How important is doing labratory research?

[Andrew Chong]

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Hey. I was just wondering how important doing laboratory research is in terms of your extra-curriculars for your application? I am currently doing research involved with molecular genetics...not really dentistry related
1) Is it even important? I feel like doing research is more important for people trying to get into med school...unless its like straight up research that has to do directly with dentistry
2) Is it something that basically every applicant does or can it set you apart from other applicants?
3)How much better (if at all) is it to say volunteering for a dentist?
4) I am doing volunteer research this summer at the University of Toronto which deals with E.coli proteomics research which has set me up in good position to get a university scholarship/research award during the school year. Would this be a good extra-curricular to have. AKA, it takes A LOT of time applying for this research award during the school year and I was just wondering if its worth the time?
5) AS MUCH FEEDBACK WOULD BE MOST GREATLY APPRECIATED

 

[mr24]

For most schools it doesnt matter much. but for a few it does. so it all depends on your list of schools. but thats just my experience with it. i had no research experience and got accepted.

 

[MedDevil]

Research is by no means REQUIRED for dental school but it can only help your application. However, I'd have to say that exposure to dentistry (more than shadowing) precedes research because the majority of schools will be looking at that as a more important factor for admission. Research heavy schools will prefer applicants with research experience, but it should not be done at the expense of your GPA. If its something that you'll be spending a lot of time on, make sure you can balance it with your schoolwork to avoid letting it slip up. Not every applicant does research, but it is becoming more common among applicants. It does not have to be dental research to be relevant, it can be in whatever you'd like to research. My advice is that if you've already got a position set up and are willing to spend the time to work hard at it, its an excellent EC to have for your application.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey. I was just wondering how important doing laboratory research is in terms of your extra-curriculars for your application? I am currently doing research involved with molecular genetics...not really dentistry related
1) Is it even important? I feel like doing research is more important for people trying to get into med school...unless its like straight up research that has to do directly with dentistry
2) Is it something that basically every applicant does or can it set you apart from other applicants?
3)How much better (if at all) is it to say volunteering for a dentist?
4) I am doing volunteer research this summer at the University of Toronto which deals with E.coli proteomics research which has set me up in good position to get a university scholarship/research award during the school year. Would this be a good extra-curricular to have. AKA, it takes A LOT of time applying for this research award during the school year and I was just wondering if its worth the time?
5) AS MUCH FEEDBACK WOULD BE MOST GREATLY APPRECIATED

I think majority of schools don't care if you have research (keyword = "majority").

To demonstrate my point, I was invited and accepted at U of Michigan, a school notorious for big-time research and I have zero research experience and interest

 

[Assimilation]

Academic research isn't necessary for acceptance into dental school by any means, but I think it can definitely strengthen your application if you feel you are weak in certain areas. For the last two years, I have worked as an undergraduate researcher in a lab studying muscle growth and repair (obviously, completely unrelated to dentistry). Some of the great things that I have gotten from this experience include:

1. The ability to think critically - anyone who does research would agree things rarely go as expected, and thus you must use your brain to think diagnostically through problems (this is very relevant to dentistry).

2. A foot in the door for professional networking - You will have the opportunity to work closely and get to know the faculty in the department you work in. This can be beneficial in obtaining great letters of recommendation and opening up the door for additional opportunities.

3. Opportunity to attend conferences - I've traveled to two conferences, and at one I was able to meet an academic dentist researching pain management techniques. If nothing else, I got a free vacation 😀

Overall, research will be a unique experience that you will be able to talk about during an interview or reference in your personal statement. I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking to apply to professional school.

 

[UCLAzy]

i feel like there's nobody on this forum who wants to do DDS/PhD.

 

[dentalWorks]

i feel like there's nobody on this forum who wants to do DDS/PhD.

thats probably because healthcare + PhD has better opportunities when you go MD/PhD....

Most people go into dentistry because they like to be in private practice setting, be clinicians, and own their business.

 

[UCLAzy]

i'm curious as to why you say that it's better to do md/phd, could you explain?

 

[dentalWorks]

i'm curious as to why you say that it's better to do md/phd, could you explain?

Its just my guess. I figured Md/PhDs (alot of them) end up teaching at various medical schools. Since there are WAYY more med schools than dent schools, this gives them a better opportunity.

Aside from that, I also thought there are more MD/PhDs that go into pharmaceutical research than DDS/PhDs.

 

[UFRalo]

i feel like there's nobody on this forum who wants to do DDS/PhD.

There are some out there...

In response to OP, research can never hurt. Look at it as a life experience. Maybe you like it, maybe you don't. In the end at least it's something that could separate you from someone else, though the weight of having research experience probably isn't all that much.

 

[xtractor]

Getting hands on experience working in a lab is a great learning experience. If you do great in the lab you will have a chance to get on good terms with the professor and show another side yourself that can't be seen in the classroom, such as work ethic and competency. These are character traits that can be added to a letter of recommendation, for example. Personally, I worked three years as an undergrad with the same supervisor and never regretted a single moment. I told him my intentions to enter Dschool very early and he fully supported me. I was payed through a mixture of summer scholarships and employment pay. I also received a masters from a different lab and have seen many undergrads come and go.
All I would recommend is never lead on the professor by saying that you may consider grad school. Profs want grad students because they are a good source of cheep labor, and they need them to keep the lab functional.
There are many professors that have a problem with premeds and predents working in their lab as undergrads because they know there is no chance for them to work as grad students. Avoid these professors, you will hate your experience in the lab. I can think of several profs in my department that think that way.
But if your supervisor is chill, then you shouldn't have any problem saying that you are interested in going to Dschool right at the beginning, but work your ass off the entire time and you will get a solid letter of recommendation.
I say yes it is worth taking the time to write a proposal for a scholarship. A scholarship is a scholarship. I am assuming it will be NSERC or CIHR if you are in Canada? These are competitive and looks good on your CV. But of course research is not at all required to enter Dschool. I know a few people that got in without any research.

 

[babypapa]

i feel like there's nobody on this forum who wants to do DDS/PhD.

I'm here sir!

 

[UCLAzy]

I'm here sir!

are you getting the t32 @ stony brook?