Top Extracurriculars That Impress Dental School Admissions Committees
When applying to dental school, your GPA and DAT scores carry significant weight—but they aren’t the whole story. Admissions committees also want to see who you are outside the classroom. The right extracurricular activities can help your application stand out, showing you have the qualities of a well-rounded future dentist: leadership, service, communication, and dedication.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top extracurriculars that impress dental school admissions committees and how you can strategically build your experiences to strengthen your application.
Why Extracurriculars Matter in Dental School Applications
Dental schools look for more than strong academics. They want to admit students who will thrive as both students and future healthcare providers. Extracurricular activities demonstrate:
Commitment to dentistry – Shadowing and pre-dental clubs highlight your genuine interest.
Service orientation – Volunteer work shows compassion and dedication to helping others.
Leadership skills – Taking initiative in organizations demonstrates your ability to guide a team.
Balance and time management – Success in activities alongside academics proves you can handle dental school’s rigor.
Unique qualities – Extracurriculars differentiate you from other applicants with similar stats.
Top Extracurriculars That Stand Out
1. Dental Shadowing
Nearly every dental school requires or strongly recommends shadowing hours. Shadowing demonstrates that you understand what dentists do on a daily basis and confirms your commitment to the profession. Aim to shadow across different specialties—general dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry—to broaden your perspective.
2. Volunteering in Healthcare Settings
Admissions committees value applicants who care about serving others. Volunteering at clinics, hospitals, or community health events shows your dedication to improving patient lives. Dental-specific volunteering, like free dental days or mission trips, can be especially impactful.
3. Pre-Dental or Pre-Health Organizations
Joining your school’s pre-dental club provides networking opportunities, leadership roles, and access to resources. Serving as an officer or organizing events demonstrates initiative and responsibility.
4. Research Experience
Participating in scientific or clinical research shows you can think critically, analyze data, and contribute to advancing knowledge. Research doesn’t have to be dental-specific—it’s about showing intellectual curiosity and perseverance.
5. Community Service (Non-Healthcare)
Admissions committees appreciate applicants who serve in broader ways, such as volunteering at food banks, tutoring underprivileged students, or mentoring younger peers. These activities highlight your compassion and interpersonal skills.
6. Leadership Roles
Whether you’re leading a student organization, captaining a sports team, or coordinating community projects, leadership positions show maturity and the ability to handle responsibility—skills essential in dentistry.
7. Teaching or Tutoring
Explaining complex concepts to others demonstrates communication skills, patience, and a strong grasp of material—all valuable qualities in a dentist. Tutoring in science courses or mentoring other pre-dental students stands out on applications.
8. Unique Hobbies or Talents
Don’t underestimate the value of your passions outside academics. Playing a musical instrument, competing in athletics, or pursuing creative projects adds depth to your application and makes you memorable in interviews.
How Many Extracurriculars Do You Need?
Quality matters more than quantity. It’s better to show deep involvement in a few meaningful activities than to spread yourself too thin. Admissions committees are looking for impact, consistency, and reflection—not a long, unfocused list.
Tips for Making Your Extracurriculars Shine
Be consistent – Stick with activities over time instead of hopping from one to another.
Seek leadership – Step into roles that show initiative and responsibility.
Track your hours – Keep detailed records for shadowing, volunteering, and service.
Reflect often – Journal about your experiences so you can clearly articulate them in your personal statement and interviews.
Connect experiences to dentistry – Whenever possible, highlight skills you developed that relate to being a dentist (communication, empathy, problem-solving).
Final Thoughts
Extracurriculars are your chance to show dental school admissions committees who you are beyond grades and test scores. By focusing on shadowing, service, leadership, and unique experiences, you’ll not only strengthen your application but also grow personally and professionally.
At Dental School Declassified, we guide pre-dental students in building well-rounded applications—from choosing impactful extracurriculars to acing the DAT and interviews. If you’re ready to maximize your chances of acceptance, connect with us today for personalized tutoring and advising.
