Becoming flustered

[VinylKey]

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Hey fellow pre-dents. I'm currently a sophomore in university right now. After talking to a few people, and looking at what I need to do for a solid application, I should provide a quality, consistent volunteer experience. I've just had no luck trying to find something in my area and I was wondering what some of y'all are doing, and weather or not it was dental related (does that matter, just curious).

 

[8_man]

It doesn't have to be dental related–the main thing is to have an interesting story to tell by the end of it

 

[Faefly]

I actually volunteered at dogs shelters, in the beginning, then I volunteered at the museums in my city. It's easy to volunteer there. So, that was the start. Then I was able to volunteer in my school's hospital, and after time, if the supervisors like you, you'll get more hours and opportunities.
Also, I became a RedCross member, they have multiple events each year, you can participate as blood drive ambassador, for example, they require 6 hours commitment each month for that position.
I am sure there is a RedCross branch in your city.
You just need to find something you love and commit yourself to it.
I love animals, and I love museums, so they were my first choices.
I tried to volunteer at my public library, but they told me, it was already filled, but you can try there as well.

 

[VinylKey]

It doesn't have to be dental related–the main thing is to have an interesting story to tell by the end of it

I suspected that but I wasn't 100% sure. I appreciate the help!

 

[VinylKey]

I actually volunteered at dogs shelters, in the beginning, then I volunteered at the museums in my city. It's easy to volunteer there. So, that was the start. Then I was able to volunteer in my school's hospital, and after time, if the supervisors like you, you'll get more hours and opportunities.
Also, I became a RedCross member, they have multiple events each year, you can participate as blood drive ambassador, for example, they require 6 hours commitment each month for that position.
I am sure there is a RedCross branch in your city.
You just need to find something you love and commit yourself to it.
I love animals, and I love museums, so they were my first choices.
I tried to volunteer at my public library, but they told me, it was already filled, but you can try there as well.

Wow that's really cool! What was the whole process for becoming a RedCross member like?

 

[Faefly]

Wow that's really cool! What was the whole process for becoming a RedCross member like?

You basically go to their website
this link where you can become a volunteer.
Ways To Volunteer | Community Service | Red Cross

You enter your zip code, search for opportunity and then they ask you to sign in or create an account
they'll ask you for more details and they will do a background check
it will take about 3 weeks to a month until they accept
then there is a new orientation for new volunteers
it all depends on what kind of duty you want to participate in.

In my case, I went to their office and told them I created an account and stuff so that sped up the process.

 

[CbasCoC2016]

@Faefly Hi there, I'm sophomore planning on transferring soon but I don't know what to list Red Cross as... I'm currently a blood drive coordinator and the VP of my CC Red Cross Club. Also how did you list Red Cross when you were applying to dental schools 😀?

 

[Faefly]

@Faefly Hi there, I'm sophomore planning on transferring soon but I don't know what to list Red Cross as... I'm currently a blood drive coordinator and the VP of my CC Red Cross Club. Also how did you list Red Cross when you were applying to dental schools 😀?

The blood drive coordinator is definitely a volunteer experience, but I am not sure about the Vice President of the CC Red Cross Club, this counts as an extracurricular experience I guess, I am not sure though.

 

[ChewyDrop]

Volunteer at a hospital.

 

[Life of Pablo]

I was in the same situation as you. I go to a smaller school so it was difficult to find consistent volunteering opportunities. What I did is volunteer at different things as much as possible. I also took the initiative to start my own volunteer program with an orgization. If your school is lacking something that you need, go out and get it yourself. That's the best advice I can give you.

 

[toothdoctor123]

I'm still confused about SDNers talking about volunteering as if it were a section on the AADSAS. It's not a requirement, and volunteering hours are not tabulated. (Someone please correct me if this has changed since I applied to dental school.)

I think it would be more economical just to focus on getting work or other listable extracurricular experience that generally demonstrates empathy, leadership, and community service. Volunteering is only one of many ways to do this. The point is not about demonstrating your ability to work for free.

For example, it would probably be more impressive to say you tutored children with special needs, even if you were paid to do it, than to say you volunteered at a soup kitchen for a few hours.

 

[MLC45]

I'm still confused about SDNers talking about volunteering as if it were a section on the AADSAS. It's not a requirement, and volunteering hours are not tabulated. (Someone please correct me if this has changed since I applied to dental school.)

I think it would be more economical just to focus on getting work or other listable extracurricular experience that generally demonstrates empathy, leadership, and community service. Volunteering is only one of many ways to do this. The point is not about demonstrating your ability to work for free.

For example, it would probably be more impressive to say you tutored children with special needs, even if you were paid to do it, than to say you volunteered at a soup kitchen for a few hours.

At some schools volunteering is very important, at others not so much. The schools that want high volunteering hours want students that are willing to help the community without money being the motivation. So yes it is about being willing to work for free. It can say a lot about one's character and willingness to think of others over ones self. Also it doesn't have to be dental related, only that you are willing to serve others.