What do you guys think about putting Nail Technician in the applications and PS?

[KoonS]

Hello fellow SDN,
I am a certified nail tech, and have been working at a nail salon for 4 years now. The work environment is surprisingly similar to dental practices in a lot of way, from customer service to interpersonal skill, and manual dexterity skill.
I really wanted to include it in my PS because I got a lot of compliments from clients, and they were the one that told me to try to be a dentist after seeing how particular and soft handed (never hurt them) i was when doing their nails.
Do you guys think dental school views us positively and favorably if we include it in our application and PS?
should i get a Letter of recommendation from a client or no?

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[AlbinoPolarBear]

Put it on your app, and mention it in passing on your personal statement.

Don't use a letter of rec from a client. Use only letter of recs from your science professors.

 

[Mycoalwin]

Definitely wouldn't get an LOR, but I would mention it throughout your application!

 

[ajj70]

It will also show manual dexterity for dental school so yes, include it. I agree though, no client references, unless that client is a dentist you shadowed and can add in that letter about your work there.

 

[gdm42]

The letters are usually reserved for professors, dentists you've had a relationship, or a mentor so I wouldn't use a client. Justifying your manual dexterity through being a nail tech might not be a bad idea. However, I wouldn't make it a large part of your personal statement.

This is pretty much what polarbear said.

 

[MAX23]

I agree with the previous advise, you can definitely mention being a nail technician in the personal statement, I think you can easily relate it to your manual dexterity and attention to details, but don't get a letter of reference from a client

 

[doc toothache]

You could always offer free services to the faculty. That should get you a few nods.

 

[strep mutans]

Of course it can't replace the 2 science prof LORs or the dentist LOR, but I think that a letter from a client could be a great extra letter (for schools that will accept an extra), IF it focuses on your ability to make the client feel comfortable/safe/in good hands, as well as your ability to be personable, kind, empathetic, etc. Chairside manner is a big deal in general dentistry. That's just my opinion.

 

[andreadds]

Hello fellow SDN,
I am a certified nail tech, and have been working at a nail salon for 4 years now. The work environment is surprisingly similar to dental practices in a lot of way, from customer service to interpersonal skill, and manual dexterity skill.
I really wanted to include it in my PS because I got a lot of compliments from clients, and they were the one that told me to try to be a dentist after seeing how particular and soft handed (never hurt them) i was when doing their nails.
Do you guys think dental school views us positively and favorably if we include it in our application and PS?
should i get a Letter of recommendation from a client or no?

Yes there is a lot in common!!
-Dr. A

 

[tnguyen2512]

do it! I am a nail tech as well. PM me for any question 🙂

 

[KoonS]

Thanks guys,
I already have one strong letter from non-science, 2 okay letters from science, and one from dentist. I want to have 5 letters in, so the admission people can choose to read it or not. isn't always better to have more than less?
and I have been teaching vietnamese at a temple for 5 years now (4hrs a week), and my supervisor says if I need a letter he would write me a good one.
which of these two is a better letter? volunteer supervisor or client?
Ec: 2000+ volunteer (included 20 hrs volunteer at a sightless community in vietnam) , 100hrs shadowing, 1 year leadership of a pre-dental club. What do you guys think about my Ec, is it enough?

 

[Hannah Banana]

Thanks guys,
I already have one strong letter from non-science, 2 okay letters from science, and one from dentist. I want to have 5 letters in, so the admission people can choose to read it or not. isn't always better to have more than less?
and I have been teaching vietnamese at a temple for 5 years now (4hrs a week), and my supervisor says if I need a letter he would write me a good one.
which of these two is a better letter? volunteer supervisor or client?
Ec: 2000+ volunteer (included 20 hrs volunteer at a sightless community in vietnam) , 100hrs shadowing, 1 year leadership of a pre-dental club. What do you guys think about my Ec, is it enough?

Volunteer Supervisor no doubt. Relax, your EC is probably way better than the average applicants. Hy vong ban se nhan duoc nhieu interviews!

 

[KoonS]

Volunteer Supervisor no doubt. Relax, your EC is probably way better than the average applicants. Hy vong ban se nhan duoc nhieu interviews!

haha, cam on ban nhieu lol