What other things will make you standout as an applicant?

[habeshama]

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I know that having good stats is essential in getting into dental school. What other things will make you standout as an applicant? Other than having Job shadowing experience, working in a dental office, volunteering, and doing research.

 

[rose786]

Making a $907,397.76 donation to the school. Only way to go.

 

[Lurchdubious]

a good personal statement, amazing letters of rec., quality of volunteer work (ie., acts of service you've repeated/improved on since you were 8 yrs old, maybe?)

 

[sublimeu4ea]

+1 for good LORS and Personal statement. I think what might have gotten me in, along with some decent credentials (3.9 gpa, dental assistant + certifications, and then some), was the fact that I presented a true interest in preventative dentistry and found common ground with my interviewers. I have met way too many pre-dental students who want to go into aesthetic dentistry and forget the preventative side. Boring? not necessarily... they're currently finishing development of a vaccine against the bacteria that cause cavities. I would totally love to be involved in something like that.

 

[ummjoey]

some random thoughs i have

-awards?
-getting published in research?
-going to third world countries?
-been in the armed forced?
-previously having a job like a cop, chef, firemen, or anything?
-internships?
-getting an x-ray licence?
-cpr certified?
-married?
-kids?

 

[SoCalDent]

I would say that maintaining a heavy course load goes a long way, as well as going to school while you are working at least part time.

 

[DGDDS]

If you add in some quality dental research (oral biology, pathology, pharyngeal development and evolution...) that would look good. It also adds in something you can talk about in your personal statement and interviews. I connected with the dean of admissions because he previously had done research for the NIH. An interest in Public Health also seems to be desirable, but don't just do it for the app, do it because you genuinely want to.

 

[KinKs]

Someone metioned this earlier and it is worth mentioning again. Showing the adcom that you really want to attend that school in particular is very good. It should be genuine, as if every school you wish to attend is your first choice

 

[rose786]

Someone metioned this earlier and it is worth mentioning again. Showing the adcom that you really want to attend that school in particular is very good. It should be genuine, as if every school you wish to attend is your first choice

But if you act like every school is your first choice, I don't see how that can be genuine? 😕