Dental Fraternity

[Superhuntress]

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I am considering joining a dental fraternity at my school. The two fraternities have been talking to us this week, but I am still really confused. They both say that they are the academic fraternity on campus, so I don't know which is better. Is anyone here in a dental fraternity and could give me advice on the benefits of joining? Which fraternities have the best connections for networking: jobs, residency, shadowing? What is the reason for joining?

 

[Yah-E]

My dental school had two dental fraternities there as well, Alpha Omega and Psi Omega.

You asked what are dental fraternities, to me, they're only good for parties during dental school.

People at NSU join them, in my opinions, are for the following reasons:

90% social
5% academic (reviews, CV boosters, and practical teachings)
2.5% alumni connections
2.5% philantropies

I remember when the two dental fraternities rushed us, they kept telling us, alumni connections are huge if you want to specialize! I'll tell you what, I've applied to one of the most competitive specialties in dentistry there is and not one interview had asked me about my dental fraternity affliations!

To me, dental fraternities are only good for social purposes.

Don't get confused though, dental fraternity parties are nothing like undergraduate fraternity parties. Undergraduate fraternity parties are CRAZY/INSANE (oh yeah, miss those days!), while dental fraternity parties are "eh, it's alright!"

Join a dental fraternity, is just another means to meet people and have more potential things to do or get involved in. Don't expect to get too much out of it, but it can be fun.

 

[rambo2006]

A one word answer: Overrated.

 

[Cyclysm]

in my opinion, it depends on the individual fraternity. here, we have three different groups and they all have their own personality. one is the "party" frat, and is pretty much reserved for the people who do not want to give up their college years. they seem very focused on serving their own needs (for example, giving referrals out exclusively to fellow members). the other two are more academically inclined. the one that i am involved in has a pretty tight group of people, and we all really enjoy helping out the other members. we try to do lots of things for the 1st and 2nd year students to help them get their feet under them in the pre-clinic courses. plus, there is always the free swag that we get when the lunch-n-learns come through town. the third one i really do not know much about. i do not really see them doing much of anything other than a review session here and there.

in summary, look at what they do, not what they say because each group is obviously going to make it sound like they are the best and have the resources and fun and will get you into ortho without having to open a textbook or study for the boards.

good luck.