**What Schools Should I Apply To? / What Are My Chances?** (Read if this is you)

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[dds2690]

This question is regarding my daughter and her chance for acceptance to dental school. She is trying to choose a career path with dentistry as her first choice but we are not sure if that is still obtainable. I have been practicing dentistry for 30 years now. Graduated from University of Tennessee. She is third year of college, behind schedule because she played college golf. She quit golf because her grades were suffering. She still hasn't had organic chem or taken DAT. She spent two summers chair side assisting for me so as shadowing goes she would have hundreds of hours. Her GPA is 3.0 as well as science GPA 3.0. In addition, she is Hispanic. Any serious comments would be welcome. And by the way, dentistry is a wonderful career.

 

[rendal]

This question is regarding my daughter and her chance for acceptance to dental school. She is trying to choose a career path with dentistry as her first choice but we are not sure if that is still obtainable. I have been practicing dentistry for 30 years now. Graduated from University of Tennessee. She is third year of college, behind schedule because she played college golf. She quit golf because her grades were suffering. She still hasn't had organic chem or taken DAT. She spent two summers chair side assisting for me so as shadowing goes she would have hundreds of hours. Her GPA is 3.0 as well as science GPA 3.0. In addition, she is Hispanic. Any serious comments would be welcome. And by the way, dentistry is a wonderful career.

She would need to raise her gpa, so she should work the rest of her third and fourth year to get as many A's as she can. A post bac or masters program may also be beneficial for her. Also, the fact that she has hundreds of hours shadowing in YOUR office may be problematic if she was specifically shadowing you. I don't doubt that she actually shadowed XXX amount of hours, but members of an admissions committee might since you are her mother. For that reason, she should probably shadow another dentist. It can only help to boost her application anyway.

If she does these things and gets >20 on her DAT, I think she will have good odds.

 

[JibsGuy52]

1st year: 3.33 GPA 2nd year: 2.66 GPA 3rd: 2.57 GPA 4th year: 3 marks back, 84 + 85+ 85
Canadian DAT: 17 PAT 21 Chem 21 Biology 20 Reading

Hey guys, As you can see, I really struggled with 2nd and 3rd years for various reasons. I am excelling in my fourth year currently getting in the 3.9 GPA area. What are my chances getting into dental school? Please be honest. This is my goal and I really want to achieve it. I've applied to 2 dental schools in ireland (trinity and uni college cork). I've also applied to a masters program just incase. I am open to doing a 5th year and just increasing my marks and re-taking some classes. What is my best route? Should I re-take the DAT? What are my chances right now?

 

[Loving123]

Just another worried future applicant:
I am Canadian Citizen (so international student)
GPA trend: 3.35--> 3.53--> pending..
DAT: 20 TS and 20 AA (nothing below 17)
Shadowing: over 100 hrs.
Bit of volunteer works and worked as research assistant in two labs.

Which school do you guys recommend applying?

I am planning to retake the DAT to apply for UPenn.
(Do you think i will have a chance if i retake???)

Any comments are welcomed!

 

[cotoncub]

Hey all, SDN has been a tremendous resource in helping me prep for the DAT so now that it's done I thought I would throw my name in the hat!

I'm a non-trad student who graduated in 2013 and was working in research before I decided I wanted to switch to pursuing dentistry.

My stats:
oGPA: 3.8
sGPA: 3.85
2.5 years undergraduate research
1.5 years research assistant
Shadowing hours: 80 GP, 20 oral surgery (not there yet, but this is how much I will have in a couple weeks time and was my goal)
LOR: two science, one dentist
AA: 24
TS: 25
PAT: 24
RC: 22

I was going through the list and planning on applying to all of the schools that have the best OOS acceptance. I must admit, I haven't actually done in depth research into all of the schools which you should ideally perform to determine what schools you apply to. Still I have read that for the most part you can make the most of any school you go to.

With my stats, what should I have on my radar in terms of reach schools/ones I have a decent chance of getting in to? At the same time,my older brother is a D4 at VCU and we are Virginia residents. Should I just go there?

 

[Wyatt'sAunt0903]

ok so after applying to vet school and getting rejection after rejection, I was thinking of giving something else a long shot, like dental school. I was looking for some advice on my experience and the DAT. I have like a million vet hours but no dental hours. Is it pertinent that i get dental hours or do you think my vet hours could be substituted?

also, how hard is the DAT?

please do not reply if you are going to say something mean or snooty. I'm simply looking for friendly advice and some help making some tough life decisions.

thanks

 

[rendal]

ok so after applying to vet school and getting rejection after rejection, I was thinking of giving something else a long shot, like dental school. I was looking for some advice on my experience and the DAT. I have like a million vet hours but no dental hours. Is it pertinent that i get dental hours or do you think my vet hours could be substituted?

also, how hard is the DAT?

please do not reply if you are going to say something mean or snooty. I'm simply looking for friendly advice and some help making some tough life decisions.

thanks

The vet hours won't count as dental shadowing hours, but you can still put them on your application and try to explain why you shadowed so much in that field.

The DAT is not overly difficult. If you did well in biology, chemistry, and orgo at the undergraduate level then you should be fine with the right amount of review. There is also a perceptual ability section which requires a fair amount of practice.

Just make sure that you know you want to be a dentist before diving into this. Shadow a dentist for at least 100 hours, not just so that it looks good on your applications, but so you KNOW that you want to go into the dental field. I'm not saying this to be mean, I'm saying it because you obviously went through a tough experience when applying to vet schools and it would be terrible if you went through another grueling application process without knowing 100% that this is what you want to do for the rest of your life.

Good luck!

 

[Wyatt'sAunt0903]

thank you so much!

 

[Wyatt'sAunt0903]

Do you think dental schools would take me seriously and not just think I'm pursuing dentistry as a backup?

 

[bc1002]

Do you think dental schools would take me seriously and not just think I'm pursuing dentistry as a backup?

I would definitely come up with some very sound reasons why choose dentistry.

 

[Daneosaurus]

Do you think dental schools would take me seriously and not just think I'm pursuing dentistry as a backup?

Do you think of it as a backup? If you treat your shadowing like an opportunity to explore another path, as opposed a backup, then you will be able to make the decision much more soundly.

 

[Wyatt'sAunt0903]

I agree, I shadowed a dentist last week and it was definitely intriguing, a completely different experience being on the other side of the chair. I learned a lot and got to see some cool stuff.

 

[Undecipherable]

oGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.4 (did poorly first 2 years but picked it up really hard the last 2 years in upper level courses like the biochem series (got 3.6s in those classes), immunology, cell bio, genetics, etc.).
DAT: (23AA, 23TS)


I live in WA. Should I bother applying to UW?

Only extracurriculars I have are some shadowing and scarce volunteering. I've had to work the entire time in undergrad so that left little room for ECs like that.

Although, my biochem prof, who went to MIT, agreed to writing me a good LOR because I did well in his classes. How much do you think that will help?

 

[sjv]

oGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.4 (did poorly first 2 years but picked it up really hard the last 2 years in upper level courses like the biochem series (got 3.6s in those classes), immunology, cell bio, genetics, etc.).
DAT: (23AA, 23TS)


I live in WA. Should I bother applying to UW?

Yes, 100%.

 

[Undecipherable]

Yes, 100%.

I forgot to mention that my DAT scores aren't real. They're on the higher end of what I've been getting on practice tests. My range has been 19-24. I take the real DAT in June.

Do you still think I should? Where else would you recommend?
How bad are my low grades from my earlier years going to make me look?

Anybody else?

 

[Loving123]

Just another worried future applicant:
I am Canadian Citizen (so international student)
GPA trend: 3.35--> 3.53--> pending..
DAT: 20 TS and 20 AA (nothing below 17)
Shadowing: over 100 hrs.
Bit of volunteer works and worked as research assistant in two labs.

Which school do you guys recommend applying?

I am planning to retake the DAT to apply for UPenn.
(Do you think i will have a chance if i retake???)

Any comments are welcomed!

Can anyone please give me some advice?
Thanks in advance!!

 

[midman19]

Can anyone please give me some advice?
Thanks in advance!!

Apply to lots of schools, at least 15 or 20, with many of them being private. Only apply to state schools that take many out of state students each year, like Louisville. Choose schools that your DAT and GPA generally fall with in the same range of the schools average. Just off the top of my head I would recommend the following: UNLV, Louisville, Dalhousie, Roseman, Nova, Midwestern, Case Western, Arizona, LECOM... I'm sure you can find others by looking at Doc Toothache's statistics sheet that he has compiled. I have attached it so you don't have to go looking for it. Hope this helps.

 

[Daneosaurus]

Can anyone please give me some advice?
Thanks in advance!!

Apply to at least 10 schools and you should get some bites.

 

[Loving123]

Apply to lots of schools, at least 15 or 20, with many of them being private. Only apply to state schools that take many out of state students each year, like Louisville. Choose schools that your DAT and GPA generally fall with in the same range of the schools average. Just off the top of my head I would recommend the following: UNLV, Louisville, Dalhousie, Roseman, Nova, Midwestern, Case Western, Arizona, LECOM... I'm sure you can find others by looking at Doc Toothache's statistics sheet that he has compiled. I have attached it so you don't have to go looking for it. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Loving123]

Apply to at least 10 schools and you should get some bites.

Thank you!

 

[selldrugs22]

Hi guys. 3.0 science 3.5 overall. Econ major with a strong upward trend. Will take DAT.. What are my chances if i apply early and broadly? What if I wait until January to apply?

 

[ajj70]

Hi guys. 3.0 science 3.5 overall. Econ major with a strong upward trend. Will take DAT.. What are my chances if i apply early and broadly? What if I wait until January to apply?

Zero chance if you apply in January....

 

[selldrugs22]

Zero chance if you apply in January....

So if I apply in June and take Dat in July will I be good? Wont schools auto reject if they see my subpar gpa without a Dat score yet? Thanks a bunch!

 

[midman19]

So if I apply in June and take Dat in July will I be good? Wont schools auto reject if they see my subpar gpa without a Dat score yet? Thanks a bunch!

Just make it easy on yourself and take the DAT in late May and apply in June. Put the extra effort in to be ready a couple months earlier for the DAT and then you won't wonder if schools rejected you cause you hadn't taken the DAT.

 

[sjv]

So if I apply in June and take Dat in July will I be good? Wont schools auto reject if they see my subpar gpa without a Dat score yet? Thanks a bunch!

You would indicate on your application that you are taking the DAT and they will hold it until they receive your scores.

 

[selldrugs22]

l

 

[baegel]

What is considered a lot of EC?

 

[ajj70]

What is considered a lot of EC?

Quantity isn't as important as quality. Ideally 3 or 4 activities that you have been involved with for 3 or 4 years, hopefully with some leadership experience. Say you join the science club as a freshman, you help with some fundraising activities and attend most meetings. Sophomore year you chair the fundraising committee while participating in most of the meetings and other activities. Then junior year you are VP and senior year you are president. Not that you need to lead every club, but at least have a leadership position in a couple. Having a laundry list of activities you have been in for a semester or a year is not good. Personal example (by graduation time)--varsity athlete 4 years, Habitat 4 years, VP sophomore year, probably pres junior and senior year, academic sorority, president 1 year, involved 4 years (only can be a leader one year), Relay for Life-4 years, committee member for 3 years, admissions rep (tour guide), 3 years, RA, 3 years. Total hours will probably be in the 300 range, mainly because of Habitat trips (volunteer hours, not including sports).

 

[Bailbru]

I got into veterinary school. "UHD, the school of second chances"

 

[asusundevilll]

Thanks guys. So what DAT score will I need to get in somewhere it I apply early with my 3.05 science and 3.5 overall. Ive shown a strong upward trend with a 3.9 last 40 units

20AA at the very minimum.

 

[elhammy]

She would need to raise her gpa, so she should work the rest of her third and fourth year to get as many A's as she can. A post bac or masters program may also be beneficial for her. Also, the fact that she has hundreds of hours shadowing in YOUR office may be problematic if she was specifically shadowing you. I don't doubt that she actually shadowed XXX amount of hours, but members of an admissions committee might since you are her mother. For that reason, she should probably shadow another dentist. It can only help to boost her application anyway.

If she does these things and gets >20 on her DAT, I think she will have good odds.

I don't agree. I shadowed my father who is a dentist for XXX amount of hours and it was no problem to admission committees when I applied this cycle. I specifically called multiple schools (UPENN, USC, etc) and asked them if I shadowed my father, will that count as shadowing hours or will I need another person to shadow, and they said I'd be crazy not to include my shadowing my father.

As for your daughter, she needs to raise her GPA, and take her DAT right after organic chem. If she pulls a 21+ she just needs to apply very early (like the first month) and she'll be fine.

 

[Pocket Tee]

Status as of right now: Sophomore
GPA - 3.98 (A- in Zoology)

E.C.
100+ hours of hospital volunteering (Been volunteering since high school)
30+ hours of GP shadowing (This summer I will accumulate way more and have Ortho as well as Perio shadowing set up).
Founding Father of fraternity on my campus (held position)
Pre-health club (held exec position)

Awards/Other experience
Gateway to Dentistry Program (Rutgers)
Award for highest GPA of Greek life new member
Scholar of the year (Voted by my fraternity)

My question is what would my DAT need to be to be competitive at multiple schools? (Will be taking the DAT this summer) / Where are good places to apply, specifically clinically, besides Temple and Rutgers? (Parents went to Temple and Rutgers has made it known that Gateway students have an advantage) Also is there any way I could improve my application? In addition, are extracurriculars weighed heavily when applying?

 

[Doctorman45342]

GPA at application time: 3.85 (science~ 3.8)
DAT - 21
160 volunteer hours (hospital, clubs on campus)
100 shadowing hours (6 different dentists, 2 specialists and a GPR)
2 or 3 other clubs
Ohio Resident

Planning on applying to Ohio State for sure (main choice.) Pretty much open to any other school that takes out of staters (OHIOIANS).

Any suggestion of improving app./ what schools to apply to? Please let me know! Thanks

 

[Doctorman45342]

What schools do I have a good chance at?
GPA 4.0, DAT 24AA, 25TS 24PAT.
The problem I have is that I was in a 0-6 pharmacy program for two years until I realized pharmacy was not for me. Im currently a junior. I shadowed ~100 hours at one gp (huge majority of my hours were here), one periodontist, one oral surgeon. I also do not have great EC because I had to work since freshman year. I would say I have below average extracurriculars. Do you think dental schools will go easy on me for the EC considering I had to work instead? I worked at a pharmacy for one year, but I quit and am now just working as a waitress/cashier at a restaurant (more money lol). I was vp of a APhA (a pharmacy organization), regular member of a few clubs, ~100 volunteer hours. Do you think I can count my time in my church choir as volunteer hours? I have been in the choir since freshman year. I'm also leading this SAT prep Program for high school sophomores at a local high school this semester. I'm also worried because the only dental related experience I have is in shadowing, no volunteering or anything. Do you think that will be a problem? Thank you guys so much. Also assume my LOR and personal statement will just be average.

You can get in anywhere you want man. Seriously.

 

[cmroberts]

What are my chances // schools I should apply to? Should I wait until next year?

GPA 3.875 sGPA 3.918
DAT: 24AA | 25TS | 23PAT | 24QR | 22RC

~100 hours of volunteering in dental clinics
~25 hours of volunteering in schools/homeless shelters teaching them about oral hygiene
so far... no shadowing hours going to try to work on that ASAP... (how many hours do you think would be necessary?)
Had to work all of undergrad (20hrs a week) to pay for school --> left little to no time for clubs :/
Getting LORs from 3 science professors... still working on getting one from a dentist.. hopefully after I shadow ? I know this is unrealistic :/
Practically done with PS

Do you think I have a fighting chance at getting into CA schools (where I live) and OOS schools, especially having no shadowing hours?
In other words, should I apply to less schools this cycle in case I don't get in anywhere (I'm poor as hell and can't afford a bunch of schools anyway...)? And then apply to more next cycle?

Any help is appreciated

 

[zammyd]

What are my chances // schools I should apply to? Should I wait until next year?

GPA 3.875 sGPA 3.918
DAT: 24AA | 25TS | 23PAT | 24QR | 22RC

~100 hours of volunteering in dental clinics
~25 hours of volunteering in schools/homeless shelters teaching them about oral hygiene
so far... no shadowing hours going to try to work on that ASAP... (how many hours do you think would be necessary?)
Had to work all of undergrad (20hrs a week) to pay for school --> left little to no time for clubs :/
Getting LORs from 3 science professors... still working on getting one from a dentist.. hopefully after I shadow ? I know this is unrealistic :/
Practically done with PS

Do you think I have a fighting chance at getting into CA schools (where I live) and OOS schools, especially having no shadowing hours?
In other words, should I apply to less schools this cycle in case I don't get in anywhere (I'm poor as hell and can't afford a bunch of schools anyway...)? And then apply to more next cycle?

Any help is appreciated

Your stats are super competitive! If you just have those shadowing hours you'd pretty much be guaranteed to get an interview at most schools you apply to. Don't apply without shadowing hours. Get your hours up (you still have time) to at least 50 and 100 if you can, and you'll be good to go.

 

[GinaS2K]

What are my chances // schools I should apply to? Should I wait until next year?

GPA 3.875 sGPA 3.918
DAT: 24AA | 25TS | 23PAT | 24QR | 22RC

~100 hours of volunteering in dental clinics
~25 hours of volunteering in schools/homeless shelters teaching them about oral hygiene
so far... no shadowing hours going to try to work on that ASAP... (how many hours do you think would be necessary?)
Had to work all of undergrad (20hrs a week) to pay for school --> left little to no time for clubs :/
Getting LORs from 3 science professors... still working on getting one from a dentist.. hopefully after I shadow ? I know this is unrealistic :/
Practically done with PS

Do you think I have a fighting chance at getting into CA schools (where I live) and OOS schools, especially having no shadowing hours?
In other words, should I apply to less schools this cycle in case I don't get in anywhere (I'm poor as hell and can't afford a bunch of schools anyway...)? And then apply to more next cycle?

Any help is appreciated

I def think that u have a great chance of getting an interview from CA schools. But just be aware that u need to do more volunteering and shadowing but u r looking very competitive. And I think a decent LOR from a dentist will seal the deal for u. Oh and def apply to some private schools out of state just in case. Good luck on ur application!

 

[cmroberts]

Your stats are super competitive! If you just have those shadowing hours you'd pretty much be guaranteed to get an interview at most schools you apply to. Don't apply without shadowing hours. Get your hours up (you still have time) to at least 50 and 100 if you can, and you'll be good to go.

I def think that u have a great chance of getting an interview from CA schools. But just be aware that u need to do more volunteering and shadowing but u r looking very competitive. And I think a decent LOR from a dentist will seal the deal for u. Oh and def apply to some private schools out of state just in case. Good luck on ur application!

Thank you both for your encouragement!

With regards to volunteering and shadowing, if it takes me a while to get these hours, let's say closer to the end of June, would I still be safe applying at the end of June or beginning of July? I want to make sure I apply early enough, but don't know what's "early" and "late".

Thanks for the help again, all!

 

[HowIMetYourMolar]

Bb

 

[Sissi Romy]

Just another worried future applicant:
I am Canadian Citizen (so international student)
GPA trend: 3.35--> 3.53--> pending..
DAT: 20 TS and 20 AA (nothing below 17)
Shadowing: over 100 hrs.
Bit of volunteer works and worked as research assistant in two labs.

Which school do you guys recommend applying?

I am planning to retake the DAT to apply for UPenn.
(Do you think i will have a chance if i retake???)

Any comments are welcomed!

I think UPenn is a long reach for your stats. Buy the ADEA manual and see what each school requires as a minimum. Of course you can apply to any school you like, if you have the money to waste. You will hear that UPenn has accepted someone with your stats on this forum, there always is that one applicant that is exceptional, but the rest of us, nah, let's be realistic . I also believe in maximizing your return/risk. It will cost a lot to apply, plus if you are lucky to land some interviews, a lot to spend on travel. Research which school is friendly to international students and apply broadly. You seem to have time on your side. To stand out, you ought to think about retaking the DAT (keep in mind some schools don't take the Canadian DAT), get your score up in the 22-23 range (or at least better than 20. Good luck!

 

[Loving123]

I think UPenn is a long reach for your stats. Buy the ADEA manual and see what each school requires as a minimum. Of course you can apply to any school you like, if you have the money to waste. You will hear that UPenn has accepted someone with your stats on this forum, there always is that one applicant that is exceptional, but the rest of us, nah, let's be realistic . I also believe in maximizing your return/risk. It will cost a lot to apply, plus if you are lucky to land some interviews, a lot to spend on travel. Research which school is friendly to international students and apply broadly. You seem to have time on your side. To stand out, you ought to think about retaking the DAT (keep in mind some schools don't take the Canadian DAT), get your score up in the 22-23 range (or at least better than 20. Good luck!

Thank you for the feedback!
Yes, i am going to retake the DAT at June and complete me application for first batch.
Do you think that is it worth it to apply if I raise my score to 23-25?

 

[cmroberts]

Thank you for the feedback!
Yes, i am going to retake the DAT at June and complete me application for first batch.
Do you think that is it worth it to apply if I raise my score to 23-25?

That's an amazing DAT score if you could get 23-25. As long as your personal statement is well written and good LORs, you may have a chance. I would apply for it as your reach school

 

[DDS 13]

bump

 

[GinaS2K]

Thank you both for your encouragement!

With regards to volunteering and shadowing, if it takes me a while to get these hours, let's say closer to the end of June, would I still be safe applying at the end of June or beginning of July? I want to make sure I apply early enough, but don't know what's "early" and "late".

Thanks for the help again, all!

Def get those shadowing hrs to about 100 and submit ur app by end of June or early July.

Good luck!

 

[postpitadh]

oGPA: 3.6
sGPA: 3.4 (did poorly first 2 years but picked it up really hard the last 2 years in upper level courses like the biochem series (got 3.6s in those classes), immunology, cell bio, genetics, etc.).
DAT: (23AA, 23TS)


I live in WA. Should I bother applying to UW?

Only extracurriculars I have are some shadowing and scarce volunteering. I've had to work the entire time in undergrad so that left little room for ECs like that.

Although, my biochem prof, who went to MIT, agreed to writing me a good LOR because I did well in his classes. How much do you think that will help?

I'm WA resident, applying to UW too! I think it would help you a lot to make time asap to shadow and volunteer to explore dentistry and see if it's what you want to do. Your personal statement will reflect why you want to pursue dentistry and without much exposure to the field, i don't think you can say that you really know this is what you want to do with your life.

 

[postpitadh]

Hey guys, west coast resident here. I'm planning to apply this cycle in late June/early July.

oGPA:3.3
sGPA:3.11
BCP: 3.03
DAT: 22AA/22TS/24PAT
-4th year biology major, with increasing GPA trend
-founder/president of a sports club (excluding the major sport for anonymity haha) and involved in a few other clubs
-worship team at local church
-volunteered abroad in central america with a school pre-dental club
~50 hours total shadowing a few local dentists
~50 hours as a volunteer dental assistant at a local dental clinic

I started exploring dentistry last spring quarter and knew I wanted to pursue dentistry after shadowing a dentist through a pre-dental class, but taking 19 credits every quarter this year to graduate on time is keeping me from shadowing/volunteering as much as I want to.. Any recommendations for schools to apply to or things I can do to improve my chances from here until July?

 

[pinkster]

Hey guys, west coast resident here. I'm planning to apply this cycle in late June/early July.

oGPA:3.3
sGPA:3.11
BCP: 3.03
DAT: 22AA/22TS/24PAT
-4th year biology major, with increasing GPA trend
-founder/president of a sports club (excluding the major sport for anonymity haha) and involved in a few other clubs
-worship team at local church
-volunteered abroad in central america with a school pre-dental club
~50 hours total shadowing a few local dentists
~50 hours as a volunteer dental assistant at a local dental clinic

I started exploring dentistry last spring quarter and knew I wanted to pursue dentistry after shadowing a dentist through a pre-dental class, but taking 19 credits every quarter this year to graduate on time is keeping me from shadowing/volunteering as much as I want to.. Any recommendations for schools to apply to or things I can do to improve my chances from here until July?

Definitely get those hours up. I know you are busy with school but take some time on Saturday mornings (if any offices are open) and get your hours up. You ideally want them over 100. This will be even more important since your gpa is on the low side.

 

[Sissi Romy]

Hey guys, west coast resident here. I'm planning to apply this cycle in late June/early July.

oGPA:3.3
sGPA:3.11
BCP: 3.03
DAT: 22AA/22TS/24PAT
-4th year biology major, with increasing GPA trend
-founder/president of a sports club (excluding the major sport for anonymity haha) and involved in a few other clubs
-worship team at local church
-volunteered abroad in central america with a school pre-dental club
~50 hours total shadowing a few local dentists
~50 hours as a volunteer dental assistant at a local dental clinic

I started exploring dentistry last spring quarter and knew I wanted to pursue dentistry after shadowing a dentist through a pre-dental class, but taking 19 credits every quarter this year to graduate on time is keeping me from shadowing/volunteering as much as I want to.. Any recommendations for schools to apply to or things I can do to improve my chances from here until July?

Apply broadly! research schools that are not friendly to OOS and don't apply there. Your GPA is not exactly stellar, but your DAT is great! Get great LORs, and it does not hurt to get more shadowing experience, don't stop at the minimum required.

 

[postpitadh]

Definitely get those hours up. I know you are busy with school but take some time on Saturday mornings (if any offices are open) and get your hours up. You ideally want them over 100. This will be even more important since your gpa is on the low side.

Apply broadly! research schools that are not friendly to OOS and don't apply there. Your GPA is not exactly stellar, but your DAT is great! Get great LORs, and it does not hurt to get more shadowing experience, don't stop at the minimum required.

I will look into places open on saturdays. thanks guys!