Is research experience a big boost to dental application?

[Smooth Operater]

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Hello guys,

I may have an opportunity to get involved in a cleft palate research project with a oral health associate professor at my school this summer break. My ultimate goal is getting into dental school, so I see it as a great opportunity to strengthen my application.

Although I am studying biochemistry degree and have a bit interest in research, I am 100% sure that I won't pursue master and pHD after undergrad. I've set my eyes on dental school.

Two things that I wanna get out of this research project: to stengthen my dental application & to appreciate all the scientific theories that I have been learning by applying to real research situation. I wouldn't just do it to boost my application.

The project may extend towards the fall season, which means I may have to scarifice my studying time to keep up my GPA in my 4th year. This may be a problem b/c my GPA is not too stellar (3.3 - 3.4 range). So, I would only do the project if it will REALLY help my dental application (i.e compensate for my low GPA).

So, is research experience a "big" assest when applying to dental school? Did anyone had research expreience and talked about it during interview? If I don't take the positon, I probably just chill during my summer and shadow my dentist.


Thanks guys!

 

[dksnap]

I was wondering the same thing. We must have posted at the same time.

 

[benson_dds]

Hello guys,

I may have an opportunity to get involved in a cleft palate research project with a oral health associate professor at my school this summer break. My ultimate goal is getting into dental school, so I see it as a great opportunity to strengthen my application.

Although I am studying biochemistry degree and have a bit interest in research, I am 100% sure that I won't pursue master and pHD after undergrad. I've set my eyes on dental school.

Two things that I wanna get out of this research project: to stengthen my dental application & to appreciate all the scientific theories that I have been learning by applying to real research situation. I wouldn't just do it to boost my application.

The project may extend towards the fall season, which means I may have to scarifice my studying time to keep up my GPA in my 4th year. This may be a problem b/c my GPA is not too stellar (3.3 - 3.4 range). So, I would only do the project if it will REALLY help my dental application (i.e compensate for my low GPA).

So, is research experience a "big" assest when applying to dental school? Did anyone had research expreience and talked about it during interview? If I don't take the positon, I probably just chill during my summer and shadow my dentist.


Thanks guys!

As you may know, there is a question on the AADSAS application for dental school that asks whether you have research experience or not and it requires you to put the number of hours and the location and basic stuff about your research. I have research experience and I believe if research was not important they would not have had a question on the application about it! Also when u go to interviews you can talk about it on the side or some interviewers do ask you if they have read your application in advance. It's a definite plus to have a research experience BUT if that's going to hurt your GPA you should think again! I think doing it in Summer and spending a few hours in Fall should be enough, you don't need to spend a lot of time on it. Your GPA is VERY important and anything you can do to raise it should be your # 1 priority after that if you have the time and willingness you should do research and other stuff.
Good Luck

 

[VClovesteeth05]

Hi,
Some people hate research, but it definitely cannot hurt you. I would take the position, it only strenghthen's your app. It won't be the deciding factor, but if you can bring good experiences from your research and figure out what you learned from it, that maybe it reinforced your desire to work with people and not pursue a PhD then it's fine. I did a lot of research (each summer, senior year and now in my year "off") and at times I felt I was being "attacked" by interviewers with questions like, why don't you pursue a PhD? blah blah blah, nothing terrible, but something to remember for interviews.

good luck.

 

[RedsFan]

I had research experience and it came up in my interview at Ohio State. They asked me specifically what I did and it allowed me not only to sound more educated about the field of dentistry, it gave me a broader base beyond "observation hours" to draw from. I definately think it would be a worthwhile investment because you will broaden your exposure to the field of dentistry. Also, by the end of your research you should be able to ask the faculty member you are working with for a letter of recommendation to dental school.