Time off from classes. What to do?

[Enso]

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This is a re-post bc the other thread was mislabeled. Other can be deleted.

Anyways, for the next two months I have no classes whatsoever and would love to utilize this time to improve my chances for dental school acceptance.

I already have a Bachelors in Marketing and now need to take some basic sciences in the Spring for the DAT.

Til then I was thinking of doing a number of things to create a sense of standing out. One would be to enroll in a 9 week dental assisting program to become a DA. Is that a good idea? I was thinking it would help me understand some things even before I start DS, if anything.

Another would be shadowing, volunteering, and researching as much as I can during that time. Which would be best route for me? Even if I wanted to research, how do I go about starting something like that.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Contach]

I can't tell you which route to take, or what ADCOMs would think/like, but if I were in your shoes, I would do the Dental Assisting course and assist in an office. That would be straight chillin - i'd love it! I would think that a 9 week dental assisting course would be night classes to allow you to work in the day time...no? So pick up a job: I'd probably get a research or teaching/tutoring (b/c i like teaching) job.

It will be hard for you to get a research job in a Science laboratory because it doesn't sound like you have a lot of science background. Many of the science labs are heavy in biochemistry or microbiology and really require you to understand the material. You could probably get something in an economics/marketing (if marketing labs exist) lab though.. dunno how that would look to Adcoms. Alternatively, try getting a clinical dental lab position. Like dentists who do research on clinical skills.. What you need to do, is you need to go to your school's, or any school's website and look for researchers in the department you are interested in. They will always have their e-mail there. You send them an e-mail expllaining that you would like to research, you are interested in so and so project, or this disease or whatever. And you hope that you could meet with them to discuss something. If you are really desperate, offer to volunteer, but make sure you show a commitment. Researchers dont like giving out volunteer positions because the person who takes such a role has no obligation to stay. If you can prove that you are willing to stay for an extended period of time, them taking the time to train you will not be wasted.

goodluck

 

[Contach]

oh, attach a resume and a transcript too.. makes it easier so they can assess your suitability on the spot.

If you want to be really ambitious, you can try and schedule a meeting with the professors. It may be hard, b/c most of them don't have assistants or what not.

 

[bustedgrill]

Go fishing.. I wish I could🙁

 

[Enso]

I can't tell you which route to take, or what ADCOMs would think/like, but if I were in your shoes, I would do the Dental Assisting course and assist in an office. That would be straight chillin - i'd love it! I would think that a 9 week dental assisting course would be night classes to allow you to work in the day time...no? So pick up a job: I'd probably get a research or teaching/tutoring (b/c i like teaching) job.

It will be hard for you to get a research job in a Science laboratory because it doesn't sound like you have a lot of science background. Many of the science labs are heavy in biochemistry or microbiology and really require you to understand the material. You could probably get something in an economics/marketing (if marketing labs exist) lab though.. dunno how that would look to Adcoms. Alternatively, try getting a clinical dental lab position. Like dentists who do research on clinical skills.. What you need to do, is you need to go to your school's, or any school's website and look for researchers in the department you are interested in. They will always have their e-mail there. You send them an e-mail expllaining that you would like to research, you are interested in so and so project, or this disease or whatever. And you hope that you could meet with them to discuss something. If you are really desperate, offer to volunteer, but make sure you show a commitment. Researchers dont like giving out volunteer positions because the person who takes such a role has no obligation to stay. If you can prove that you are willing to stay for an extended period of time, them taking the time to train you will not be wasted.

goodluck

Appreciate it big time my man. I just enrolled in a 9 week dental assist training program in Orlando. Class of 12 and they actually teach you hands-on in a dental office. Is it kind of weird if I'm a guy doing this though? Isn't it like 90% female? Haha oh well c'est la vie.

 

[Contach]

Appreciate it big time my man. I just enrolled in a 9 week dental assist training program in Orlando. Class of 12 and they actually teach you hands-on in a dental office. Is it kind of weird if I'm a guy doing this though? Isn't it like 90% female? Haha oh well c'est la vie.

Wait. let me clarify that I understand... You are complaining that there are more girls than guys in your class?

tough life you lead

 

[Enso]

Wait. let me clarify that I understand... You are complaining that there are more girls than guys in your class?

tough life you lead

Let me clarify, not at all. Think of it this way. You'll be the only guy in a "Martha Stewart Interior Decorating Workshop." Yea cool your surrounded by hot and fashion savvy chicks, but do you really belong there?

Thats all I'm saying. As far as social norms, isn't D.A. not something a man generally goes into? I told my dad, a thoracic surgeon, I was interested in doing this for dental school experience and he sort of blasted me with a derogatory homophobic remark 🙄

Not that I care too much about social norms, just curious to an extent what I'd be getting myself into.