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Do I need a Letter of Recommendation from a DDS
- Thread starter lucensdentium
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Yes, yes you will.
Download or buy the ADEA guide to dental schools and look at their required letters of evaluations. And then add a letter from a dentist, even if it doesn't say so. Because how else are schools to verify that 1) you've shadowed a dentist and know the field, and 2) a dentist can vouch for you?
Edit: oh hmm, I guess my career counselor was wrong. But either way - I think having a dentist vouch for you can only help your application, though it seems like people have found success without a letter.
Download or buy the ADEA guide to dental schools and look at their required letters of evaluations. And then add a letter from a dentist, even if it doesn't say so. Because how else are schools to verify that 1) you've shadowed a dentist and know the field, and 2) a dentist can vouch for you?
Edit: oh hmm, I guess my career counselor was wrong. But either way - I think having a dentist vouch for you can only help your application, though it seems like people have found success without a letter.
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Some schools require it.
Why can't you find anyone to shadow? Dentists here are literally spitting distances of each other.
One turned you down? Walk to the next one.
Why can't you find anyone to shadow? Dentists here are literally spitting distances of each other.
One turned you down? Walk to the next one.
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This is a list of what each school requires for LOR's. It was made in 2010 but looks like it is all still the same. Hope this helps.
https://ppa.byu.edu/sites/ppa.byu.e...ter of Recommendation Requirements (dent).pdf
https://ppa.byu.edu/sites/ppa.byu.e...ter of Recommendation Requirements (dent).pdf
S
SXCoronado
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Yea its a misconception that seems to be floating around quite a bit still. I had a committee letter + one from my research instructor, so i couldn't upload any more to AADSAS. I made a bunch of calls asking about it and even the schools who recommend it said I needn't bother sending them one. VCU, Tufts, and UNLV all require one however and will not review your app without it.
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I am in the same boat. Research the school requirements before you apply. I did not have a letter from a dentist so I did not apply to schools which require and still manage to get 2 interviews.
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I was able to get interviews and the U of M and Marquette (only schools I applied to) without getting a letter from a dentist and I got wait-listed and Marquette and interviewed on Tuesday at the U so I agree that you should definitely research the schools because many that I almost applied to also did not require a LOR from a dentist.
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You got some balls mate.
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Haha I'm applying to matriculate without a bachelors degree (currently a junior) also so I didn't want to spend a bunch of money if I need to apply again!
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What made you decide to do things this way?
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Broke my clavicle before finals week this spring (sophomore year). I had to have surgery (couldn't lift until mid August, thus couldn't work) so I didn't have much to do so I studied for the DAT and compiled my application and shadowed a bit along with some volunteering but I had already done things to strengthen my application so I had already pretty much set myself up to apply. I also did PSEO in high school at a CC and currently have 127 credits (changed major and some CC credits didn't apply to anything in my major or liberal arts requirements). And since schools are expensive to apply to I only applied to my home school (U of M) and Marquette. It was pretty much a 'it doesn't hurt to try' situation and so far I went 2 for 2 in interviews and I'm pretty grateful for that! If it doesn't pan out I'll probably apply to 5 or so next cycle but I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that all this anticipation is killing me!
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That sucks. I hope you're feeling better now.
It's just that most schools either require or highly prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree. In my school's case, you better be some sort of genius or escaped from DPRK to get accepted without a degree.
Good luck to you man!
It's just that most schools either require or highly prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree. In my school's case, you better be some sort of genius or escaped from DPRK to get accepted without a degree.
Good luck to you man!
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I know someone who only applied to one school without completing their bachelors and they got in. Definitely doable but it takes a lot of work which seems like you have accomplished since you got two interviews so far!
back to the OP question, most schools would definitely like you to have a LOR from a dentist. Have you talked with your practicing dentist yet? That's typically the easiest place to start. There's also this organization in the state I live in where they hook up pre-dental students with dentists seeking shadowing hours.
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I didnt have a letter of recommendation for two reasons. One was I decided last minute to apply (long story) and I didnt want to seem insincere in asking to shadow someone and immediately ask them to testify for me. The second is that the dentist I did spend most of my time with (almost a full summer) was hard to reach. I called, emailed, even facebook messaged his practice page, and NOTHING. Im a little hurt I was being ignored. Anyways, it REALLY limits the schools you wanna go to. I did get accepted though so its definitely possible to get in without a DDS letter.
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Does anyone know
Unfortunately, my practicing dentist:
1. Got her DDS in Vietnam...... which is a bit sketch.
2. Can barely speak English.
3. I'd rather not shadow her. I've shadowed her once, and she kept trying to put me down and told me to go to med school because being a dentist is "the worst thing in the world". It's "very stressful" and "not worth it." Her practice was really dirty (moldy spit sink, nasty floors, cluttered everywhere), and I just hated being around her.
So I'm trying really hard to scope out a dentist right now, but I don't have a car since I live on campus. For now, I'm gonna hang tight and study and after I finish studying, I'm gonna try to find a way to get some shadowing done.
Which state do you live in?
Unfortunately, my practicing dentist:
1. Got her DDS in Vietnam...... which is a bit sketch.
2. Can barely speak English.
3. I'd rather not shadow her. I've shadowed her once, and she kept trying to put me down and told me to go to med school because being a dentist is "the worst thing in the world". It's "very stressful" and "not worth it." Her practice was really dirty (moldy spit sink, nasty floors, cluttered everywhere), and I just hated being around her.
So I'm trying really hard to scope out a dentist right now, but I don't have a car since I live on campus. For now, I'm gonna hang tight and study and after I finish studying, I'm gonna try to find a way to get some shadowing done.
Which state do you live in?
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Denver, Colorado...what city and state do you live in? That office does sound horrible. Why do you still go there to get work done?!?! I wouldn't even want to step foot in that office! Another option you could do is shadow her one more time and be like, "I really am interested in shadowing a specialist and was wondering who you refer to so I can try see if they would be able to accommodate me."
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Ummm yeaaa I think your first concern should be finding a new dentist
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The best way to go about it is to look up the dental clinics in your area. I typed "dental clinics in [city]" or "Oral surgeon in [city]" and plenty came up.
Call them and schedule a time to shadow then try to bum a ride, or pay a friend to take to you to shadow.
Or just wait til you go home and do the same thing. Hopefully your parents are supportive enough to lend you a car or drive you.
I also agree. Find a new dentist. Moldy sinks is just really bad.
Though I can tolerate clutterness. My dentist in Taiwan runs a walkin clinic and I have never seen that place without a line. He operates out of his apartment, 1 chair, 1 xray machine, no staff whatsoever (he did everything himself, everything), fairly clean, cluttered work area but organized. Best dental work Ive ever received. My mother has had the crown that he did 10 years ago, still holding strong. As opposed to the guy who did the crown for my mother stateside and it got infected a month afterwards.
Did 4 fillings for me, crown and extraction for my mother, all for less than $400.
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I'm from Fountain Valley, California.
HAHA, I get work done there because I have Medi-Cal and I guess my mom kind of just wanted me to stick to her since her "service is fast" (and my mom doesn't like to waste time when I come home go to the dentist/doctor/etc.... 🙁 ) and she takes both HMO and PPO. I really don't like her, though. Also, that's a great idea! ... If only I could communicate with her.
But no, agreed--I would love to switch dentists.
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Thank you! Yes I'm fully recovered and so far have had no issues besides the fact that I needed a plate with 8 screws and a artificial coracoclavicular ligament. I'm extremely grateful for these interviews and am definitely glad with how I have been able to make the best out of the situation because I know that the U of M does not like to take applicants without bachelor degrees just like the schools you have gotten into!
