No Dentist for LOR

[kaDa]

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Here's my situation:

2 LOR from professors I have done research under (2 summers and a year long Honors project)
1 LOR from boss at school for my involvement in various leadership positions
1 LOR from volunteer camp for disabled kids I've done for the past 6 years

I have done shadowing under a dentist, but only for about 30 hours. My time spent for my other activities far surpasses this. I also have additional shadowing experience under the SMDEP program. As far as the LOR part of my app, will this be OK? I know some schools require a letter from a dentist, but I dislike leaving these important aspects of my life out of the application. I felt confident leaving a dentist letter out, but I am second guessing myself now that I found several threads about people freaking out because they couldn't get their dentist to write a LOR. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

 

[TeamGuo]

Here's my situation:

2 LOR from professors I have done research under (2 summers and a year long Honors project)
1 LOR from boss at school for my involvement in various leadership positions
1 LOR from volunteer camp for disabled kids I've done for the past 6 years

I have done shadowing under a dentist, but only for about 30 hours. My time spent for my other activities far surpasses this. I also have additional shadowing experience under the SMDEP program. As far as the LOR part of my app, will this be OK? I know some schools require a letter from a dentist, but I dislike leaving these important aspects of my life out of the application. I felt confident leaving a dentist letter out, but I am second guessing myself now that I found several threads about people freaking out because they couldn't get their dentist to write a LOR. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

You want to get into dental school...... so, I suggest you get that letter from your dentist. It's common sense...

 

[amalgamgrillz]

Here's my situation:

2 LOR from professors I have done research under (2 summers and a year long Honors project)
1 LOR from boss at school for my involvement in various leadership positions
1 LOR from volunteer camp for disabled kids I've done for the past 6 years

I have done shadowing under a dentist, but only for about 30 hours. My time spent for my other activities far surpasses this. I also have additional shadowing experience under the SMDEP program. As far as the LOR part of my app, will this be OK? I know some schools require a letter from a dentist, but I dislike leaving these important aspects of my life out of the application. I felt confident leaving a dentist letter out, but I am second guessing myself now that I found several threads about people freaking out because they couldn't get their dentist to write a LOR. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

I think Adcoms are strict about this stuff. With thousands of applicants, I think they might use this as a weed-out kind of thing. One school said they wanted 1 bio prof + 1 other science (chem//math/physics/biochem) + 1 dentist, I e-mailed one school asking if I could use 2 bio and 1dentist, and they said "No. We require a reference from another science (chem/math/physics/biochem)." Your best bet might be to just get that reference letter from the dentist and forward it to the school directly. Even if it's just a ****ty verification evaluation.

 

[kaDa]

This news is kind of frustrating because I feel that the two non-research letters I have now give more insight into my personal background, work ethic, motivation, etc. than my ability to follow someone around and ask questions. I am not saying shadowing was unimportant, it solidified the choice I made during my SMDEP experience, but I have focused my time/effort into these other areas and it will be a shame to replace one of my prior letters with something that does not reflect this.

Thanks a lot for the quick and succinct answers. I tend to over analyze situations without getting advice and I think that is part of the reason why I am in this situation now 😳.

(I apologize for venting a little)

 

[Teeth4Life]

Maybe ask your current dentist to write you one and explain your interest in the field to him? Worked for me plus it got me a personal call which doesn't hurt either 😉

 

[dentstd]

This news is kind of frustrating because I feel that the two non-research letters I have now give more insight into my personal background, work ethic, motivation, etc. than my ability to follow someone around and ask questions. I am not saying shadowing was unimportant, it solidified the choice I made during my SMDEP experience, but I have focused my time/effort into these other areas and it will be a shame to replace one of my prior letters with something that does not reflect this.

Thanks a lot for the quick and succinct answers. I tend to over analyze situations without getting advice and I think that is part of the reason why I am in this situation now 😳.

(I apologize for venting a little)

It's not about getting a sense of who you are, as LOR's from dentists often have little content within the letter itself. It's about whether you can cultivate a relationship with a dentist enough to obtain a letter. Finding a dentist to shadow is a difficult thing, so they want to know if you have the ability to seek one.

 

[DrReo]

Some schools will require proof of shadowing a general dentist. This LOR is where you can typically provide this information (some schools will have additional forms).

 

[yuppers]

It's not about getting a sense of who you are, as LOR's from dentists often have little content within the letter itself. It's about whether you can cultivate a relationship with a dentist enough to obtain a letter. Finding a dentist to shadow is a difficult thing, so they want to know if you have the ability to seek one.

Well put.

 

[MrKnowitall11]

If you are going to submit your lor separatly (not using a commitee letter), then you have to get a letter from a dentist. Sorry but your not applying to a volunteer school, your applying to a dental school. I've even heard that some schools only want 3 letters, no more no less. Schools will view your letters with much more attention and acceptance if they are written by a non bias source instead of someone that has had a relationship with you for years and will only say wonderful stuff about you. A positive letter from a dentist that has only known you for several months will carry far more weight than from a supervisor/friend that you have volunteered with for years.