Volunteering/Assisting/Shadowing

[gomisweird]

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So, I'm entering my second year of undergraduate studies.


My main concern is with EC's. So far, I've done over 300 hours of assisting at my dentist's office.

My question is, should I keep pursuing this in the summer and the summer after next? Or should I do other things? At this rate, I'm gonna have about 1000+ hours of assisting. I was just wondering if this constitutes a kick-ass EC application or not. Thanks,

 

[Andrew324]

What do you mean by assisting?

 

[Pat Kelly]

Are you learning anything new while assisting now?

 

[gomisweird]

Assisting the dentist himself. Giving him tools, working around the desk, etc. It's like I'm a worker except I'm not getting paid.

 

[klutzy1987]

Get a paid job, or go shadow at a trauma clinic. There you will learn tons and see way cool stuff.

 

[EKdental09]

So, I'm entering my second year of undergraduate studies.


My main concern is with EC's. So far, I've done over 300 hours of assisting at my dentist's office.

My question is, should I keep pursuing this in the summer and the summer after next? Or should I do other things? At this rate, I'm gonna have about 1000+ hours of assisting. I was just wondering if this constitutes a kick-ass EC application or not. Thanks,

Ask any of the professors in your major if there are any research opportunities. I think those are really solid on an application.

 

[Ruthless]

Get a paid job, or go shadow at a trauma clinic. There you will learn tons and see way cool stuff.

Is there any aspect of dentistry involved at a trauma clinic?

 

[gomisweird]

So the fact that I have (projected) 1000+ hours of assisting/helping/volunteering means nothing???

 

[gomisweird]

Anyone?

 

[Maygyver]

I would think that would mean quite alot.

 

[gomisweird]

Oh okay thanks. I'm just trying to get the best out of EC's to make up for my GPA (thus far)

 

[Andrew324]

?What is your GPA that you are trying to make up for it?

1000 hours does mean a lot

 

[gomisweird]

Well my GPA right now (entering my second year) is 2.8. I hope to raise it to 3.3-3.5 by the time I'm done.

 

[gomisweird]

Nevermind, my AADSAS GPA will be a 3.4 by the time I apply. I'll have about 1000 hours of assisting/volunterring and decent DATs like 19-20.

Give me my chances at UCSF, UCLA, Western, USC and UOP

 

[rewJW]

Nevermind, my AADSAS GPA will be a 3.4 by the time I apply. I'll have about 1000 hours of assisting/volunterring and decent DATs like 19-20.

Nobody can predict what they will score on the DAT, especially somebody who (probably) hasn't even begun studying for it.

I think if you're going to continue shadowing over 300 hours, see if you can find an assisting job that will pay you. Regardless you're going to have many many hours of experience - you might as well get paid to do it. If you can't find such a job, look into volunteering elsewhere where you can get some sort of community service to add to your application. volunteermatch.org is a good site to find places to do so.

 

[Ortho88]

From my perspective, It seems that your dentist doesn't care about you. If you've been working there for 300 hrs, he should've offer you the job and get paid. You should consider getting some training in the summer, so you can actually work with patients. I think it is beneficial to show early interest in dentistry, it will definitely boost your apps. But you still definitely need the grades. Just focus in boosting the GPA, then you can worry about the extra stuff later. If he doesn't want to pay you, then you can move! Some dentist are greedy. Find dentist who will support your dental journey! Once you get a job, you should network with the docs!

I'm a 2nd year myself. I got my X-ray license right after HS. I was doing this part-time job just for fun. I ended up becoming a dental assistant and I worked my way up to become a part time Assistant Manager at one office and a Manager at another office. I've worked way over 2000 hrs and technically I dont really need it anymore, but Im still working cuz I love it.

With our recent economy, you should focus in your GPA. The competition will be much tougher, bcs every1 wants 2 b a doc. 🙂

 

[DROCKINDAHOUSE]

Nevermind, my AADSAS GPA will be a 3.4 by the time I apply. I'll have about 1000 hours of assisting/volunterring and decent DATs like 19-20.

Give me my chances at UCSF, UCLA, Western, USC and UOP

Check predents.com for information regarding stats on those schools.

You could also ask some of the UCSF students/accepted predents on here if you have a shot there. Don't be too surprised by the answer though.

 

[lakerslover]

I had a question. Where do you go to get your X-ray license? Is it online? I was wondering if you could post the information...Or if you have any hints as to where you can obtain it. Thanks!

 

[lakerslover]

I had a question. Where and how do you get your X-ray license? Is it thru an online school? How much does it cost and how long is it? I was hoping if you could provide the information or hints as to whom I can contact or places that would possibly offer it. Thanks!!

From my perspective, It seems that your dentist doesn't care about you. If you've been working there for 300 hrs, he should've offer you the job and get paid. You should consider getting some training in the summer, so you can actually work with patients. I think it is beneficial to show early interest in dentistry, it will definitely boost your apps. But you still definitely need the grades. Just focus in boosting the GPA, then you can worry about the extra stuff later. If he doesn't want to pay you, then you can move! Some dentist are greedy. Find dentist who will support your dental journey! Once you get a job, you should network with the docs!

I'm a 2nd year myself. I got my X-ray license right after HS. I was doing this part-time job just for fun. I ended up becoming a dental assistant and I worked my way up to become a part time Assistant Manager at one office and a Manager at another office. I've worked way over 2000 hrs and technically I dont really need it anymore, but Im still working cuz I love it.

With our recent economy, you should focus in your GPA. The competition will be much tougher, bcs every1 wants 2 b a doc. 🙂

 

[rewJW]

Lakerslover, x-ray licensing varies by state. You have to find out your own state's requirements. Google is a good place to start looking for state info. Here in NJ, I had to take a 70 hour didactic/lab course and 30 hours of clinical, then I can take the state test or DANB and if (when) I pass it apply for a license.

 

[DROCKINDAHOUSE]

I had a question. Where do you go to get your X-ray license? Is it online? I was wondering if you could post the information...Or if you have any hints as to where you can obtain it. Thanks!

It's usually offered through some sort of certificate program if I'm not mistaken. You should look through your phonebook or online.

 

[Ortho88]

If you live in California, it is very easy to get a dental license. You can just go to any ROP location and sign up for the program. The class run for about 6 weeks. It is fairly easy, you just have to show up and work on mannequin. Of course, the final test is scored based on your precision.

 

[lakerslover]

Thanks Ortho88 and the rest of the ppl who answered my question. I'll look into it and hopefully get the license. What other kinds of licenses can we possibly get besides X-ray/CPR/AED?

If you live in California, it is very easy to get a dental license. You can just go to any ROP location and sign up for the program. The class run for about 6 weeks. It is fairly easy, you just have to show up and work on mannequin. Of course, the final test is scored based on your precision.

 

[doc toothache]

Oh okay thanks. I'm just trying to get the best out of EC's to make up for my GPA (thus far)

A "ton" of ecs is not likely to significantly counterbalance a lackluster gpa.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527523

 

[zazu537]

A "ton" of ecs is not likely to significantly counterbalance a lackluster gpa.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527523

i agree - make sure you get your GPA up. also, you can never get enough experience so if you have the opportunity don't turn it down. i think you should ask the dentist you work for if you could be a paid intern. have specific reasons why you think you should be paid (i.e. you have 300 hours of experience, you're committed to the profession and would love to continue to get experience but you need money, etc) when you talk to him. if you decide to look for jobs elsewhere having that experience will definitely help because they won't have to train you from the beginning.

 

[IDoWhatIWant]

I would do some community clinic volunteering as well. I'm not sure where you are, but USC Mobile Dental Clinic is great.

 

[gomisweird]

Well for me, assisting doesn't have to be paid. If I get paid, the adcoms might think I'm only doing it for the money. But besides that, I can actually fit about 3500 hours by the time I apply if I do it more frequently. All of that would have been VOLUNTEERED and not paid....but anyway, the only things I do anything is hold the sucker and manage paperwork.

 

[zazu537]

Well for me, assisting doesn't have to be paid. If I get paid, the adcoms might think I'm only doing it for the money. But besides that, I can actually fit about 3500 hours by the time I apply if I do it more frequently. All of that would have been VOLUNTEERED and not paid....but anyway, the only things I do anything is hold the sucker and manage paperwork.

well if the money doesn't matter then keep doing it - experience is always a plus. i don't think anyone would ever look poorly upon a paid internship. personally i need to work during the summers to pay for expenses during the school year so it was great that i could get paid to work 40 hrs a week in a dental office.

also, i don't know what kind of office you work in, but i had over 800 hours of experience in an ortho office and when i was applying realized some schools wanted at least 50 hours in a general office... thankfully i had volunteered in an office at school - so just keep that in mind.

 

[ZoriBor]

i would suggest doing something different and diverse in the coming years. i attented an advising session for dental school at U or M, MN. the advisor stated that they encourage shadowing and volunteering for applicants so the applicant get the feel of the career and they want to make sure those yound applicants are being exposed to the real world before getting accepted to the dental school. since it is not just a four year collge and a behind the desk career. they want applicants to be tough and well aware of the challenges of the career, and strongly determined about dentistry. if you have got these, then you don't need to continue volunteering. you can and should explore other aspects and challenges of dentistry. the more diverse the better for you.

 

[r3dr0s3s]

If I get paid, the adcoms might think I'm only doing it for the money

What's wrong with doing it for the money? College students are poor. Don't be worried about getting a job involving dentistry because adcoms won't be like "OMG WHY DID YOU DO IT FOR THE MONEY???"

Sometimes real life stuff happens, and well money often times help that problem (IE $$$$$$$$$ to apply to dental school).