Low shadowing hours, but could this help?

[irunblue]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So...I have about 70 something shadowing hours as of now. I did participate in SMDEP and another dental summer program at the University of Michigan both of which were 6-8week programs. Do you guys think that I should be fine and just apply with those hours and pray that they will also view the SMDEP and the other dental program as "clinical/shadowing" experience as well?
Just wondering, because some of the schools I'm applying to (i.e. TUFTS) require 100 shadowing hours.
Thanks!!!!

 

[Glimmer1991]

If the 100 shadowing hours are a REQUIREMENT, I'd be sure to call the schools first and ask. If they won't accept the SMDEP hours, you have to choose whether to A) shadow another 30 hours or B) just not apply to the school.

 

[sgv]

why can't you just spend like two extra weekends shadowing all day...that'll bring you up to 100...shadowing hours is the easiest requirement that you could check off your list...it'd be sad if you couldn't check off this easy freebie...

 

[Glimmer1991]

why can't you just spend like two extra weekends shadowing all day...that'll bring you up to 100...shadowing hours is the easiest requirement that you could check off your list...it'd be sad if you couldn't check off this easy freebie...

No joke! But so many people find themselves in this predicament...

 

[irunblue]

why can't you just spend like two extra weekends shadowing all day...that'll bring you up to 100...shadowing hours is the easiest requirement that you could check off your list...it'd be sad if you couldn't check off this easy freebie...

You're right. It's really a simple fix honestly.
Thanks guys!

 

[Builder]

...shadowing hours is the easiest requirement that you could check off your list...easy freebie...

I am in this boat (52 hrs shadowing). Although, I agree that it SHOULD be a freebie, in my situation it is not so easy.

Working full time (7:30 - 5:30). Night school until 9pm.

The only reason I have 52 hrs is because I shadow on my lunch break about once a week for the last year. Even doing that, I have had to actually take off work in order to shadow for 2 hrs. So I am basically "paying" to shadow.
I have been thinking about taking a full day off work to grab some more shadowing hours, but I can't afford to do that excessively. Either way, I will continue to shadow on my lunch break for the next few months.

I do have 15 hrs volunteering at a free dental clinic, but I listed those hours under volunteer hrs, not shadowing.

Any suggestions? Think schools will understand? or do I need to do anything it takes to get more hours?

(BTW, Midwestern AZ is the only school I applied to that "recommends" 100 hrs, I meet the requirements for the rest of my list)

 

[threemileisle]

I am in this boat (52 hrs shadowing). Although, I agree that it SHOULD be a freebie, in my situation it is not so easy.

Working full time (7:30 - 5:30). Night school until 9pm.

The only reason I have 52 hrs is because I shadow on my lunch break about once a week for the last year. Even doing that, I have had to actually take off work in order to shadow for 2 hrs. So I am basically "paying" to shadow.
I have been thinking about taking a full day off work to grab some more shadowing hours, but I can't afford to do that excessively. Either way, I will continue to shadow on my lunch break for the next few months.

I do have 15 hrs volunteering at a free dental clinic, but I listed those hours under volunteer hrs, not shadowing.

Any suggestions? Think schools will understand? or do I need to do anything it takes to get more hours?

(BTW, Midwestern AZ is the only school I applied to that "recommends" 100 hrs, I meet the requirements for the rest of my list)

Would your dentist be okay with you going in more than once a week? If you could go in on your break every day for a month, that's 20 hours right there. Many offices are also open on Saturday. If you can find one to take you, then pump out a few hours every Sat as well. You'll have little free time, but you'll be sitting on 100 hours before you know it, right as the interviews start to roll in.

 

[Builder]

Many offices are also open on Saturday. If you can find one to take you, then pump out a few hours every Sat as well.

Point well taken, I will look into offices open Saturdays. I think my wife and kids will understand 😉

Thanks for the feedback, you are right, I can get the hours, I just need to work harder to make it happen.

 

[threemileisle]

Point well taken, I will look into offices open Saturdays. I think my wife and kids will understand 😉

Thanks for the feedback, you are right, I can get the hours, I just need to work harder to make it happen.

Hey man, they'll reap the benefits one day!