PreDental Q&A with UW-Madison PreDental Club - Dr. Gallagher's Podcast x Dose of Dental Podcast #109

Full Podcast Title:  “Crush Dental School Interviews, DAT Scores, Avoid Burnout, Take Risks to Succeed! | Ultimate Guide for PreDental Students” 1. Questions Asked: 00:00 – Do you have any advice on reaching out to offices and getting shadowing opportunities or assistant positions? 05:27 – How many shadowing hours should an applicant have when applying to dental school? 08:11 – Is there anything you did or said during interviews that helped you stand out over other applicants? 13:05 – What was the hardest thing to adjust to when transitioning from undergrad to dental school? 18:32 – How did you decide to specialize in oral surgery, and when did you make that decision? 30:45 – Did you live at home during dental school, and did you find it beneficial? 34:29 – How do you recommend preparing for the DAT? 35:42 – What are your tips for preventing and managing burnout? 41:31 – How important is research when considering specialization in dentistry? 42:29 – Does the prestige of a dental school matter, such as an Ivy League vs. a smaller school? 44:59 – How should you approach studying for the CBSE, and when is the right time to start preparing? 48:49 – How did dental school compare to residency in terms of workload and structure? 53:52 – How can someone explore dentistry as a career, and what clubs or resources can they look into as a freshman? 2. Topics & Stories: 02:50 – The importance of gaining experience through shadowing and working in dental offices before applying to dental school. 05:27 – Brendan’s personal journey through gaining 100+ hours of shadowing and volunteering, sharing how it shaped his dental school application. 10:34 – Brendan’s advice on interview strategies, including tips on being conversational and relatable during dental school interviews. 15:49 – Brendan’s reflections on the workload and structure differences between dental school and residency, including personal experiences. 18:32 – Brendan’s story about how working as a surgical assistant during his gap year influenced his decision to specialize in oral surgery. 34:29 – Brendan’s personal tips on preparing for the DAT, emphasizing self-awareness and efficient studying methods. 38:02 – The differences between general dentistry and specializing in oral surgery, touching on the various paths dental students can take. 44:59 – Brendan's experience studying for the CBSE and advice on time management during dental school. 48:49 – A detailed comparison of dental school and residency in terms of structure, expectations, and daily life. 3. Quotes & Wisdom: 08:11 – "In interviews, you have to be able to have a conversation. This isn’t a multiple-choice exam. They’re looking for the real you, not a memorized version of your resume." 15:49 – "Effective studying is #1. But then it gets to a point in dental school when you have 3 exams in 2 days, and that’s where efficient studying comes in." 35:42 – "Burnout is real, but remember: it’s not about whether you can do it or not. It’s whether you believe you can. The mindset is what matters." 37:40 – "You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to be a leader. Sometimes being a team player, always giving a helping hand, is the most important kind of leadership." 42:29 – "Don’t let school prestige be the only factor in your decision. What’s more important is how consistently that school matches students into specialties year after year." 48:49 – "In residency, there are no grades anymore. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and learning. But also, it’s about learning balance — life can’t just be work all the time." 57:31 – "Don’t be afraid to take risks. Try things you’ve never thought of before, because this might be your only chance to truly explore before diving into the next stage of your career." Now available on: - Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel - Dose of Dental Podcast #109 Watch worn in this episode = Jack Mason Halyard Chrono 10.2024 #podcast #dentalpodcast #doctorgallagherspodcast #doctor #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #doctorlife #dentistlife #dentist #doctorgallagher