Shadowing hours for UIC

Started by Sarutobi231
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
S

Sarutobi231

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I know the list Doc toothache posted in another thread said that UIC recommends 100+ hours of shadowing, but do you think it would hinder my chances if I had 50-60 hours instead?? Thank you.
 
100 hours is recommended, and not required, so you can still apply and get accepted with 50-60 hours. However, any time a school recommends you to do something and you don't do it, it would hinder your chances slightly. For example, if you and other applicants had similar GPA/DAT/ECs/LoRs, and other people had the recommended hours, they would get the interview rather than you. If UIC is your first choice, get the 100 hours. If it's not, don't worry about it.
 
I had even less than 50 hours and I got accepted. Well, as long as your GPA and DAT scores back you up and you show a clear interest in dentistry than you'll be fine.

From my opinion, it's also great to participate in dental related volunteer activities such as Give Kids A Smile Day. UIC is greatly involved in it!!

Good Luck~
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Sarutobi231 said:
I know the list Doc toothache posted in another thread said that UIC recommends 100+ hours of shadowing, but do you think it would hinder my chances if I had 50-60 hours instead?? Thank you.
Click to expand...

I was offered an interview with slightly less than 50 hours. At the interview, admissions staff personnel told me I really needed to get more time shadowing - especially with my background as a career-changer. I am now over 100 and had my dentist write me a memo saying as much. I would recommend doing whatever you can to get 100 hours if UIC is your target school. Shadow on federal holidays off from school, on spring break, whatever.
 
subdoc said:
I was offered an interview with slightly less than 50 hours. At the interview, admissions staff personnel told me I really needed to get more time shadowing - especially with my background as a career-changer. I am now over 100 and had my dentist write me a memo saying as much. I would recommend doing whatever you can to get 100 hours if UIC is your target school. Shadow on federal holidays off from school, on spring break, whatever.
Click to expand...

So can I have roughly 50 wen I first submit my application then vow to do 50 more and them send them the documentation and that would be ok??
 
Sarutobi231 said:
So can I have roughly 50 wen I first submit my application then vow to do 50 more and them send them the documentation and that would be ok??
Click to expand...

I did it that way b/c I only had time to shadow 50ish at time of application. I don't even know how many hours my dentist put in my LOR which went out with my app. I merely mailed an update to my hours to UIC since the admissions staff said I should try to get some more. I thought my actions to be the right thing to do.

I would make sure to have a MINIMUM of 50 at time of application, and shoot for more - it will look more positively to do so. I think most adcoms have a floor to number of shadowing hours they require - advertised or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.