Activities During the Year Off

[Mike Zeus]

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Hello. I graduated with a B.S.,majoring in Biomedical Science, this past December. I missed the application deadlines for professional schools my junior year mainly because I was uncertain of which health care field I wanted to pursue. Having now set my sights on dentistry, I have a good 1.5 years before I can start dental school in Fall of 2011 (I graduated a semester early). I plan on studying for/taking the DAT late winter or early spring and getting the application process started promptly the first of June '10.

However, I'm left with a lot of time on my hands. What can I do that would best improve my application? One thing to note is that even though I graduated with a 4.0 for all years of undergrad, I neglected involvement in campus activities. Also, I've shadowed two different general dentists for about 20-25 hours each and recently an orthodontist for a day.

Thanks for any and all responses.

 

[Kneecoal]

if you're back home, look for something local to volunteer at. ask one or both of the dentists to write a recommendation letter for you, but if you feel like you didn't spend enough time with them to warrant a letter, do some more time. find a job and start saving up!

 

[golf05]

However, I'm left with a lot of time on my hands. What can I do that would best improve my application?

This is the fun part! Pick something you're passionate about- a sport, a cause, a unique experience...then do it and be dedicated to it for a year.
This is assuming you have done all your prereqs and a few extra science classes. (If not, that is first on your list.) Join a school or community sport club, volunteer weekly at an organization you're interested in, or do something odd and spontaneous like...bike across America, travel India for 6 months, learn language, get a crazy job...Have fun this year and make that part of your unique extracurricular activities when you apply!

 

[Mike Zeus]

if you're back home, look for something local to volunteer at. ask one or both of the dentists to write a recommendation letter for you, but if you feel like you didn't spend enough time with them to warrant a letter, do some more time. find a job and start saving up!

Thanks for the advice. I figure I'll get a job at some point in order to keep busy; what kinds of jobs are best? I apologize for the elementariness of these questions, but I want to ensure maximum chance of acceptance.

 

[Mike Zeus]

This is the fun part! Pick something you're passionate about- a sport, a cause, a unique experience...then do it and be dedicated to it for a year.
This is assuming you have done all your prereqs and a few extra science classes. (If not, that is first on your list.) Join a school or community sport club, volunteer weekly at an organization you're interested in, or do something odd and spontaneous like...bike across America, travel India for 6 months, learn language, get a crazy job...Have fun this year and make that part of your unique extracurricular activities when you apply!

I've always wanted to travel, having never left North America. Some friends and I are planning on taking a road trip from here (West Virginia) to Santa Monica via Route 66 late spring. I'll look into other countries and see what is feasible. Thanks.

 

[stephmlov]

are you considering doing an MSc at all?

 

[Mike Zeus]

are you considering doing an MSc at all?

No, I haven't realistically considered it. It seems somewhat unnecessary, in my opinion, since a B.S. is the norm for dental school applicants. I'd rather find something more extracurricular than to go through more schooling.

 

[Kneecoal]

Thanks for the advice. I figure I'll get a job at some point in order to keep busy; what kinds of jobs are best? I apologize for the elementariness of these questions, but I want to ensure maximum chance of acceptance.

At first I was in the mindset that I HAD to get a dental-related job, but that's really not the case. I'm working at the hospital in my area right now because I'd worked there in the past and so it was easier for me to find a job, and it pays pretty decently too. Besides, you're going to need to find something that pays because you're going to need to start paying your loans back well before you start d-school. Good luck!

 

[redchesus]

I'm in the same boat as you actually. Right now I'm working full time, studying for the DAT and shadowing (which I sorely lacked the time to do while in school).

If I were you, I would use this time to improve on what your application is lacking. Join some organizations. I joined a non-profit dental access organization in my area which gave me volunteering hours and I got to meet some dentists whom I'm going to shadow in the near future. But it doesn't even have to be dental related. I also volunteer at the local food bank a couple hours a week. I have quite a bit of time to spare right now.

Other than that, I would really recommend enjoying the slow-paced lifestyle. I took up some hobbies that I gave up during undergrad, which was really fun. I travel quite a bit right now too (a weekend here, a couple days there) because I have the ability to. I figure I won't be able to do it again once I start DS. Next summer (after/if I get into DS) I'll probably go backpack in Asia for a couple of months. Live your life! It's like the only advantage of taking a gap year :-D

 

[golf05]

Next summer (after/if I get into DS) I'll probably go backpack in Asia for a couple of months.

If you have any questions about great places to go and tips for travel, PM me. I did 2 months in India, Cambodia and Thailand for less than $2500, including airfare!

 

[nitrolegs]

round trip to hong kong and china during march is only $800

 

[Mike Zeus]

Again, thanks for the responses guys.

I had lunch with one of the dentists I shadowed and he set me up with a free health care clinic nearby with which I can volunteer a couple of days per week. Area dentists volunteer some of their time to perform simple procedures (extractions and fillings) on the underprivileged. I should be able to meet new dental professionals while also getting worthwhile experience.

As for a job, there are several openings for dental assistants and even one for a lab technician. However, they're all full-time and I would really like to spend time in this volunteer clinic. Plus, I figure it will be difficult to land a position once I tell a future employer that I plan to leave for dental school (acceptance willing) and can't even make a 2 year commitment. So, I'm not sure what to do here.

 

[Aafreen]

I'm in the same boat as you actually. Right now I'm working full time, studying for the DAT and shadowing (which I sorely lacked the time to do while in school).

If I were you, I would use this time to improve on what your application is lacking. Join some organizations. I joined a non-profit dental access organization in my area which gave me volunteering hours and I got to meet some dentists whom I'm going to shadow in the near future. But it doesn't even have to be dental related. I also volunteer at the local food bank a couple hours a week. I have quite a bit of time to spare right now.

Other than that, I would really recommend enjoying the slow-paced lifestyle. I took up some hobbies that I gave up during undergrad, which was really fun. I travel quite a bit right now too (a weekend here, a couple days there) because I have the ability to. I figure I won't be able to do it again once I start DS. Next summer (after/if I get into DS) I'll probably go backpack in Asia for a couple of months. Live your life! It's like the only advantage of taking a gap year :-D

can u plz throw some light on what kind of non profit dental organization u are talking about ? and how to approach them ? ....thanks

 

[Blue Panther]

can u plz throw some light on what kind of non profit dental organization u are talking about ? and how to approach them ? ....thanks

These are not always easy to find. Talk with a local dentist in your area and ask him/her about places that provide free or reduce dental care to the indigent population.

 

[redchesus]

can u plz throw some light on what kind of non profit dental organization u are talking about ? and how to approach them ? ....thanks

try the public health department, they'll know of these kinds of programs in the area, then just contact the volunteer organizer or head person and say you want to help out...

round trip to hong kong and china during march is only $800

WHAT?! that's crazy... I went to Europe 3 years ago and it was freakin' $750... I have never seen anything to Asia for less than $900, it's usually $1000+ (wait, I'm in the middle of the country though, you're probably on the West Coast)

 

[Blue Panther]

These international tickets are cheaper in February and March.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

With all the free time you have, I would focus on doing everything you can to smoke the DAT in one shot, 20+ across the boards.

Once that is out of the way then worry about doing community service and such.

If you really have a 4.0 and you kill the DAT, as long as you have some shadowing experience and apply early (As in as soon as you can in May or June whenever it opens this year), you should be fine.

A year is alot of time, you can get 50 hours of community service in easily, get some letters of rec, and still have time to relax. Maybe shadow dentists a few more times throughout the year to show you didn't just chill. But don't forget to enjoy yourself too.

Traveling is a good idea.

edit: noticed you already have 50+ hours shadowing..maybe you should do something else..I think having 50 hours shadowing and 50 hours doing community service would look better than just 100 hours shadowing.

 

[SoCalBlondie]

Got an admin. job that pays over $20/hour at the school I wanted to go to.... met the right people in admissions and ACCEPTED 🙂

Also did some dental related research at the school and studied a lot to do well on the DAT