Do residency admissions officers care about pre-dent/dent school shadowing experience in the specialty you're applying for a residency in? In other words, would you put this on your CV when applying? Also, if you've completed some CEUs during dental school, do you include these as well (if so - how many years back can you go to list some of them)? What are some other ways to improve the app besides gpa/boards/internship/externship?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Residency programs want to get to know you, with only the application and interview.
Letters of recommendation help, but, all students will ask professors that will give a positive recommendation. National Boards are going pass/fail, so they will be of limited value. Many schools are going pass/fail or do not rank students/the class. We have no idea if grades are inflated. Class rank would be more if you are in top 10 %. The middle 30-50% are usually very close.
So what do we look for?
A well round person educationally, community activity, etc.
A team player, so one who would get along with fellow residents, the staff, and patients.
Some one who loves dentistry and has shown it by volunteering in clinics/ projects/ rotations/
externships/etc.
Did you have to work do put your self through school?
We also look at undergrad grades to see if any major changes (can you do the work
we all have a bad year occasionally).
CEs in dental school are not important because the whole year is educational, but does show your interest and that you spend you time well.
Your CV should be complete as well as your essay. How far back? That depends on what you did. A older student who spend years in the military will look good, but if the years were doing nothing it will look bad. Special awards may be very important, especially if they show your interest in helping people.
Major problems may be mentioned, but often are best done at the interview.
Hope this helps.
