Do I have a good shot at MOSDOH?

[virtualmaster999]

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Hi everyone!

I've been working on the supplemental for MOSDOH, and I know they really emphasize service/volunteering in the community- which got me interested in applying.

In their supplemental app, they want you to list 3 parts: 1) paid dental experience. 2) volunteer dental experience, and 3) community service (non-dental).

I don't have any paid or volunteer dental experience unfortunately, but I do have 115 hours in dentistry shadowing, as well as a good amount of non-dental community service/volunteering, including:
-150 hours volunteering in a hospital
-320 hours tutoring at my old high school
-45 hours in assistant coaching.

I also have a 3.94 GPA (cummulative and science) and my DAT is 22AA/23TS/23PAT.

Should I still go through with applying to the school?

Any feedback helps. Thanks in advance!

 

[virtualmaster999]

Also, I am OOS if that helps.

 

[dp93]

i had a comprable DAT, lower gpa, and less volunteering than you and got an interview offer (didn't go to it). OOS.

 

[virtualmaster999]

i had a comprable DAT, lower gpa, and less volunteering than you and got an interview offer (didn't go to it). OOS.

Thanks for the feedback! Did you have dental volunteering by chance?

 

[NavyDDS1990]

I had 3.3 oGPA and 19AA 20TS last year and received post-dec interview.
I did have dental assisting experience as well as dental volunteering.

 

[virtualmaster999]

I had 3.3 oGPA and 19AA 20TS last year and received post-dec interview.
I did have dental assisting experience as well as dental volunteering.

Hmm I see I see. I would like to apply, it's just, I hope they don't look down upon not having dental volunteering.

 

[NavyDDS1990]

Hmm I see I see. I would like to apply, it's just, I hope they don't look down upon not having dental volunteering.

I thought it was a good school, but I personally did not like the location at all. I was scared for life lol
Housing is very cheap tho

 

[Blackhorse90]

Did you volunteer in high school or at your high school while you were in college.

 

[ajj70]

If you want to go there I would still apply. I don't think your lack of dental volunteering is going to hurt you. Your actual volunteer work might though. The hospital volunteer work might be looked upon as "you wanted to go to medical school but didn't make the cut" so make sure you are clear on that or just don't include it in your application. MOSDOH is big on people that want to practice in a small town, preferably in MO, so if you are from a smaller town and your volunteer work shows you giving back to that community, that will be a big plus. If you are from a huge metro area, it probably won't be as good. Also, it's a private school so where you live doesn't matter as much. The campus area in Kirksville is lovely.

 

[Myce]

Actually, coming from a large metro area is not going to hurt your chances. The important thing is that you have given back to your community (wherever that is) and is continuing to do so. Also, volunteering is volunteering--you're still giving back no matter what type of volunteering it is. I am from a large metro area and I got both an interview and an acceptance from MOSDOH. I actually really loved the school despite it being in Kirksville. I would have gone there had I not gotten into my state school.

I think you should add MOSDOH to your list of schools.

 

[virtualmaster999]

Thank you all for the help!

 

[virtualmaster999]

If you want to go there I would still apply. I don't think your lack of dental volunteering is going to hurt you. Your actual volunteer work might though. The hospital volunteer work might be looked upon as "you wanted to go to medical school but didn't make the cut" so make sure you are clear on that or just don't include it in your application. MOSDOH is big on people that want to practice in a small town, preferably in MO, so if you are from a smaller town and your volunteer work shows you giving back to that community, that will be a big plus. If you are from a huge metro area, it probably won't be as good. Also, it's a private school so where you live doesn't matter as much. The campus area in Kirksville is lovely.

But isn't volunteering volunteering? You're still helping people out of your own time, to make a difference in the community. I mentioned in my app that I wanted to work with a diversity of individuals, to connect with various people, help others out, and expand my interpersonal skills. I can see how they might think this might pertain more to medicine, but isn't the main point of volunteering to help others out?

 

[virtualmaster999]

Actually, coming from a large metro area is not going to hurt your chances. The important thing is that you have given back to your community (wherever that is) and is continuing to do so. Also, volunteering is volunteering--you're still giving back no matter what type of volunteering it is. I am from a large metro area and I got both an interview and an acceptance from MOSDOH. I actually really loved the school despite it being in Kirksville. I would have gone there had I not gotten into my state school.

I think you should add MOSDOH to your list of schools.

Btw did you have dental work experience or volunteering?

 

[virtualmaster999]

I just hope I at least have a shot; I really dont wanna waste the supplemental fee if I don't match what they have, but I'm also worried if I have a good shot at these others schools (12):
-UIC
-SIU
-Midwestern
-Ohio State
-Case Western
-Indiana
-Iowa
-Marquette
-Louisville
-Michigan
-Detroit Mercy
-Columbia

 

[Myce]

Btw did you have dental work experience or volunteering?

My volunteer experiences/places where I volunteered included homeless shelters, free medical clinic, citizenship instructor at a local library, free dental clinic, hospital, non-profit health organization, AmeriCorps/VISTA as a college advisor, etc. As for work experiences, I coordinated research involving low-income populations, as well as coordinated high school and college programs for underserved/low-income students at my state's dental school. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

 

[ajj70]

But isn't volunteering volunteering? You're still helping people out of your own time, to make a difference in the community. I mentioned in my app that I wanted to work with a diversity of individuals, to connect with various people, help others out, and expand my interpersonal skills. I can see how they might think this might pertain more to medicine, but isn't the main point of volunteering to help others out?

You have to remember, each school has their "look" for a student, what they want and the main focus of MOSDOH is getting dentists into rural Missouri and by how you volunteer, that shows commitment to that goal. NYU certainly doesn't focus on getting dentists into rural Missouri and has their own "look" for a dental student, for example. You certainly have a shot, I was just saying that you have a better shot if you want to practice in a rural area and your volunteer work supports that. Giving back to local schools certainly is a plus (if you did that while in college).