Do I need volunteer hours even I've done over 100 hours shadowing dentists?

[stc190]

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Hello, everyone. I just wondering if the dentists shadowing hours can count as volunteer too? I have shadowed three dentists so far over 100 hours. But I have a busy semester and planing to take DAT in May. All my time is contributed to study both for school classes and DAT, don't have time to do extra volunteer. So far, I have only 2 hours volunteer hours. I feel a little bit insecure about the incoming application cycle because I don't have enough no dental related volunteer hours. What do your guys think?

 

[Daneosaurus]

I applied with roughly 80 shadowing hours and 0 volunteering hours. I did do 6 years in the Marine Corps, however, so I don't know if that makes up for my lack of volunteer hours.

 

[BYU4you]

Unless you kill the DAT and have an amazing GPA I would try to get some in before you apply, assuming you apply in June that gives you three months. Find somewhere where you can volunteer a couple of hours every Saturday in the morning. At least that's what I would do. Not saying you have no chance but I'm sure you have time to put in hours on the weekend.

 

[doc toothache]

Your are confusing shadowing (for your benefit) and volunteer hours (benefiting others).

 

[stc190]

Unless you kill the DAT and have an amazing GPA I would try to get some in before you apply, assuming you apply in June that gives you three months. Find somewhere where you can volunteer a couple of hours every Saturday in the morning. At least that's what I would do. Not saying you have no chance but I'm sure you have time to put in hours on the weekend.

My GPA is about 3.7-3.8, trying to boost it up a little bit this semester. Don't know how my DAT will be... I will try to get some volunteer hours done in three months. Maybe find a volunteer in the local zoo. It seems will be fun. 🙂

 

[stc190]

Your are confusing shadowing (for your benefit) and volunteer hours (benefiting others).

Haha, you are right. I thought helping them to clean the office counts a part of volunteer... Maybe... Not sure.

 

[stc190]

I applied with roughly 80 shadowing hours and 0 volunteering hours. I did do 6 years in the Marine Corps, however, so I don't know if that makes up for my lack of volunteer hours.

Congrats, you got acceptances.

 

[NorthernMEd]

you need to volunteer unless you spent a lot of time in leadership in some club to make up for it. Still you should do something even if you have that. Volunteer at a soup kitchen once a week or be a big brother or big sister. Anything to show you want to help others out that you can use to talk about in interviews or on your personal statement

 

[teethlover93]

I applied with no volunteer hours and hundreds of shadowing hours (dental assisting). I had lots of leadership experience that I thought made up for it, and I guess I was right (5/8 acceptances).

 

[doc toothache]

Haha, you are right. I thought helping them to clean the office counts a part of volunteer... Maybe... Not sure.

Looks like a multistage explanation is needed. There is a good chance your doctor's piggy bank is bigger than that of Scrooge McDuck and he/she can afford to pay to have his office cleaned, whereas those at the local mission, the battered women center, the homeless may not have two nickels to rub together. Of course, it is also possible that the good doctor figured there are plenty of predents around who believe that sweeping and mopping the floor qualifies as "dental experience". Dss may be tuned at a different frequency when it comes to their vision of "volunteer activities".

 

[Dentase]

Is it good if you volunteer at an hospital? I know pre meds do that, but I think volunteering is volunteering, and it is a health related volunteering, so would dentist schools frown upon that or question it, or say wow he volunteered at a hospital showing altruism and a compassion for patients and his fellow man? I think its a good option but how would dental schools look upon it?

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

Is it good if you volunteer at an hospital? I know pre meds do that, but I think volunteering is volunteering, and it is a health related volunteering, so would dentist schools frown upon that or question it, or say wow he volunteered at a hospital showing altruism and a compassion for patients and his fellow man? I think its a good option but how would dental schools look upon it?

You are right. I believe spending time to help those who need help counts whether it is pre-med or pre-dent.

 

[midman19]

My guess is that if they see that you have only 2 volunteer hours they are going to put your application aside. Better to be safe than sorry. You could get 5 or 6 hours of volunteering in a week for the next three months, even with studying all the time. Good luck!

 

[fayevalentine]

I don't know if you NEED the volunteer hours, but I certainly wouldn't walk into a dental school interview with 2 volunteer hours and claim that one of the reasons I love dentistry is because I love to help others. Even if you don't plan on saying anything like that, your application would certainly be stronger with the volunteering than without it. A lot of schools want to see that you take an interest in your community and genuinely care for those around you.

There is a lot you could do even with your hectic schedule. Even if it's just one hour a week for the next few months, that should be manageable. I think your idea of volunteering at a hospital sounds great!