committee letter

[ldm0208]

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Okay, I have been through the threads about Committee letter vs. Normal letter. But my case is a little bit different.

My School does three reviews.

First: June 1st
Second: Sep 3rd
Third: not gonna happen to me.

I need DAT score by May 23. to be in the first review group. Right now I have everything set up but DAT. I am planning to take it around end of June or first week of July. So, if I submit in May, all the dental schools will receive everything from AADSAS by around end of July. Then supplementary applications. Then first round interview invitations in Aug and Sep.

I know the Committee letter is important, but at the same time Sep. 3rd is too late I think. Taking the DAT early is not an option to me.

If you were me, what would you do?

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GPA: haven't really calculated it before. but it will be bewteen 3.8~3.9
Have an AAS degree in Dental Technology.


Thank you guys!

 

[DentDelOriente]

Is getting a bachelor degree an option to you? Everyone applying will at least a bachelor degree (more and more with master's), so this may be a disadvantage from many people's point of view. Of course, you would a lot of dental experience, but people will question your preparedness for advanced core sciences. I don't know what your AAS curriculum looks like, but hopefully you can overcome this biase against AAS. After all, DDS/DMD is a graduate program, and some people would be hesitant in letting you jump from AAS to that.

 

[ldm0208]

Is getting a bachelor degree an option to you? Everyone applying will at least a bachelor degree (more and more with master's), so this may be a disadvantage from many people's point of view. Of course, you would a lot of dental experience, but people will question your preparedness for advanced core sciences. I don't know what your AAS curriculum looks like, but hopefully you can overcome this biase against AAS. After all, DDS/DMD is a graduate program, and some people would be hesitant in letting you jump from AAS to that.

Hi, DentDelOriente. First, Thanks for your advice. I think I didn't do a good job explaining my situation. I earned my AAS several years ago. It was a community college. Then I worked as a dental tech for a year and quit to finish my BS. So I am now a senior at 4 year university. I took all the prereqs plus Genetics, Microbiology, and Human A&P, and am planning to take Biochem next semester.

Anyway nobody actually answered my question here. I guess my title's not very attracting to other people. I met the committee director today again and she changed my mind a little bit. I am considering taking DAT on May 22. I have been studying this for long time, so after final, 3 weeks might be enough if I really focus. I have to make a decision soon.

Any other opinions? concerns?

 

[bounty101]

I think it's better to have your file completion be a little late if it means you'll do better on the DAT. Your GPA is excellent and If you do great on the DAT too, I don't think you'll have a problem getting in. Applying at the earliest point is more important of those of us without uber-competitve stats. There will still be time for you to get in a few pre-Dec 1st interviews if you can get that letter out ASAP in Sep. Just do good on the DAT!

 

[already954]

My advice is to not do a committee letter if it means waiting until September. The most important thing is to get your application complete as soon as possible. Plus individual professors can vouch for you better than a committee that does not know you that well.

Good Luck!!

 

[ldm0208]

Thank you both Bounty101 and Already954 for your opinions.

I haven't decided yet. But I think I am going to study crazy for 20 days and take it, that way I can use the committee letter and apply early. Well, if I feel like this is going to be complete wasting money by around May 17, I can always reschedule the date. I don't want to think about it, but what if I am not satisfied with the score? Then my second DAT will be on Aug 20, which is still not too late and fits in the second review.

Any other advices?

 

[ummjoey]

i agree with bounty101 and already954.

ideally, you would want to take the dat may 22, get the commitee letter, and apply as early as possible.

however, if you dont feel ready to take the dat may 22, then i would recommending taking the dat later when you do feel ready. i think you can even push the dat all the way back until late june.

like already954 said, if you push back the dat, then forget about the commitee letter. i think early application is more important than a commitee letter.

 

[ldm0208]

Thank you ummjoey. I agree with you. I guess now I know pretty much what I am going to do. Thank you guys.

Here's one more question!
In case I push the dat till late June, I have never thought about not using committee letter. So, if I don't use it, what do I need to do? Some of my recommanders already finished writing it and sent it to the school committee.

Can my recommanders and I do it electronically on AADSAS? For example, my school committee's system is like I put their email addresses in my portfolio and activate it when they are ready. Then, they will get an email, which includes the access code from the committee. Is this sort of how AADSAS LOR works?

Thank you very much!!

 

[ummjoey]

Thank you ummjoey. I agree with you. I guess now I know pretty much what I am going to do. Thank you guys.

Here's one more question!
In case I push the dat till late June, I have never thought about not using committee letter. So, if I don't use it, what do I need to do? Some of my recommanders already finished writing it and sent it to the school committee.

Can my recommanders and I do it electronically on AADSAS? For example, my school committee's system is like I put their email addresses in my portfolio and activate it when they are ready. Then, they will get an email, which includes the access code from the committee. Is this sort of how AADSAS LOR works?

Thank you very much!!

i think late june is fine.

my school had a career center that held onto my lors.

electronically is another option. i didnt do this, so i rather not comment too much on it.

 

[already954]

As soon as AADSAS opens you can submit them electronically to AADSAS. I recommend this method because it is really fast and super easy for your professors.