Can I make this year's app cycle?

[HerbalMedicine]

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Hey guys

I posted here a couple months ago when I was unsure of doing dentistry. I now am and am pursuing to apply this cycle as I really don't want to apply next year. Below is a summary of my background


BS in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis
3.4 cGPA, 3.55 sGPA
1 year of undergraduate research in food science & tech
2 years undergraduate research in chem e & matsci
3 years of on campus tutoring general & organic chemistry
Officer for AIChE (chemE club)
Officer for EJC (Engineering Joint Council)
Officer for GK (International Honor Society)
Member of Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
Volunteer for UCD Medical Center ER, 80 hours
Volunteer for UCD Medical Center Orthopaedics Clinic, 20 hours

Now working on cleaning/process validation for another biotech company
Worked in R&D at large biotech company for downstream process optimization for - 8 months (since June 2013 graduation)
Private Tutor (mainly math) at home on on weeknights/weekends

Relevant coursework:
All general core sciences (bio, chem, math, physics, organic chem) w/ lab
2 quarters biochemistry (6 units)
2 quarters English (8 units) (need 1 more english course to meet pre reqs for the schools im applying to)

Publications:
1 Manuscript from undergraduate (In review process for publication)

I want to apply for this year's upcoming application cycle. I haven't taken the DATs yet, but I'm confident I'll do well (aiming for at least 23) as I've breezed through my science courses (3.55 sGPA is mainly from Bs in biochem and some upper division engineering courses counted). I just started studying but I'm already done with the chemistry portion and halfway through ochem. I'm obviously not worried about math since I'm an engineer and Perceptual should be no problem. It's the reading and biology i need to spend more time on.

My main concern is my shadowing experience. I'm planning to start this weekend, and am sure I can get 50 hours by August/July. Is it a problem that my shadowing experience is condensed and not spread over a period of time?

Also, I see that all schools have recommended courses such as anatomy, physio, micro, etc. Will this significantly hurt my chances to not have these recommended courses taken? I wouldn't mind taking them, I just want to make this year's application cycle

In essence, I just want to see if you guys think I'll have enough time to study for DAT, do enough dental shadowing, prepare applications etc. for this year's cycle and still have a solid chance of being admitted. I do work full time.

 

[packerland]

I do not think the recommended courses are totally necessary for you since you have a different science degree under your belt and a good GPA. However, if you're not opposed to taking them - then it certainly wouldn't hurt to by any means. Your EC's look great. Look into shadowing hours requirements for each school you want to apply to. Take the DAT sometime this summer (it roughly takes ~2-3 weeks to upload to AADSAS) - so I would suggest taking it before the end of July. You want to submit your app in June/July for best odds. But August may not be too late! And start getting LOR writers NOW. So they have time to compose a letter for you by this summer.

 

[BabyShades]

Hey guys

I posted here a couple months ago when I was unsure of doing dentistry. I now am and am pursuing to apply this cycle as I really don't want to apply next year. Below is a summary of my background


BS in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis
3.4 cGPA, 3.55 sGPA
1 year of undergraduate research in food science & tech
2 years undergraduate research in chem e & matsci
3 years of on campus tutoring general & organic chemistry
Officer for AIChE (chemE club)
Officer for EJC (Engineering Joint Council)
Officer for GK (International Honor Society)
Member of Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
Volunteer for UCD Medical Center ER, 80 hours
Volunteer for UCD Medical Center Orthopaedics Clinic, 20 hours

Now working on cleaning/process validation for another biotech company
Worked in R&D at large biotech company for downstream process optimization for - 8 months (since June 2013 graduation)
Private Tutor (mainly math) at home on on weeknights/weekends

Relevant coursework:
All general core sciences (bio, chem, math, physics, organic chem) w/ lab
2 quarters biochemistry (6 units)
2 quarters English (8 units) (need 1 more english course to meet pre reqs for the schools im applying to)

Publications:
1 Manuscript from undergraduate (In review process for publication)

I want to apply for this year's upcoming application cycle. I haven't taken the DATs yet, but I'm confident I'll do well (aiming for at least 23) as I've breezed through my science courses (3.55 sGPA is mainly from Bs in biochem and some upper division engineering courses counted). I just started studying but I'm already done with the chemistry portion and halfway through ochem. I'm obviously not worried about math since I'm an engineer and Perceptual should be no problem. It's the reading and biology i need to spend more time on.

My main concern is my shadowing experience. I'm planning to start this weekend, and am sure I can get 50 hours by August/July. Is it a problem that my shadowing experience is condensed and not spread over a period of time?

Also, I see that all schools have recommended courses such as anatomy, physio, micro, etc. Will this significantly hurt my chances to not have these recommended courses taken? I wouldn't mind taking them, I just want to make this year's application cycle

I don't understand what is the point of showing off all your leadership positions and research positions. What is even the point of asking if you can apply this cycle? What you want us to say? "Yeah, you are good to go?"

What else can we say? Just apply, and if you get in, then you get in. Simple as that.

 

[sjv]

You definitely can make it but you need to get your DAT/Shadowing/Letters/PS in order first.

 

[larrylu]

so you're planning on shadowing some dentists in the next 2 month?

 

[HerbalMedicine]

I don't understand what is the point of showing off all your leadership positions and research positions. What is even the point of asking if you can apply this cycle? What you want us to say? "Yeah, you are good to go?"

What else can we say? Just apply, and if you get in, then you get in. Simple as that.

BabyShades - I apologize. My intentions were not to "show off" anything. I just wanted to know if I had a good chance of getting in considering how LATE and rushed everything would be. My main concerns were dental shadowing hours done in a short period of time, and if adcoms view that negatively. Also, I just wanted to get an idea of how acceptable a "late" application is. I understand for med school, it's really important to submit apps early (June/July). How about for dental school? I'm aiming to submit by August/September, though would my chances be significantly ruined if I submit october?

Sorry, should have made those specific questions clear.

 

[HerbalMedicine]

so you're planning on shadowing some dentists in the next 2 month?

Yes I am. I'm trying to get 50 hours of shadowing done, but maybe in the next 3 months. I already looked at the schools I want to apply for to make sure they don't require too many hours. Can you comment if its viewed negatively to have shadowing hours done in a small time period?

 

[tendram]

It probably depends on the school whether or not they will look on it unfavorably. All you can do is apply and hope for the best but make sure you can explain it just in case you get an interview and they ask you about it.

 

[EasTexan]

Yes I am. I'm trying to get 50 hours of shadowing done, but maybe in the next 3 months. I already looked at the schools I want to apply for to make sure they don't require too many hours. Can you comment if its viewed negatively to have shadowing hours done in a small time period?

Posted by doc toothache in another thread:

"From a previous post: "Shadowing ranks among the top of misunderstood topics for DS admission. Shadowing is designed to acquaint the prospective dental student with the daily life of a dentist. It is about observing the atmosphere in a dental office, the interaction between staff, practitioner and patient and, more importantly,about the procedures performed in a dental office." It is reasonable to expect a prospective applicant to have done some shadowing before an application for admission is submitted. It should not take months or years to make a determination on whether dentistry is the right choice. Shadowing is not intended for on the job training. Ideally, an applicant should shadow a general dentist for 4-8 hours/day for about 3-4 days. Since not all offices are created equal, whenever possible, shadowing should not be limited to a single office, especially when the practice may be limited in scope. Observing the entire spectrum of dental procedures- restorative, oral surgery, prosthodontic, endodontic, periodontic, pedodontic, orthodontic- would be ideal. For the more demanding applicant, shadowing a specialist is recommended.

Seeking a position as a dental assistant for the sole purpose of getting more "dental experience" is counterproductive. Time would be better spent improving the gpa and/or the dat scores."

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2013-shadowing-requirements-recommendations.995828/

TLDR: Get in, get out, no reason to spread it out.