Application Strength Assessment?

[Arti Mistry]

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Hey everyone, this is my first time using Student Doctor network so I hope everyone is able to read this.

I am currently a junior in Florida looking to apply to dental schools for this cycle but I'm really worried about a specific part of my application which I feel is lacking.

I'm currently working with a 3.5 science GPA and a 3.4 overall. I've been doing research for almost 2 and a half years and I'm President of a research organization that I helped found on campus at my University. I've been working part time at a research lab for almost 2 years through school and through my breaks as well and so as you can see a lot of my time has either been dedicated to school or work which hasn't left much time for exposure. I have a few hours of shadowing, maybe close to 30 hours which is really starting to worry me. I was considering possibly applying the next cycle as opposed to this one (taking a year off) but that is my LAST resort option. I haven't taken my DAT yet but have been preparing for it since winter break and am shooting for a 20/21 on the actual exam.

My question is, with the lack of exposure that I have would taking a year off be ABSOLUTELY necessary for me in order to better my chances of applying? I know my GPA isn't all that great but i feel that a good DAT score will help to compensate a little for it.

Any advice would help a lot please and thank you so very much!

 

[UCSFx2017]

My question is, with the lack of exposure that I have would taking a year off be ABSOLUTELY necessary for me in order to better my chances of applying?

No. Take a week long break (spring break) from researching and use spring break to rack up over 50 hrs of shadowing. Rack up hours during the summer as well.

 

[Cello]

You could conceivably rack up 100 hours of dental shadowing in a single week if you really need to. Hell, that's a normal week for some MD residents...

Also, don't be so harsh on yourself, your research experience and leadership are outstanding, and your GPA is right where it should be.

 

[Arti Mistry]

Thank you very much 🙂

 

[Arti Mistry]

Thank you so much! And thank you for the kind words, I tend to be a bit critical on myself I've heard lol.