Extracurriculars and Shadowing question

[virtualmaster999]

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Hi all!

Quick question on this. So when I started college, I was pre-med, but switched to pre-dental by the end of my sophomore year (going into my senior year now).

Should I include my shadowing experiences (shadowed a neurosurgeon and internist), as well as previous pre-med related associations (like AED, AMSA, etc)? I don't want to make it look like i'm trying to cover up details, but I also want to show the dental schools that I WAS involved during this time. Plus I the shadowing gave me exposure to the health field. Is it frowned upon though to include NON-DENTAL shadowing or pre-med activities? I included them as info that was used for my committee letter.

Input on this?

As always, thanks for the help everyone! Truly appreciate it!

 

[Swagger1991]

I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as you make it clear that the doctors you shadowed were not dentists. I included time that I spent with an orthopedic surgeon, but just made sure to specify that he was not a dentist.

 

[Hannah Banana]

Hi all!

Quick question on this. So when I started college, I was pre-med, but switched to pre-dental by the end of my sophomore year (going into my senior year now).

Should I include my shadowing experiences (shadowed a neurosurgeon and internist), as well as previous pre-med related associations (like AED, AMSA, etc)? I don't want to make it look like i'm trying to cover up details, but I also want to show the dental schools that I WAS involved during this time. Plus I the shadowing gave me exposure to the health field. Is it frowned upon though to include NON-DENTAL shadowing or pre-med activities? I included them as info that was used for my committee letter.

Input on this?

As always, thanks for the help everyone! Truly appreciate it!

The only red flag with that is if your pre-med EC is stronger.

 

[virtualmaster999]

The only red flag with that is if your pre-med EC is stronger.

Hmm I see what you mean. Well, I only switched from pre med to dental a year ago, so I do in fact have more pre med experiences because of that. But I made sure to discuss in my PS why I made the transition. I'm not sure what would be my best option, as I included all my experiences for my committee letter, which my advisor recommended me doing so it shows that I WAS doing something. Maybe I should list one shadowing and one pre med club? Because I did shadow two physicians vs 1 dentist, and was in 2 pre-med clubs and am now in a dental association. I just dont wanna like "hide" anything if it already appears on my committee letter. I know you have 10 spots to include activities, but is it bad to not put them ALL if you have the space? I want my current ones to stand out more than the past ones, and i have like 6 current strong ones, and I COULD list the 2 pre med groups in this category, and the 2 shadowing in the other section. What's best?? Thanks!

 

[ajj70]

I think if you spin it that through your shadowing and club experience, you found medicine not to be for you but through your dental shadowing you want to become a dentist because whatever reasons, hopefully not just the money and lifestyle 😀. It would be different if you switched after getting a 20 on the MCAT vs switching your sophomore year.

 

[virtualmaster999]

I think if you spin it that through your shadowing and club experience, you found medicine not to be for you but through your dental shadowing you want to become a dentist because whatever reasons, hopefully not just the money and lifestyle 😀. It would be different if you switched after getting a 20 on the MCAT vs switching your sophomore year.

Yup exactly! Definitely not any of those reasons for switching, but yes I agree. Too bad the app doesnt have much space to write, or else I would elaborate on this more, which I discussed in my PS. Would you recommend including all experiences from pre-med on the app, or just some, since I included EVERYTHING I've done throughout college for the committee letter info.

 

[ajj70]

Yup exactly! Definitely not any of those reasons for switching, but yes I agree. Too bad the app doesnt have much space to write, or else I would elaborate on this more, which I discussed in my PS. Would you recommend including all experiences from pre-med on the app, or just some, since I included EVERYTHING I've done throughout college for the committee letter info.

If you think the information is going to be on your committee letter I would include it. If you see the letter before you apply and it is not in there, no need to include it unless you don't have enough volunteer hours otherwise.