How valid are your resumes?

[paymaant]

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Hey everyone,

I realize that admission committees won't be able to verify every single component of your dental school application (extracurricular, volunteer, etc.) but how common do you think applicants embellish their number of hours shadowed or volunteered. Or perhaps they list themselves as members of a certain on-campus club when in fact they never went to one single meeting! Or even include in their personal statement a heartfelt story about a fictional person who inspired them in such a way that has changed them dramatically. I am not trying to get the 👍 (thumbs up) to fabricate my application but I was just curious how common it is and how will adcoms ever know? Thanks again!

 

[Ukee]

I'm not sure but I know when they interview you many schools go deep into what you've told them and your story better match up.

I think it's in your best interest to tell the truth ... if you tell the truth, you dont have to remember anything ... and that comes across in your interview.

 

[hail2pitt]

I'm not sure but I know when they interview you many schools go deep into what you've told them and your story better match up.

I think it's in your best interest to tell the truth ... if you tell the truth, you dont have to remember anything ... and that comes across in your interview.

I definitely agree, especially about the probing questions part. Also, when you're telling the truth, chances are you'll probably come off as more passionate about the activity than if you were making it up.

 

[SupDanLOL]

You want someone to admit to lying on their applications?

Nice try undercover admissions committee!

 

[paymaant]

You want someone to admit to lying on their applications?

Nice try undercover admissions committee!

haha no not at all. just raising the point how easy it is to exaggerate shadowing/volunteering for 30 hours instead of 10 (for example).

 

[Baker2010]

Hey everyone,

I realize that admission committees won't be able to verify every single component of your dental school application (extracurricular, volunteer, etc.) but how common do you think applicants embellish their number of hours shadowed or volunteered. Or perhaps they list themselves as members of a certain on-campus club when in fact they never went to one single meeting! Or even include in their personal statement a heartfelt story about a fictional person who inspired them in such a way that has changed them dramatically. I am not trying to get the 👍 (thumbs up) to fabricate my application but I was just curious how common it is and how will adcoms ever know? Thanks again!

I can't say how prevalent it is but from talking to people. It seems like some people do exaggerate some of there experiences.
Like the person that was part of several health care related organizations/ clubs and says that they achieved x y and z goals but in reality they did little to nothing.
Or when people put things about having a certain job and stating they did have responsibilities that they didn't really have, etc.
Overall, i would not put anything not factual in the app.
I think if one were to put something false in there thats just providing a way to screw your app over completely and/ or make for a really ackward interview then a rejection.
One school i interviewed at, my interviewer didn't even go to my college but knew much more about my schools programs,clubs, and other extracurriculars than me. I was shocked but it led to fun conversation and ended up getting in.
Just be honest.

Goodluck

 

[UltimateHombre]

There is really no reason to lie about anything... especially on your application. And to lie about something so trivial, like job responsibilities or shadowing/volunteer hours. Those extra hours will not make any significant difference on your app, however the potential to come back to haunt you in an interview is great. Honesty is always the best policy.

As the great boxer Joe Frazier once said... "If you cheated on that (training) in the dark of the morning, you're going to get found out under the bright lights."

 

[Bereno]

Mine was honest. If I was in an interview and they asked me about something that was embellished or even falsified, I would freeze up. I am a very meticulous person when it comes to documentation so I had all my hours very well documented down to the day, time in, time out, doctor, and location. This made it really easy for me to answer all their questions with confidence and honesty. There is no way I would be willing to risk my app and all that worry just for a little more on the resume. Now, that's not saying it does not happen...

 

[avangusva]

I am sure it happens all the time, and I'm sure that a lot of people get away with it. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[DentalJedi]

Definitely don't lie, they'll be able to find anything fishy, and it will come out in the interview. Just word things in a way that makes them sound good. Like how they're called administrative assistants instead of receptionists now.

 

[vellnueve]

From experience, it's easy to sniff out the BS.

 

[paymaant]

There is really no reason to lie about anything... especially on your application. And to lie about something so trivial, like job responsibilities or shadowing/volunteer hours. Those extra hours will not make any significant difference on your app, however the potential to come back to haunt you in an interview is great. Honesty is always the best policy.

As the great boxer Joe Frazier once said... "If you cheated on that (training) in the dark of the morning, you're going to get found out under the bright lights."

very well said ultimatehombre.

I appreciate the feedback everyone!

 

[Ullr]

I got this from someone on this forum and I like it: Your application is a reflection of who you are.

 

[dantemac]

I am sure people lie and embellish all the time. It's not something you want to be caught doing. So don't do it!

 

[paymaant]

I am sure some applicants feel pressured to exaggerate some of their shadowing hours because I know quite a few schools require a certain number of hours.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Mine was 100% sincere and genuine... in fact, no one but adcoms laid eyes upon it.

Proofread by someone else and taking their suggestions into consideration would taint my PS and it would no longer be personal. I'm a nut job... yes, I know.

 

[Lane138]

As a dentist and a health professional, you will be held to higher standards in every sense of the word, especially the ethical. Start being an honest person, starting from now. It's your prerogative to be as accurate as you can in every part of your application. It's not cool to say "well I'll just exaggerate this one time to get into a dental school, but I'm going to be completely ethical once I'm actually a dentist." (because that's not going to happen, especially when in the future money is on the line).

Perhaps a more valid point is that exaggerating/lying on your application somehow has a nasty habit of coming back and biting you in the butt. So, not worth it!

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

"I can only respond by stating that many of your classmates are already doing this and competition is fierce. All's fair in love, war, and d-school admission."

Oh wait, wrong thread.....😉

 

[UltimateHombre]

"I can only respond by stating that many of your classmates are already doing this and competition is fierce. All's fair in love, war, and d-school admission."

Oh wait, wrong thread.....😉

LOL!! I am at the library sitting by myself and i literally burst out laughing... people looked at me weird!! Thanks for making my day.

 

[iralex801]

Hey everyone,

I realize that admission committees won't be able to verify every single component of your dental school application (extracurricular, volunteer, etc.) but how common do you think applicants embellish their number of hours shadowed or volunteered. Or perhaps they list themselves as members of a certain on-campus club when in fact they never went to one single meeting! Or even include in their personal statement a heartfelt story about a fictional person who inspired them in such a way that has changed them dramatically. I am not trying to get the 👍 (thumbs up) to fabricate my application but I was just curious how common it is and how will adcoms ever know? Thanks again!

The reality is that this happen and most do not get caught. However, once a liar always a liar and people rarely change until severe consequences are placed upon them. Hopefully, in the future, they will get caught for lying about something else and change themselves as a result of it.

Work hard and you won't have to lie or resort to immoral tactics to make your application better.

 

[NonTradHopeful]

I plan to make sure mine is 100% accurate. This is your dream career we're talking about here. How stupid would it be to risk admission/acceptance by lying about something on your application. Regardless of how small the chances that adcoms will probe, it's just smart to be truthful and accurate.

...oh, and there is also the moral argument of not lying. To me, that's the most important.