Please Help a High School Senior!

[Boston88]

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I am interested in a career in dentistry, and had a few questions that will aid me as I apply to dental schools in a couple of years.

1. Any advice as far as courses I should take? (aside from the necessary science pre-requisites) From the posts I have read on this site, it seems Adcoms prefer a higher GPA than anything else. In this case it would be better for me to choose a non science major. Right now this is what I'm leaning towards, 8 years of straight science sounds pretty daunting :/. But also I have heard that a science major helps prepare you better for the DAT, and the science courses in D School.

2. Is their any volunteer project, leadership position, or club I should join during my undergrad years. Keep in mind, I want to make my resumé for dental school as strong as possible.

3. How important is the reputation of the undergraduate school you attend? Would a candidate from an Ivy league have a better chance of admitttance than an applicant from say Boston U? I know it is impossible to determine a direct correlation, but any advice on this would be appreciated as I will soon have to decide my undergraduate college from some prestigous and some lesser known schools.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[dentaldentist]

It doesn't matter what major your pick, but yes, a science degree will better prepare you for the science courses you will take in dental school and also keep in mind that dental schools do take into account the type of courses you take when assessing your overall GPA. If you are interested in another major though then go for it and just make sure you do really well in the science courses you do take. Also, some D schools to require additional science classes beyond the basic 2 semesters of bio, chem, orgo, and physics so you might want to check a handful of schools you are really interested in applying to when deciding which courses to take later in your college career (I've seen schools that require courses in microbiology, anatomy, physiology and/or biochemistry as well). If you are not a science major I would take a coulple of upper level bio courses and get a biology minor to give you a better background. Also, its not a bad idea to take an art class or two to improve your manual dexterity.

As far as extracurriculars go, I don't think it really matters, just make sure you are invovled. Find a little time to do some dental shadowing, but you don't need a ton of hours of this. Volunteer work is a real bonus - I would definitly get some of this on your application. Also, some schools like to see you have a little research background. You don't need to be involved in everything, but join a club or two, do a little volunteer work and some shadowing and you'll be fine.

Reputation of your undergraduate school does count, but it is difficult to determine how much. A 3.5 from Stanford is certainly considered worth more than a 3.5 from your average university. Pick a school that you think you will like best and just work hard to get the grades. If everything is equal, I'd go with the more prestigious school, but don't pick a school based solely on its name. Good luck!

 

[USU24]

I don't think your major really matters, but don't think that being the only poli sci major applying is going to put you in your own category. I don't think they really care. Plus you'll have to go through a lot of extra work getting all the pre-recs done for dental school and trying to complete your major. I'd definitely stick in the hard sciences if I were you. It will save you time and energy and a lot of explaining as to why you chose to major in something else if you wanted to be a dentist all along.
I would certainly encourage you to go to a good undergrad. But pretty much just stay away from community college and you'll be okay.
As far as volunteering and stuff, yeah, do a lot of that. And keep track of your hours.
That and get good grades.
Good luck.

 

[jcdent27]

I agree with the above postings. The university you attend in my opinion does not play a significant role, but as was mentioned don't go for the community colleges. As far as choosing a major, I would highly suggest going with a science major only because a strong science background better prepares you for the DAT and for dental school in general. Specific courses I would recommend in addition to the prereq's would be anatomy, histology, and neurophysiology. At my interview they said that these were classes that most first year students had the most trouble with.
Finally, try to involve yourself as much as possible (within reason). Do things that you enjoy and can really show how it has influenced your decision to become a dentist. If you can, try to fit in some sort of summer research/predental program. That always looks good. Hope this helps.

 

[chrisvocker]

the VCU SOD dean told me during my interview that they only entertain non-science majors if, on transcript, they look like science majors. I'm sure other schools like to see a heavy upper level science load, particularly in the biologies.

 

[rose786]

Do a combined BS/DDS program! It'll shave off a year or two, and while they're hard to get into, it would be an easier process than trying to be admitted to dental school after undergrad. I would have done it if I had any clue in high school.

 

[pwine2]

1. I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with some of the above posts. There is nothing wrong with having a science major. However, I majored in economics and every interview I went on, the interviewers loved talking about a well rounded education. You are going to get science classes up the wazoo. If you have a goal of dental school, then learn what you can in undergrad to diversify your education. Majoring in a non science allowed me to study economics in London while most science majors were stuck in the labs all day. These were great life experiences and were great topics of conversation in interviews. Now it is true that you need to have good grades in science classes, but at least you will have some variety. You will still be well prepared for your science classes in dental school and the DAT. I graduated dental school with good grades and great board scores. If I had to do it again, I would not major in a science.

2. Volunteer at a dental office. Every interview I went on, they want to know that you are familiar with dentistry and you enjoy the career.

3. Undergrad reputation means nothing. My dental school had people from small schools I have never heard of to Ivy league schools. Every person was qualified to be there.

 

[Saddleshoes]

Boston 88

1) Dentistry is basically another "life science". So go with a "life science" in collage like Bio, Chem, Physiology, Zoology etc.

2) Find some place you can help deliver dental care in some form. You might find you faint at the sight of a tooth being extracted, which might be a signal to try accounting instead. You might get some insight into the mind set of a dentist be seeing one work. There are also invaluable skills one can learn "chairside" as a dental asst. that pay big dividends later in dental school.

3) Where you go to school is not such a big deal. What you learned and how hard you worked is.

My Dental school class was made up of all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds. The common things to all of them were that they were all smart, talented, well rounded, communicated with others well, and most of all they were diligent workers at any task assigned to them.