Any classes or anything I should do to better my chances for the upcoming cycle?

[Twitch2Much28]

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- I was supposed to take my DAT next week but it doesn't look like I'll be able to take it until May or June. I can see myself scoring anywhere in the 19-22 range based on my practice tests. This is obviously my main focus right now, but I am trying to plan ahead as well.
- I have 100 shadowing hours and 30 Volunteering hours (front desk work). I was planning on reaching 150-200 by the time I applied, but I obviously can't do that now.
- I was a part of a total of 3 Pre Health, Pre Dental clubs during my undergraduate career and was on the board of 2 of them.
- One year Basic Dental Principles experience at UCLA's Dental School. UCLA dental students would basically teach dental lectures every other week and give us a quiz at the end of lecture. If you pass, you get hands on dental school experience with the students in their school lab.
- I have a B.A. in History from UCLA (I wanted to be a lawyer before)
- My GPA is a 3.7 Overall (3.58 BCP, 3.69 Science, 3.75 Non-Science) I have a W in my first general chemistry course at
UCLA and a C+ in Bio at UCLA. I ended up taking all of my Prerequisites at Community College because I was a senior by this time and I had to take the series at a CC/UCLA Extension because I wouldn't finish in time. My grades are:

General Chem 1: W the first time, B second time
General Chem 2: A
Biology 1: C+ first time, B when I retook it at CC
Biology 2: A
O-Chem 1: B
O-Chem 2: A
Physics I: A
Physics II: Taking it in Fall, I will take it this summer if it is available to take
Biochemistry: A
Microbiology: A

I got my B's in some busy schedules (6 courses while taking general chemistry 1)
I took Organic Chemistry 1, Biology 1, and Physics 1 all in the same semester along with my final UCLA course

What should I do this summer and next year?
I found a Human Biology online course this summer which would end in July and would bring my BCP up to a 3.61. I was supposed to take an Anatomy course this summer but it has been canceled due to COVID. I plan on taking Physics and Anatomy (and maybe Physio) starting in fall. I am thinking of completing a M.S. In Global medicine at USC but I don't think it is worth the $70,000. I think I'm better off spending the money applying to more schools, but I would love some insight.

For now, I'm just focusing on my DAT but I also want to plan and do my best to get into dental school for Fall of 2021. I plan on applying to 15 schools but I will apply to more If needed. My dream schools are UOP, USC, NYU, & UCLA (prob not competitive enough for UCLA, but I will still try lol). My GPA is higher than the average, but I am aware that taking them at CC will be looked down upon. I know a 20+ DAT score would help my chances. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[RYost234]

Let's say you get an interview, if all you have is 30 hours of volunteer work at a front desk, what are you going to talk about? How will you stand out? You're going to need meaningful volunteer and leadership experience if you want a chance. With the covid situation, you're probably going to need to take a gap year to get enough of it. Try to work at a dental office also. Finally, if you have a 3.4+ don't waste your time/money doing a masters

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Formal WAMC requests should be formatted: ► How to Format your WAMC Thread ◄

You don't need the MS in global medicine. You should reach out to admissions recruiters at the schools on your list in California and see what they suggest. You have the basics when it comes to your courses, but you did do the UCLA predental class so you have some opportunity to talk to some of the faculty and staff you met there, even if you think you don't really have a strong shot with them. You might need some DIY upper-level biomedical courses but I'd rather they tell you.

 

[Pre_Dent2024]

Mr.Smile12 is right, definitely play up your connections at UCLA and contact people you know at the dental school there. If there’s one thing I’ve learned this cycle, it’s that having connections at the school is HUGE.

 

[Twitch2Much28]

Formal WAMC requests should be formatted: ► How to Format your WAMC Thread ◄

You don't need the MS in global medicine. You should reach out to admissions recruiters at the schools on your list in California and see what they suggest. You have the basics when it comes to your courses, but you did do the UCLA predental class so you have some opportunity to talk to some of the faculty and staff you met there, even if you think you don't really have a strong shot with them. You might need some DIY upper-level biomedical courses but I'd rather they tell you.

I will post in the WAMC thread once I take my DAT. I'll send some emails to the schools that I plan on applying to. Thank you for the great advice!