hi everyone!
Good luck to everyone applying, I know people are probably stressed with waiting, so I thought I would tell you guys how it was for me and some tips. Hope it helps!
I know people get on this site constantly to see if anyone else has gotten an interview to the schools you've applied to. If you see people getting interviews, do not freak. Every school is completely different, whether they see OOS students first or instate. Schools also go in batches for interviews. Everyone that turned in early is going to be in the first round of interviews, and I think most schools have a total of 3 rounds. So don't stress if you turned your application in 2 weeks ago and you don't hear about an interview after November/December.
You may know people that applied to way more schools than you did. It doesn't matter. You may know people that have already gotten 3 interviews. It doesn't matter. Be happy with what you get and just rock the interviews you have. I know people that have had many more interviews than I did but didn't get in anywhere. Ask for feedback from anyone that has ever interviewed you. Have a practice interview. You have to know what you do wrong and how not to talk yourself into a corner. Know your application! I have been asked questions about mine, as far as what I did with the organizations I said I was apart of.
Try not to compare yourself to other applicants. I know it is going to be really hard not to wonder how your 19AA is going to look next to an applicant with a 22. It doesn't matter. Just be confident in your scores and know that you still have something to offer the school. It really is not all about the DAT or your GPA.
Really decide if you want to go to dental school now. A lot of you have been working on overdrive since high school. You are going to be the first ones to burn out within the first two months of dental school. I took a year and a half off after I graduated from undergrad and it was the best decision in the world (for me). Figure out what you really need right now. And don't be scared to take a year off and just work. Although, Baylor hates when people take a year off to work- so keep that in mind. They like students who constantly are involved academically.
If you have a question about a school/TMDAS/AADSAS/secondary apps. contact the school or the company first! Don't waste your time posting questions about those things on here because you are probably going to get the wrong answer or multiple ones. Just go straight to the source and get an answer with a simple phone call/email. I called the application services whenever I had a question and they are really friendly and helpful, plus it doesn't matter if they think your question is stupid, they have nothing to do with if you get in or not.
Keep waiting. It is the hardest thing. As you hear people being accepted and getting interviews, try your hardest not to let it stress you.
During interviews, talk to the people there with you! I think it looks great on your part if the school rep. walks in and sees you mingling and being outgoing. Look presentable. Ask questions. Be 10 minutes early. Show that you care what the school has to offer. Ask questions about the curriculum, community service, peer mentors, tutors, research...
I interviewed with 3 schools and they all had a Dean of student affairs leading the interview day. It can be very intimidating. Just be respectful. Don't yawn. Listen to every speak during the day- even the boring financial aid people. During the tour, pay attention! One interviewer asked me what aspect of the school I liked most from the tour, and I could barely remember anything we saw!
When you meet the upperclassman, ask what they like and don't like about the school. You have to know what you are getting yourself into. They are really honest. Ask them about difficult classes, what they learned their first year, what was the biggest thing to get used to. Don't settle for "any" dental school. Go where you really want to go. Not just because you got in. A school that sucks is going to suck the life out of you. And dental school is seriously going to be your home for 4 years. Be somewhere that you actually want to be.
I interviewed at Oklahoma, Houston, and San Antonio, so I can give you more details on those schools if you want.
Enjoy being with your family and friends now. Dental school is ridiculous and so time consuming. Relax! For those in undergrad, rock your final year.
Good luck everyone!!
Good luck to everyone applying, I know people are probably stressed with waiting, so I thought I would tell you guys how it was for me and some tips. Hope it helps!
I know people get on this site constantly to see if anyone else has gotten an interview to the schools you've applied to. If you see people getting interviews, do not freak. Every school is completely different, whether they see OOS students first or instate. Schools also go in batches for interviews. Everyone that turned in early is going to be in the first round of interviews, and I think most schools have a total of 3 rounds. So don't stress if you turned your application in 2 weeks ago and you don't hear about an interview after November/December.
You may know people that applied to way more schools than you did. It doesn't matter. You may know people that have already gotten 3 interviews. It doesn't matter. Be happy with what you get and just rock the interviews you have. I know people that have had many more interviews than I did but didn't get in anywhere. Ask for feedback from anyone that has ever interviewed you. Have a practice interview. You have to know what you do wrong and how not to talk yourself into a corner. Know your application! I have been asked questions about mine, as far as what I did with the organizations I said I was apart of.
Try not to compare yourself to other applicants. I know it is going to be really hard not to wonder how your 19AA is going to look next to an applicant with a 22. It doesn't matter. Just be confident in your scores and know that you still have something to offer the school. It really is not all about the DAT or your GPA.
Really decide if you want to go to dental school now. A lot of you have been working on overdrive since high school. You are going to be the first ones to burn out within the first two months of dental school. I took a year and a half off after I graduated from undergrad and it was the best decision in the world (for me). Figure out what you really need right now. And don't be scared to take a year off and just work. Although, Baylor hates when people take a year off to work- so keep that in mind. They like students who constantly are involved academically.
If you have a question about a school/TMDAS/AADSAS/secondary apps. contact the school or the company first! Don't waste your time posting questions about those things on here because you are probably going to get the wrong answer or multiple ones. Just go straight to the source and get an answer with a simple phone call/email. I called the application services whenever I had a question and they are really friendly and helpful, plus it doesn't matter if they think your question is stupid, they have nothing to do with if you get in or not.
Keep waiting. It is the hardest thing. As you hear people being accepted and getting interviews, try your hardest not to let it stress you.
During interviews, talk to the people there with you! I think it looks great on your part if the school rep. walks in and sees you mingling and being outgoing. Look presentable. Ask questions. Be 10 minutes early. Show that you care what the school has to offer. Ask questions about the curriculum, community service, peer mentors, tutors, research...
I interviewed with 3 schools and they all had a Dean of student affairs leading the interview day. It can be very intimidating. Just be respectful. Don't yawn. Listen to every speak during the day- even the boring financial aid people. During the tour, pay attention! One interviewer asked me what aspect of the school I liked most from the tour, and I could barely remember anything we saw!
When you meet the upperclassman, ask what they like and don't like about the school. You have to know what you are getting yourself into. They are really honest. Ask them about difficult classes, what they learned their first year, what was the biggest thing to get used to. Don't settle for "any" dental school. Go where you really want to go. Not just because you got in. A school that sucks is going to suck the life out of you. And dental school is seriously going to be your home for 4 years. Be somewhere that you actually want to be.
I interviewed at Oklahoma, Houston, and San Antonio, so I can give you more details on those schools if you want.
Enjoy being with your family and friends now. Dental school is ridiculous and so time consuming. Relax! For those in undergrad, rock your final year.
Good luck everyone!!
