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is research experience necessary?
- Thread starter mr79steroid
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Where did you get that info?
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Not necessarily, however, it does look good that you were exposed to some form research. Remember ur selling urself so you have to embellish it a bit. If you can do research, its alot of fun if ur doing something interesting.
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I did research but it seemed like a lot of kids at my interviews had not. Its just another opportunity on your resume to display your interest in dentistry, its definitely not a requisite for entry.
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I think research experience is a plus. It doesn't mean you will automatically get in. I know of many people who have had no research experience getting into dental school.
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No. I didn't do any research and I know others that didn't and got accepted. But it may depend on the school.
A school like NYU who takes 220 students could care less about research, while Stony with 39 students does care. I was grilled by my Stony interviewer for not having research, where in most of the schools like NYU, NOVA, Baltimore, etc, it never came up.
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hey, i never did research but was accepted into stony brook dental school... so I don't feel it is necessary but definitely a plus and everyone should do some sort of research either clinical/translational or laboratory oriented if they have time on their hands!
Especially for those who have average gpa/DATs, it's will be a great advantage.
Especially for those who have average gpa/DATs, it's will be a great advantage.
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It's obviously not a requirement, but some people need more on their application to make up for sub-par stats. I think my 4 years of research played a significant role in my getting into dental school. For someone with all 20's and a 3.7 GPA, it's probably not a big deal if they don't have it.
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Not necessary. But it will help you and you will be learning..so it's a win win! Just think about it, you are competing with applicants with 4.0, 20+, volunteering, research, and shadowing. You want to bring as much to the table as you can. Do the best YOU can.
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I disagree, you can look at my PreDents I didnt get alllllll 20's I did get a 17 on QR but everything else was above. With a 3.81 GPA I think it would have significant impact on my application.
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right, because for you it might have been the difference between getting 13 interviews and getting err... well, 13 interviews.
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Ha, make that 14 now 🙂 but still I think it has a good deal to do with getting the final acceptance. Same with all extras. But research carries weight, I would suggest having research.
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I agree that having research can only contribute in positive ways towards your application, but as someone else said, how different schools emphasize it varies greatly. I think it's also worth pointing out how involved you are with the research (3 months vs 2 years) is really important as well.
14 interviews is insane. Did you/are you planning to attend all of them???
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I think research is beneficial. I had several interviewers who were PhD faculty and it establishes a bases where you can talk about your research or relate it to aquired problem solving traits, etc.
However, I earned a straight out rejection from Michigan with several years of research under my belt... So it all depends, it's an asset I think.
However, I earned a straight out rejection from Michigan with several years of research under my belt... So it all depends, it's an asset I think.
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Research experience isn't necessary, but it definitely gives them a reason to look at your application. I've been working in a research lab for a year and half now and at most of my interviews we mainly discussed my research. At UConn, my interviewer even knew my research professor. I didn't realize it would be that important, I was involved out of self interest and to meet a requirement as part of my Honors thesis, but I really felt that having that experience was huge advantage on my application. Also, like someone said - it's a big difference if you're in a lab for 3 months or 3 semesters. If you have time and can get into a lab, do it - It's probably one of the best things I've done in undergrad.
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Wow with your stats I would have guessed you got more acceptances. What's your state of residence?
Importantly, research allows you to get to know a professor(s) better which then allows them to write you a far better recommendation letter. So many professors get the "hey I got an A in your orgo I lecture will you write me a recommendation letter". Then they are writing a letter based on the few encounters that they had with you in office hours as opposed to the 3 semesters that they spent mentoring you on a research project. You never get to see those letters but they are probably pretty average.
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I didn't do any, and did well getting acceptances. Of course it cant hurt though.
I was asked at some interviews if I did any research, I simply told them I had not and they never asked why (I still got in after those interviews so it is not an all important part of your application).
I was asked at some interviews if I did any research, I simply told them I had not and they never asked why (I still got in after those interviews so it is not an all important part of your application).
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I don't think it really matters. It just about self directed learning and taking the initiative to do something in addition to your required classes.
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I think it is good to have research and some schools like it more than others.... It is not required though.
