High School Extracirriculars/Shadowing

[AspiringDMD]

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Hi, I am currently a freshman in high school right now, and though you may think it's a little early, I am interested in the field of dentistry. I was considering becoming a dentist (maybe even going for an ortho residency 😀 ) ,and I just had a few questions for people who are seniors in high school/recently graduated:

What sort of extracurricular/volunteer opportunities did you do in high school?

Were you ever an EMT? (I'm interested in becoming one)


Did you ever volunteer at blood drives for organizations (red cross, etc;?) Also, what age do you have to be to take a phlebotomy course and start performing them?

Did you shadow dentists/dental specialists in high school?

Did you ever do research or publish papers during your time in high school?

 

[KD1655]

I find it very far fetched to think that any high school students have ever published in a peer reviewed journal of scientific research, espectially as the principle author. In fact, not even a large percentage of undergraduate students have done so.

Yes, I am an EMT and have been one for ~6 years. In order to sit for the National Registry EMT test, you need to be 18 years old. Judging by your post, I'm guessing that youre 13-14 so you have a few years to think about EMT school. I have loved my experience as an EMT and I worked on a couple different paid services to get through college. However, I can't stand those people that go to EMT school with no intention of working as an EMT and only to put it down on a medical school application.

To be honest, I am not really sure that professiona schools are going to be particularly interested in your high school grades/extracariculars etc. I would suggest that you play a sport, go to parties, hanf out with your friends and just have fun being a high school student. Believe me when I tell you that its the best time of your life.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

I find it very far fetched to think that any high school students have ever published in a peer reviewed journal of scientific research, espectially as the principle author. In fact, not even a large percentage of undergraduate students have done so.

Yes, I am an EMT and have been one for ~6 years. In order to sit for the National Registry EMT test, you need to be 18 years old. Judging by your post, I'm guessing that youre 13-14 so you have a few years to think about EMT school. I have loved my experience as an EMT and I worked on a couple different paid services to get through college. However, I can't stand those people that go to EMT school with no intention of working as an EMT and only to put it down on a medical school application.

To be honest, I am not really sure that professiona schools are going to be particularly interested in your high school grades/extracariculars etc. I would suggest that you play a sport, go to parties, hanf out with your friends and just have fun being a high school student. Believe me when I tell you that its the best time of your life.

I think they'll be moderately impressed if your ECs are health-related. It shows a long-term dedication to the field. But grades don't matter at all. They're mainly a means to get into college. The real game starts then.

So, yeah, play a sport, enjoy life, and be well rounded. There's no need to stress about dental school for a few years yet.