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[tldhs213]

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[macsak]

Date of submission: 7/19
Overall GPA: 4.00 (3.26GPA from Undergrad Foreign Degree: schools said they won’t look at this)
Science GPA: 4.00
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 4.00
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 18AA, 19TS, 21BIO, 19GC, 17OC, 17RC, 17QR, 18PAT (Way lower than predicted. RC in practice was +23, QR was never below 19, PAT never lower than 19) Taken 7/2 so earliest I can retake is 9/1.
State of Residence: CA, US Citizen

Undergrad Attended: University in Europe
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes- Scouted to play in Europe for developmental academy -> Signed with Pro team for 1 year -> Help start training company specific to my sport with top trainers who trained highest level athletes & celebs (i.e Tom Cruise, Gordon Ramsay) Leadership role.

Shadowing Experience: 140 with 3 GP’s, 40 hours at father’s practice
Volunteering Experience: ~900 hours (Coaching, animal care, church, mentorship)
Employment: Athlete, General manager at training company, private coaching, ~480 hrs DA at father’s practice
Research: None
Other Extracurriculars: +5000 hrs. Athlete in Europe training full time +30 hrs/week while full time University, Coaching, Bass player at church, Dental mission group
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? None
Relevant Honors or Awards: None
LOR type and strength: 1 Bio Prof (Very Strong), 1 Chem Prof (Strong), 1 Dentist/ Prof at one of dental schools I’m applying to (Strong)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Haven’t taken Ochem and Physics yet.
School list:
USC
Loma Linda
Western U
Iowa
LECOM
Maryland

My PS is pretty strong/ compelling explaining the shift from sport to dentistry. I really messed up on the DAT and have no idea what happened during RC. Was wondering if I should retake and have my app reviewed late or just leave it be. I only got to study 5 ½ full weeks and learning ochem from scratch took up a lot of time. Any advice helps as I am wondering how much unique background and experiences can overcome a poor DAT score and how common 18AA acceptances are. Just nervous about getting in this cycle as a lot of things in my life depend on it happening. Thank you!

why iowa? why lecom? why maryland?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I think you need more hours working in dental clinics (not your father's practice, assuming in the US). 100 hours barely compares against the 5000+ hours of your other activities. I'm sure if you focused and retook your DAT, you'd probably kill it. But I think your application is not quite ready for prime time. Show us you can play the long game in a dental career.

 

[macsak]

Unfortunately many schools don't accept a foreign degree - these are the only schools I can apply to. I have researched every single one and including the fact I won't be able to take anatomy/physiology before matriculation, it narrowed down the list a lot.
But I am genuinely interested in these schools (love their mission statements, etc) and would be happy to attend any of these programs.

why can't you take anat/phys before matriculation? that's over a year away?

 

[macsak]

I am taking both Ochem and Physics sequences the coming year before matriculation. Also am taking Biochem & Philosophy (USC requirement) next semester so I don't think it would be possible to have Ochem, Physics, Biochem, Anatomy, and Philosophy in one semester.

it's possible, but you would have a difficult semester...

 

[macsak]

I see, thank you for the insight. I am part of a dental group that does a lot of community service that I have around ~70 hours in as well but I'm currently in a different part of my state due to reasons I specified in my app. I will be doing a lot more dental related community service through them once I'm back in my hometown.

I understand your point of having a lot of other hours, but I was under the impression that 100 hours of shadowing was good enough dental experience for most schools. It's really important for me due to personal reasons to get in this cycle though.

I was hoping schools would appreciate my commitment to it since I did all shadowing, dental group hours, getting 4.0 in the prereqs, working/volunteering, and taking the DAT without ochem (even though I didn't do so hot) in a very short time period.

how many years/semesters is the 4.0 and all these other things?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I see, thank you for the insight. I am part of a dental group that does a lot of community service that I have around ~70 hours in as well but I'm currently in a different part of my state due to reasons I specified in my app. I will be doing a lot more dental related community service through them once I'm back in my hometown.

I understand your point of having a lot of other hours, but I was under the impression that 100 hours of shadowing was good enough dental experience for most schools. It's really important for me due to personal reasons to get in this cycle though.

I was hoping schools would appreciate my commitment to it since I did all shadowing, dental group hours, getting 4.0 in the prereqs, working/volunteering, and taking the DAT without ochem (even though I didn't do so hot) in a very short time period.

100 hours is a minimum threshold. You also come in with a family member in dentistry, so you must show more independence and insight into the business practice of dentistry in other private practice settings.

Schools might appreciate your commitment, but they also care that you apply with the best application possible regardless of how long it takes.