Another Chances Thread

[Danielqta]

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Hi everyone,

I've been a lurker since about 2011. I've finally mustered up the courage to apply to dental school. I'll try to keep this easier to read.

I joined the Navy as a Dental Technician out of high school and served with 1st Dental Battalion out of Camp Pendleton for 5 years.
- I was a Hospital Corpsman and did both emergency medicine and dentistry, but I was told that I should sway away from the medical part on my application? I'm not sure what you all think about that.
- In garrison, I was in charge of a clinic and assisted in dental procedures in all facets of dentistry.

Deployed to East Timor and Pakistan.
- In East Timor, I provided medical/dental care to 1,741 locals totaling $95,000.
- In Pakistan, I was a casualty evacuation medic for those affected by the flood and delivery $200 million in food and aid.

5 Awards that I included
- Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Junior Sailor of the Year, Calendar Year 2010

oGPA: 3.83
sGPA: 3.96

Research
- One year in a solid state chemistry/material science lab. We work on metal-organic frameworks. The chemical reactions that I am responsible for require both precision and accuracy. The way I prepare my reactions require motions reminiscent to four-handed dentistry.

Volunteer
- 80 hours in the perio department at UCLA School of Dentistry

Majors
BS Biochemistry
BA Physics
BS Health Care Management

I will be taking the DAT by the end of this month.

Saved my 9/11 GI Bill to pay for dental school.


So here is my main concern. I know that I have a pretty good application, but most of my early college career was done online with institutions that were recommended to service members. All regionly accredited; not University of Pheonix or anything. Initially I did Health Care Management at that school because it was the only feasible thing to do when working long hours and especially on deployments. I got to about four classes shy from graduating and thought that an all online application would not look good when applying for dental school. So I sucked it up, enrolled at a CC, and prepared to start all over.

I only did chemistry, calculus, and classes that I needed to transfer so that it didn't look like I was taking an easy route for the pre-requisites. This was done by taking classes at four different CCs at roughly the same time. Finally got into a state university nearby and enrolled in a Biochemistry program and eventually picking up the Physics double major. The compensate for the online classes, I took 18+ units each semester, usually all sciences, to show that I could handle a heavy workload. This will be my last semester for all three degrees.

Sorry for the super long post. I just wanted to make sure I got all the details out. I've always been an anxious person. The axiom that I live by is "nothing is for sure." Haha.

I'd love to hear what your opinions are, and I'll take any advice that I can get.

 

[yankpak786]

Wow, superb background.

I think if you kill the DAT (at least 20+ on each section) you have an above average shot at getting into a number of schools!

 

[distressstudent]

come back if you somehow bomb your DAT. otherwise, you are in a shoo in. nothing else needs to be said

 

[Dentalguy8621]

Hi everyone,

I've been a lurker since about 2011. I've finally mustered up the courage to apply to dental school. I'll try to keep this easier to read.

I joined the Navy as a Dental Technician out of high school and served with 1st Dental Battalion out of Camp Pendleton for 5 years.
- I was a Hospital Corpsman and did both emergency medicine and dentistry, but I was told that I should sway away from the medical part on my application? I'm not sure what you all think about that.
- In garrison, I was in charge of a clinic and assisted in dental procedures in all facets of dentistry.

Deployed to East Timor and Pakistan.
- In East Timor, I provided medical/dental care to 1,741 locals totaling $95,000.
- In Pakistan, I was a casualty evacuation medic for those affected by the flood and delivery $200 million in food and aid.

5 Awards that I included
- Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Junior Sailor of the Year, Calendar Year 2010

oGPA: 3.83
sGPA: 3.96

Research
- One year in a solid state chemistry/material science lab. We work on metal-organic frameworks. The chemical reactions that I am responsible for require both precision and accuracy. The way I prepare my reactions require motions reminiscent to four-handed dentistry.

Volunteer
- 80 hours in the perio department at UCLA School of Dentistry

Majors
BS Biochemistry
BA Physics
BS Health Care Management

I will be taking the DAT by the end of this month.

Saved my 9/11 GI Bill to pay for dental school.


So here is my main concern. I know that I have a pretty good application, but most of my early college career was done online with institutions that were recommended to service members. All regionly accredited; not University of Pheonix or anything. Initially I did Health Care Management at that school because it was the only feasible thing to do when working long hours and especially on deployments. I got to about four classes shy from graduating and thought that an all online application would not look good when applying for dental school. So I sucked it up, enrolled at a CC, and prepared to start all over.

I only did chemistry, calculus, and classes that I needed to transfer so that it didn't look like I was taking an easy route for the pre-requisites. This was done by taking classes at four different CCs at roughly the same time. Finally got into a state university nearby and enrolled in a Biochemistry program and eventually picking up the Physics double major. The compensate for the online classes, I took 18+ units each semester, usually all sciences, to show that I could handle a heavy workload. This will be my last semester for all three degrees.

Sorry for the super long post. I just wanted to make sure I got all the details out. I've always been an anxious person. The axiom that I live by is "nothing is for sure." Haha.

I'd love to hear what your opinions are, and I'll take any advice that I can get.

Awesome background. I would not leave out the EM experience.

 

[DentalDoge]

The axiom that I live by is "nothing is for sure."

Especially true in this case. Even as a first year applicant, from what I've gathered from SDN is that dental schools are just as fickle as my ex-gf. Theyre as likely to throw you out on your bottom with good scores and EC as they are to accept the opposite. The only thing you can do is try to maximize your chances as much as possible.

 

[imrandom]

Wow. I'm just going to congratulate you right now ahead of time. You're in awesome shape!!!

 

[Danielqta]

Thank you, everyone, for the kind words and advice. I guess I'm nervous because I'm applying a little late. And especially because I haven't taken the DAT yet.

 

[Danielqta]

Especially true in this case. Even as a first year applicant, from what I've gathered from SDN is that dental schools are just as fickle as my ex-gf. Theyre as likely to throw you out on your bottom with good scores and EC as they are to accept the opposite. The only thing you can do is try to maximize your chances as much as possible.

I know what you mean. When my friend applied a couple years ago, he had a great application aside from shadowing. He ended up getting into Colombia and Havard but denied by UCLA. UCLA being my top pick makes me a bit weary.

 

[Danielqta]

Awesome background. I would not leave out the EM experience.

Thanks! I think you're right. I'll try not to make it too much of a focus maybe.

 

[Danielqta]

come back if you somehow bomb your DAT. otherwise, you are in a shoo in. nothing else needs to be said

lol I really hope I don't come back then.

 

[LFA20]

Youll still get in somewhere even with an 18AA provided you applied to lots of schools. Your gpa is superb and your background is second to none.

 

[Danielqta]

Youll still get in somewhere even with an 18AA provided you applied to lots of schools. Your gpa is superb and your background is second to none.

Thanks for the encouraging words. If you end up at Camp Pendleton, perhaps I will see you around!