- Joined
- Aug 19, 2013
- Messages
- 231
- Reaction score
- 107
Quick shout out to SDN, I've learned an incredible amount in regards to the application process for both dental and medical schools thanks to y'all! Though I think I know quite a bit, more so than many advisers I've met, I'm still sure there's plenty more I've yet to come across, and in need of input as well!
Little info, I will be applying a year from now, and mainly looking forwards to the 3 Texas dental school because of obvious reasons! That doesn't mean I won't be applying broadly; probably around 7 or 8 schools. I know the classes I will be taking next 2 semester (and summer semester) before application cycle and am almost sure what my GPA will end up being for that application cycle. This is more of a help me prioritize my time to better improve my chances for acceptance.
While I know there's no way anyone can really predict or help me without an actual DAT score, I do know that I will at the very least get an 18 on my first attempt, since I have been consistently scoring above 20's and will still have 12 full weeks of preparation time during the summer before my actual DAT. I will of course aim for 25+ but who am I kidding, I'll be ecstatic with a 20!
Stats so far (still have a year left for improvement):
- GPA (using AMCAS GPA calculator): cGPA - 3.67, sGPA - 3.84
- DAT: 18 - 20. Now, I know the difference between this range is quite substantial, especially compared to 15-17 or 24-26, but this is the range where I can most reasonably predict without being too optimistic or too pessimistic.
- Research: I have been in a research lab working under a PhD student for a year now, about 10 - 15 hours/week. While it's been a good experience and have learned, surprisingly, A LOT! I do not know if an LOR from the PI would be my strongest, so I am not expecting to use it for my application.
- Volunteer: I have been volunteering at a Hospital in my city for about a year now, will have 2 years of volunteering when I apply. I'm thinking I'll have about 200+ hours of volunteering by then.
- Work: Couple of jobs throughout college, also odd jobs when I did not have a "real" job but I don't know if I should include that on app... But for this Spring semester I have been a science tutor at my school. Will keep doing this during the summer but not sure if I will continue this, or research next year. This semester has been WAY too hectic.
- LORs: So far two LORs, that I believe to be strong, according to my Pre Health Committee. Both from my Organic Chemistry professors. Possible one from PI, but I believe it would be weak, I never really got to know him.
- Extra: So I have other tid bits here and there that I will include on my app, like playing sports through out college, playing the piano since I was 5, URM, English is my second language ... well that's pretty much it actually... I'm a pretty interesting guy \s, I'll think of more.
- Shadowing: Kinda saved this for last. I have foreign shadowing hours since I visit my home country a lot and have family and friends working there in the dental field. So I have about 60 hours of shadowing I would say, I do plan on getting 30 - 40 hours in the states (have about 10 so far) and an LOR from a Dentist, I hope.
All these "what if's" considered, how should I treat my year before applying? I don't know if I should continue research for another year, or work as a tutor, or work as something else. Or if I should switch research lab to one where I enjoy more and could get a great LOR from PI. Do I have enough dental exposure as an undergrad? What can I do to increase my chances of acceptance without being detrimental to my GPA (hard for y'all to gauge I know) ?
And more importantly to my psyche, what would my chances be? Really shooting for the 3 Texas dental schools here.
Thanks a ton, especially to the ones who read all of this!
Little info, I will be applying a year from now, and mainly looking forwards to the 3 Texas dental school because of obvious reasons! That doesn't mean I won't be applying broadly; probably around 7 or 8 schools. I know the classes I will be taking next 2 semester (and summer semester) before application cycle and am almost sure what my GPA will end up being for that application cycle. This is more of a help me prioritize my time to better improve my chances for acceptance.
While I know there's no way anyone can really predict or help me without an actual DAT score, I do know that I will at the very least get an 18 on my first attempt, since I have been consistently scoring above 20's and will still have 12 full weeks of preparation time during the summer before my actual DAT. I will of course aim for 25+ but who am I kidding, I'll be ecstatic with a 20!
Stats so far (still have a year left for improvement):
- GPA (using AMCAS GPA calculator): cGPA - 3.67, sGPA - 3.84
- DAT: 18 - 20. Now, I know the difference between this range is quite substantial, especially compared to 15-17 or 24-26, but this is the range where I can most reasonably predict without being too optimistic or too pessimistic.
- Research: I have been in a research lab working under a PhD student for a year now, about 10 - 15 hours/week. While it's been a good experience and have learned, surprisingly, A LOT! I do not know if an LOR from the PI would be my strongest, so I am not expecting to use it for my application.
- Volunteer: I have been volunteering at a Hospital in my city for about a year now, will have 2 years of volunteering when I apply. I'm thinking I'll have about 200+ hours of volunteering by then.
- Work: Couple of jobs throughout college, also odd jobs when I did not have a "real" job but I don't know if I should include that on app... But for this Spring semester I have been a science tutor at my school. Will keep doing this during the summer but not sure if I will continue this, or research next year. This semester has been WAY too hectic.
- LORs: So far two LORs, that I believe to be strong, according to my Pre Health Committee. Both from my Organic Chemistry professors. Possible one from PI, but I believe it would be weak, I never really got to know him.
- Extra: So I have other tid bits here and there that I will include on my app, like playing sports through out college, playing the piano since I was 5, URM, English is my second language ... well that's pretty much it actually... I'm a pretty interesting guy \s, I'll think of more.
- Shadowing: Kinda saved this for last. I have foreign shadowing hours since I visit my home country a lot and have family and friends working there in the dental field. So I have about 60 hours of shadowing I would say, I do plan on getting 30 - 40 hours in the states (have about 10 so far) and an LOR from a Dentist, I hope.
All these "what if's" considered, how should I treat my year before applying? I don't know if I should continue research for another year, or work as a tutor, or work as something else. Or if I should switch research lab to one where I enjoy more and could get a great LOR from PI. Do I have enough dental exposure as an undergrad? What can I do to increase my chances of acceptance without being detrimental to my GPA (hard for y'all to gauge I know) ?
And more importantly to my psyche, what would my chances be? Really shooting for the 3 Texas dental schools here.
Thanks a ton, especially to the ones who read all of this!
Last edited:
