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For the summer
School's out! It's finally time to get tan, lay around all day
watching Saved by the Bell re-runs, and completely forget
everything that has to do with school and learning. But don't
trade books for beach, education for relaxation, and dentistry
for complete debauchery!
The summer following your Sophomore year is a great time to
gain some valuable experience in the field. Dental schools look
very favorably upon students who take advantage of all the
hands-on opportunities that they can. Former pre-dental
students note that they learned the most valuable information
from such activities as shadowing, volunteering, or carrying
out research.
A summer job or internship in the dental field can help you see
what dentistry is like on a day-to-day basis. In addition to
getting a hold on terminology and general know-how, you will
ultimately improve your people skills, an invaluable asset to
success in almost any health field. Think resume by day and
delight at night.
Some options:
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If your college has a dental school, there are often
summer positions, most often in research available. Visit
the Career Services center at your school, contact a
professor that you know works in the dental school, or go
online to explore possible opportunities. This is a great
way to get to know a professor outside of class...another
potential letter of recommendation? An extra bonus—some
research assistants get paid either via work-study, grants,
or some other form of compensation.
If you aren't planning on staying on campus for the summer,
look for research opportunities at universities or
hospitals in your area. Career Services or your advisor
(pre-dental or general) should be able to help you here as
well. If you still can't find anything, try to contact
local, state, and national dental organizations. The
American Dental
Association offers links to all of these. |
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Maybe you can't stand the thought of research. Don't
worry, there are other possibilities. Contact some local
dentists in your area and see if you could volunteer at
their office. They most likely won't want you around all
the time, but perhaps you could help out, or at least
observe, a few days a week. It doesn't matter exactly what
you do at their office, all that is important is that you
gain some insight into the overall responsibilities and
activities performed. But don't just sit back and watch—use
this opportunity to ask questions and discuss career
decisions. Someone who has gone through what lies ahead for
you is probably your best resource for knowledge and
advice. |
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Many colleges and dental schools offer summer programs
for pre-dental students. They expose you to numerous
options in the field, supplement what you have learned in
school, give you hands on experience, and allow you to work
closely with professionals and professors. In short, they
give you a definite edge over your peers. |
Here are some programs that you may want to look
into:
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