Advice on entering 2011 cycle

[Razzmatazz1115]

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Hi, I am starting my Junior year of undergrad now and have 3.6 GPA and 3.4 major GPA (biology- BS, not sure what my science GPA is). I just took the Dat this summer and got 22 PA, 21 QR, 20 RC, 20 B, 20 GC, 21 OC, 20 TS, 20 AA.

Since I took my DAT early and will have finished all prereqs this upcoming year, I was wondering if I should apply for the 2011 cycle.

I would like to apply to USC, UOP, UCSF, Western, Loma Linda, NYU, Arizona schools, and Colorado. I think if I were to do this early I would only apply to my top schools (all the California ones) and if I didn't get any, would retake the DAT and apply for 2012 cycle.

I absolutely know dentistry is for me, as I have shadowed over 100 hours.

What do you think my chances are, and do you think it would hurt that I didn't finish undergrad and/or would be young in the 2011 cycle? Also if I stayed another year I could raise my GPA. Please tell me your thoughts! Thank you!

 

[HannaBanana]

Your biggest problem at this point is just that you'd be very late applying.

Edit: Sorry, just now caught that you just started your junior year. Why would you apply for 2011 anyway?

 

[Razzmatazz1115]

Oh, so it would be too late applying now? I was just thinking about it since I have everything done already so I might as well try. I understand that applying early (May) is advisable... if I sent in applications in Sept would it not be worth it?

 

[267862]

Oh, so it would be too late applying now? I was just thinking about it since I have everything done already so I might as well try. I understand that applying early (May) is advisable... if I sent in applications in Sept would it not be worth it?

If you apply now, you'll be applying to enter dental school next fall... when you start your senior year of whatever school you're at.

 

[Razzmatazz1115]

Right- if I apply now I will not finish my bachelor's degree, since I have all my prereqs done. And you don't need to finish in order to attend dental school.

 

[HannaBanana]

I'm not saying that you absolutely wouldn't get an interview, but I think the chances of you getting one would decrease dramatically applying that late, especially for a pre-December 1 interview. Is it really worth the time and money to apply now? I'm really not trying to discourage you from applying now if you really want to, but you should be aware that you are applying late and that will negatively affect your application despite your grades and scores.

Also, I think most dental schools prefer that you get your degree.

 

[jettadude123]

I think your stats look really good and I'd say you have a great chance of getting some interviews at the schools you've listed NEXT YEAR.

A. You're late applying - people have already started getting interviews and rejections, your chances are significantly lower for 2011.

B. You don't have a degree or prospective degree upon entering.

C. I can't remember for which school, but I read on their websites if you are considering applying early, they don't even look at early applicants unless they have GREAT dat scores (27).

I did work with a periodontist who got into dental a year early w/o a degree but I think it's really rare.

That being said, congrats on finishing all you stuff so early and do what you choose, but I would focus on doing as many extracurricular activities as I could and make yourself unrejectable 😉

 

[PhoebeAZ]

I think there are some schools that require a degree, NYU does for example. I don't know about some of the schools you listed. You have pretty good DAT scores so plan to apply for the 2012 cycle, meaning you will apply summer 2011 for entering fall 2012. You should work on raising your GPA, especially science GPA. Also some things I wish I had known/done/though of:

Talk to professors, dentists, etc. about letters of recommendation now. You'll probably need 2 science, 1 other prof, and a dentist, some schools require 3 science so check individual reqs. The AADSAS app opens early Julne and you'll want your letter writers to be done with the letters and ready to upload by then.

Think about your personal statement, maybe write a draft this semester and revise or rewrite in the spring.

Compile lists of the schools you are interested in with all their requirements, app fees, application reqs, supplemental application reqs, etc.

If you can have your AADSAS app completed by early July, you'll be in really good shape. Make sure to keep up on supplementals too, some schools give you access to them on the web around the same time AADSAS opens, others email them to you after they've received your complete AADSAS app.

 

[darkwalk]

Be sure to pick out the schools that you want to apply and make a list of all their required classes. You will find the list by buying the ADA guide to dental school. Some schools have weird requirement such as zoology.

 

[PhoebeAZ]

Just thought of something else. If you can manage your time well, get a part-time job. Applying to schools is really expensive, you could be looking at $5000 if you apply to 10 schools and plan on about 3 interviews. So any bit of extra income would be helpful. And if you are really diligent and have self control, set up a separate high-yield savings account just for dental school app costs and commit to putting at least 10 % of each pay check in there.

 

[Omenino]

doooooooooood its not late!!! if you apply before the deadline...its all good...dont HESITATE FOR ANYTHING!!!

Hi, I am starting my Junior year of undergrad now and have 3.6 GPA and 3.4 major GPA (biology- BS, not sure what my science GPA is). I just took the Dat this summer and got 22 PA, 21 QR, 20 RC, 20 B, 20 GC, 21 OC, 20 TS, 20 AA.

Since I took my DAT early and will have finished all prereqs this upcoming year, I was wondering if I should apply for the 2011 cycle.

I would like to apply to USC, UOP, UCSF, Western, Loma Linda, NYU, Arizona schools, and Colorado. I think if I were to do this early I would only apply to my top schools (all the California ones) and if I didn't get any, would retake the DAT and apply for 2012 cycle.

I absolutely know dentistry is for me, as I have shadowed over 100 hours.

What do you think my chances are, and do you think it would hurt that I didn't finish undergrad and/or would be young in the 2011 cycle? Also if I stayed another year I could raise my GPA. Please tell me your thoughts! Thank you!

 

[Razzmatazz1115]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I talked to my advisor- it looks like I can easily graduate this year since I took summer classes before sophomore year and apparently already have senior standing. so now my only hurdle would be the late application. I plan on just applying to my top two schools (USC and UOP) cycle 2011. If I don't get in, I don't get in. I'll just try my luck in 2012.

thanks again for all your help!