WAMC? Strong academics, but slightly weak extracurriculars.

[TheBookCookout]

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Hi everyone! I'm new to SDN and trying to get a feel for things, so apologies for any formatting mistakes.

I will be applying this upcoming cycle, and want to have a feel for my strength as an applicant as I begin picking schools. My academics are very strong, but my extracurriculars and shadowing hours are average to slightly below average. I want to know if this is going to significantly disadvantage me when application time rolls around.

I am a Texas resident and very driven to go to one of my state schools. I was only planning to apply to these 4 state schools (including the Texas Tech school opening soon), but I do not know if I am competitive enough to make that gamble.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!


Overall GPA: 3.90
Science GPA: 3.91
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.93
DAT score: 25 AA, 25 TS (26 BIO, 28 CHE, 22 OCHE), 26 RC, 21 QR, 21 PAT
State of Residence: Texas

Undergrad Attended: Baylor
Major: Biochemistry
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 85, general dentist, ortho, pediatrics
Volunteering Experience: 50 hours as a mentor for at risk high school students, 25 hours through biology honor society, 20 hours as Service Chair for same society
Research: One semester - organometallic synthesis strategies
Other Extracurriculars: Member of American Student Dental Association (one year) and Biology Honor Society (two years)
LOR: Pre-Health Committee packet - 3 professors. Strong probably? General dentist - strong

 

[DocStranger]

Pretty poor chances. Better off retaking DAT

 

[macsak]

Pretty poor chances. Better off retaking DAT

LOL

 

[DocStranger]

LOL

Troll post, gets troll comments for real

 

[TheBookCookout]

Troll post, gets troll comments for real

I'm genuinely not trying to troll, I'm sorry if I came across that way. Like I said, I know my academics are pretty solid, but there are some things I worry might be red flags. For instance, I am a senior and only decided on dentistry in the past year. That means that I am pretty far behind in terms of my clinical experience and volunteering. I'm afraid schools will see that as indecisiveness, or lack of real passion for the profession. Additionally, since I am biochem, I don't really have any upper level bio courses, which I know schools highly recommend.

What I really want to know is if applying to only Texas schools would be a safe bet, or a stupid mistake. It seems like schools are valuing extracurriculars a lot more, and academics are no longer the sole metric of competitiveness.

 

[HabituallyPlacid]

Is water wet?

From your academic profile as an applicant to your ‘average’ EC’s, I would say you certainly have a shot at the very least securing interviews at Texas schools. If you were an OOS applicant to a Texas school, you’d perhaps still have a shot with your stats. If you’re looking for some other general information concerning the application specifics of those who got accepted to Texas schools, check out the School-specific discussions threads.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi everyone! I'm new to SDN and trying to get a feel for things, so apologies for any formatting mistakes.

I will be applying this upcoming cycle, and want to have a feel for my strength as an applicant as I begin picking schools. My academics are very strong, but my extracurriculars and shadowing hours are average to slightly below average. I want to know if this is going to significantly disadvantage me when application time rolls around.

I am a Texas resident and very driven to go to one of my state schools. I was only planning to apply to these 4 state schools (including the Texas Tech school opening soon), but I do not know if I am competitive enough to make that gamble.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!


Overall GPA: 3.90
Science GPA: 3.91
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.93
DAT score: 25 AA, 25 TS (26 BIO, 28 CHE, 22 OCHE), 26 RC, 21 QR, 21 PAT
State of Residence: Texas

Undergrad Attended: Baylor
Major: Biochemistry
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 85, general dentist, ortho, pediatrics
Volunteering Experience: 50 hours as a mentor for at risk high school students, 25 hours through biology honor society, 20 hours as Service Chair for same society
Research: One semester - organometallic synthesis strategies
Other Extracurriculars: Member of American Student Dental Association (one year) and Biology Honor Society (two years)
LOR: Pre-Health Committee packet - 3 professors. Strong probably? General dentist - strong

I think the volunteering/service-oriented and extracurricular hours are below standard and don't really stand out as described. But your grades and DAT should get you a lot of attention from Texas schools if you craft your application properly. Your ASDA membership should help you network with other current dental students at all the schools you want to attend, so use that connection to help you.

 

[TheBookCookout]

I think the volunteering/service-oriented and extracurricular hours are below standard and don't really stand out as described. But your grades and DAT should get you a lot of attention from Texas schools if you craft your application properly. Your ASDA membership should help you network with other current dental students at all the schools you want to attend, so use that connection to help you.

Thank you for the reply! As I am already a senior, I will be taking a gap year by default. My intention is to work as a dental assistant while volunteering at a local soup kitchen, and attend every Texas Mission of Mercy event in the next year. Do you have any recommendations on how else to strengthen my service oriented experiences? Or make up for any other inadequacies? I know extracurriculars are out of my control now, but I want to make my gap year as productive as possible.

 

[deleted936472]

I'm genuinely not trying to troll, I'm sorry if I came across that way. Like I said, I know my academics are pretty solid, but there are some things I worry might be red flags. For instance, I am a senior and only decided on dentistry in the past year. That means that I am pretty far behind in terms of my clinical experience and volunteering. I'm afraid schools will see that as indecisiveness, or lack of real passion for the profession. Additionally, since I am biochem, I don't really have any upper level bio courses, which I know schools highly recommend.

What I really want to know is if applying to only Texas schools would be a safe bet, or a stupid mistake. It seems like schools are valuing extracurriculars a lot more, and academics are no longer the sole metric of competitiveness.

I was premed for the majority of the time I was in undergrad. I decided to go down the predent path less than a year before I applied to dental schools this cycle (2019-2020). I also had fewer shadowing hours than you and it never came up in an interview that I might be indecisive or lack passion for dentistry. I was also a chemistry major and had only 1 upper division bio class, again, it wasn’t a problem.

I agree what some of the other posters have said with regards to your community service/volunteer hours: you should try to get more of them. You should also try to get 100 shadowing hours, a lot of people say this is the magic number (I had close to the minimum shadowing hours required for many schools and it was never a problem, so take this advice with a grain of salt).

 

[ToothJockey]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like when you have stats like those, you stand out even without having crazy good EC's. I would venture a guess and say less than 5% of applicants have stats as good or higher. That doesn't mean EC's don't matter, they obviously do, but I feel like EC's matter a lot more for your average 3.5 GPA 20 AA applicant, because you need something to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other applicants with the same stats.

 

[TheBookCookout]

I was premed for the majority of the time I was in undergrad. I decided to go down the predent path less than a year before I applied to dental schools this cycle (2019-2020). I also had fewer shadowing hours than you and it never came up in an interview that I might be indecisive or lack passion for dentistry. I was also a chemistry major and had only 1 upper division bio class, again, it wasn’t a problem.

I agree what some of the other posters have said with regards to your community service/volunteer hours: you should try to get more of them. You should also try to get 100 shadowing hours, a lot of people say this is the magic number (I had close to the minimum shadowing hours required for many schools and it was never a problem, so take this advice with a grain of salt).

I have already scheduled shadowing times for the rest of the semester, so I should very easily surpass 100 hours. So I'm not too worried about that part. I would really like to do more community service, but I don't know what there is to do in the next 4 months before I submit my application. Especially since I am already Service Chair for an organization. Do you feel that volunteering a ton during my gap year would help me out at all?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like when you have stats like those, you stand out even without having crazy good EC's. I would venture a guess and say less than 5% of applicants have stats as good or higher. That doesn't mean EC's don't matter, they obviously do, but I feel like EC's matter a lot more for your average 3.5 GPA 20 AA applicant, because you need something to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other applicants with the same stats.

ECs can "seal the deal" when it comes to getting support in deliberations for an offer. Book smart does not mean patient ready. ECs give some insight into that.

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[deleted936472]

I have already scheduled shadowing times for the rest of the semester, so I should very easily surpass 100 hours. So I'm not too worried about that part. I would really like to do more community service, but I don't know what there is to do in the next 4 months before I submit my application. Especially since I am already Service Chair for an organization. Do you feel that volunteering a ton during my gap year would help me out at all?

You’re probably fine where you’re at right now, but it would be better if you had more volunteering hours...I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think your volunteer hours would be a red flag (it won’t help you stand out though). You can volunteer some more before you submit your application

You could also send schools updates on volunteer hours after you submit your app, which could be useful. Just start volunteering a few hours ever week starting now and work during your gap year. Make a little money and enjoy life.

 

[TheBookCookout]

ECs can "seal the deal" when it comes to getting support in deliberations for an offer. Book smart does not mean patient ready. ECs give some insight into that.

Sent from my SM-N960U using SDN mobile

So is there any way to remedy the extracurricular portion of my application? Or is that just beyond repair at this point? I have a full gap year before (potential) matriculation, so is there anything I can do during that time?

I am very motivated to attend a Texas school, even even if it means becoming a re-applicant. However, if there is nothing outside of college that I can do to improve my weaknesses, I am not sure if that applying so narrowly would be a wise decision.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

So is there any way to remedy the extracurricular portion of my application? Or is that just beyond repair at this point? I have a full gap year before (potential) matriculation, so is there anything I can do during that time?

I am very motivated to attend a Texas school, even even if it means becoming a re-applicant. However, if there is nothing outside of college that I can do to improve my weaknesses, I am not sure if that applying so narrowly would be a wise decision.

Of course there is but no one should give you a prescriptive answer. You can pick your extracurriculars even once you graduate. Whatever activities help you relax or be "well rounded". What did your prehealth advisors suggest?

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[TheBookCookout]

Of course there is but no one should give you a prescriptive answer. You can pick your extracurriculars even once you graduate. Whatever activities help you relax or be "well rounded". What did your prehealth advisors suggest?

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My pre-health advisors have suggested that I take the year to really just do whatever suits me. Work to save up money, travel, etc. Though I don't know if that is the most quality advice if I might need to reapply. I've arranged to speak with them again, but due to the starting of classes it has been a bit difficult to schedule a meeting.

 

[laundry]

Hi everyone! I'm new to SDN and trying to get a feel for things, so apologies for any formatting mistakes.

I will be applying this upcoming cycle, and want to have a feel for my strength as an applicant as I begin picking schools. My academics are very strong, but my extracurriculars and shadowing hours are average to slightly below average. I want to know if this is going to significantly disadvantage me when application time rolls around.

I am a Texas resident and very driven to go to one of my state schools. I was only planning to apply to these 4 state schools (including the Texas Tech school opening soon), but I do not know if I am competitive enough to make that gamble.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!


Overall GPA: 3.90
Science GPA: 3.91
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.93
DAT score: 25 AA, 25 TS (26 BIO, 28 CHE, 22 OCHE), 26 RC, 21 QR, 21 PAT
State of Residence: Texas

Undergrad Attended: Baylor
Major: Biochemistry
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 85, general dentist, ortho, pediatrics
Volunteering Experience: 50 hours as a mentor for at risk high school students, 25 hours through biology honor society, 20 hours as Service Chair for same society
Research: One semester - organometallic synthesis strategies
Other Extracurriculars: Member of American Student Dental Association (one year) and Biology Honor Society (two years)
LOR: Pre-Health Committee packet - 3 professors. Strong probably? General dentist - strong

Don't take a year off just to build up extracurriculars. Apply and take up additional activities as you do.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My pre-health advisors have suggested that I take the year to really just do whatever suits me. Work to save up money, travel, etc. Though I don't know if that is the most quality advice if I might need to reapply. I've arranged to speak with them again, but due to the starting of classes it has been a bit difficult to schedule a meeting.

From earlier, Service Chair doesn't really have weight without telling me what service you organized (frequency, involvement, maintenance or new opportunities, impact). Volunteering in service to others can be done "anytime" during a gap year, but you should get some work experience at least to get paid. Most applicants I have seen will work in a dentist's office as one option, especially since you are coming from premed.

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[TheBookCookout]

From earlier, Service Chair doesn't really have weight without telling me what service you organized (frequency, involvement, maintenance or new opportunities, impact). Volunteering in service to others can be done "anytime" during a gap year, but you should get some work experience at least to get paid. Most applicants I have seen will work in a dentist's office as one option, especially since you are coming from premed.

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My responsibilities include organizing service events with members of the community, and then acting as the team leader at those events. The work itself varies, but we do a lot with a local nonprofit, so things like food banks, charity drives, and environmental cleanups. There are pretty much weekly events, and I attend all of them, so it amounts to maybe 20 hours a semester or more.

My current plan is to work as a dental assistant during my gap year (save up some money and build clinical experience). Interestingly enough though, I'm actually not coming from premed. I always thought that I was going to go into research, which is why my extracurriculars aren't super impressive. I've always been focused more heavily on academics.

 

[TheBookCookout]

Don't take a year off just to build up extracurriculars. Apply and take up additional activities as you do.

I'm actually a senior this year. I decided on dentistry as a career path pretty late, so I have to take a gap year by default. I'll be applying this cycle no matter what, but now I'm just looking for ways to improve my competitiveness if I'm not able to get into the schools that I apply to.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My responsibilities include organizing service events with members of the community, and then acting as the team leader at those events. The work itself varies, but we do a lot with a local nonprofit, so things like food banks, charity drives, and environmental cleanups. There are pretty much weekly events, and I attend all of them, so it amounts to maybe 20 hours a semester or more.

My current plan is to work as a dental assistant during my gap year (save up some money and build clinical experience). Interestingly enough though, I'm actually not coming from premed. I always thought that I was going to go into research, which is why my extracurriculars aren't super impressive. I've always been focused more heavily on academics.

Finally, hand skills involving fine motor movements?

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[TheBookCookout]

Finally, hand skills involving fine motor movements?

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I've played violin for nearly 10 years now (admitedly not as regularly now that my classes consume most of my time), though I don't know if you would consider that fine motor movements. Biochemistry has made me spend a lot of time spent in chemistry labs, where manual dexterity and precision is required for many procedures (but again, this might not be very applicable to "fine motor movements"). I have been meaning to take up soap carving, as soon as I'm able to get my hands on some materials.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I've played violin for nearly 10 years now (admitedly not as regularly now that my classes consume most of my time), though I don't know if you would consider that fine motor movements. Biochemistry has made me spend a lot of time spent in chemistry labs, where manual dexterity and precision is required for many procedures (but again, this might not be very applicable to "fine motor movements"). I have been meaning to take up soap carving, as soon as I'm able to get my hands on some materials.

Random question: how did you do in pchem?

I think your plan to work in a dentist office is sound. You can also see if that dentist does any volunteering at a community free clinic and go with her/him. Go to study groups or offer to read papers to help prepare for those study groups. Go to local dentist meetings or state meetings, volunteer if you can't afford the registration fee. Now that you aren't in school,immerse yourself in dentistry as a business and a patient-centered profession.

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[TheBookCookout]

Random question: how did you do in pchem?

I think your plan to work in a dentist office is sound. You can also see if that dentist does any volunteering at a community free clinic and go with her/him. Go to study groups or offer to read papers to help prepare for those study groups. Go to local dentist meetings or state meetings, volunteer if you can't afford the registration fee. Now that you aren't in school,immerse yourself in dentistry as a business and a patient-centered profession.

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I got an A in both pchem lab and lecture. Really enjoyed the experimentation too. The professor of that class is actually writing one of my recommendation letters.

This is really great advice, thank you! I didn't know that non-dentists could also attend those kinds of meetings. What exactly do you mean by "study groups" though? And what kind of papers?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I got an A in both pchem lab and lecture. Really enjoyed the experimentation too. The professor of that class is actually writing one of my recommendation letters.

This is really great advice, thank you! I didn't know that non-dentists could also attend those kinds of meetings. What exactly do you mean by "study groups" though? And what kind of papers?

The study groups are usually professionals only but that doesn't mean that your dentist mentor isn't allowed to bring guests unless she/he can't. You can only ask. Also your local dentist association has continuing education sessions during the year.

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