Is having sections like leadership completely empty really bad? Last time Chances

[FlossFloss]

Just lookin back on my app and seeing how weak it actually looks, so I would like chance for the very last time. Especially compared to a lot of the applicants on this site, I feel like I don't have any extracurriculars or awards. I did put a lot of effort into my apps but i just coulnd't fill some things out and I'm afraid that it'll look bad.

My ogpa: 3.32
sgpa: 3.24
DAT in sig

I worked teaching kids in a local boston tutoring center for the past 2 and a half years. Shadowed a dentist for 100hrs and specialist for 50hrs. I got deans list one semester of my four years. I have just one extracurricular in a hospital. I didn't even hold any club positions either.

ZERO research experience...ZERO academic enrichment programs. I feel so inadequate looking at these completely blank spaces where I feel you should have something.

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[pennjenn]

It will definitely hurt your application, but won't make it impossible to get in somewhere

 

[dentalWorks]

90% of most applications are dictated by GPA + sGPA + DAT (which your not so bad off) + upward trends
the other 10% is LORs, personal statement, shadowing, and extra curricular(s)

Most people starting dental school are near the age of 23-25, and have never held a real job position (burger king shift supervisor isn't "leadership" by the way). You are worrying over nothing

 

[peacelove&TX]

90% of most applications are dictated by GPA + sGPA + DAT (which your not so bad off) + upward trends
the other 10% is LORs, personal statement, shadowing, and extra curricular(s)

Most people starting dental school are near the age of 23-25, and have never held a real job position (burger king shift supervisor isn't "leadership" by the way). You are worrying over nothing

I would have to disagree with this to the furthest extent. your application is not a mere 10% of LORs, personal statement and extra curriculars. Nowadays schools LOOK EXTENSIVELY for well-rounded individuals. It about diversity and what sets your apart from the typical decent GPA/ decent DAT score applicant. People tend to fall into the idea that itrs ALL grades and numbers...if thats the case whats the point of an interview? think about it....

 

[jeffity]

I would have to disagree with this to the furthest extent. your application is not a mere 10% of LORs, personal statement and extra curriculars. Nowadays schools LOOK EXTENSIVELY for well-rounded individuals. It about diversity and what sets your apart from the typical decent GPA/ decent DAT score applicant. People tend to fall into the idea that itrs ALL grades and numbers...if thats the case whats the point of an interview? think about it....

I'd like to think we are at this point, but we aren't. Not yet. If you don't have the numbers, you're not going to have your application looked at anytime soon. It's one of the only hard metrics to look at (easy to filter through apps). It's unrealistic to think that a school who receives hundreds or even thousands of applications is reading all the statements and letters. The cover letter should help, but numbers are still driving this process. I'm not going to put a percentage on what role ECs play. But it's less significant than you're suggesting. Numbers and applying early is how this works. Of course many others get in. But I'd worry about stats before concerning myself with well-roundedness.

The point of the interview isn't about stats or ECs. It's meeting you. They're not going to let someone in based on stats alone (I'm sure to an extent, some schools so though). But you go so they can check you out. That's personality, not ECs and letters.

 

[dbd]

I'd like to think we are at this point, but we aren't. Not yet. If you don't have the numbers, you're not going to have your application looked at anytime soon. It's one of the only hard metrics to look at (easy to filter through apps). It's unrealistic to think that a school who receives hundreds or even thousands of applications is reading all the statements and letters. The cover letter should help, but numbers are still driving this process. I'm not going to put a percentage on what role ECs play. But it's less significant than you're suggesting. Numbers and applying early is how this works. Of course many others get in. But I'd worry about stats before concerning myself with well-roundedness.

The point of the interview isn't about stats or ECs. It's meeting you. They're not going to let someone in based on stats alone (I'm sure to an extent, some schools so though), but you go so they can check you out. That's personality, not ECs and letters.

Was about to type out a rebuttal, but this succinctly summarized what I was going to say. Having a lot of EC's is great and distinguishes you from other applicants that have similar stats. However, it's still your GPA and DAT that get you the initial interview in the first place. Having all the dental experience in the world won't help if you have a 2.5 GPA and a 18 DAT.

 

[dentalWorks]

I would have to disagree with this to the furthest extent. your application is not a mere 10% of LORs, personal statement and extra curriculars. Nowadays schools LOOK EXTENSIVELY for well-rounded individuals. It about diversity and what sets your apart from the typical decent GPA/ decent DAT score applicant. People tend to fall into the idea that itrs ALL grades and numbers...if thats the case whats the point of an interview? think about it....

What you are thinking about is the idealistic way of how schools SHOULD look at applicants.

What I am saying is, its much easier to flip through GPAs & DATs when a school is bombarded with 2000-4000+ applicants yearly and you only have a handful of (an already busy) staff shuffling through applications trying to decide who gets an interview and who doesn't AND then who gets in and who doesn't. Its ALOT of man-hours (w/ huge payrolls) to use your method. The reality is, numbers gets you the interview, AND EVEN after the interview, the numbers are still a big factor in the decision making process.

 

[FlossFloss]

So since I applied early and I'm not way too far off the average, I should....be ok right? Having to take a year off to figure out what to do if I don't get in scares the living bejeezy out of me

 

[peacelove&TX]

So since I applied early and I'm not way too far off the average, I should....be ok right? Having to take a year off to figure out what to do if I don't get in scares the living bejeezy out of me

Yes honestly, i dont see why not especially applying early

 

[Glimmer1991]

Why isn't teaching/tutoring kids a leadership experience?!?! Even if it's a job, it's still leadership!

I had ZERO research, too. And the "academic enrichment" category is just weird.

That thing at the hospital... was it a one-time thing, or a longstanding commitment?

You'll probably be fine. However, start volunteering. It'll be good for you, it'll be good for others, and it'll be good for your application updates/interviews. (Just 'cause something isn't in your AADSAS app doesn't mean you can't talk about it in interviews!) And, if worst comes to worst, it will certainly help for next year.

 

[FlossFloss]

Why isn't teaching/tutoring kids a leadership experience?!?! Even if it's a job, it's still leadership!

I had ZERO research, too. And the "academic enrichment" category is just weird.

That thing at the hospital... was it a one-time thing, or a longstanding commitment?

You'll probably be fine. However, start volunteering. It'll be good for you, it'll be good for others, and it'll be good for your application updates/interviews. (Just 'cause something isn't in your AADSAS app doesn't mean you can't talk about it in interviews!) And, if worst comes to worst, it will certainly help for next year.

Please for the love of God worst doesn't come to worst ahhaha. I did the hospital thing from my freshman to junior year, and yes I got nothing on my academic enrichment whatever that is 0_0. Thanks everyone for your advices. I really appreciate it. It's one thing to not put anything down on an entire section, and another thing when you actually see a big empty page on the paper app =[. And I'm just working now, won't be volunteering because I really need the money..so I'll just have to talk about work if that's ok too.

 

[Cello]

I think you look pretty good. Could you have done more? Probably. Will that keep you out? Probably not. I also think you're underestimating some of the things you have done as Glimmer pointed out.