What to do over summer?

Started by SunnySang
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SunnySang

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Hey all,
Im new to the forums. I am starting college in the fall as a freshman. I decided with the economy and all to go to a city college and then transfer to a college in my state called UC Davis, where i would get a major in biology. My ultimate goal is to become an oral surgeon.
Summer is here and i have nothing to do. I have tried for weeks now to find a job, but there are none. Can anyone suggest any dentistry oriented prep? Maybe some books you think would have helped you out going into college with dds dreams in your mind? Would this be the right time to start volunteering in a dentist office?
Thanks,
Sunny
 
you can start shadowing a dentist or two if you want. if you can't find a job, then get into some community service/volunteering as well. Another thing you might need to consider is that a lot of dental schools don't like too many credits from community colleges - and if you are interested in those colleges, then you might want to rethink CC. I'm not sure exactly which colleges don't but I suggest you do some research and look up different schools you might be interested in.
 
After I graduated high school my parents got me a book called "How To Get Into The Right Dental School" by Carla Rogers, and I thought it was somewhat helpful. Its not a huge book, but just gives you a lot of things to think about.

As for studying or anything, take this time to enjoy your life when you're off from school, and at most ask your dentist if you can do some shadowing - that would be the most helpful thing.

As far as CC's, don't let people get you down about those, people underestimate them far too much - especially the CA CC system. Coming from someone who took all of their dental school pre-reqs at my community college (Cypress College) before transferring to UCI, other than a few schools who will explicitly not take any CC pre-reqs (one is Tufts or Temple, I can never remember which), many of the schools who say they don't take CC pre-reqs are more than willing to bend that rule. Its true that schools say they would perfer you to take more sciences at a university, as long as you take upper division sciences (and do well) after you transfer you'll be fine.

Maybe also consider other UC's, such as UCI, I was able to do a guaranteed transfer program that they have, where all I had to do was get B's in Gchem and a 3.0 and they'd give me automatic admissions into the school of biology.

Good luck, and again, enjoy your break while you have it, and maybe explore a little more into dentistry!
 
Since you are just beginnning college, you have a lot of time to accomplish things. Two things I would do if you are sure dentistry is for you. First, find a local dental lab. See if they will let you observe them and if possible try to do some lab work for them. If they let you try thigs and you pick techniques fast, you could potentially get a part time job working at a dental lab. This would be "money" for you in two ways - actual coinage and look great on an application. Next, start shadowing all types of dentists. Do not shadow just oral surgeons. You may find out that another specialty (or even just a general dentist) may be for you. By startig early, you'll be better prepared to defend why you want to be a dentist when it comes time to apply and interview.

Other than that, take courses that interest you and that you ca do well in. It is pointless to take classes that interest you, but you are going to only get C's or B's in. if you are looking to take classes that will help prepare you for d-school, look at the basic sciences that will be taken in d-school - anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, etc. Some are required, while others are not. but, in the end, the more you take, the better you will be prepared. It is not necessary to take the non-required coursesin undergrad to do well in d-school. I only state to look at taking these courses as a possiblilty because you are looking at what you can do now to prepare.
 
I was in your situation. I have 50 hrs at a free public health clinic and I was debating whether or not to ask for a letter from the dentist. Mainly because there are several (3+) dentist that rotate between offices and I have not had the chance to get to know anyone incredibly well. Although, I have met many wonderful dentists overall. When I finally asked for a letter, the dentist said, "Of course! Everyone needs LORs at some point." It was not a big deal at all and at the end of the day, it's required at many schools and looks good at others. So get that dang letter already! 30 hrs is a lot of time IMO. It's sufficient for asking for a LOR.
 
PhysioMD said:
Great initiative! What schools like to see when it comes time to apply in a couple of years is longevity! They see tons of applicants who started volunteering in Sept of 3rd year to get the minimum hours in, but few people actually stick to a volunteer position for a solid couple of years.

I would echo what was written above. Get some good shadowing experience. This will show schools that you actually have an interest in the field, it will allow you to build a longer term relationship with the facility where you are shadowing and perhaps guarantee you a solid reference letter, you will learn about the field, and you might even learn that you don't want to do what you think you want to do...ideas of "who I think I want to be" as an 18 year old, don't always look the same at 22 years of age.

My specific suggestions:
1. Make a list of all the dental/oral surgery centers in your area. Look at their websites, read their mission, read about the doctors who work there, read reviews of the doctors. Make a list of all the clinics that are "good" clinics - ones where you would want to be a patient.
2. Look at your local hospital. All hospitals, esp those with trauma centers will have oral surgeons on call or even a department within the hospital. I would really really really stress looking into a hospital for several reasons - usually people who work in a hospital setting are used to having lots of residents and students around, so they are more keen to teach and provide observerships; you might also get the opportunity to observe some other health care professionals to get a better idea of other career options out there.
3. Is there a dental school near you? Can you contact any of the current students to ask questions etc. You could even ask them if they hold any "open house" events or talks for interested students, ask them about the program.

Basically reach out to a lot of people. Start by reaching out to say 5 people in different clinics and hospitals and ask them to spend even a half day or day. That's it. Use this as an opportunity to feel them out. Do they seem keen to have you around? are they good at answering questions? Do you "connect" with them? You want to find one or two people who you enjoyed shadowing, whom you connected with to build a longer shadow opportunity. You need to get along well and have someone who is interested in having you around if you plan to have this person like you enough to provide you a good reference later.

Good luck!
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some serious grave digging haha, this thread is 5 years old
 
I think you should enjoy your summer. Or at least prepare for plans to do when you start college.

I did that, and now (current freshman), in pushing non-stop. I struggled a lot and I kept pushing. Every small vacation we have, is used to study for other exams. I don't think I would've done that if I didn't give myself big break after high school graduation.

Get out there and do whatever comes to your mind. When you get to college, let the slavery begin.
 
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