Weight of ECs and Interviews

[Zbtb7]

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I'm a biochemistry major with a 3.85+ GPA sci and cum. I have a 22AA on the DAT with no section below a 21.

I was wondering how important extracurriculars and interviews are to schools.

I'm going to try to do some extracurriculars before I apply next year. Would it be OK if I shadow dentists but volunteer in a medical/hospital setting rather than a dental clinic?

Thank you so much.
-Zbtb7

 

[flabernak]

Unless your condition is mentioned in your letters of recommendation I would doubt that your undergrad would mention it to dental schools. Even if they wanted to I'm fairly sure that would be illegal.

My brother has the same condition as you, as well as my nephew so I am sympathetic to your situation. Should you disclose it? I don't know. But it may have an impact on your ability to perform as a dentist. As a dentist you are going to have to interact with every patient (and show the utmost competence and confidence, even when you are scared), your assistants, hygienists, etc...

As for shadowing, it's important to shadow in a dental office/clinic. Hospital shadowing is not going to show you what it's like to be a dentist (and many schools require dental shadowing). I volunteered in a hospital ER and was bored out of my mind. I would recommend you try and shadow with an actual dentist, and if you feel comfortable with them maybe share your concerns with them. Ask them for their honest opinions on your condition and performing as a dentist. Perhaps also talk with a psychiatrist about it as well, they probably know the most, there may be some medications that help you control your anxiety.

You obviously have the intellectual capacity for the trade (just wow on your scores/gpa). Well done on the dat!

Good luck

 

[UCLAzy]

you might want to seriously consider practicing dentistry. even if you make it past the interviews, etc, when you have a practice it might be very difficult to keep patients coming back if there are problems..

you're obviously smart enough but if you cant handle the 'after' dental school part then you'll just end up with a dds and serious debt

 

[invictusx]

I'm a biochemistry major with a 3.95+ GPA sci and cum. I have a 24AA on the DAT with no section below a 21. However, I have Asperger's Syndrome (officially diagnosed when I was in middle school) and I struggle with interacting with other people.

I was wondering how important extracurriculars and interviews are to schools.

I'm going into my junior year so I'm going to try to do some extracurriculars before I apply next year. Would it be OK if I shadow dentists but volunteer in a medical/hospital setting rather than a dental clinic?

Should I disclose my Asperger's Syndrome to the schools I'm applying to? I'm worried that they'll immediately disqualify me because of it. My college already knows. Should I ask my school committee not to reveal this information?

If I get interviews I'm going to practice extensively with my counselor. Still, I'm still worried that I'll do something stupid. We all do something stupid. It's hard to perfect an interview Could you please give me some advice pertaining to the aforementioned topics?

Thank you so much.
-Zbtb7

Read underlined

 

[tmirchel]

He could always do dental pathology or dds phd and research if he does not like/ can't be with patients. If its what you want to do definitely try.

And you should get at least 50 hours of shadowing in a clinic. Just shadow an oral surgeon that sedates everyone then its no big deal.

 

[jeffity]

He could always do dental pathology or dds phd and research if he does not like/ can't be with patients. If its what you want to do definitely try.

And you should get at least 50 hours of shadowing in a clinic. Just shadow an oral surgeon that sedates everyone then its no big deal.

Or take it one step further and get into forensic odontology.

 

[destinedsirius]

Look at House. He's a grade A a**hole and totally not a people person but he's successful because he's the man. If you're good at what you do then they will come.

 

[duckdds]

Look at House. He's a grade A a**hole and totally not a people person but he's successful because he's the man. If you're good at what you do then they will come.

I guess you have a different definition of success than I do!

 

[thewobblytooth]

i'm not sure... in my honest opinion, i think the only way you'll have a shot is drastically improving your people skills and communication. ECs and interviews are very important because these are the things that distinguish you from the thousands of others that apply. While your scores are excellent, you'll be competing in a league of beasts with great people skills and similar scores like you.

These are my extracurricular activities. 6 yrs 1st degree black belt and Taekwondo instructor, 1 quarter microbiology tutor, 2ys elementary school tutor, 2 yrs shadowing with an oral surgeon, summer research at UCSF with a dental prof, 1 yr honors thesis research at UCD, after graduation jr specialist at UCD, 2 yrs safety director at a hospital, 2 yrs part of a humanitarian group that emphasizes on oral health in third world countries.

cgpa 3.6
sgpa 3.4
nonscigpa 3.7
but for the past two years 4.0

LoRs from 2 science profs, 1 dentist prof, and 1 oral surgeon

I've gotten 9 secondaries so far out of 13 schools i've applied.

So yes, ECs are incredibly important and they define your character. You have great scores and with time, you'll be able to overcome your problems. Do your best in any volunteer experience you pursue because they are INCREDIBLY important when writing out those secondaries.

 

[dudeman]

Look at House. He's a grade A a**hole and totally not a people person but he's successful because he's the man. If you're good at what you do then they will come.

You cant use a fictional character as a basis for a real life situation, especially House. If that were real he would have been put in the slammer long ago.