Recommendation from dentist

[The Godfather]

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A couple of the schools I applied to recommend a letter of recommendation from a dentist. How necessary is this? There was a discrepancy between the information on the web sites, and I just submitted the usual three letters of rec to AASDAS. Also it says just from a practicing dentist. I really hate to bother the dentist I shadowed, as he has a new practice and is really busy. I also have a good relationship with another dentist who I don't know as well, but attended one of the schools that has "suggested" this letter. So what should I do? Are they going to reject my application because I didn't go the extra mile. I'm a pretty competitive candidate (3.2 gpa, 21 DAT), but I don't want them to pass over my application because I don't have this "highly recommended" element. 👍

 

[DrTacoElf]

A couple of the schools I applied to recommend a letter of recommendation from a dentist. How necessary is this? There was a discrepancy between the information on the web sites, and I just submitted the usual three letters of rec to AASDAS. Also it says just from a practicing dentist. I really hate to bother the dentist I shadowed, as he has a new practice and is really busy. I also have a good relationship with another dentist who I don't know as well, but attended one of the schools that has "suggested" this letter. So what should I do? Are they going to reject my application because I didn't go the extra mile. I'm a pretty competitive candidate (3.2 gpa, 21 DAT), but I don't want them to pass over my application because I don't have this "highly recommended" element. 👍

Just ask the dentist for the letter. The worst they can do is say no.

 

[Nendo21]

Just ask the dentist for the letter. The worst they can do is say no.

I think the letter from the dentist is very important. Who can better recommend you than a practicing dentist...it's an extra push for the adcoms your stats are good but not undeniable (Don't get me wrong i am not saying they are bad) that's just my opinion they would probably trust a dentist more than your whole recommendation and transcript...and don't think it's such a drag just write him a nice note and ask for it he'll do it unless hes a total @$$

 

[Biogirl361]

I think the letter from the dentist is very important. Who can better recommend you than a practicing dentist...it's an extra push for the adcoms your stats are good but not undeniable (Don't get me wrong i am not saying they are bad) that's just my opinion they would probably trust a dentist more than your whole recommendation and transcript...and don't think it's such a drag just write him a nice note and ask for it he'll do it unless hes a total @$$

pretty much exactly what i would have said 🙂

 

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

A couple of the schools I applied to recommend a letter of recommendation from a dentist. How necessary is this? There was a discrepancy between the information on the web sites, and I just submitted the usual three letters of rec to AASDAS. Also it says just from a practicing dentist. I really hate to bother the dentist I shadowed, as he has a new practice and is really busy. I also have a good relationship with another dentist who I don't know as well, but attended one of the schools that has "suggested" this letter. So what should I do? Are they going to reject my application because I didn't go the extra mile. I'm a pretty competitive candidate (3.2 gpa, 21 DAT), but I don't want them to pass over my application because I don't have this "highly recommended" element. 👍

For some schools, the letter from a dentist is REQUIRED. If you do not have one letter from the dentist, your profile is considered incomplete. So call the schools that you apply and check with them.
Secondly, 3.2GPA and 21DAT is not "pretty competitive" as you think (sorry to burst your bubble). I would consider it to be average/somewhat competitive. So the letter from the dentist definitely will serve you well. The letter will prove the adcom that you have explored the dental field and your dentist is your witness. In addition, the dentist can also comment about your personality, how you interact with patients, etc.....that will bring out the "soft skills" that you possess to the adcom. I suggest that you should sent in a letter from the dentist to any school you apply (whether they require it or not). Good luck!!!

 

[Trookie]

Secondly, 3.2GPA and 21DAT is not "pretty competitive" as you think (sorry to burst your bubble). I would consider it to be average/somewhat competitive.

Not to be a smartass, but what exactly is the difference between "pretty competitive" and "somewhat competitive"? 😉

 

[DREDAY]

Not to be a smartass, but what exactly is the difference between "pretty competitive" and "somewhat competitive"? 😉

Don't listen to him... you are pretty competitive with those stats.

 

[The Godfather]

Thanks for the advice. No, like I posted these letters are not required, but it can't hurt! I really wasn't tooting my own horn about my stats. This is what I heard from two different adcom representatives when I went and visited schools in the spring (they said if I could get my DAT over 20, with my grades, I would be competitive). I guess I should have mentioned that I have a 3.4 science gpa, and after being out of school for 12 years, have maintained a 4.0 in all my science classes (including almost all my prerequisistes) since returning. And looking at the average stats for all the dental schools I'm applying to, I'd have to agree I'm "pretty competitive." We all need to remember that the average posters on this wonderful forum are above average for admission to dental schools. And that there are other factors besides stats. I think we all have a great shot. The fact that we spend time in this forum (posting and watching) shows that we really are serious about our choice of vocation. Remember there are a lot of people that are "just applying." That's what the interviews are for - weeding out those people that aren't as serious about a serious education and profession. So Dr "Smiley" or whoever, let's try to keep a positive tone. We are all in this now. There's nothing anybody can about their stats for the 2005 cycle (unless you're retaking the DAT), so for those that are freaking out because you don't have a 3.9 and 24 DAT, relax. Stay strong, resolute, and confident when you go to those interviews. It will show through, and make you a more attractive candidate. From being in the business world for the last decade, I can tell you, positive people get the jobs. Enough pep talk! Gotta start my Biochem homework! 👍

 

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

Don't listen to him... you are pretty competitive with those stats.

Competitive scores are those 3.4+ GPA and 19/20+ DAT. A 21+ is competitive DAT for sure, but 3.2 is not a competitive score (as he originally tells us that he has a 3.2 GPA).
I was trying to be nice by saying "somewhat competitive", but i personally think his OLD score is "average". However, now TheGodFather just re-posted his GPA as 3.4, then he is "competitive" as the adcom had told him.
When I read the very first post, I am not saying that he does not have a chance with his OLD scores (3.2 and 21), I knew people who got accepted with those scores. What my main point was he should has the letter of dentist in any case.
Man, it wasn't supposed to be an insult. If you tell the guy the he is "pretty competitive" with his OLD scores (when he is not) then you are being a little bit dishonest. I just want to tell him what I truly think, not to insult him.
There is a difference between being negative and rude, and being honest.
I don't think my tone in the last post was intentionally meant to be negative. Sorry if you guys think so.

 

[calbear14]

From reading the above posts, godfather has a 3.2 overall gpa and a 3.4 science gpa. Seems like he was just posting more info to give a better idea of where he stands.

 

[luder98]

It all depends on which schools you apply to. We've seen some with ~19/3.2 being overexcited about Dec 1, some with border line stats b*tch at others right below them and some with 3.7+/23+ being skeptical about their chances. IMO, telling the truth is always good, but putting it in a too negative way may make you look cocky. Also it'd help convey your idea better if you post your background/stats somewhere.

 

[Dentist 2 be]

How much do they factor in if your mother, father, and uncle are all dentist? 😎

 

[luder98]

How much do they factor in if your mother, father, and uncle are all dentist? 😎

If I were on the adcom, I'd expect to see stellar GPA all the way and high DATs. No excuse.

 

[Dentist 2 be]

well i have aabout a 3.5 and decent DATs. I have over 1000 hours of volunteer work not to mention 4 years as a dental assistant full time. 🙂

i was just curious because all the schools i had interviews at mentioned the fact that my family is so involved in dentistry.

 

[luder98]

well i have aabout a 3.5 and decent DATs. I have over 1000 hours of volunteer work not to mention 4 years as a dental assistant full time. 🙂

i was just curious because all the schools i had interviews at mentioned the fact that my family is so involved in dentistry.

How decent? Since your family is flooded with doctors, I'd expect "decent" to be in high 20s. Is it correct?

 

[Dentist 2 be]

i am sorry but that does not make any sense. Just because my parents are dentists does not mean that I have good DAT scores. 20s are not decent 20s are great and are very competitive. By decent i meant 18s.

 

[The Godfather]

How much do they factor in if your mother, father, and uncle are all dentist? 😎

I'm going to go out on a limb here, and say the fact that you have relatives (especially parents) who are dentist is probably somewhat of a factor (how's that for creative hedging), primarily because all the applications ask it. All of my secondaries had a place for it, so it must hold some importance. It might have something to with statistics probabilities (we know how they love those numbers), if not of success in dental school, success after graduation because many times they can "walk-in" to a private practice. Remember that school's like that alumni support, and like to have good stats for graduates. Do I think someone who is not qualified, would gain admission because of relatives? I would hope not. I'm sure it happens, though, especially if the relative attended the dental school being applied to. State schools are notorious for giving much thought to legacies. This is the real world, and sometimes it's who you know. As far as the poster goes, you sound like you don't really have anything to worry about by your stats. But if it did come down to you or someone with the same stats, and similar interview impressions, I think you would have an edge just for the reasons I just described. 👍

 

[Dentist 2 be]

Thank you for your honest opinion Godfather. I really appreciate it. I just wanted to see what ppl think because I had also noticed that that question was present on all my secondaries and on the AADSAS form.

Good Luck to you and I hope you're accepted to some of your top choices! 😍

 

[luder98]

Just because my parents are dentists... By decent i meant 18s.

I hope you didn't tell that to the adcom. If you have more interviews lined up, I recommend you re-visit your application.

 

[Veneto]

I think a letter from a dentist is very important. It demostrates first off that you really did shadow somebody, and secondly that during the shadowing the dentist was able to realize that you could do this as a career. I think most dentists consider themselves as an elite group and if a member of the group says they think it's a good idea to admit someone to the group the rest of the group will look favorably upon the request of that member. I hope that made sense. Also for a lot of schools they are realizing that good grades/DAT's are not the only factors that make a good practitioner and want to see that the person can make an aquaintance and impress them enought to warrant a letter of recommendation. That my two cents.

 

[Dentist 2 be]

I hope you didn't tell that to the adcom. If you have more interviews lined up, I recommend you re-visit your application.

First of all, I think you don't understand what I meant when I said that. My scores are decent. I didn't make them only decent just because I knew that I had somewhat of a backup since my parents were both in the field. I'm just saying that they are decent and that my parents are dentists. I don't understand what you are implying when you say that you hope I didn't say that to adcoms. Say what to adcoms? That I got decent scores and not great ones because my parents are dentsits? That's not what I meant at all. I wish I did better. These are two sepesrate factors; my DAT scores and the fact that my parents are dentist. I am not trying to make up for my scores or anything like that.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[luder98]

I think a letter from a dentist is very important. It demostrates first off that you really did shadow somebody, and secondly that during the shadowing the dentist was able to realize that you could do this as a career. I think most dentists consider themselves as an elite group and if a member of the group says they think it's a good idea to admit someone to the group the rest of the group will look favorably upon the request of that member. I hope that made sense. Also for a lot of schools they are realizing that good grades/DAT's are not the only factors that make a good practitioner and want to see that the person can make an aquaintance and impress them enought to warrant a letter of recommendation. That my two cents.

Of course they all make sense. 👍

 

[luder98]

First of all, I think you don't understand what I meant when I said that. My scores are decent. I didn't make them only decent just because I knew that I had somewhat of a backup since my parents were both in the field. I'm just saying that they are decent and that my parents are dentists. I don't understand what you are implying when you say that you hope I didn't say that to adcoms. Say what to adcoms? That I got decent scores and not great ones because my parents are dentsits? That's not what I meant at all. I wish I did better. These are two sepesrate factors; my DAT scores and the fact that my parents are dentist. I am not trying to make up for my scores or anything like that.

Sorry for the confusion.

You know what I mean. So do some others here. Good luck.

 

[msf41]

TO the OP

Definately send the recomendation if you can get it. My application is being held up at OHSU because I don't have a dentist LOR.