suggestions for things to do in my year off?

[goomba]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey everyone, I just wanted to give big props to this site in helping out in the application process and good looking out to all those who helped.

Anyhow, this is actually my first post and I want to get suggestions from people on what they think I should do in my year off to "look good for dental schools," like something cool and different other than research or shadowing a dentist, that will stand out??

I was thinking of becoming a bar tender, but will they look down on this like I am a party animal or will they see it as a good thing like to help with communication skills which is critical for a dentist?

Please people, I am open to suggestions...

 

[qaztake82]

carve teeth out of wood

 

[Sprgrover]

I would look into doing some volunteer work. I don't think being a bartender is bad at all - it might be more flexible than a corporate 9-5 job, would allow you room to get some more shadowing in and to dash around to interviews. Just don't get a position at a place called the 'Kit Kat Klub' or 'Jim's Alibi'. A girl I went to school with last year was a pre-med student and she was a bar tender at a nice restaurant. Her job worked around her schedule and she was able to fit in clinical work at a hospital and research experience in the summer. Plus she made good money! 🙂

 

[swiminh2o]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to give big props to this site in helping out in the application process and good looking out to all those who helped.

Anyhow, this is actually my first post and I want to get suggestions from people on what they think I should do in my year off to "look good for dental schools," like something cool and different other than research or shadowing a dentist, that will stand out??

I was thinking of becoming a bar tender, but will they look down on this like I am a party animal or will they see it as a good thing like to help with communication skills which is critical for a dentist?

Please people, I am open to suggestions...

You could get the bar tender job which I assume to be more of an evening/night job and use your daytime for a couple of purposes.

A) get another job and pack away the $$$. The less debt you go into the better for dental school. The fact you have two jobs shows you've got elbow grease and adcoms like that. You would have the benefit of more $$$. Downside: no time to do what you want

B)volunteer. I don't know where you live but there are plenty of volunteer efforts you can hook up with. Check you local health dept, university, etc. Adcoms love to see volunteer work and you will benefit because it just plain feels good to do it. Downside: No extra $$$

C) travel. Forget the jobs and volunteerism. Go travel and enjoy seeing the world a bit before you are stuffed into a cadaver lab. Adcoms will see your adventurous side and you'll have a blast. Downside: you will not earn extra $$ and you'll end up spending whatever $ you have.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Please people, I am open to suggestions...

Do something for yourself and forget doing things do make your application look better. Enjoy your time.

 

[biosailgirl]

I have no idea, since I'll be applying for the 2006 cycle, so I'm thinking I'll
1. start shadowing a dentist every other week for like 3 hours ( i work in polymer research lab and i don't want to tell them i'm applying to schools until i actually get in somewhere)
2. volunteer on the weeks i'm not shadowing a dentist. something that'll actually make a difference though, not just in a hospital talking to nurses, something i've done in the past. i might tutor or join the boys and girls club.
3. take some art classes. they always talk about dentistry combining art and science. i love making sculptures, paintings, or at least used to, but i didn't have the time in college and now i'll have time at least once a week. my lil town offers community classes, i'll be doing a fish printing class this fall.
4. anything that improves your detail-oriented self. not sure what that means, have to figure that one out myself
5. and heck, if you have the money, travel! or just travel to another country, hang out there, bartend and do all the stuff i've listed above.
now that, would be awesome.

 

[goomba]

these are all good suggestions, thanks

 

[toothcaries]

suggestions for things to do in my year off?

if your app is solid...
...i'd travel.

maybe bartend for 3 months save your money and then go to south america or SE asia for 6 months or so...

once u get started on this path....u will not get many more opportunities to get away...

 

[justletmein]

play super mario brothers and stomp on all the goombas 🙂

 

[rocknightmare]

well you could always take upper level classes to prepare you for dental school... or just travel...

 

[SHAWNNYC1]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to give big props to this site in helping out in the application process and good looking out to all those who helped.

Anyhow, this is actually my first post and I want to get suggestions from people on what they think I should do in my year off to "look good for dental schools," like something cool and different other than research or shadowing a dentist, that will stand out??

I was thinking of becoming a bar tender, but will they look down on this like I am a party animal or will they see it as a good thing like to help with communication skills which is critical for a dentist?

Please people, I am open to suggestions...

I think you should do the bartending thing, go out and party like a mad man. Because dental school sucks and you wont be able to do crazy crap like that when you start. So party hard and bang out as many girls as you can

ONE LOVE

SHAWN NYC

 

[MEM3]

I think you should do the bartending thing, go out and party like a mad man. Because dental school sucks and you wont be able to do crazy crap like that when you start. So party hard and bang out as many girls as you can

ONE LOVE

SHAWN NYC

LOL. Whats up Shawn!

 

[adamlc18]

If I had had an extra year, I would have considered working in a dental lab. Then when you get to first year, you will speed through your wax-ups and have lots of extra time to do other things.

 

[accidental]

You could always spend your time posting on message boards asking what you could do for the next year.

 

[podil]

if your app is solid...
...i'd travel.

maybe bartend for 3 months save your money and then go to south america or SE asia for 6 months or so...

once u get started on this path....u will not get many more opportunities to get away...

I completely agree with toothcarries!! I took a semester off during my junior year to backpack around South America. It was truly amazing and the probably the most memorable and eye opening 3 months of my life. I was ahead in my studies (graduating in 3.5) and did the whole trip in under $3000 (including plane tix).

Benefits:

1. So much fun! Let out some steam and avoid burnout in d-school.
2. Expand your horizons. Meet new people from all over the world.
3. Learn spanish (especially helpful in CA) or another language.
4. Learn to be more independant, thrifty and a better risk manager.
5. Learn to interact with people of all backgrounds.
6. You will never regret not travelling later in life. You dont know how many docs/dents have said their biggest regret was not taking some time off and doing what I did after or during college.

Re. Adcoms: I think they would look favorable on travel

My suggestion: See if you can graduate early (too late for most people on the board) or do it during the summer before d-school. If you take a year off is even better because travelling is easier and cheaper in the offseason (not summer). You wont regret it and do justify not doing it because of money because compared to the cost of d-school and how much you'll be making after, it is really inexpensive (I usually got by at $10 a day not including air tix or major expenditures like scuba diving.)

I would be happy to answer any questions about my trip on this thread or by PM.

Go for it!

-P 👍

 

[goomba]

these are all money suggestions, but as for now I am pretty much concentrating on interviewing, then once I get into the school that best fits me, its on like donkey kong! I am gonna do bartending most probably, but it is hard to find a job in los angeles! Then I plan to do some major traveling. I figure dental school won't be too fun (lol) so I better hook up with as many girls as possible now and get a girlfriend for dental school Nice plan right?

jp

 

[SHAWNNYC1]

these are all money suggestions, but as for now I am pretty much concentrating on interviewing, then once I get into the school that best fits me, its on like donkey kong! I am gonna do bartending most probably, but it is hard to find a job in los angeles! Then I plan to do some major traveling. I figure dental school won't be too fun (lol) so I better hook up with as many girls as possible now and get a girlfriend for dental school Nice plan right?

jp

def bro, you know it. Maybe not a gf but definitely a booty call
a gf is too much stress in dental school


ONE LOVE

SHAWN NYC

 

[blankguy]

How about working part time at a dental office and part time bartender?
Another suggestion tutor students in Genchem and/or Ochem.

 

[ATX04UT]

Guys are dogs!

 

[boogaking]

travel.... I hear the weather is nice in Iraq!

 

[goomba]

your so funny dude! Don't you think that comment was a bit unnecessary.

Big up's to those that keep on giving the good ideas to work with.

Respect.

jp

 

[tabbycattia]

😎

carve teeth out of wood

a la jorge washington?

 

[tabbycattia]

2. volunteer on the weeks i'm not shadowing a dentist. something that'll actually make a difference though, not just in a hospital talking to nurses, something i've done in the past. i might tutor or join the boys and girls club.

I've actually been advised that volunteering is not the best way to go about looking better for your apps. While it won't hurt you, working or interning in some way is always better (I was told), because when they pay you, and when it is official, they have to make you do something worth while. If you volunteer, they don't have to make you do anything of substance (I mean in medical/dental areas). Volunteering is a great thing, though, and I recommend volunteering with places like the Down Syndrome Association, Nursing Homes, and ASPCAs....places I've gotten great satisfaction from. Go for it! I too will have a year off, but I plan on taking this year to save up my cash!