Year off-what should I do?

[greenbean4606]

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I'm a senior this year and I have decided to take a year off before dental school. I am wondering if should just work (as a research tech) during my year off and take a few science classes to stay sharp, or go to school full time for a year. I know some dental schools don't want to see you take that much time off, so I was just wondering what you all would recommend. I'll be applying for entrance into fall 2008. Also, my stats are 3.53 cum, 3.35 sci- how do you think my chances will be without taking the extra classes? They will definitely go up this semester though to about 3.6/3.4...I know it depends on my DAT but should I take classes to bring it up? Let me know any advice you can give. I am new here on SDN and feel a little overwhelmed by everyone else's stats. With the increasing trends I am just a little bit worried. Let me know what I should do. I know schools look at the whole package but I'm just looking for advice on the GPA for now...

 

[Duysal]

I actually think dental schools would consider you more seriously if you took time off and pursued something meaningful and productive before matriculation, such as research, major dental volunteering, working in the dental field, taking upper level sciences---or a combo of these. I know the average age of entry into dental school is 25, so that means there are many people doing other things right out of college.

As long as you don't sit on your booty and eat bon-bons for a year, you should be fine.

Just my two cents.😀

 

[mmasurf]

do research get an abstract or a paper and you will be golden!

 

[GoDucks69]

Use your time to do well on the DAT, then do as little as possible. Schools will give you interviews without knowing what you are doing in your year off and will only know if they ask in an interview. Enjoy life in your year off, if possible.

 

[HermeytheElf]

Paint a self portrait. Build a house.

 

[GoDucks69]

Paint a self portrait. Build a house.

You could also start a stamp collection.

 

[DakotaDentist]

I am in kind of a similar situation. I have a year off right now since I graduated last May. I am working part-time in a community dental clinic, while also working part-time in a nursing home. just do what you want with your year off. just make sure you devote plenty of time to the DAT and get some major shadowing/volunteering in any dental setting.

 

[blue_moon01]

With your solid GPA.. you should focus on scoring high on DAT. Other than that.. get some pre-dental experience by shadowing, volunteering..ect...

Get a job to save up money and enjoy yourself.. Travel!
I think you really should use this year to enjoy yourself because there's nothing like having fun when you are young. That's the one thing that alot of med and dental students regret... Rushing to get into med and dental and not having any fun when they were an undergrad..

 

[greenbean4606]

Thanks for the advice...when do you think I should take the DAT? I haven't taken it yet, and thought about taking it in early January (after about a month of studying). Do you think that is enough time or should I wait and take it after I graduate? It would be nice to have it done before I have to start the application process (and it would give me a chance to retake). Let me know your thoughts.

 

[blue_moon01]

Thanks for the advice...when do you think I should take the DAT? I haven't taken it yet, and thought about taking it in early January (after about a month of studying). Do you think that is enough time or should I wait and take it after I graduate? It would be nice to have it done before I have to start the application process (and it would give me a chance to retake). Let me know your thoughts.

Take it when you are nice and ready to take home 20+ across the board. Don't go in thinking that you will retake because you do not want to study for the DAT more than once.

 

[xxxTheDonxxx]

you do not want to study for the DAT more than once.

good point! after i finished it...I had no more energy.

 

[troutspotter]

i did the exact thing as goducks suggested and totally recommend it...i studied for the dat for three months then pursued projects that truly interest me...for instance am bout to go to fiji to do coral reef research for 5 months then going to africa and st. lucia to do missions work. Take full advantage of this time because times like these will not come around very often!!!

 

[hgfdsa]

Use your time to do well on the DAT, then do as little as possible. Schools will give you interviews without knowing what you are doing in your year off and will only know if they ask in an interview. Enjoy life in your year off, if possible.

which they will... make sure you're doing something worthwhile