Which is more important? GPA or working experience?

[Smooth Operater]

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I have very little working experience in the real world. You could say I have been spoiled by my Asian parents. I would like to find a part-time job during my next school year just to get some working experience and expose myself outside of the academic bubble. But at the same time, I am afraid that working may affect my potential to get high GPA.

Does dental schools like students who have working experiences in the real world? Or should I just focus on getting good grades and having fun during my undergrad instead of working for min. wage jobs?

feel free to share your own experience.

 

[aceking]

I have very little working experience in the real world. You could say I have been spoiled by my Asian parents. I would like to find a part-time job during my next school year just to get some working experience and expose myself outside of the academic bubble. But at the same time, I am afraid that working may affect my potential to get high GPA.

Does dental schools like students who have working experiences in the real world? Or should I just focus on getting good grades and having fun during my undergrad instead of working for min. wage jobs?

feel free to share your own experience.

keep on getting spoiled. That's a privilage that not everyone has. GPA + fun way more important than some random part-time job. Just make sure that u get some clinical experience.
good luck

 

[USAF_Dentman]

keep on getting spoiled. That's a privilage that not everyone has. GPA + fun way more important than some random part-time job. Just make sure that u get some clinical experience.
good luck

It all depends. I have a part-time lab job (~12-15 hrs/week) and just got a 4.0 this semester, inlcuding an 'A' in O-Chem II...It all depends on how you allocate your time..

 

[River13]

GPA is FAR more important than work experience.

 

[rocknightmare]

have fun and GPA

you going to work the rest of your life.. but if you do enjoy working at a lab for example go for it.

you should do everything for your sake and not for the applications sake or resume.

 

[JavadiCavity]

GPA is about 2 million times more significant than work experience.

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

for getting into dental school, your numbers will seemingly add the most value to your application. (translation: you need the highest gpa and dat possible you can possibly attain).

however, if the work is meaningful and thought provoking (be it dental or not), i'd say for your own personal growth working can only help you. corporate or other real world environments will help you realize skills that you can take with you to any job. if it's a job where you're slicing pickles and making secret sauce, then you could probably skip it.

 

[dWiz]

keep on getting spoiled. That's a privilage that not everyone has. GPA + fun way more important than some random part-time job. Just make sure that u get some clinical experience.
good luck

agree

 

[Biogirl361]

GPA is way more important. i doubt schools will look down on you much if at all for not having paid work experience. Do be sure to have some dental shadowing though, and other extracurriculars and volunteering are definitly valued by schools.

 

[miravyn]

I think GPA is more important too. Your schedule is not as flexible if you are employed at say a dental office than if you volunteer. Maybe you can try volunteering at the dental school or at a dental office.

 

[reLAXgirl]

I find many people who work also do better in school. It teaches you to manage your time better. I know I actually accomplish more when I am super busy (school, 20hours work, lacrosse, volunteering, etc). I think if you are doing it to increase life experience, learn self sufficiency (rather than using your cash for more clothes, toys, etc), and to be more well rounded, do it. Nothing replaces the feeling of accomplishment I have for graduating college with no debt because I worked hard through school.

However, if it is going to significantly lower your gpa, don't do it. If you aren't sure, you can always try for a few weeks. If it doesn't work out, quit.