Leadership experience!

[Faefly]

I wonder what kind of leadership experience is recommended!

I decided to start my own book club on social media where we meet every month to discuss the book of our choice!
Is this a good thing?

Also, I am thinking of tutoring, but since I am still a student, and I am taking very hard classes next semester, along with my volunteering hours. I can't really commit to my school tutoring hours requirements ( they require 10-15 hours a week, no way!)

Anyway, I found this website through my university job website. It's an online tutoring website with flexible hours, is it considered a leadership experience?

I really hope you provide me with your suggestions about other leadership opportunities!

Just read the blue part if you are in a hurry 😛

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[mcbnerd]

Being an officer for your school's pre-dental club isn't a bad start

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[Faefly]

Being an officer for your school's pre-dental club isn't a bad start

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Thank you for this tip, the semester is almost over, I'll try to do that next semester!

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Try to create your own organization and do a fundraising event or campaign. With sites like GoFundMe and KickStarter, it's not that difficult. You don't need to have anything fancy or "official". Just do it. That's leadership.

Visit websites like volunteermatch.org and see what fits your schedule and time. I've always been told to find leadership roles that have direct impact in serving those in your community. It could be indirect as well, but they do favor direct roles.

 

[super frank]

I had little leadership experience (unless you consider tutoring and a little bit of teaching as leadership) and I received interviews and acceptances. I held no formal positions in clubs or societies. Committees just want to see you involved with things (volunteering, research, a hobby/something unique).

 

[Likkriue]

I have zero leadership experience and have 7/12 interviews along with 3 acceptances.

Not the most important thing in the world.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

I had little leadership experience (unless you consider tutoring and a little bit of teaching as leadership) and I received interviews and acceptances. I held no formal positions in clubs or societies. Committees just want to see you involved with things (volunteering, research, a hobby/something unique).

Tutoring and teaching definitely counts. Agree, you do not need any formal positions anywhere. Get involved as much as you can without risking your grades, etc. Simple as that.

I have zero leadership experience and have 7/12 interviews along with 3 acceptances.

Not the most important thing in the world.

We can't all be rockstars like @Likkriue 😉

 

[toothdoctor123]

I decided to start my own book club on social media where we meet every month to discuss the book of our choice!
Is this a good thing?

Yes, of course that's a good thing. Better yet, organize a journal club similarly and host discussions about dental research articles!

Anyway, it's not quite about having the formal leadership positions as it is about having the qualities of a good leader. Doesn't hurt to have the positions though.

 

[Faefly]

Try to create your own organization and do a fundraising event or campaign. With sites like GoFundMe and KickStarter, it's not that difficult. You don't need to have anything fancy or "official". Just do it. That's leadership.

Visit websites like volunteermatch.org and see what fits your schedule and time. I've always been told to find leadership roles that have direct impact in serving those in your community. It could be indirect as well, but they do favor direct roles.

This is an awesome advice. I like it!

I have already registered to the volunteer match, didn't find things that fit my schedule!

 

[Faefly]

I had little leadership experience (unless you consider tutoring and a little bit of teaching as leadership) and I received interviews and acceptances. I held no formal positions in clubs or societies. Committees just want to see you involved with things (volunteering, research, a hobby/something unique).

Thank you. The sad thing is I did not do any research, so I want to make up for that in other areas. I volunteer in different places, but I don't have many hours.
Hopefully, I will increase my volunteer hours during the break.

 

[Faefly]

I have zero leadership experience and have 7/12 interviews along with 3 acceptances.

Not the most important thing in the world.

Congratulations!
I know it's not the most important factor, but it wouldn't hurt to have something to talk about in my personal statement or during an interview (hopefully I will get some interviews when I apply!)

 

[Faefly]

Yes, of course that's a good thing. Better yet, organize a journal club similarly and host discussions about dental research articles!

Anyway, it's not quite about having the formal leadership positions as it is about having the qualities of a good leader. Doesn't hurt to have the positions though.

I like this idea. I'll start one and see if I get any members!
How about starting my own facebook page about science stuff? does that count as a good thing?

 

[toothdoctor123]

I like this idea. I'll start one and see if I get any members!
How about starting my own facebook page about science stuff? does that count as a good thing?

Sure. It might be difficult to list on your dental school applications, though, and I wouldn't call that leadership experience. How about instead of a Facebook page, you start your own campus magazine or journal, and invite your classmates to submit their scientific papers for publication? It could be their own research, a book review, ethics essay, etc. That way you can call yourself an editor-in-chief, manage an editorial board, and help your friends get their ideas out there!

 

[Faefly]

Sure. It might be difficult to list on your dental school applications, though, and I wouldn't call that leadership experience. How about instead of a Facebook page, you start your own campus magazine or journal, and invite your classmates to submit their scientific papers for publication? It could be their own research, a book review, ethics essay, etc. That way you can call yourself an editor-in-chief, manage an editorial board, and help your friends get their ideas out there!

I like your idea, but it requires a lot of time commitment, and this is my last semester, I wish I thought about it two years ago. I don't even know where to start!

 

[makoons]

Although not necessarily required, leadership can help you be a better applicant. Really good applicants can get merit scholarships or even scholarships for exemplary leadership! Also it's a great experience. I've served as Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and some other board positions on a variety of culturally-centered student organizations. These are a great place to start, because they often need people who are looking to help out. I've found that clubs that are obviously for resume-boosting (pre-health clubs, major based clubs) are usually less rewarding because people aren't passionate about serving their community more than themselves.

This has been super valuable and I definitely recommend it because you can learn to integrate different types of people and gain management experience. As a dentist you will be a leader in your communities, so anything you can do now is awesome. Professional leadership is cool too, like if you already have a job you can ask your manager if you could help them train someone onto the team.

 

[BK165]

Above all else, do some sort of leadership activity that YOU enjoy. At interviews, you want to bring your application to life and be genuinely excited to talk about your experiences within as well as outside of dentistry. If you do so called "resume builders", yes you look great on paper, but you're going to have a tough time trying to convince someone that you're genuinely interested in that activity. Find something that you find incredibly enjoyable whether it be student government, dance, cooking, an e-board of sorts, tutoring, etc. There's tons of opportunities out there to allow you to tell your story, which is what the adcoms want to hear.