<p>I've decided that I pretty much want to become a surgeon. Specifically I want to do Plastics (Maxillofacial Reconstruction). I've gotten really involved with the Operation Smile foundation (I started the club in my HS and I'm in the process of starting it at Swarthmore) and I would one day love to go on the mission trips and actually perform the surgeries. I know some will recommend Dentistry School but I would much rather obtain an MD. So my question is which schools should I research in regards to admissions and such, seeing as I don't necessarily need to attend a research-oriented school?</p>
<p>Actually, research would be very beneficial for getting into very competitive specialities. Plastics is one of the toughest if not THE toughest speciality to get into.</p>
<p>Excellent grades aside, research is basically what makes you a competitive residency applicant. Plastics is very competitive (though my school says Derm is the most competitive residency) so you'll probably need to do research to be able to get into Plastics.</p>
<p>Are MD's even permitted to do maxillofacial?</p>
<p>I don't think MD's are. Check out AAOMS.org. It says all training programs are accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation, so I'm guessing that means dental schools offer this training. Good news is that your education will be less expensive and you will earn more than a MD (half joke, half truth).</p>
<p>Based on the percentage of unmatched US med school seniors, plastic surgery beats out derm:</p>
<p>Plastic surgery- 37.8% failed to match
Derm-27% failed to match</p>
<p>They are #1 and #2 among all specialties in that category. Research is very important for derm as well.</p>
<p>According to Penn's match list, two of their students last year matched into Oral Maxillo Facial Surgery so it must exist. Penn does distinguish it from plastic surgery residency though. That's all I know.</p>
<p>Edit: That's not all I know. I think somewhere I've seen MD/DDS combined programs.</p>
<p>I know that MD/DDS programs exist, at least informally. Penn also has an excellent dental school. My suspicion is that the two maxillofacials are MD/DDS kids -- not MD's. My school certainly doesn't have any maxillofacial matches.</p>