Advice wether to apply or not

[Xdentallos]

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Hi guys, so I finally decided dentistry was for me back in September of this year and I work full time so I started studying for the DAT in mid September an hour after work each day and heavy on the weekends, I was trying to rush everything in so I could meet a deadline for a school on January 1st this year and ended up with not so great scores (took it december 28)

PAT: 18
QR: 14
RC: 18
Bio: 15
General Chem: 18
Organic Chem: 18
Total Science: 17
Academic average: 17

I left Biology for last to study since it was my strongest field without any studying and did not get to finish reviewing it (only did the dat destroyer biology questions and only got to question 300/550), of course they asked about meiosis and mitosis and genetics A LOT on my exam which not only did I not get to review but genetics is my weakest subject in Biology.

My dad wants me to apply anyways because he says other parts of my application could weigh in and I could get lucky...
The question is will applying to dental schools here in California hurt my chances for next year? In other words will sending an application this year and them seeing my dat scores make them put my application in the "reject" or "lets look at him last" pile next year?

I have 50+ hours of shadowing with two dentists and letters of recommendation. I had a 3.34 GPA (finished with straight A's In hard bio classes like Medical Microbiology in my transcript) in college am now 24, am a minority and am working full time trying to get ahead (not sure if to put that last part somewhere in the app).

Also opinions on my studying strategy are appreciated: and remember I was in a time crunch
- Reviewed Dat destroyer (didn't finish Biology section but completely went through all others)
- Chads videos (watched pretty much all organic videos and my weak parts in Gen Chem, also watched all the QR videos but still got a 14 on that section)

I feel depressed and helpless 🙁

the practice dat i took 2 weeks ago i got a Science: 20 PAT:24 RC: 24 QR: 15... so annoying

 

[Carbohydrates]

Are you talking about applying for the current cycle? If yes, then no I dont think you should apply. Your DAT is low and I recommend retaking it before you apply.
But if you wanna apply for the next cycle in Jun, then I think you still have time to study, retake the DAT and apply. That would be better.

 

[GAdawg94]

You can try but its doubtful... Most people apply early with a 20+ , with a 17 it doesn't matter what your preparation is thats the score they evaluate and most of those schools are full for interviews. You never know, but I guess take a chance if you have a few hundred to throw away!

Hi guys, so I finally decided dentistry was for me back in September of this year and I work full time so I started studying for the DAT in mid September an hour after work each day and heavy on the weekends, I was trying to rush everything in so I could meet a deadline for a school on January 1st and ended up with not so great scores (took it december 28)

PAT: 18
QR: 14
RC: 18
Bio: 15
General Chem: 18
Organic Chem: 18
Total Science: 17
Academic average: 17

I left Biology for last to study since it was my strongest field without any studying and did not get to finish reviewing it (only did the dat destroyer biology questions and only got to question 300/550), of course they asked about meiosis and mitosis and genetics A LOT on my exam which not only did I not get to review but genetics is my weakest subject in Biology.

My dad wants me to apply anyways because he says other parts of my application could weigh in and I could get lucky...
The question is will applying to dental schools here in California hurt my chances for next year? In other words will sending an application this year and them seeing my dat scores make them put my application in the "reject" or "lets look at him last" pile next year?

I have 50+ hours of shadowing with two dentists and letters of recommendation. Im a minority and working full time and self sustaining individual (not sure if to put that somewhere in the app).

Also opinions on my studying strategy are appreciated: and remember I was in a time crunch
- Reviewed Dat destroyer (didn't finish Biology section but completely went through all others)
- Chads videos (watched pretty much all organic videos and my weak parts in Gen Chem, also watched all the QR videos but still got a 14 on that section)

I feel depressed and helpless 🙁

the practice dat i took 2 weeks ago i got a Science: 20 PAT:24 RC: 24 QR: 15... so annoying

 

[Advance]

What is your GPA?
Have you sent transcripts and stuff to AADSAS already? That stuff takes time to process too.

 

[Xdentallos]

My GPA was 3.34 and I have not submitted my application with the ADEA because I don't know if it will hurt me or if i should apply just in case of a miracle.

I finished my transcript with straight A's In difficult Bio classes like medical microbiology

 

[Advance]

My GPA was 3.34 and I have not submitted my application with the ADEA because I don't know if it will hurt me or if i should apply just in case of a miracle.

I finished my transcript with straight A's In difficult Bio classes like medical microbiology

Ehh.. the way I see it, you have two options.
Option 1.) Apply now and see what happens. If things work out great! Welcome to the class of 2020. If not study for the DAT again and make your application better for next cycle.
Option 2.) Don't apply. Save a few hundred bucks. Study for the DAT and make your application better for next cycle.

Applying now wont hurt your chances for next cycle as long as you make improvements on your application between now and then.

 

[JLT223]

I wouldn't apply this cycle. I'd study longer for the DAT and focus on your weak points from your exam. A 15 in bio would raise a serious red flag in my opinion. Save yourself the money applying and kill the DAT!

Oh, and I'd also try to get a bit more shadowing in if you can! Most schools like to see around 100 hours or so.

 

[fogorvostan]

I would recommend saving the money and applying next year. Use this time to study for the DAT, get 100+ hours of shadowing in, volunteer a couple of hours a week if you're short on those hours, and keep working. Get all of your stuff together and submit in June.

 

[Xdentallos]

thank guys. Since money isn't a factor I think I'm just going to send my app in just incase of a miracle (maybe a private school USC looking for minorities or something) since it WONT hurt my chances for next year.

And at the same time I am going to study for the DAT for next year because that is the 99% probability of what will happen haha

Just wanted to know if it would HURT my chances for next year by sending in an app this year. Money is not a factor (my dad said he will pay he's a dentist... both my parents are dentists... lol.. well my mom was never able to get her license in the US but she was in south america)

 

[fogorvostan]

thank guys. Since money isn't a factor I think I'm just going to send my app in just incase of a miracle (maybe a private school USC looking for minorities or something) since it WONT hurt my chances for next year.

And at the same time I am going to study for the DAT for next year because that is the 99% probability of what will happen haha

Just wanted to know if it would HURT my chances for next year by sending in an app this year. Money is not a factor (my dad said he will pay he's a dentist... both my parents are dentists... lol.. well my mom was never able to get her license in the US but she was in south america)

If money isn't an issue, I would go for it. Just be aware that if you don't get in, you will need to address what you did to improve your application next year. Several of schools I applied to asked on their supplemental to talk about improvement if you're a re-applicant. That shouldn't be any issue though because you know what you would need to improve on.

 

[JLT223]

If money isn't an issue, I would go for it. Just be aware that if you don't get in, you will need to address what you did to improve your application next year. Several of schools I applied to asked on their supplemental to talk about improvement if you're a re-applicant. That shouldn't be any issue though because you know what you would need to improve on.

I might be wrong, but I think the OP would need new letters of rec as well?

 

[fogorvostan]

I might be wrong, but I think the OP would need new letters of rec as well?

You're right! Totally forgot about that part.

 

[Advance]

I might be wrong, but I think the OP would need new letters of rec as well?

New letters from new evaluators? Or new letters from the same evaluators?
I'm a re-applicant and I used the same evaluator for my letter in both cycles. Wasn't a problem.

 

[JLT223]

New letters from new evaluators? Or new letters from the same evaluators?
I'm a re-applicant and I used the same evaluator for my letter in both cycles. Wasn't a problem.

Yea I don't think the evaluator being the same matters but the content would need to differ I suppose?

 

[fogorvostan]

New letters from new evaluators? Or new letters from the same evaluators?
I'm a re-applicant and I used the same evaluator for my letter in both cycles. Wasn't a problem.

Yea I don't think the evaluator being the same matters but the content would need to differ I suppose?

I was under the impression that they would just need to be new letters, but not necessarily new evaluators.

 

[Advance]

Yea I don't think the evaluator being the same matters but the content would need to differ I suppose?

Yeah changing the content would be a good idea.

 

[strep mutans]

OP would need a new PS too, from what I've read.

Having to deal with getting/writing new LORs and PS and DAT is more trouble than it's worth and could potentially hurt your app if they feel you didn't take the process seriously or approach it rationally.

Retake the DAT. Wait until June to apply.

(And why are your shadowing hrs so low if your dad's a dentist?)

 

[Advance]

OP would need a new PS too, from what I've read.

Having to deal with getting/writing new LORs and PS and DAT is more trouble than it's worth and could potentially hurt your app if they feel you didn't take the process seriously or approach it rationally.

Retake the DAT. Wait until June to apply.

(And why are your shadowing hrs so low if your dad's a dentist?)

It's really not that much of a hassle. Plus apparently people are getting interviews with 16AA's. I think the OP should go for it.

 

[strep mutans]

Also, OP...

Your GPA is low, your DAT is low, your shadowing hours are low. You want to apply months after most, right up to the deadline. You are essentially trying to get accepted based on your minority status alone (the one thing you had no control over). Your dad is a dentist, so presumably you did not struggle financially growing up. You said yourself that money is not an issue.

If you were on the admissions committee, would you accept you? Just something to think about.

 

[doc toothache]

Please keep us posted. It has been quite a while since the last miracle.

 

[BeaverLover]

Also, OP...

Your GPA is low, your DAT is low, your shadowing hours are low. You want to apply months after most, right up to the deadline. You are essentially trying to get accepted based on your minority status alone (the one thing you had no control over). Your dad is a dentist, so presumably you did not struggle financially growing up. You said yourself that money is not an issue.

If you were on the admissions committee, would you accept you? Just something to think about.

Well said. I would just hold off until next year to avoid the hassle making new PS and asking for updated Letter of evaluations.

 

[PLAQUE-MAN]

thank guys. Since money isn't a factor I think I'm just going to send my app in just incase of a miracle (maybe a private school USC looking for minorities or something) since it WONT hurt my chances for next year.

And at the same time I am going to study for the DAT for next year because that is the 99% probability of what will happen haha

Just wanted to know if it would HURT my chances for next year by sending in an app this year. Money is not a factor (my dad said he will pay he's a dentist... both my parents are dentists... lol.. well my mom was never able to get her license in the US but she was in south america)

Also, OP...

Your GPA is low, your DAT is low, your shadowing hours are low. You want to apply months after most, right up to the deadline. You are essentially trying to get accepted based on your minority status alone (the one thing you had no control over). Your dad is a dentist, so presumably you did not struggle financially growing up. You said yourself that money is not an issue.

If you were on the admissions committee, would you accept you? Just something to think about.

OP, due to your family's financial background, does it seem right to base your acceptance primarily on your minority status?

I agree with strep mutans, you need to augment your application with an increased GPA, improved DAT scores, greater number of shadowing hours, and apply early.

 

[Xdentallos]

OP would need a new PS too, from what I've read.

Having to deal with getting/writing new LORs and PS and DAT is more trouble than it's worth and could potentially hurt your app if they feel you didn't take the process seriously or approach it rationally.

Retake the DAT. Wait until June to apply.

(And why are your shadowing hrs so low if your dad's a dentist?)

I didn't have the opportunity to be near my father until half a year ago when i moved to california with my job

 

[Xdentallos]

OP, due to your family's financial background, does it seem right to base your acceptance primarily on your minority status?

I agree with strep mutans, you need to augment your application with an increased GPA, improved DAT scores, greater number of shadowing hours, and apply early.

Your right it doesn't sound good when you put it like that. But honestly I didn't realize I wanted to do this until September and I've been working my butt off studying and I just really want to get in so I'm trying to play all the cards which is being a minority might help. As far as the money thing yea my dad is a dentist but I didn't have him for a long time in my life and he's willing to make sacrifices for me to get ahead he tells me money is not a factor when it comes to my education/getting ahead. Otherwise I'm not really spoiled I work 40 hours a week to pay my own rent and bills except my cell phone. I live paycheck to paycheck.

 

[PLAQUE-MAN]

Your right it doesn't sound good when you put it like that. But honestly I didn't realize I wanted to do this until September and I've been working my butt off studying and I just really want to get in so I'm trying to play all the cards which is being a minority might help. As far as the money thing yea my dad is a dentist but I didn't have him for a long time in my life and he's willing to make sacrifices for me to get ahead he tells me money is not a factor when it comes to my education/getting ahead. Otherwise I'm not really spoiled I work 40 hours a week to pay my own rent and bills except my cell phone. I live paycheck to paycheck.

I respect your situation. Make the necessary changes to your application and apply this June. With your motivation, you will get into dental school.

 

[ajj70]

Your right it doesn't sound good when you put it like that. But honestly I didn't realize I wanted to do this until September and I've been working my butt off studying and I just really want to get in so I'm trying to play all the cards which is being a minority might help. As far as the money thing yea my dad is a dentist but I didn't have him for a long time in my life and he's willing to make sacrifices for me to get ahead he tells me money is not a factor when it comes to my education/getting ahead. Otherwise I'm not really spoiled I work 40 hours a week to pay my own rent and bills except my cell phone. I live paycheck to paycheck.

Even if money isn't a factor, maybe your Dad is out of touch with how the application process works. Applications open up in June and most people apply June-August. Interviews start in late July and Dec 1st is the first round of notifications for acceptances. Even with a January 1st application deadline, you are really out of cycle for applying or getting an acceptance. Now, if you had a 4.0 and a 28 DAT, I'd say give it a shot, but your stats are well below average and it's just tossing money out the window to apply now. I'd retake the DAT sometime in May, apply in June and see what happens for next cycle. I don't care how rich your Dad is, it's just not worth tossing $3000 or so at applications right now.

 

[Advance]

Even if money isn't a factor, maybe your Dad is out of touch with how the application process works. Applications open up in June and most people apply June-August. Interviews start in late July and Dec 1st is the first round of notifications for acceptances. Even with a January 1st application deadline, you are really out of cycle for applying or getting an acceptance. Now, if you had a 4.0 and a 28 DAT, I'd say give it a shot, but your stats are well below average and it's just tossing money out the window to apply now. I'd retake the DAT sometime in May, apply in June and see what happens for next cycle. I don't care how rich your Dad is, it's just not worth tossing $3000 or so at applications right now.

Applying to one school won't cost anywhere near 3000$ lol.

 

[fogorvostan]

Even if money isn't a factor, maybe your Dad is out of touch with how the application process works. Applications open up in June and most people apply June-August. Interviews start in late July and Dec 1st is the first round of notifications for acceptances. Even with a January 1st application deadline, you are really out of cycle for applying or getting an acceptance. Now, if you had a 4.0 and a 28 DAT, I'd say give it a shot, but your stats are well below average and it's just tossing money out the window to apply now. I'd retake the DAT sometime in May, apply in June and see what happens for next cycle. I don't care how rich your Dad is, it's just not worth tossing $3000 or so at applications right now.

If OPs father is anything like my brother, you're probably totally right about not being in touch with the current application process! My brother applied in the mid 90s and it was much different (and significantly easier!) back then. I was even talking to a friend of his who told me back when she applied and she doesn't remember the whole Dec 1 thing.

I'm still going to stick with my original advice of waiting until next year. However, if you're dead set on applying right now, we can't stop you. Just be aware that it's very unlikely anything will come of it. The way I personally see it is that you can wait until next year, get a kickass app put together, apply to every school you want to (early!!), and have a good chance at going to your top choice. Apply now and you won't have those options.