this is long...but please read i need advice!

[SimpleDimples]

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OK, so... dilemmaaa

There are two things i could do as of right now. The semester has just started for me and i didn't get into the microbiology class i was waitlisted for so i could go through with two options here...

1) I could just keep the bio 2 and orgo 2 and english and with my free time try to find a part time job. I'll have a lot more free hours available without having a third lab that i think i might have a good shot at finding a paid gig~ cuz seriously i need the money and the experience, of course. I heard dental schools weigh heavily on the clinical experience and as of now, i hardly have any besides like the 50 hours i've shadowed last spring. So yea, i could have a much easier course load and get a job where i could be earning some extra loot meanwhile getting good experience that will really benefit me come application time and i think i'd be happier going this route...

2) I could also pick up another lab, such as genetics. Genetics is the only science/lab that has open seats and actual fits into my schedule nicely. You said you gotta take genetics in d school so it would benefit me to take it now and get some background in it, right? but my course work load would be heavily increased and secondly, i'm already 2 weeks behind the game and i'd have to play catch up and it already going into the third week of school, it's gonna be rough. BUT, i feel like if dental schools see that i took an unrequired course, it might look good? ? If it IS true, what classes would they like to see and would genetics even be one of them? From the research i've done, they seem to like micro and anatomy and physiology and histology and general bio courses, etc... i've seen a school (NYU) recommend genetics once, but that's only one school. Do schools care more about academics or experience? They do "recommend" to take other classes besides the pre reqs, but if i take the genetics along with the bio and orgo and english, i'll hardly have time to do any clinical stuff.... I'd be able to shadow maybe 6-8 hours a week. Which, considering its shadowing, i guess is decent. I just wouldn't be getting paid, which suuuuuuuucks. I'm just worried genetics isn't a course they'll be impressed with. I'd be more comfortable if i knew genetics is what they were looking for....From what i've been hearing, genetics isn't all that great. Anatomy and physiology seems to be a big hit~ unfortunately that class is closed and so i can't get in =/

Does it matter that much to take other classes besides the prereqs? i use to think so, but now i don't know. If i could replace it with some good clinical experience maybe that's a better alternative..

SO... what's better? less classes, more free time, paid job and good experience? OR more school work but may look good to take unrequired, recommended courses and shadow 6-8 hours a week which is still good experience but no pay. My life would be hectic as hell with the latter...

well, there's my dilemma... i hope some of you got to the end and i hope it made sense.... anyone's two cents would help because i'm really at a cross roads here.... thanks again for reading...

 

[chemtex2008]

The answer is probably not too helpful, but alot depends on what schools you are hoping to get into (especially if you have a state funded school that you will be applying to because they often accept mostly in-state people and the competition is not quite as high). The other major factor is when you plan on applying. If the application is already in the works, then your decision doesn't matter (this prob doesn't apply to you b/c I think you said you were taking organic II). If not, keep in mind that you can report classes that you plan on taking in the app, but you can't exactly report hours that you "plan" to shadow or work.

Look at the pre-reqs of the schools you want to go to. These are a must!

Try to get 100+ hours of shadowing or some hands-on clinical experience. Not generally required, but really helps.

FYI, each program has different classes. We don't take genetics, but anatomy, physiology, micro, biochem, histo, pharm, and path are found everywhere (even though many are not pre-reqs). These look good, because schools think you can come in helping your classmates. I don't know how much gentics will help. I took it in undergrad and loved it, but I don't find much use for it anymore.

To me, your decision sounds like you will be fine either way. Personally, I would try to get more clinical experience, but that is just my opinion.

 

[klutzy1987]

I dont know if you have taken your DAT yet, but if you have free time, i would suggest studying for your DAT now and taking it right before the next semester starts. If you have already taken your DAT's then i would go for the money and clinical experience.