How many shadowing hours should I aim for?

Started by dental555
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dental555

dental555

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10+ Year Member
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Right now I have about 55 hours of shadowing total, after shadowing two dentists. I haven't been able to get any dental volunteering experience. If I have something like a 3.55 or 3.6 GPA and a 20 or higher on the DAT, how many hours of shadowing should I aim for? I'm currently a junior and don't have much more time to rack up hours, so am getting a little nervous after hearing people who have 100+. Should I aim for 75? 100? Am I fine with 55? I feel like right now I'm a borderline candidate and I don't want anything to be holding me back. My top choice school is Maryland if that matters and I'm an instate student.
 
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I believe the going rate these days is 1200 hours. Better get moving bro.
 
I have 75 hours and got accepted. I would say around there or about 100. I went off of doc toothache's excel list which was very helpful!
 
Aim for 100+, your good everywhere except VCU they want 150+

Though why not just get 150+ and know this wont be a negative in your application no matter where you apply.
 
This is one thing that I need cleared up & it may help the OP and other posters.

When a school states "We require 100 hrs of shadowing".

Do they accept dental assistant hours as shadowing? or does the applicant need 100 hrs of pure shadowing rather than a blend of lets say 50 dental assisting and 50 shadowing?
 
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