1. 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?

2. 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).

3. 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. 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.

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

6. 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

7. Content of CBSE

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Administration of September 2012 Examination Summary Performance Profile

12. Administration of May 2013 Examination Summary Performance Profile

13. Administration of September 2013 Examination Summary Performance Profile

14. Current USMLE Step 1 passing score = 192

15. 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

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

17. 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?

18. 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?

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

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

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

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

23. How important is research as an application component?

24. 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.?

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

26. 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?

27. 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?