Change in selection process

Folks its been along time, time flies, congrats to all my readers. Most of them have made it and graduated. But to my roadies on their way. Remember the NBDE is only pass or fail. Now lets ask the big Q..what does this mean. How is this going to change the selection process. If we all pass then how will the course directors aid in selection process. The answer is RESEARCH experience. After passing National boards part 1 and part 2, or even with part1 we need to get involved in research and upgrade our CV to be selected. Now to ask the Q, how do we get into research?..Its simple,every university has an Oral biology department. look it up, start emailing the directors, they all need free"voluntary research assistants". Set up an appointment. Be honest tell them you are an international student and you want to get in DDS and you would like to get involved with research as it is a part of academics in all dental schools. You might even get lucky and get paid for that. I know various success stories of students who had average gpa's and got into dental school based on research. Also find out if you can get your name published in the research you are helping out. Nothing can beat your name in the publication. With your board pass scores and Research experience, the university selection committee will find it easier to select you. Good Luck ps: Will keep you updated pss: to my new friends from egypt, Welcome, I am very glad, my blog helps you. Feel free to email me with questions

The Road to the test with this blog . . .

Writing a blog has never been my forte , and never quite understood the concept behind as to why people actually ever write them .

Till one fine day , I realized Google had the answers to questions that I knew to ask. What about the questions I didn't know existed ? ?

How exactly was Google / Wikipedia going to help me out by telling me what to study on a normal human level ?

I had decided that I was going to have my go at giving the NBDE !! Yup, the very words probably give us the scare right there then that. . Its a weird mix of emotion fear , anxiety , arrogance attitude to definitely pull through it.

I came from definitely one of the best dental schools of India , and did everything I'm pretty sure all of us do , FIRST complain all about WHY we need to go through all this , prove ourselves again , followed by passive aggression to fine lets get this started. So here goes, I started with scraping my paws all over the globe, pulling out all possible contacts , friends, relatives, families anyone concerned in the dental field for whatever information I could get.

I started out with exactly the same information the majority of us get, stick to decks , do question papers , and revise revise and revise ! Honestly I think that's where we all go wrong. To give you an idea as to my thought process from the start to the end of my test , maybe you might share my experience or learn from my mistakes.

I started my studying ( had been away from books for 5 years, was happily working back home *which ofcourse does not count here = doesn't really help ; more likely for me to get frustrated and say WTF ) , but nevertheless I was like cmon I was a first class student back there so how hard can this be .. I started with reading my decks , made it my bible only to start slowly realizing umm a lot of this stuff doesn't make sense . . I can't put this together .. I can't really remember what is all this about .. and Biochemistry nearly threw me into the worst fit of my life literally right in the middle of starbucks!!! , So I started googling , using all sort of social networks that I could find , Wikipedia was soon becoming my best friend.. AAAAAAnd that's when I landed at this blog by "redroulette"

I had been studying for about 2 months half - heartedly with serious frustration and burnout already when I landed at this blog. That's when I read this and it gave me a direction ( that was the power of a personal human blog ) , Point is the Aids are great but don't really add the human touch , someone who understands the pressures you're under at that point of time and more than ever just someone you can vent out all your frustrations to and the most important - somebody who can actually do something to help you out!!!!

I started with a different perspective post the instructions , got in touch with the blogger .. Yeah !!! How cool am I .. ummm actually The blogger is .. :P

Point being - I had my test scheduled in actually , had about 2 months more to go, needed a plan of action , and honestly the first most basic desi instinct which kicked in - " the shortcut route to success".

I don't want to make this long and boring for you, but if you're an exam goer - believe me .. you're already bored with all the stuff you have to read anyway , so you might as well read something that someone who has been in your shoes has already gone through. Sometimes the very fact of knowing the pain and suffering is not yours alone, Its shared. acknowledged and well you'll get the comfort hug in the end.. So read on and try smiling ..

I made this blog and the blogger my mentor ( I don't really know if you guys are going to get that lucky actually ) . So everything that I write henceforth has been conceived by my mentor and executed by me!

Basically if you've gone through the site , you should have read by now all the amazing info , detailed breakdown of every subject down to every minute topic and heading that would be deemed important. So I had been following that, I managed to get my hands on these famous " USMLE" videos. They were plain awesome.. Hear me out on this.. and maybe you'll find yourself nodding your head out by the end of the statement. As Indians especially , our method of learning has been constructed to focus on the headlines, have a fair idea as to what the topic involves and then we can totally reproduce this out in the exam with a lot of " mirch and masala" ( just some additional spices- for people who don't quite follow the language) , the content of the videos is not so much that different than what you can learn of books. But the first point I feel is so imperative for you to note ; DECONSTRUCT your learning pattern, that method will not get you anywhere in this test. This test has nothing to do with reproducing your memorized learnt lesson, Its got everything to do with how much you can reproduce crosslinking every twisted axon in your brain, how many action potentials it can fire .. Its a simple Neuronal pathway - your ALL or NONE !!!!

Sorry it was too tempting to throw that in, ( I got done with my test 2 days back, so im still fresh) .. Point is… These videos change the way you think , they help you understand the topic the way the board would want you to understand it. . and honestly it may sound cliched, is extremely time - tasking , but it is worth it at the end of the day!!! My blogger here made it seem so exciting, and yeah it was kinda infectious so everytime I would feel bored I'd come back to the blog, pick yourself or surround yourself with this and you would see the change..

Not detracting from the topic, Get the Videos, they are amazing, follow the pattern that you get out here on the site, its easy to follow provided ---- you genuinely work hard, you make a plan of action ,you Reconstruct your mode of learning (the biggest gift of being blessed with a human brain). The blogger here has a busy life and is probably going to be on the cover of some killer ground breaking research model soon , and that's probably when we may gain access to the real identity of this individual , but you have the gift of the experience there to take from this for yourself and adapt to how best it suits you.

I studied with a different pattern of studying than this blogger, do what suits you , if you're a morning person -- i'm just going to turn my butt and keep sleeping, if your the night reader, I'd advise you to cut yourself at your 2 grande of plain black bold coffee ( at some point you just get so wired and with little food lotto sugar , your only burning out faster ) , point is -- work when your fresh , create a routine , a realistic routine and stick to it. Pick your stressbuster - and make that work for you. Variety is the spice of life. ( No, I don't believe it was intended for the situations people put to use now-a -days except this ) . Pandora became one of my best friends , stations of everykind for every subject for every mood helped me. People would think I'm crazy singing or talking to myself , but Be Prepared.. Its a long ride, This is the start of it. And as time approaches it only gets to a point where you want to break down.. Oh my dear dear friend you will so very breakdown..

As you can see this aspect of me writing all this, is to show you the humane side of this test .. because the blog by itself is absolutely perfect in its material , the depth of coverage. I am bringing to it , what the blogger has helped me with , and i believe carries 50% of the test result. The Attitude and Approach to this test..

When you find yourself burning out, when you find yourself tired , hungry /stuffed with all that overeating, nauseous with no sleep , overworked and socially awkward since you have no life basically , THIS is what you read… Believe in Yourself. You are a Winner and You can and Will do it!!

Yep , I know you're either smiling thinking Oh Lord What a retard , Or you are actually sitting up and saying this aloud. Try it! It simple/free/effective .. Buy one Get the other smile free free free !!! :P

2 days before my test , I had my guts in the worst sort of volvulus ever , Cardiac tamponade was a second away , and I think I had already suffered a cerebral infarct! What more right ? ? The night before my test I found myself hyperventilating and insomniac to the core .. But the words of my mentor , the self spoken words of my inner soul, the love and expectations of my family , the hours of hard work I had put in , made me believe that Yes I can do it. YOu find your own muse ( whatever it is) … The point is be calm, stable and treat it just like a dissection. Each question comes to you like a piece of art, you don't just hack your way into it, your a doctor, precision steadiness is our key.. Cmon We are way bigger risk takers than even cardiosurgeons I think, we hold airrotars in our hands with diamond burs rotating at such speeds, we could tear the person up, this is only a test .

I walked into that test, not thinking about the 9 hours that I was going to be on that chair for, what I remembered, What I didn't remember, What score I wanted, how hard i had studied but I walked in wearing the clothes I was most comfortable in, and with one and only thing in my mind. I had 400 questions coming my way , and I'm going to focus on ONE question at a time, slow steady , breathe and focus on just that question for what it is at that time. Mark the question and move to the next. If I knew the answer I'm good. If i don't , I say Mark and move. The morning session ended before I had even realized. I told myself 200 more to go. I had one hour of a break to which i utilized to close my eyes, meditate, rest my eyes and just hear myself breathe. Get some refreshments ( snickers provided me what I wanted then) and walked back saying ok , another 200 , one at a time , lets give it all I've got. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired , or my body was agitated , restless , but I shifted in my chair more than you would on a roller coaster , keep your mind calm and alert , feel free to cross your legs on top of the chair, scratch your head, give yourself a neck rub or probably just smile looking at some questions to which you're like What the hell is going on. Make it work for you , rather than freaking out as to OMG where is this going???How can this be happening to me? I'm doomed!

As I walked out of that centre, I have no idea as to how I did, ( please pray I did well ) , but what I do know is that I gave it my best shot , I overcame my fears of the test , giving myself a pat on the back that I was calm and achieved what I went there for .. The story post this was hardly exciting .. I was so wired, that I was a retard for the rest of the evening but I didn't care. I did my job the best that I could, and you need to be able to walk away for no one else except yourself at that point of time. The rest is Destiny!

So go out there, Give it ALL you've got and I truly believe that Good things shall follow !

All the Best! :)

My co writer- Welcome Dia

Its been a long time since my post, so i have decided to hand the reins to Dia, who has just finished her NBDE part 1. She is really motivated and has promised to write her Nbde board exam experiences and her game plans. Be nice to her and dont ask her exam Q. Thats illegal and is not allowed. Apart from that Im sure she will be glad to help you guys.

New friends - new game plans

Hi , All of you.
Sorry for being so dormant all these days, hopefully iam back.
At least to answer your questions, i thought of posting these emails here and answering them so it can help everyone.
Dr.Nima from Virginia wants to know where to start from and she is studying after a lay off 6 years , this is my advise...
Dear Dr. Poornima,
My suggestion would be to start with micro. Thats the easiest to start with and gives you immense confidence.
Look at the video lectures.
Virus video lecture is 4 hours ..then do the usmle notes ..make your own notes, only your notes will help you in the end.
Then switch to Bacteria thats 6 hour lecture - do it in 2 parts and then do the rest Basic micro,fungus,parasite same way, stick to video and usmle lecture notes for now.
Even if you take 3-4 days to do all once. Its ok.
Repeat and revise. 2days Total time 7 days.
The lady who does the usml biochem lectures is too good, she really gives you confidence.
Once you are done, you will feel good.
Then switch to biochem..


Dr.Vincent from Melboune wants to do Graduate orthodontics in USA (MSD)
his question was what will he need as course material

This is what he says
Hi,


I'm a practicing dentist from Melbourne, Australia. I graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2006 and have been working in private practice for 4 years now.


I'm interested in applying for a postgraduate orthodontic course in an American University, and I know to apply to most courses I would have to sit at least the NBDE part I.


Just been reading your website about NBDE part I. Its very informative.


I was hoping you could give me basic information about the NBDE part I,
- how much time I would need to devote to these exams (per week/how many months to study prior to sitting exams etc) to achieve entry into a postgraduate course in the states.
- what study material i should look at getting
- any additional information or websites to help me with these exams

BIOCHEM REVIEW on Request

Hey guys,I know its been a long time since my last blog, I dont want to blame my dental school and the curriculam,i have beel lazy,but i promise new posts every week and feel free to email me with new suggestions
There was a request for biochem by my new reader (K.hoda),this one is for you.Hope it helps!
Wishing you all merry christmas and a very successfull year ahead.God bless.Rr

Biochemistry- is intense we need 5 days to do from the scratch,A......zDAY 1 BIOCHEMITS better if you are starting for the first time,to skip molecular biochem initially,start from basics ,get into the groove and then explode,the information is enourmous.Start with the Lecture on hormones...It comes aftr mol biochem in lecture notes,ALL the hormones and receptors are discussed in full here including the board exam favourite insulin.ALL secondary messengers are explained in such a simple language,Keep your note pad ready,pause and replay if you cannot understand4-5 come in exam about receptors,and they are not straight ques.evry secondary messenger is important,note not just the name but the mechanism of action.ITs one and half hour of intense lecture,you might take two hours thats ok. The questions at the end in the lecture notes are so twisted,just like the exams,keep your guyton ready and its time to go for the kill insulin,glucagon,what increases what decreases in exercise in diabetic,in non diabetic,the receptors,secondary messge...make sure you get them right.The next lecture is on vitamins its a breezer,but a very important basic lecture,make sure you get all the facts about vit A ,D.Pick up Calcium metablism from guyton and parathormone,calcitonin.ITs alomost 4 hours. Take a breather its time for the Board FAvourite metabolism and our reverred cycles.A introductory lecture is given OVERVIEW OF METABOLISM,{chapter 11 on lecture notes,video lecture 17}There are 3 figures in this chapter,but it combines the three main processes of Carb,fats and proteins and all the pathways involved in our entire biochem,just simply stating during meals and in between meals[fasting stage]This is your basic chapter it links everything ,all the cycles where they appear in 2 simple figures.IF you can draw these cycles on your note pad at the end of this introductory lecture.Well you just got ready for your next 20 marks in BiochemTHe next chapter starts with carbohydrate metabolism Glycolysis with an intro on GLUT receptors,goes on to explain the glycolysis cycle in a simple language,if you can repeat in your note pad you are done in an hour and half,finish of with ATP and electron shuttle,galactose and fructose metabolism.3 hours,skin thro your basic carb str from lippencort next hour make notes and you are done.Time for hot pipping mug of caffiene and a well deserved break. Biochemistry- is intense we need 5 days to do from the scratch,A......zDAY 1 BIOCHEMITS better if you are starting for the first time,to skip molecular biochem initially,start from basics ,get into the groove and then explode,the information is enourmous.Start with the Lecture on hormones...It comes aftr mol biochem in lecture notes,ALL the hormones and receptors are discussed in full here including the board exam favourite insulin.ALL secondary messengers are explained in such a simple language,Keep your note pad ready,pause and replay if you cannot understand4-5 come in exam about receptors,and they are not straight ques.evry secondary messenger is important,note not just the name but the mechanism of action.ITs one and half hour of intense lecture,you might take two hours thats ok. The questions at the end in the lecture notes are so twisted,just like the exams,keep your guyton ready and its time to go for the kill insulin,glucagon,what increases what decreases in exercise in diabetic,in non diabetic,the receptors,secondary messge...make sure you get them right.The next lecture is on vitamins its a breezer,but a very important basic lecture,make sure you get all the facts about vit A ,D.Pick up Calcium metablism from guyton and parathormone,calcitonin.ITs alomost 4 hours. Take a breather its time for the Board FAvourite metabolism and our reverred cycles.A introductory lecture is given OVERVIEW OF METABOLISM,{chapter 11 on lecture notes,video lecture 17}There are 3 figures in this chapter,but it combines the three main processes of Carb,fats and proteins and all the pathways involved in our entire biochem,just simply stating during meals and in between meals[fasting stage]This is your basic chapter it links everything ,all the cycles where they appear in 2 simple figures.IF you can draw these cycles on your note pad at the end of this introductory lecture.Well you just got ready for your next 20 marks in BiochemTHe next chapter starts with carbohydrate metabolism Glycolysis with an intro on GLUT receptors,goes on to explain the glycolysis cycle in a simple language,if you can repeat in your note pad you are done in an hour and half,finish of with ATP and electron shuttle,galactose and fructose metabolism.3 hours,skin thro your basic carb str from lippencort next hour make notes and you are done.Time for hot pipping mug of caffiene and a well deserved break.

NBde videos are waste of TIME try USMLe VIDEOS

My friend who has joined the kaplan institute tells me the nbde videos are condensed videos 10 hrs per subject,taught by dentists,Imagine biochemistry taught by dentists,WASTE of time
I put her onto Usmle videos and Lecture notes,she is back on track,She likes the way Usml videos function from the basic.
People always ask me that"Are not usml portions too much",MY answer is always NO,look at the syallabus,study that completely,kaplan does not set nbde part 1 exam papers ,ITS JUST a tutorial,How we make use,what we study is up to us.

Its University Time

Believe in your Dreams,All the hard work does not go to waste,Iam sure all of you will win ,its only a matter of time.Dont even think of giving up.My friend who is a prof in NYU told me ,you dont adopt America ,America adopts you.There is an univeristy with your name in it, waiting for you to apply.Get the grades ,start living
Good Luck to you all...........
keep writing,i promise to reply