Shadowing in a different country?

[Legendary13]

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I will be visiting another country soon, and since I haven't shadowed any dentist here in the states, I plan to complete my shadowing/volunteer hours in the country I am going to visit.

1) I want to know if it is ok if my only shadowing hours come from another country, as well as a LOR from a dentist that lives in another country.
(I will be applying next year, so I still have time to shadow a dentist in the states if my shadowing hours + LOR from another country won't suffice).

2) Also, I am wondering what my chances are for In-state schools (Texas), and out-of-state schools? Obviously, I will aim to get a perfect DAT score (+ do well in the interviews), but I want to know what DAT score would be good enough to get accepted in a Texas school, and if I don't stand a chance in a Texas school, which out-of-state schools are "out-of-state" friendly?

Info:
Texas Resident
Major: Finance
Overall GPA: 3.65
Science GPA: 3.50
DAT: Not yet taken

 

[doc toothache]

You really don't know the answer to your question?

 

[Legendary13]

No, I do not.

 

[free99]

Shadow and volunteer here. And maybe there. But definitely here.

 

[upcomingcycle]

1. I would highly suggest that you get most of your shadowing hours here and get a LOR from a dentist here. I did use my brigade hours in a different country for my shadowing hours, but I also have 200+ hours of shadowing here in the states. If you're going to go to a dental school in the US and want to practice here, observe what dentistry is like here in the states, not in a foreign country. I'm not saying that other countries are subpar or whatever. I'm just pointing out that every country has a different culture and a different way of doing things. Sure, the procedures may be the same, but how the health system is run and the patient-doctor interaction you're going to observe will be different. Think of it this way: if you were an admissions officer reading applications, would you say "Oh kid A who observed dentistry is some random country is equal kid B who has volunteered and observed dentistry in the U.S." I'd end up asking why on earth kid A spent time observing dentistry in a foreign country when he is working towards being a dentist in the U.S. Why not just go to dental school there if he thinks observing dentistry there is fine. Also, you mentioned you have time to shadow afterwards...so why not just do it? Shadowing shouldn't be just something check off a list. It's a time to explore and learn.

2. I've seen 1 or 2 posts here recently where a Texas resident had 3.7 GPA and 23+ on his DAT scores and only applied to Texas schools - didn't get in. Something to think of.