Advice post #3: Networking as a
pre-dental student
Reader Question:
"I am a sophomore pre-dental student, and I was wondering if you had any networking advice on how I could meet someone who works with the dental school I'm going to be applying to one day. Thanks!"
"I am a sophomore pre-dental student, and I was wondering if you had any networking advice on how I could meet someone who works with the dental school I'm going to be applying to one day. Thanks!"
My Response:
Like in most professions, networking is critical before and when you're practicing dentistry. Before you're a dental student, it's important to network so that you can meet as many important people because those on the Admissions Committee definitely do talk about applicants to one another (hello, they're colleagues and sometimes even friends!). It's important when you're in dental school because you're going to be looking for a job post-graduation. And it's important as a dentist because you need referrals in order to run/ be part of a thriving practice.
Like in most professions, networking is critical before and when you're practicing dentistry. Before you're a dental student, it's important to network so that you can meet as many important people because those on the Admissions Committee definitely do talk about applicants to one another (hello, they're colleagues and sometimes even friends!). It's important when you're in dental school because you're going to be looking for a job post-graduation. And it's important as a dentist because you need referrals in order to run/ be part of a thriving practice.
So, how exactly do you network so that you can improve the likelihood that the dentists in that room post-Interview Day(s) are talking about you and all of the wonderful dentist-like-traits you possess?
Be prepared to stalk, interact, and take the initiative.
Okay, I don't really mean to stalk them (because we're training to become healthcare professionals, not a PI). I mean being smart about who to reach out to because pre-dental school life is busy (academics, extracurriculars, volunteering) and we both know that time is limited.
So, here's what I'm suggesting...
So, here's what I'm suggesting...
1. Who to reach out to: Dentists and Students
Dentists.
I would try to find out who sits on the Admissions Committee/ Interview Committee for the school(s) you're applying to. You can go to the website of the dental school and see who works in the faculty practice. At UNC School of Dentistry, we offer all of the specialties, so there is a wide range of people and interests to chose from. I would see if you can shadow them in the school's graduate clinics or in their own faculty clinics. Better yet, I would see if they have a private practice (with the help of your good 'ol friend Google). If they do, awesome sauce. Call up their office and see if you can schedule a shadowing day with the help of my shadowing tips found here. I think that shadowing in their own clinic is a little more laid back and lets you see how they handle the skills and business side of dentistry. If the dentist you want to shadow is an Adjunct Professor, then they probably have a private practice too. Basically, I would try to network with people who are most likely to have a say in whether you get accepted. Definitely utilize that dental school's faculty page!
Students.
Not that us dental students have a whole lot (or even barely) say on who gets into school, but try to connect with people who are already students! Sometimes we know of a really good person that you can shadow, and most of us are so happy to help out pre-dental students who really want to get into school that we'll even introduce you to the people that we think can help you the most! So, connect with us on Facebook or Instagram, start a genuine conversation about your passion for pursuing dentistry, and ask us if we can help connect you to the higher powers that be.
I would try to find out who sits on the Admissions Committee/ Interview Committee for the school(s) you're applying to. You can go to the website of the dental school and see who works in the faculty practice. At UNC School of Dentistry, we offer all of the specialties, so there is a wide range of people and interests to chose from. I would see if you can shadow them in the school's graduate clinics or in their own faculty clinics. Better yet, I would see if they have a private practice (with the help of your good 'ol friend Google). If they do, awesome sauce. Call up their office and see if you can schedule a shadowing day with the help of my shadowing tips found here. I think that shadowing in their own clinic is a little more laid back and lets you see how they handle the skills and business side of dentistry. If the dentist you want to shadow is an Adjunct Professor, then they probably have a private practice too. Basically, I would try to network with people who are most likely to have a say in whether you get accepted. Definitely utilize that dental school's faculty page!
Students.
Not that us dental students have a whole lot (or even barely) say on who gets into school, but try to connect with people who are already students! Sometimes we know of a really good person that you can shadow, and most of us are so happy to help out pre-dental students who really want to get into school that we'll even introduce you to the people that we think can help you the most! So, connect with us on Facebook or Instagram, start a genuine conversation about your passion for pursuing dentistry, and ask us if we can help connect you to the higher powers that be.
2. When there is a pre-dental fair/ meeting/ volunteering event, go to it and BE ENGAGED!
Volunteering Event.
For instance, at clinics around the nation referred to as the MOM clinics (Mission of Mercy) there are tons of local dentist who donate their time and supplies to the less fortunate that are in need of dental care. This is a perfect way to get to know some of the dentist in your area, and a lot of the time the local dental schools will send some students and faculty dentist to provide treatment. Ask if you can assist with some of their procedures and try to engage them.
Pre-Dental Club Meeting/ Speaking Event.
When the dental school in your area sends a student or dentist to come to talk to your pre-dental club, make sure you go listen and learn from them, get their contact information (i.e. their email) and thank them for spending the time talking to you. Don't be afraid to go the extra step and ask if you can set up some time to chat with them about school (if they're a dental student) or to shadow (if they're a dentist). Believe me, they'll be touched that you went out of your way to thank them and that you're actually interested in the wisdom they have to give you.
For instance, at clinics around the nation referred to as the MOM clinics (Mission of Mercy) there are tons of local dentist who donate their time and supplies to the less fortunate that are in need of dental care. This is a perfect way to get to know some of the dentist in your area, and a lot of the time the local dental schools will send some students and faculty dentist to provide treatment. Ask if you can assist with some of their procedures and try to engage them.
Pre-Dental Club Meeting/ Speaking Event.
When the dental school in your area sends a student or dentist to come to talk to your pre-dental club, make sure you go listen and learn from them, get their contact information (i.e. their email) and thank them for spending the time talking to you. Don't be afraid to go the extra step and ask if you can set up some time to chat with them about school (if they're a dental student) or to shadow (if they're a dentist). Believe me, they'll be touched that you went out of your way to thank them and that you're actually interested in the wisdom they have to give you.
3. Interested in starting a project? Go talk to someone about that!
For all of you very ambitious students out there, if you're interested in starting a project (helping a local shelter get dental supplies or seeing if you can help provide dental oral hygiene instructions to the local Boys and Girls Club), go talk to someone at the school about that! Seriously, public health dentistry and preventive dentistry are huge topics right now, and if you show interest and pursue a project by trying to get a public health dentist at the school to help sponsor you, then that's pretty impressive. Or, maybe you want to see if you can get in on some project that's already being conducted? Still very cool. Seriously, if you can improve someone else's dental health and get your name a little better known around the school through working your good-deeds-magic, then congratulations. Do this because your passionate, and your fondness for helping others will show. Really though, you should definitely do this. It shows that you're a leader, you take the initiative, you're selfless, and it helps you publicize yourself through just being a good person. There's absolutely no shame in that.
Bottom line
Bottom line, networking is all about actively pursuing your passion and making sure that others know what that passion is. Try to connect with people that you think will help you and that you can look to as a mentor. Try to form real relationships and learn from them. I think both of those things will go a long way in helping you get in.
Getting into school takes a lot of work. There are thousands of students applying for very few spots each year, so you have to do whatever you can to stand out in the best possible way. This means going above and beyond what others are doing and getting to know people. Make those connections. And be genuine about those connections because if you're fake, people see right through that and are much less likely to help you again in the future. So, go be active and pursue that end goal you're working so hard towards!
Getting into school takes a lot of work. There are thousands of students applying for very few spots each year, so you have to do whatever you can to stand out in the best possible way. This means going above and beyond what others are doing and getting to know people. Make those connections. And be genuine about those connections because if you're fake, people see right through that and are much less likely to help you again in the future. So, go be active and pursue that end goal you're working so hard towards!