Letters of ref. and ec.

[jonnyc]

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Hello everyone, i just started looking at the forum a month or so ago and have found a ton of helpfull info. What im still unsure of is what constitutes a good LOR and what constitues good extra curric's. Im a bachelor of commerce grad so i have little experience with science prof's nevermind research experience, Im wondering if the norm for dent school applicants is to have a lab job and references from those Teachers. Also what kind of extra curric's are looked upon highly, i have run my own business, volunteered with many community org's and am involved with my church but are these the kind of things that will present me as well rounded. Im just very confused coming from a different degree background than most of you as to what i will need for acceptance, any guidance or help would be wonderful. thank you in advance for any suggestions.

im planning on applying at private american schools such as Loma Linda, NYU, Nova Southeastern etc... and have a GPA of about 3.4 overall 3.3 science

 

[jay228]

Hello everyone, i just started looking at the forum a month or so ago and have found a ton of helpfull info. What im still unsure of is what constitutes a good LOR and what constitues good extra curric's. Im a bachelor of commerce grad so i have little experience with science prof's nevermind research experience, Im wondering if the norm for dent school applicants is to have a lab job and references from those Teachers. Also what kind of extra curric's are looked upon highly, i have run my own business, volunteered with many community org's and am involved with my church but are these the kind of things that will present me as well rounded. Im just very confused coming from a different degree background than most of you as to what i will need for acceptance, any guidance or help would be wonderful. thank you in advance for any suggestions.

im planning on applying at private american schools such as Loma Linda, NYU, Nova Southeastern etc... and have a GPA of about 3.4 overall 3.3 science

Don't look at LORs as good or not, look at them whether they'll help your cause. The sad fact however is, that most likely, your letter will have minimal impact on your overall application. Don't get me wrong, you still need the letters in order to get your file ready, but considering how Adcoms are swamped with thousands of things, they're most likely going to give your letters the most cursory of run downs, if they read them at all... in fact a lot of them don't even read 'em except 10 minutes before your interview.

So now, LORs from well-known people in the industry or those with clout at the school boosts your chances, and LORs that say negative things about you hurt your chances, other than that? your run-of-the-mill "blah blah blah has great work ethics and motivation and etc" letters from normal professors won't do diddily squat.

As for ECs, hospital/volunteering/shadowing are all generic and pedestrian stuff. But if the rest of your application is sound, you don't need them to be anything more than generic to get in.

 

[jonnyc]

Thanks so much for the help i greatly appreciate the insight, i just hope im not going to be looked down upon coming from a background rather than science.

 

[Sprgrover]

Thanks so much for the help i greatly appreciate the insight, i just hope im not going to be looked down upon coming from a background rather than science.

No, you won't. LOR's generally should come from individuals, such as faculty members, that can testify to your academic abilities and likelihood for success in dental school and beyond. Most dental schools look for one from a biology and a chemsitry professor and most applicants have a third one from either a third professor, either from a science background or a liberal arts one, and/or a dentist. Your experience thus far (owning your own business, etc.) is bound to pique the interests of some adcoms. Dental schools aren't necessarily looking for cookie-cutter applicants and not fitting into the traditional biology-major-fresh-off-the-line is in a lot of ways a good thing. As long as you have good numbers, performed well in your science courses, and carry yourself well in interviews you're golden. Best of luck!