Advice?

[MolarExpress]

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I finally have a "plan" for when I'm applying to dental school...and I just want to run it by a few people who have applied/are applying to see if it's a good plan or not.

I was planning on applying next summer...but the problem is, I won't be able to submit my application until the end of July (I'll have my personal statement done, my LORs submitted..so basically my application will be complete--minus the DATs). I'm planning on writing the DATs sometime in mid to late August.

I'm technically going into my 3rd year of undergrad. For the first year and a half, my gpa was a 3.3, and for the next year, my gpa was a 2.5--I had a really rough year. I don't know what my combined GPA is because it was from two different schools. I'm planning on doing really well this year (no less than a 3.5 each semester hopefully) so that I can apply for D-school on time.

Okay...sooooo...since I was originally an english major, I'm pretty behind on the science classes, I would need next summer to finish Ochem2 and Physics 1. I'd like to take these before submitting an application to boost my GPA (hopefully)...which is why I'd be submitting my application so late (late July)-- (I'm saving physics 2 and biochem for my senior year--after my app is submitted). I'll have a solid month of studying...no work, and no school, so I can take the DATs in August..and hopefully do pretty well on that too.

I'm in serious need of some advice. Is this a good idea? Should I just apply the year after next, or would submitting my app in late July and taking the DATs in late August be fine..even with a relatively "low" gpa?

Thank you SOOO much for your advice/input, it's greatly appreciated!

 

[ddsrealist]

Sounds good, but just push the time table up in terms of applying. W/ a not so good GPA, who knows what a 3.5 will do to it ultimately. You need to your app done and sent out by begining of June.

 

[cjpark84]

I agree, I think you should try to apply at the latest mid to late june. however if you can't then just apply in july and hope for the best. if you don't get in, then at least you would have learned a lot from the experience and would have an easier time doing the whole application process the year after.

Good luck!

 

[MolarExpress]

Do you think it's worth it to apply at the end of May..and not have my summer grades to boost my GPA? That's the only reason why I want to wait til the end of July..so I can have my summer grades in, and hopefully boost my GPA a little more.

Thanks again for your help 🙂

 

[drpsuedonym]

Wait, are you taking the DAT this year or next?

I think it's definitely worth getting your application in ASAP even w/o the summer grades to boost your GPA. I think the change in GPA will be small, so the advantage it confers will be small, whereas getting your app in early gives you a much better chance. And anyways, you can just send in your transcripts to ADSAAS when you get them, but at least have the app submitted as soon as possible.

 

[MolarExpress]

Wait, are you taking the DAT this year or next?

I think it's definitely worth getting your application in ASAP even w/o the summer grades to boost your GPA. I think the change in GPA will be small, so the advantage it confers will be small, whereas getting your app in early gives you a much better chance. And anyways, you can just send in your transcripts to ADSAAS when you get them, but at least have the app submitted as soon as possible.

This is all for next summer..just trying to get it all figured out now. But, won't my app. not even be reviewed until i get my DATs in? Plus, it's not only about the GPA, it's also more pre-reqs that are completed..so is that worth it? I'm just soooo confused about what I should do.

If I submit my app. in May and send in additional transcripts in July..will ADSAAS notify the schools I've applied to about a GPA change? I think I read on the website that once submitted..you can't change your GPA with additional transcripts until the window opens up between Nov-Dec.

So, so, so confused. 🙁 I just really need to do whatever gives me a better chance of getting in. Not only because I'm impatient and can't wait an additional year..but, I'm going to be in a terrible financial state. My GPA isn't great soo I need to do whatever I can to maximize my possibility of acceptance.

 

[Chesnok]

This is all for next summer..just trying to get it all figured out now. But, won't my app. not even be reviewed until i get my DATs in? Plus, it's not only about the GPA, it's also more pre-reqs that are completed..so is that worth it? I'm just soooo confused about what I should do.

If I submit my app. in May and send in additional transcripts in July..will ADSAAS notify the schools I've applied to about a GPA change? I think I read on the website that once submitted..you can't change your GPA with additional transcripts until the window opens up between Nov-Dec.

So, so, so confused. 🙁 I just really need to do whatever gives me a better chance of getting in. Not only because I'm impatient and can't wait an additional year..but, I'm going to be in a terrible financial state. My GPA isn't great soo I need to do whatever I can to maximize my possibility of acceptance.

The earlier u apply , the better yourr chances- try hard in the junior year and apply BUT be aware that u have to be done with orgo 2 (which is much harder than orgo 1 IMO) for the DAT and that some schools require both physics -watch for requirements. And u see here, most of the schools put a hold on your appl-n until they recieve your DAT and then start reviewing -that's the problem .
Good luck 😀

 

[MolarExpress]

But can't I complete orgo2 and physics after i apply??? or would that be a bad idea?

The earlier u apply , the better yourr chances- try hard in the junior year and apply BUT be aware that u have to be done with orgo 2 (which is much harder than orgo 1 IMO) for the DAT and that some schools require both physics -watch for requirements. And u see here, most of the schools put a hold on your appl-n until they recieve your DAT and then start reviewing -that's the problem .
Good luck 😀

 

[losdientes]

But can't I complete orgo2 and physics after i apply??? or would that be a bad idea?

It would be a bad idea not to complete orgo2 before you take the DAT. Physics can wait until your senior year.