College Freshman - I want to get it right this time.

[goesaroundgoes]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys,
I'm a freshman in college and when I was applying to college, I didn't have all the information that I should have had so I ended up not studying for the SATs soon enough, and didn't care about my grades as much as I should have. I'm at a good school, but I know I didn't give it my best.

Now that I am in college, I want that to change. I (am almost certain I) want to be a Dentist. Thankfully, I know early on how competitive it is and how dedicated I have to be.

I am now finishing up Gen Chem, and so far it's going alright. I plan to study this summer for the Chem section of the DAT and also start studying for the PAT section.

Next fall I plan on taking Bio, and I was wondering if you guys recommend I take it with Physics or Orgo? If I only take one premed course a year, I'll have to take a gap year, but I also don't want to cram hard premed courses and then not end up doing as well as I should.

Major wise -- how important is it to keep your OVERALL GPA high? Because Spanish is my native language, I could potentially major in Spanish language and lit (and maybe double major with French, because I want to continue french). Would you guys recommend that, or do you think I should be a science major? I mean, even if I do decide to be a Spanish & French major, I'll probably end up being a bio minor after I'm done taking all the electives I want to take.

Also, for extracurriculars: I know for Premeds research is really important, but what about for predentals? What's recommended for us? This summer I'm going to be working for a Immigrant Rights Coalition in NYC and during the school year I was a bio lab assistant the 1st semester and the second semester I was a social science research assistant. For Predentals, what is there that is recommended besides shadowing a Dentist?

But yeah, what do you guys think of all of this? I've just decided this, and I'm really new to this all any and all comments are greatly appreciated, I REALLY REALLY don't want to screw it up this time.
Thanks!!

 

[caffeinehigh]

Hey guys,
I'm a freshman in college and when I was applying to college, I didn't have all the information that I should have had so I ended up not studying for the SATs soon enough, and didn't care about my grades as much as I should have. I'm at a good school, but I know I didn't give it my best.

Now that I am in college, I want that to change. I (am almost certain I) want to be a Dentist. Thankfully, I know early on how competitive it is and how dedicated I have to be.

You're 5 steps ahead of some of the people who are currently applying to get into Dental School.

I am now finishing up Gen Chem, and so far it's going alright. I plan to study this summer for the Chem section of the DAT and also start studying for the PAT section.

You can never study too much, but make sure you don't study too far in advance for the science sections of the DAT (i.e. years in advance). I can't see any disadvantage in looking at the PAT stuff though.

Next fall I plan on taking Bio, and I was wondering if you guys recommend I take it with Physics or Orgo? If I only take one premed course a year, I'll have to take a gap year, but I also don't want to cram hard premed courses and then not end up doing as well as I should.

I took Gen Bio/Gen Chem Freshmen year and OChem/Physics Soph year. It was good to get all the pre-req courses out of the way ahead of time. I studied for the DAT Soph. Summer and took the DAT the August before my Junior year. Made the rest of college a lot more stressfree. Keep in mind DAT scores are only good for 3 years. (I think its 3?) In the end, GPA is very important, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Major wise -- how important is it to keep your OVERALL GPA high? Because Spanish is my native language, I could potentially major in Spanish language and lit (and maybe double major with French, because I want to continue french). Would you guys recommend that, or do you think I should be a science major? I mean, even if I do decide to be a Spanish & French major, I'll probably end up being a bio minor after I'm done taking all the electives I want to take.

GPA is very important no matter what your major is. Will your school allow you to major in Spanish if you're a native speaker? That isn't allowed at my University. Why not major in Spanish and Bio and/or Chem versus Spanish and French?

Also, for extracurriculars: I know for Premeds research is really important, but what about for predentals? What's recommended for us? This summer I'm going to be working for a Immigrant Rights Coalition in NYC and during the school year I was a bio lab assistant the 1st semester and the second semester I was a social science research assistant. For Predentals, what is there that is recommended besides shadowing a Dentist?

I think showing that you're more then just a GPA/DAT score is the purpose of this section. It really doesn't matter what you're involved in, as long as you're passionate and committed. Shadowing a dentist, specialist etc. is CRUCIAL to a solid application as well as knowing if you truly want to be in the field.

But yeah, what do you guys think of all of this? I've just decided this, and I'm really new to this all any and all comments are greatly appreciated, I REALLY REALLY don't want to screw it up this time.
Thanks!!

UP

 

[ak47]

I would take Ochem with Bio just to get it out of the way and because you need it for the DAT. Physics can wait until junior year or even senior year because you just need to take it and do well, but you don't need for the DATizzzzzleee

 

[doc3232]

OK, This is what you do IMO.
Major in what will give you a 3.6+ gpa.
Do NOT worry about the DAT yet. Don't even touch a book on it yet, you haven't taken your classes yet.


Then on your third year of college, start reading over some DAT info. Then pick a time to take the test and study.

PS: No one studied for the SAT 🙂

GOOD LUCK