just taking it?

Thanks and I hope we can all get into a program next year!

I'm not taking it because I think it's a trash test based on the practice questions. If I forced myself to take it, I have a feeling I would get a below average score. It'll probably look better not taking it at all at that point

 

[jttzz112]

I'm not taking it because I think it's a trash test based on the practice questions. If I forced myself to take it, I have a feeling I would get a below average score. It'll probably look better not taking it at all at that point

Do you have to submit it as part of your application if you don’t like the score?

 

[rb19]

Do you have to submit it as part of your application if you don’t like the score?

It just asks if you took it. It doesn't ask you to report score on application. Or perhaps it does and that is the reason I am not getting in.

 

[rb19]

You probably could use the same. I know I rewrote one every year I applied. I think take it and mark it as a thing you checked. Also maybe don’t apply to ADAT schools 😂

How many times have you applied?

 

[cmjacks5]

How many times have you applied?

5

 

[rb19]

5

You are not only an inspiration, but a hero

 

[cmjacks5]

You are not only an inspiration, but a hero

lol thanks for the kind words but I am far from that. If you or anyone that reads this post. I’ll be panelist speaker at AAE taking about “application process and what I’ve learned on my journey” Thursday will be the day at 12:45

 

[Rocklandm]

lol thanks for the kind words but I am far from that. If you or anyone that reads this post. I’ll be panelist speaker at AAE taking about “application process and what I’ve learned on my journey” Thursday will be the day at 12:45

What were your stats? Why do you think you didn’t get in the first 4 times

 

[cmjacks5]

What were your stats? Why do you think you didn’t get in the first 4 times

What were your stats? Why do you think you didn’t get in the first 4 times

Honestly, I don’t think matters at this point.

 

[Rocklandm]

Honestly, I don’t think matters at this point.

To you it doesn’t but it matters to other applicants. It helps them think “oh maybe I’m making the same mistake” or “maybe I have to improve in that aspect” but be selfish king. Your choice.