Volunteer

Yes, it helps to be involved in community service and to show you have an interest in the dental profession. Shadowing a dentist is very important. It is more important than anything, however, to keep that GPA up. If you have to sacrifice volunteer work or GPA, sacrifice the volunteer work.

 

I agree 100%. Just thought I'd let you know.

 

Shadowing is pretty much like an "unofficial requirement" set by all dental schools.

 

I think you have your answer. Just shadow a dentist, then do other things if you have hours to spare. You don't need 500 hours like others have by the way.

 

Go on like a habitat for humanity project in some foreign country and build a house, that looks amazing on a resume and it's fun as hell hahaha

 

Definitely shadowing - otherwise, you have no "experience" observing in a setting that you are applying to devote your livelihood to.

As far as other volunteering - doesn't necessarily have to be dental related. I got props from one interviewer for helping an outdoor organization zone off bird nesting sites and native American burial grounds. It can have absolutely nothing to do with dentistry, but everyone to do with with who you are.

 

They want you to be sure you know what the profession is all about. Make sure you can speak some of the "lingo" during the interview. They may ask you to identify specific teeth and lingual/labial surfaces. I've heard that some schools make you instrument and obturate a canal. Maybe those are the Ivy Leagues. Glad I didn't interview there.

Honestly, 40 hours and a letter from a dentist and you're golden.

 

I am so glad this didn't happen to me either.

 

Like most everyone else has mentioned, shadowing a dentist is important as kind of an "unwritten" rule. As far as other volunteering goes, do something that you are genuinely interested in. Don't do something just because it looks good on an app. For example, I volunteered as a tutor for elementary students. I had a great time doing it and made for easy conversation during interviews.