is extracurricular activity THAT important to adcom?

[Smooth Operater]

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Is extracurricular activities a big component for American dental schools application process?

Here in Canada, dental schools don't really care if you have done any extracurricular activities as long you have high GPA/DAT and can talk properly during the interview. In contrary, Candian medical schools require you to do something unique to be a competitive applicants, just a good grade may not be enough. An applicant with superb GPA with decent extra-curricular acitivities is just as competitive as an applicant with low GPA with unique extra-curricular activities (i.e humantarian aid in oversea)

But I know a friend who is applying for American schools and is on a dental mission trip this summer so she can be more competitive since her overall GPA is not that great. So I am just wondering HOW IMPORTANT is it? Is extracurricular activity important enough that can make an applicant with low GPA be just as competitive as applicant with high GPA?


Your opinon on this?
Thanks!

 

[ziptree]

IMO, it's pretty important.

I had hundreds of hours of shadowing experience, did numerous academic clubs/fraternities, as well as community service activities while in undergraduate school. It shows the adcom that not only are you a good student (high GPA/DAT scores), but also you're involved in the community and want to give back to those who are underserved.

 

[VegasBabyVegas]

Anyone can have a killer GPA and DAT scores, but none of that means you will be a committed, good dentist. Community service or missions (ones that especially incorporate dentistry) shows adcoms that you are certain this is what you want to do. The last thing dental schools want is for people to drop out D1 or D2 because you weren't sure, then they lose ALL THAT MONEY.

 

[ElDienteLoco]

If you have high academic credentials, I don't believe it matters very much.

If you are a middle of the road 3.3 with an 18 DAT, then it makes all the difference in the world between getting an acceptance phone call and a rejection letter.

Best of luck.

 

[VClovesteeth05]

At a competitive undergraduate college/university it could be impossible to have a stellar GPA (like 3.7+) for both cumulative and science and still have hours on end to do extracurricular activities. I never let anything get before my studies, but in my free time I just didn't sit around, I did try to stay active. I think it matters, how much really depends on the candidate--like what your GPA is, your DAT scores, your undergraduate college/university, then they probably take into account your extracurriculars. Keep in mind if you do a lot of research while in school that means less time for volunteering, so it's really just a toss up.

 

[Sprgrover]

In the long run your numbers will be of much more importance and interest to most adcoms than extra-curricular experience. However, some schools, such as ASDOH, do regard such activities as key to a strong application. The short and skinny on EC activities that it certainly won't kill you if you lack them but it doesn't hurt either to have some under your belt.

 

[Bcat]

In talking with our adcom they mentioned that there are several students accepted to HSDM with mid 3. gpa and average dat scores. Their community service and extra curricular activities helped them stand out.