Whats the best thing to do during gap year?

[blondie888]

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As a pre-dental student, what's the best choice for me during a gap year? Assuming I am going on interviews during this fall, do schools prefer that you are staying involved with dentistry or health related activities?
Its so hard for me to get a paid job in dentistry in my city. Its easier to get a medically related job but I don't know if that is the best choice for me. Part of me wants to get a job totally unrelated to dentistry or healthcare, to get experience in other fields, but I feel like it looks less impressive to dental school admissions if you get a job in retail or sales.

 

[Ferneezy]

ask yourself if the vast majority of matriculating students ever obtain paid work in the dental industry prior to entering d-school.

if you bring a complete package to the admissions process, of course a dental job wouldn't hurt. just don't expect employment to significantly make up for deficiencies. it's icing on the cake.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Get the highest paying job possible... doesn't matter the industry. Most of my friends that are in med/dent school now had jobs as: pharm techs, medical assistants, personal bankers, sales reps, servers, etc. Save as much money as you can now, so you can buy some luxury items when going to school. Ie: Nice TV, Computer, Ipad, nicer car, whatever.

Then continue doing your regular volunteering. But like the previous poster said, if you don't get in, it's not because you didn't have a job in the dental field, it's probably a GPA/DAT/Interview thing.

 

[ushaseos]

Agree with the folks above. Just make some $$ to cover for the expenses. Fact of the matter is, any job will offer you learning, if you can identify it and highlight it for the adcom, they too will see how the work experience helped you grow.

Most importantly, enjoy your gap year. I am in my 2nd year off but due to financial trouble at home, I'm working a ton to help keep my family afloat. Still when I have time, I hang out with friends and do some fun things every now and then.

 

[NDPitch]

Save as much money as you can now, so you can buy some luxury items when going to school. Ie: Nice TV, Computer, Ipad, nicer car, whatever.

I read this as... Save as much money as you can now and apply it towards first year tuition. The thousands you save there will translate to many more thousands saved in interest on your loans!

haha 🙂

I'd rather have extra money down the road rather than dated electronics. Just my take, though.

 

[UltimateHombre]

I read this as... Save as much money as you can now and apply it towards first year tuition. The thousands you save there will translate to many more thousands saved in interest on your loans!

haha 🙂

I'd rather have extra money down the road rather than dated electronics. Just my take, though.

I agree, however, the most one could realistically save on a 30K salary, would probably only be like 10K. Unless you are at a cheap state school that 10K wont get you far, but it will get you your supplies you need for dschool. You need a solid computer, furniture, etc.

 

[deleted487471]

Sleep, shadow, volunteer, work, sleep some more.

 

[Zbtb7]

I agree, however, the most one could realistically save on a 30K salary, would probably only be like 10K. Unless you are at a cheap state school that 10K wont get you far, but it will get you your supplies you need for dschool. You need a solid computer, furniture, etc.

I was lucky enough to find a well paying job within commuting distance of home. My expenses during my gap year is <$5,000 (this includes clothes, all the fees for schools and interview expenses, money for groceries/errands, and some cash to go out with friends). Live frugally and you can save up a lot. Even if you only save up 10k, that's enough for your first year's cost of living. Working during your gap year is more important for another reason (see below).

OP-If you've academic deficiencies in your app (gpa+DAT), get that sorted out first. If you're ECs are lacking, get that done on the side. Otherwise, find a job (ideally one that uses your college education) or spend a lot of time volunteering and/or taking classes. I like to cover my bases and the way I see it, you should try to ensure that you don't have a gap in your "gap year". If dentistry doesn't work out and you go for some other sort of graduate education or search for work, you don't want others to think you spent months doing nothing.

Also, know your limits. You don't want to burnout before dental school. Right now the ds application process eats like 50% of my free time outside of work. If I get in, those hours are going to be spent chillaxing.