With only a few months left what can I do to improve my chances?

[bsal1]

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Hi,

I'm planning on applying to dental schools in June 2015. For the first two and a half years of undergrad I spent a lot of time working and I did not participate in any extracurricular activities. As a result, I quit my job and spent the last semester and my winter break catching up on what I missed out on. I managed to accumulate 93 hours of shadowing but I don't have many volunteering hours. I spent 36 hours tutoring bio and ochem during the last semester and that is about it. I also have no research experience. I have not taken the DAT yet but I currently have a 3.75 overall GPA and a 3.88 BCP GPA. I have emailed a few professors regarding possible research positions, however I am worried that I will not be able to accumulate many volunteering hours during the next six months. Should I focus on getting more volunteering hours over research or should I just focus on maintaining my GPA and continue to study for the DAT?

 

[THS]

I would say volunteering is more important than research. You have a great GPA, try to make your application more attractive by adding some more volunteer hours.

 

[BeaverLover]

IMO if you don't get the research position just increase volunteer hours and maintain GPA.

 

[bsal1]

Thanks for the responses! I guess I'll just focus on getting some more volunteering hours in while I can. I kind of regret prioritizing work over everything but I'm glad I quit with enough time to catch up on shadowing and volunteering.