Twice a week?

[Frank22]

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Hey guys,

Right now I have about 15 hours of shadowing, and I really want to apply 1st batch when June of 2016 comes around, so do you think it would be a big deal if I shadowed two times a week just until I got my 100 hours in, then go back down to 1 day every 2 weeks?

 

[studentdental8]

Honestly once you have over 150-200 hours it will marginally make a difference.

A good example would be: You already have a great SAT score and like 5 SAT II tests taken. Now you're studying super hard for your 6th SAT II test in Economics when a great score on it would marginally help you get an college admissions.

 

[Frank22]

Honestly once you have over 150-200 hours it will marginally make a difference.

A good example would be: You already have a great SAT score and like 5 SAT II tests taken. Now you're studying super hard for your 6th SAT II test in Economics when a great score on it would marginally help you get an college admissions.

I know but my concern is in relation to the rate at which I get these hours. I know schools like to see students shadow over a long period of time; I want to know if it's okay to get my 1st hundred fairly fast (5 hours a session, 2 sessions a week, I would have them in 8.5 weeks)?

 

[studentdental8]

Since you probably haven't looked at an AADSAS application, the ONLY informations in professional experience you input are: (Start of Date, End of Date, Total Hours Calculated) So yes, like you said it would probably be better to have it over a longer period of time to show a better commitment.

 

[ReptileDisfunction]

I had about 20 hours my sophomore year and then got all of my other 130ish hours after the end of my junior year at the beginning of this summer and I have been doing just find interview wise. Your rate seems just fine, just make sure you have at least 50 with one doctor and at least 100 total, maybe some different specialists mixed in. I did all of mine with one Dr. and no adcoms have ever mentioned anything about it, it is really just a block to check.

 

[studentdental8]

If by June 2016 you can acquire 150+, regardless of the rate you used, that would be good, and continue shadowing thereafter

 

[Frank22]

Since you probably haven't looked at an AADSAS application, the ONLY informations in professional experience you input are: (Start of Date, End of Date, Total Hours Calculated) So yes, like you said it would probably be better to have it over a longer period of time to show a better commitment.

Is there a "start date" and "end date" for every dentist I shadowed, or is it just from the time I started shadowing till the last time I shadowed since I mailed out my application?

 

[studentdental8]

Is there a "start date" and "end date" for every dentist I shadowed, or is it just from the time I started shadowing till the last time I shadowed since I mailed out my application?

For every dentist you've shadowed

 

[SXCoronado]

.

 

[Frank22]

50-100 seems like plenty to me. I had 80 or 90 I think

Yeah but let me get 100+ just for safe measure. That third digit may catch the eye of the admissions committee

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I have less than 80 and have 6 interviews. If you want 100+, go for it, but I don't think it'll make or break you.

 

[Frank22]

I have less than 80 and have 6 interviews. If you want 100+, go for it, but I don't think it'll make or break you.

Thanks; since you have 6 interviews, do you have any advice for me in this thread I posted?: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/which-of-these-schools-should-i-cross-off-list.1164749/

 

[flyingmonkey18]

check with the schools that you want to apply to. Some of them have certain hour requirements... I think Michigan wants 100 hours

 

[Frank22]

Thanks flyingmonkey.

 

[grivacobae]

I have less than 80 and have 6 interviews. If you want 100+, go for it, but I don't think it'll make or break you.

How many did you have, over 70? I plan on applying with 40 shadowing hours in the states and 40 foreign... I hope that's ok

 

[Bucks783]

Shadow at a pace comfortable for you. Keep those grades up and if you can shadow more during your winter break just do that to beef up those hours. The hours add up quick so don't stress it too much. I started off just cold calling dentist offices around where I live to see if I could shadow and I was able to find a few and stuck to one that had 4 general dentists and an orthodontist that was really close to me and had great hours (8-8 every weekday and til 1 on saturdays). I began shadowing on a fixed schedule (essentially scheduled it every Tuesday for 4 hours so it was almost like a class) then after a while I got free range to go in whenever I wanted - even if it was just for like an hour as a study break or something. I found myself going in on days I did not plan to shadow like before I went to the gym or something just to say hi and see how some people were doing or how a vacation was or something like that. Build a good relationship not just with the dentist you shadow, but the receptionist, hygienists, and assistants. I was fortunate enough to be at an awesome office that just had a great family feel to it and then when I had an emergency family situation they were just all so supportive and genuinely cared about me and it was just a great feeling. I stopped shadowing for 3 months or so (probably more) and was able to go right back in it when I was ready. I have been shadowing there since last January and I stopped now since I am over 200 hours, but I might go do more because I genuinely enjoy being there and speaking with the dentists. It is interesting to see how younger dentists do things differently than the so-called old school dentists.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

How many did you have, over 70? I plan on applying with 40 shadowing hours in the states and 40 foreign... I hope that's ok

between 60-80. Not sure the deal with foreign. All of mine were complete in the good ole US of A

 

[ajj70]

50-100 seems like plenty to me. I had 80 or 90 I think

I have less than 80 and have 6 interviews. If you want 100+, go for it, but I don't think it'll make or break you.

Each applicant is different and while you had lower than "average" you might have had something else on your app that they wanted. 100 hours is pretty much the recommended number of hours these days. Yes, he might get interviews with only 50 hours, but by the time application season rolls around, there isn't anything you can do to boost those hours. Why take a chance on something that is 100% in your control??

Just get the hours in, they want to see the hours, not that you shadowed over 12 years.

 

[pulltheleverkronk]

I had about 20 hours my sophomore year and then got all of my other 130ish hours after the end of my junior year at the beginning of this summer and I have been doing just find interview wise. Your rate seems just fine, just make sure you have at least 50 with one doctor and at least 100 total, maybe some different specialists mixed in. I did all of mine with one Dr. and no adcoms have ever mentioned anything about it, it is really just a block to check.

This is almost exactly what I did and I've also been fine. You just have to make the time for it.