Top 5 Topics:- The Post-Match Process → Landed a 6-Year Oral Surgery Residency Spot in Just Days After Match-Day- How to Crush the CBSE (Took It 3 Times & Finally Killed It)- 7 Externships, Elite Mentors & The Real Way Into Oral Surgery- Why Top Oral Surgery Programs Are Going Unmatched in 2026- The Post-Match Scramble: Offers in Hours, Turning Down Programs, Non-Cat InfoQuotes & Wisdom:“During residency you have 6 years where you’re not gonna be able to take that vacation or visit that family member… That’s why right now, less is better. Enjoy your time.” — Brendan

“I thought I did everything right. Statistically I was supposed to match, but I didn’t. You just have to stay calm, cool, and collected and everything will work out in the end.” — Philip Evalen (post-match reflection)“Don’t just have 30 extracurriculars just to have them. Stick with the things that are actually important to you.” — Philip Evalen

“The CBSE is kind of what gets you through the door. Then it’s really how you present yourself… Can I spend 4-6 years with this person?” — Philip Evalen

“On an externship, I don’t need it to be hands-on. I’d rather just learn about the program and picture: do I see myself going here for 4-6 years?” — Philip Evalen

“After I post-matched I basically took on this philanthropist role of just trying to help people… because that private practice guy helped me so much.” — Philip Evalen

Questions:

“What are some of the elements that you would say were crucial for getting into residency?”

“How did you find your mentor? What was your mentor — an oral surgeon? Were they something else? Did they work solely academics? Was it a private practice?”

“How many places did you extern at and did they come from your list?”

“What were some of the materials or things that helped you increase that CBSE score?”

“What did you do for letters of recommendation?”