VCU shadowing hours

[dentalbuzz]

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VCU recommends 150 shadowing hours. I have about 70 hours, mostly with general dentists, but a few from ortho, endo, OMFS, and perio. Does anyone know how important this is to the admissions committee? I know they don't require it, but it still makes me nervous and it would be nice to know if I should set aside a lot more time in my schedule this semester to reach that number.

I looked at predents.com, most people didn't list their shadowing hours, but almost all of those who did seemed to have a very large amount of observation hours. I thought I had enough, but now I'm not so sure.

Can anyone help me out on this one?

 

[gatorgrl10]

I have just under 100 hours of shadowing and I got accepted to VCU, although this number was questioned at another interview. Having more hours can't hurt 👍

 

[HannaBanana]

I met with Dr. Healy last summer, and he said I needed between 100-120 hours. Personally, I would say just do the extra hours.

 

[doc toothache]

It makes a bit harder to impress adcoms when the willingness to follow with their specific recommendations is ignored.

 

[dentalbuzz]

Thanks guys. I'll make the time to get those extra shadowing hours in. I wonder why VCU wants to see a significant amount more than other schools? Most other schools recommend/require around 30-50.

Not that I don't think it's important to get all the experience you can, it's just been tricky for me since I am a non-trad and my schedule is really tight getting my pre-reqs done, studying for the DAT, volunteering, and shadowing etc. Such is the price of admission I suppose! I want to do whatever it takes!

 

[doc toothache]

Thanks guys. I'll make the time to get those extra shadowing hours in. I wonder why VCU wants to see a significant amount more than other schools? Most other schools recommend/require around 30-50.

Not that I don't think it's important to get all the experience you can, it's just been tricky for me since I am a non-trad and my schedule is really tight getting my pre-reqs done, studying for the DAT, volunteering, and shadowing etc. Such is the price of admission I suppose! I want to do whatever it takes!

It must hard deciding which should be on top of the list.

 

[dentalbuzz]

Why the sarcasm Doc? I have been doing all of the above for two years now, and don't plan on slacking off on any of them. My question was simply about why VCU requires more hours than most other schools. I am from Idaho, so I've been trying to do my homework on which schools are best to apply to as an out of stater.

 

[yuppers]

Doc is just saying to drop the volunteering (since is not required) and get the rest of those shadowing hours. (I think...sometimes it is hard to say)
Even though I personally valued my time volunteering as an assistant much more, I can't argue with doc's point.
Anyway, you can start volunteering again once you get those shadowing hours.

 

[doc toothache]

Why the sarcasm Doc? I have been doing all of the above for two years now, and don't plan on slacking off on any of them. My question was simply about why VCU requires more hours than most other schools. I am from Idaho, so I've been trying to do my homework on which schools are best to apply to as an out of stater.

Why VCU recommends more shadowing hours than most other schools is a question you should be directing to the Dean of Admissions at VCU. You appear to be more concerned about a way to circumvent the recommendation than you are about completing the requisite number of hours. Since VCU typically has over 2K out of state applicants, they should have no problem finding ~40 that take their recommendations seriously unless, of course, you will qualify for the outstanding applicant of the year, in which case they can overlook any deficiency in shadowing. Since you are aware of their requirement, you can always scratch them off your list. Are you still unclear about the sarcasm?

 

[dentalbuzz]

Yuppers, thanks for the explanation it makes sense now. I'll get those shadowing hours in.

Doc, I think you need a hug.

 

[wantVCUdental]

Why VCU recommends more shadowing hours than most other schools is a question you should be directing to the Dean of Admissions at VCU. You appear to be more concerned about a way to circumvent the recommendation than you are about completing the requisite number of hours. Since VCU typically has over 2K out of state applicants, they should have no problem finding ~40 that take their recommendations seriously unless, of course, you will qualify for the outstanding applicant of the year, in which case they can overlook any deficiency in shadowing. Since you are aware of their requirement, you can always scratch them off your list. Are you still unclear about the sarcasm?

I think that is a very objective analysis, i couldn't agree more with it. Bottom line, get the shadowing done and that'll put you on the same playing field. If you can't do that, you are just setting yourself up for the worst.

 

[dentalbuzz]

I agree with it too. Doc still needs a hug.

 

[skylark]

aww man! didnt quite realize im a bit under their "required" hours.

i wish assisting hours would count, cus half the time im rotating out and watching another student assist the dentist.

anyway, are they very strict on this? i already submitted my app, so do you think they will accept a letter from me saying that i will continue shadowing this summer? or should i not even bother sending the fee 🙁

 

[FreeFallin]

aww man! didnt quite realize im a bit under their "required" hours.

i wish assisting hours would count, cus half the time im rotating out and watching another student assist the dentist.

anyway, are they very strict on this? i already submitted my app, so do you think they will accept a letter from me saying that i will continue shadowing this summer? or should i not even bother sending the fee 🙁

What do you mean by "assisting hours"? Are you a dental assistant? I've contacted a couple schools about this, specifically with my being an RDH for the past few years. Both schools said my work experience will cover the shadowing requirements. So, you may want to contact the schools you're applying to just to be sure.

 

[wowyourecool]

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