How important are extracurriculars in gaining admittance to specialty programs?

[USCbiograd]

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I have recently been admitted to dental school for the class of 2013. I am not currently planning on specializing, but I would like to keep my options open. I know that doing extracurricular activities in dental school (mission trips, clubs, fraternities,etc..) would not hurt your application, but are they weighed heavily in the admission process to specialty programs. Any advice would be helpful.

 

[Darksunshine]

It depends on what specialty, what school, your NBDE scores part one, your rank somewhat, and your GPA in school. Some specialty programs require more outside garbage then others, some rely on part one scores from boards or your class rank and recommendations. So your answer is: it depends. 🙂

I didn't do any extra-curricular activities and had no issues with that.

 

[capisce?]

A good general answer: not required per say, but something that most applicants will have on their applications so it's good to have them. They won't make or break you, if anything it may be an interesting topic of conversation during your interview but it will not be something that gains you entry into a program.

For example...everybody and their mother has give kids a smile, special olympics, etc etc on their pedo aps. It's just part of going through the motions.

 

[makushin]

.

 

[KOM]

I'm the assistant-secretary-treasurer of the pre-dental, non-affiliated, lego-league, hand-development, fly-fishing club.

I'm going ortho all the way. People care fellow Alaskan...

 

[gryffindor]

I'm going ortho all the way. People care fellow Alaskan...

Are you from Alaska? That probably trumps any extracurricular you could put down.

 

[KOM]

Are you from Alaska? That probably trumps any extracurricular you could put down.

Native Alaskan, but not Alaskan Native, but good to know you think that fact alone provides potential.

I'll use whatever it takes. 🙂

 

[GunnerDMD617]

.

 

[gryffindor]

Native Alaskan, but not Alaskan Native, but good to know you think that fact alone provides potential.

I'll use whatever it takes. 🙂

I would've made the same statement about Alaska prior to August, but after August it became quite clear on how to work it when you're from Alaska.

 

[Darksunshine]

Any unique experiences will also make you stand out. I am referring to those not connected to dental school. Grad programs want to see more than just dental school happened in your life. So being from Alaska could be a good starting point. (even post election) 🙂

 

[Contach]

Any unique experiences will also make you stand out. I am referring to those not connected to dental school. Grad programs want to see more than just dental school happened in your life. So being from Alaska could be a good starting point. (even post election) 🙂

what are life experiences?

 

[Darksunshine]

what are life experiences?

Is that a serious question? 😕 I guess "life experiences" seemed obvious to me. It's a broad topic.

When I was interviewing for my grad program they asked me about a lot things that wouldn't have been in the format of a list, or academia related answers. For example previous work experiences, family or no, AGE (maturity and LIFE experiences mattered to them), and so on. They want to know how you balanced your life prior to and during dental school, what things have happened to you that have taught you lessons or made you a better person. They may want to know how you have handled your mistakes, which depending on your mistakes may make you a more interesting candidate and therefore stand out to them.

 

[rarm1]

We too ask about life experiences, often as the first question:
"tell us about yourself"
hopefully, it helps relax the person, since only they know the answer.
We also use all information, experiences, extra events to help when serveral candidates are very close. We want to see that the grades were not just from someone who booked it 24/7, but some one who is able to achieve grades and function well. A residency, especially in the hospital may be time demanding.

 

[USCbiograd]

Thank you all for the advice, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[yayforcoffee]

It depends on what specialty, what school, your NBDE scores part one, your rank somewhat, and your GPA in school. Some specialty programs require more outside garbage then others, some rely on part one scores from boards or your class rank and recommendations. So your answer is: it depends. 🙂

I didn't do any extra-curricular activities and had no issues with that.

So would you say that continuing any research is really up to you? I don't know if I can handle research on top of the apparently monstrous courseload ahead of me!

I guess everyone has their secrets, but any examples of opportunities or experiences that are a good idea to pursue would be greatly appreciated! I'm assuming research, community service programs offered at the school...are your grades and board scores the most important thing? If I work sufficiently at those, then will I remain competitive for specialty programs? Unlike high school and undergrad, this time I want to enter my new stage of education with a specific timeline for the whole time I'm in school.

Thank you everyone!

 

[Darksunshine]

So would you say that continuing any research is really up to you? I don't know if I can handle research on top of the apparently monstrous courseload ahead of me!

I guess everyone has their secrets, but any examples of opportunities or experiences that are a good idea to pursue would be greatly appreciated! I'm assuming research, community service programs offered at the school...are your grades and board scores the most important thing? If I work sufficiently at those, then will I remain competitive for specialty programs? Unlike high school and undergrad, this time I want to enter my new stage of education with a specific timeline for the whole time I'm in school.

Thank you everyone!

I can not comment on the research activities as I didn't volunteer for any. You will have a lot of opportunities in dental school to volunteer for projects, but like I said before--you want to show that you are more than just a dental school addict. 🙂 (Be well rounded and all that, do things outside of dental school--volunteer, mentor, work, whatever you have time for.)

 

[yayforcoffee]

I can not comment on the research activities as I didn't volunteer for any. You will have a lot of opportunities in dental school to volunteer for projects, but like I said before--you want to show that you are more than just a dental school addict. 🙂 (Be well rounded and all that, do things outside of dental school--volunteer, mentor, work, whatever you have time for.)

Awesome I think I get the idea. Thanks for your input!