Am I on the right track? Need some help and do's/dont's!!

[toronto123]

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Hi all,

I am a fourth year student (Canadian Citizen, have lived in the US for about half my life) at the University of Toronto. I am planning to apply to dental schools in the US this upcoming cycle but don’t have a lot of knowledge about it (I had a change of heart this past summer and decided that this is the career I truly want to pursue). I would greatly appreciate it anyone could help me out and let me know if I am on the right track.

cGPA: 3.65, sGPA: 3.62 (Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology courses mostly)

Full time research for four months in a molecular biology lab + Poster presentation
Campus emergency response team – 6 months
Executive of active campus club – 3 years
Hospital emergency room volunteering – 1 year
Part time job at GAP during 2nd and 3rd year.
Evolutionary Lab Research (8 months)
Social Psychology Lab research (6 months)
Doctor Shadowing (Approx. 40 hours)
Dentist Shadowing (Approx. 40 hours)

Plan to take the DAT around June 20th

During the cycle (while waiting) I will most likely volunteer at offices, do research, and find a full time job – in order to keep myself busy and not useless.

I would really REALLY appreciate it if you guys can give me input on if I am ready or not for this cycle. I was previously a premed but I researched a lot about the dentistry and got hooked on to it. That being said, I have some questions:

1. I have taken the MCAT twice and the highest score I’ve gotten is a 30. Aside from the additional sections like PAP and Quantitative reasoning, do I need to study anything extra for the Chemistry or Biology section of the DAT? Or is MCAT knowledge enough for it?
2. Am I taking the DAT too late? This is a huge concern for me, I know that applying to medical schools late is a huge no-no, it must be the same for dental schools. Is this too late to take the DAT? Please give me input on this!

Your input will seriously lift a lot of stress off of my head!

Thanks everyone

 

[LeoK]

I am not the expert for sure... but this is what I personally think about your case.

1. Your GPA is fine but you didn't take DAT yet so it is hard to say anything about it. I would at least aim for 19 but really... I think you should get 20 for your GPA?

2. I would take DAT sooner for sure. I did not take American one but I heard it usually takes 2 weeks to be reported so middle of May would be the best so you can have DAT score ready for June.

3. I don't know anything about med-school application/MCAT so... just get Kaplan DAT workbook and compare it yourself. A lot of resource/support can be found in DAT forum.

4. Applying late is also No No for dental school application as well. Try to submit everything early.. I believe first day is June 3rd (https://portal.aadsasweb.org/). I suggest to register for DENTPIN now from that portal.

5. Do you start to ask for your rec-letters? Do you start to write/think about the personal statement?

6. I think most applicants have more than 100 hours of shadowing so keep doing it and one of your rec-letters should be from your shadowing dentist.

Please correct me and provide more info if I am wrong.

 

[LaughingGas]

1. I have taken the MCAT twice and the highest score I’ve gotten is a 30. Aside from the additional sections like PAP and Quantitative reasoning, do I need to study anything extra for the Chemistry or Biology section of the DAT? Or is MCAT knowledge enough for it?
You probably want to study more Ochem compare to when you had to study for MCAT. From what I know, MCAT BS section focus 80% bio and 20% ochem. In DAT, at least for the sciences, it's 30% gen chem, 30% ochem and 40%ochem.Also although many bio topics overlap, you will need to cover ecology/evolution/plants (non-human bio).
2. Am I taking the DAT too late? This is a huge concern for me, I know that applying to medical schools late is a huge no-no, it must be the same for dental schools. Is this too late to take the DAT? Please give me input on this!
June 20 is ok. You are not the earliest bird, but nor a late applicant. It will take 2~4 weeks for the score to be sent officially. So assuming you have everything else is ready /sent/verified, your completed app would be sent to schools july 4~july18.