biryanisquish
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2023
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
Last edited:
.
- Thread starter biryanisquish
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2022
- Messages
- 2,317
- Reaction score
- 1,897
My concern is you have too much medical/clinical experience related to medicine and not dentistry that your application will look like you made the switch last minute. You definitely need more dental related experiences to offset your medical ones. Leaving them out would maybe be wiser but then your application will feel too light and schools will wonder if you just spend your entire college career focusing on grades only, which then doesn't round you out. I wouldn't omit the experience, but definitely need to showcase "why dentistry".
I'd say your volunteer hours are probably a little on the lighter side as well. I recommend spending more time at the food pantry if you can. Shadow a few general dentists. Specialists are cool to shadow, but you're going to school to become a dentist, not a specialist and schools graduate dentists, not specialists, so best to make sure graduating and being a dentist is something you're content with even if you want to specialize.
Applying without biochem is fine, you don't need to have everything completed by application, only by matriculation. Or rather, the spring (May/June) of the year you matriculate.
I'd say your volunteer hours are probably a little on the lighter side as well. I recommend spending more time at the food pantry if you can. Shadow a few general dentists. Specialists are cool to shadow, but you're going to school to become a dentist, not a specialist and schools graduate dentists, not specialists, so best to make sure graduating and being a dentist is something you're content with even if you want to specialize.
Applying without biochem is fine, you don't need to have everything completed by application, only by matriculation. Or rather, the spring (May/June) of the year you matriculate.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2022
- Messages
- 2,317
- Reaction score
- 1,897
Makes sense! I'd say 200 shadowing and 300 volunteer might be a better mix, and if you can get a dentist LOR I think that would help your case as well. Just plan to also write a really solid PS surrounding why you wish to pursue dentistry and I'm sure you'll be fine. You could expect to be asked "why dentistry, not medicine?" in an interview as well.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2022
- Messages
- 2,317
- Reaction score
- 1,897
I think you should include it, but maybe try to find a way to highlight how it’s changed your mind towards dentistry, or find a way to do so in the personal statement.
If you can find experience in a dental practice or volunteer work related to dentistry that could also help. Otherwise just keep at it. Everything will work itself out!
If you can find experience in a dental practice or volunteer work related to dentistry that could also help. Otherwise just keep at it. Everything will work itself out!
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2011
- Messages
- 28,752
- Reaction score
- 20,776
Resource
www.studentdoctor.net
You are not the first person to ever switch from med to dent, but you must have a profile that shows med is far away in your rearview mirror. I have had my share of dental school applicants with thousands of hours of pharmacy tech experience; the only way they convince admissions committees is at least 6 months to a year's worth of employment in dental settings (shadowing + dental assistant/employment).
A strong commitment to dentistry is key with both length of time in dental clinic settings (250-300 hours over a year gets you 5-6 hours a week for a year) and a strong letter of support from a dentist. I know a dentist letter is not always an admissions requirement, but their observation of your professionalism skills (which comes from being directly supervised) will address concerns that you just made a snap decision to dentistry. Dental education is built on an apprenticeship model, so having a dentist express full confidence in your skills as a future dentist is important.
I also suggest shadowing more than one dentist or practice. Also, if you detested working for hospitals, ask about DSO's and "corporate dentistry." Connect with your local dental society or volunteer for a regional/state conference. Show me you are serious about understanding the business of dentistry.
Your service orientation activities from your past should help. I would recommend having 100 hours in food pantry work as I usually disregard activities with fewer than 50 hours other than shadowing.
Also, be aware that your two-digit DAT should be fine for next cycle, but a new 3-digit scoring model will be implemented in March.
How to Get Into Dental School | Student Doctor Network | SDN
A Dental School Admissions Guide Updated July 2023 Table of Contents Pre-Application The Dental Admissions Test The Application Interviews Following Up
www.studentdoctor.net
You are not the first person to ever switch from med to dent, but you must have a profile that shows med is far away in your rearview mirror. I have had my share of dental school applicants with thousands of hours of pharmacy tech experience; the only way they convince admissions committees is at least 6 months to a year's worth of employment in dental settings (shadowing + dental assistant/employment).
A strong commitment to dentistry is key with both length of time in dental clinic settings (250-300 hours over a year gets you 5-6 hours a week for a year) and a strong letter of support from a dentist. I know a dentist letter is not always an admissions requirement, but their observation of your professionalism skills (which comes from being directly supervised) will address concerns that you just made a snap decision to dentistry. Dental education is built on an apprenticeship model, so having a dentist express full confidence in your skills as a future dentist is important.
I also suggest shadowing more than one dentist or practice. Also, if you detested working for hospitals, ask about DSO's and "corporate dentistry." Connect with your local dental society or volunteer for a regional/state conference. Show me you are serious about understanding the business of dentistry.
Your service orientation activities from your past should help. I would recommend having 100 hours in food pantry work as I usually disregard activities with fewer than 50 hours other than shadowing.
Also, be aware that your two-digit DAT should be fine for next cycle, but a new 3-digit scoring model will be implemented in March.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2011
- Messages
- 28,752
- Reaction score
- 20,776
If you are currently in California, you should be able to find the California Dental Association and any local chapters that span the state. Also, look up the NDA District VI for California.
Asian American Dental Society seeks to create safe space for member dentists
The Asian American Dental Society’s mission is to build a community where Asian American dentists can network, share ideas, learn, advocate and uplift each other.
adanews.ada.org
Home - Korean American Dental Association
Since 1969 | Explore Our Rich History KOREAN AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION Continually evolving the future of Korean American Dentists Learn About Membership Featured Events & CE 2024 KADA Curriculum Learn […]
www.kadausa.org
- Status