Help me beef up my currently weak application!

[AuFox]

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So, my application currently isn't very strong. I am a sophomore this year, and am planning on applying next summer. Other than doing well on the DAT and keeping a good GPA please critique my extra curriculars.

This is what I currently am involved in/have done...
Dental Shadowing (100+ hours).
Compete on D1 NCAA Cross Country/Track teams.
Tutor-Chemistry, Math, Physics
Student-Athlete Mentor
Student-Athlete Council

That's all. I'd like to do some more dental related extra curriculars. Can anyone recommend any?

 

[Herme]

That is looking good! Keep shadowing regularly until you apply. You will have to put the dates your shadowed in the app, and it isn't as good if you have 100 hours jammed into Christmas break as 100 hours by shadowing 4 hrs/wk over 6 months would be. Not that you did that.

I went to Nicaragua and India on 2 dental/medical missions trips. Those were awesome.

Maybe try to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity or a Soup Kitchen. It's not dental, but it shows community service. You want to be well-rounded.

I noticed you are in Milwaukee. The Habitat group I worked with is in Waukesha. www.hfhwaukesha.org

Make sure you line up whoever you are shadowing to provide a letter of evaluation for you. Letters from dentists are important. Also, don't know your situation, but many schools will not accept shadowing hours from a family member's office. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[uclaDDS101]

You're applying at the end of your sophomore year?

Shadow specialists. Volunteer in free/low income dental clinics. Do research.

 

[mnotarom]

Do you have a Dental club? You should be attending meetings and regularly volunteering in that/ having a leadership position...

 

[Erhatstil]

do some volunteering and shadowing over the summer. i'm surprised you have enough time to tutor 3 subjects while doing div 1 athletics. i could barely handle school while playing a sport

 

[Kkae]

Great Question! Read the post on my blog about gaining experience 🙂
http://stu-dentdiaries.blogspot.com/

 

[AuFox]

Thanks for the help everybody! I appreciate it! I have been thinking about volunteering, but when I do get involved I'd like it to be in something I'm at least somewhat passionate about. I don't really want it to be only something I'm doing to put on the application.

Sorry about the mistake! I meant I would be applying the summer after this upcoming summer! So a year and a half from now.

The reason I have time even with the sport is because I take a class each winter and ten credits over summers so that I can take 13-14 credits per semester.

As far as shadowing specialists go, if I don't have much interest in going into a dental specialty is it something I should still do?

Thanks again for the input!

 

[rpatel8]

Thanks for the help everybody! I appreciate it! I have been thinking about volunteering, but when I do get involved I'd like it to be in something I'm at least somewhat passionate about. I don't really want it to be only something I'm doing to put on the application.

Sorry about the mistake! I meant I would be applying the summer after this upcoming summer! So a year and a half from now.

The reason I have time even with the sport is because I take a class each winter and ten credits over summers so that I can take 13-14 credits per semester.

As far as shadowing specialists go, if I don't have much interest in going into a dental specialty is it something I should still do?

Thanks again for the input!

^^..Yes, they want to see that you looked at all aspects of dentistry before making any decisions. In their minds, they will think, how do you know if you have interest or not without seeing what type of things go on in these specialties?

 

[subdoc]

So, my application currently isn't very strong. I am a sophomore this year, and am planning on applying next summer. Other than doing well on the DAT and keeping a good GPA please critique my extra curriculars.

This is what I currently am involved in/have done...
Dental Shadowing (100+ hours).
Compete on D1 NCAA Cross Country/Track teams.
Tutor-Chemistry, Math, Physics
Student-Athlete Mentor
Student-Athlete Council

That's all. I'd like to do some more dental related extra curriculars. Can anyone recommend any?

IMO you have shadowed plenty. Will shadowing more set you apart from other applicants? In short - no. What will set you apart is spending your extra time doing something unique in which you are passionate apart. I would recommend doing something affiliated with your Running (HUGE ECA BTW!!!) Emphasize the community/school/hour commitment you make by participating in D1 athletics. I was an NCAA athlete myself and do A LOT of youth sport advocacy in my spare time. Maybe do volunteer work with after school programs with your sport? Stick to your passion to set yourself apart. Emphasize the unique. Have fun. Shadow more only if you feel like it. Best of luck on your app cycle!

 

[subdoc]

IMO you have shadowed plenty. Will shadowing more set you apart from other applicants? In short - no. What will set you apart is spending your extra time doing something unique in which you are passionate apart. I would recommend doing something affiliated with your Running (HUGE ECA BTW!!!) Emphasize the community/school/hour commitment you make by participating in D1 athletics. I was an NCAA athlete myself and do A LOT of youth sport advocacy in my spare time. Maybe do volunteer work with after school programs with your sport? Stick to your passion to set yourself apart. Emphasize the unique. Have fun. Shadow more only if you feel like it. Best of luck on your app cycle!

About, not apart. My bad.

 

[AuFox]

Thanks for all the great ideas everybody!!!