Research

[DrRoyal Pains]

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Hey guys, does anyone know how good volunteer research looks when applying to dental school? Or does it not matter? I only ask because I am currently doing research and would like to start studying for my DAT this summer, but the research is very time consuming.

 

[jmt1984]

Hey guys, does anyone know how good volunteer research looks when applying to dental school? Or does it not matter? I only ask because I am currently doing research and would like to start studying for my DAT this summer, but the research is very time consuming.

I think that it is a good thing to have on an application, but that being said, in your situation you are volunteering and you want to make time for the DAT. Doing well on the DAT and cutting back on the hours in the lab would be a much better idea.

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

I would also like to start volunteering more, but the research would take up time for me to do that as well. Numerous volunteer hours are more important than research, correct?

 

[John Durian]

Research will help to pad your resume. But you have to get past the initial hurdles which are the GPA/DAT barrier.

If you don't have enough time to study and score well on the DAT, you will never get a chance to get pass the screening process for the committee to see how well rounded you are as an applicant (this is where the research and volunteering will kick in).

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

I know volunteering is more important than research, but it also depends which dental schools I apply too,and how they view research. How many volunteer hours look good? Because the way things look now I may stop the research in order to pick up additional volunteering hours.

 

[John Durian]

It varies depending on the school. Most schools seem to want between 100-200 hours though. I think doctoothache had a sheet or post about that, so check him out if you have time.