research and volunteering for residency program

[korndoctor]

when come time to apply to residency programs in 4th year of dental school, what are some hints/tips you wished you had known while just starting out dental school that helped?

How much community service is appropriate for residency programs? Can students start volunteering the summer before dental school?
Also, since research boosts resume, can students do research in the summer before dental school and put it on their application? And does the research have to be in the field of the residency program theyre applying for?

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[Gentledental1]

when come time to apply to residency programs in 4th year of dental school, what are some hints/tips you wished you had known while just starting out dental school that helped?

How much community service is appropriate for residency programs? Can students start volunteering the summer before dental school?
Also, since research boosts resume, can students do research in the summer before dental school and put it on their application? And does the research have to be in the field of the residency program theyre applying for?

Granted, I am not quite there yet, but i'm only a year out from applying so maybe I know a little better. If you're already accepted into dental school then by all means, your only job is to enjoy this summer before you start, it is pretty much the last point in your life you'll have this much free time. Go backpack across thailand or go to europe. trust me, when you're crawling on your hands and knees through boards, it will be this last summer that you think of. There is plenty of time to pad the old resume during dental school, no need to do it before (I have no idea what level of importance a program director would place on it, but I really have the distinct impression that above all and in order: board scores, class rank, externships, research and gpa, honors programs, community service, all of which gets completed during dental school). I wouldn't imagine that the deciding factor between two canidates would be research completely unrelated to their field that was completed prior to even starting dental school. I could be completely wrong though, anyone else?

 

[Gentledental1]

when come time to apply to residency programs in 4th year of dental school, what are some hints/tips you wished you had known while just starting out dental school that helped?

How much community service is appropriate for residency programs? Can students start volunteering the summer before dental school?
Also, since research boosts resume, can students do research in the summer before dental school and put it on their application? And does the research have to be in the field of the residency program theyre applying for?

BTW, if I was way off base when reading your question and you're actually a baller fourth year dental student, then i apologize 🙂