*Help*

[12345a]

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I keep reading about people shadowing, volunteering, or doing some kind of research that is involved in dentistry. I've been shadowing and will be volunteering at a dental school this summer, but I was curious about the time line that pre dents choose to participate in these activities.

I'm going to be applying in 3 years (¿not sure what cycle that is?) and I was wondering if it will be a disadvantage if the adcoms see that my shadowing and volunteering was done so long before I applied?

Will it look bad when I apply, if I get a LOR from one of the dentists that I shadowed from 3 years ago?

Is it a common practice to get LOR from dentists that you shadowed in addition to professors?

How many LOR do you need?

Who are common people that you ask LOR for?

Also, my summer volunteering position is strictly an administrative position. My responsibilities will be like answering phones, getting charts/x-rays...no real contact with any of the dentists. Should I take it, or look for something that would give me more experience in the dental field and interaction with the dentist?


my bad about going all off topic and everything...🙂

 

[RMPredent2009]

I definitely don't think it would be disadvantageous to shadow now however I would recommend continuing to do it throughout your undergrad - maybe even looking into some sort of internship eventually if your school offers it for some hands on experience.

I definitely think a LOR from a dentist is a good idea especially if you are working closely with or shadowing him/her for a while

Each school requires a different number/type of LORs but generally you will want at least 2 science profs and a dentist and one from your major (if you didn't major in a science)

As for the administrative volunteering position - it might not be an ideal position but it will give you good experience with the business aspect of running a dental practice which would be very useful. It's a good start - maybe next summer you could ask to shadow or assist there since they will already know you.

Hope this helps...good luck

 

[12345a]

bump

 

[pinkypinky2013]

It will be good if you start shadowing with dentist now. I asked 4 LOR, and one is from the dentist I shadowed with. other 3 LOR is from my science professors, and they had no problems to write me letters. I think you do not need to worry about the LOR now, but you could start finding a dentist to shadow ^^ Good luck on your application in the future