Doubts running through my head....

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MegaDENT

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Hey guys! New to forum here and any advice/wisdom that can be passed on will be very appreciated. Ok here we go......

Cum GPA: 3.4
Science GPA: 3.2
Major Humanities (Philosophy)
State of Residence: NY

1. Am I a competitive applicant?
2. What score should I be shooting for on the DAT to (I hate to use the word) "guarantee" an acceptance?
3. What are dental schools looking for in terms of ECs (besides shadowing of course)?
4. Is research as heavily weighed as in medical school applicants?
5. What do re-applicants usually do to beef up their stats after they get rejected their first cycle?
6. How many schools is a safe number to apply to?
7. Do I still have a chance at getting in to the entering class 2007?
8. If not, When is the best time to take the DAT in order to apply early in the cycle?


Sorry if it's a bit long-winded but I am new to the scene and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
1. First off your GPA's are fine. The key to being a successful applicant is to apply early. The application opens in mid-May, so submit it asap.

2. Aim for at least 20's across the board. You'll be safe.

3. They like leadership, so don't worry about getting a lot of EC's, but make sure you are heavily involved in a few.

4. Research isn't very heavily weighted but always helps, especially if you want to go to a research-oriented dental school.

5. Re-apps usually find out where they were weak in their app and strengthen those areas...could be DATs, GPA (by doing post-bacc/masters program), etc.

6. I think the avg # of schools people apply to is 8-10....pretty safe

7. Now is very late to apply for the entering class of 07. I would def wait and be a strong applicant for 08.

8. Take your DAT by June so your app is done and sent to schools in the first batch.

Gooood luck!😀
 
The first step on your way to get into d-school is to do a search of all your questions in this forum.
 
MegaDENT said:
Hey guys! New to forum here and any advice/wisdom that can be passed on will be very appreciated. Ok here we go......

Cum GPA: 3.4
Science GPA: 3.2
Major Humanities (Philosophy)
State of Residence: NY

1. Am I a competitive applicant?
2. What score should I be shooting for on the DAT to (I hate to use the word) "guarantee" an acceptance?
3. What are dental schools looking for in terms of ECs (besides shadowing of course)?
4. Is research as heavily weighed as in medical school applicants?
5. What do re-applicants usually do to beef up their stats after they get rejected their first cycle?
6. How many schools is a safe number to apply to?
7. Do I still have a chance at getting in to the entering class 2007?
8. If not, When is the best time to take the DAT in order to apply early in the cycle?


Sorry if it's a bit long-winded but I am new to the scene and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm just going to answer some of the questions.
I would say to aim for DAT scores of at least 20-21 on every section.
I do NOT think it would be a good idea to apply for this cycle because you would need to rush the DAT, and that is not a good idea.
I would say study hard and try to take the DAT by June/July at the latest.
And lastly, remember that any "non-competitive" applicant can easily become a competitive one. It's all about hard work and detirmination, and then showing/proving that. Good luck.
 
1. Are you competitive? Sure as long as you have taken the required science courses and have some dental experience (observing or assisting). Minimally, you should have a 3.2 is what I have been told.

2. Shoot for a DAT of at LEAST 20. There is no guarantee. We all wished there was when we were in your shoes.

3. Some dental schools look for research, but from the few I interviewed at, it seems that grades are the ticket.

4. The research aspect of my application was DEEPLY delved into at VCU.

5. I was rejected in 2004. I increased my DAT scores and got more dental experience so I could get a letter from a dentist. In addition, I have a job as a research technologist at a cancer institute and am first author on a publication with an M.S. degree. This cycle, I was accepted to VCU...my top pick. (Undergrad little over 3.0, Grad 3.6) so you can overcome undergrad with some additional effort.

6. Applying to more than 10 schools seems a bit much. If you didn't get into 1 of your 10, there may be another problem with your application.

7. Your chance of applying now to get into the class of 2007 with your current stats (or any stats) for that matter unless they are absolutely extraordinary, ranges from very unlikely to impossible in my opinion. Submit in June or July for best results is what I have been told. In 2004, I applied in November and didn't hear from 3 of the 5 schools I applied to any way.

8. Take the DAT in February so if you don't do well, you can repeat it in May and make the June opening for AADSAS application sub.

Hope this helped and good luck 🙂
 
must you copy me SugarNaCl? 😀 HAHA
 
Thank you so much guys. I hope to one day be in your shoes and help out some other neurotic rookie 🙂
 
koochooloo said:
must you copy me SugarNaCl? 😀 HAHA
Click to expand...

I typed all this stuff, then when I submitted, 3 other people had submitted. It took me like 15 mins to type...grrrr.... Lets play a little game koochooloo! I call it. Who is more addicted to this forum, you or I..1,2,3.... NOT IT! I don't know if we would have a winner, so on second thought...lets play a different game called, where at VCU did I hide your dental instruments. Here are the rules, it can be ANYWHERE on MCV campus or on the shuttle between the campuses. The parking garage is NOT off limits. 😛
 
I couldn't have put it in better words! Nicely done koochooloo🙂
 
SugarNaCl said:
I typed all this stuff, then when I submitted, 3 other people had submitted. It took me like 15 mins to type...grrrr.... Lets play a little game koochooloo! I call it. Who is more addicted to this forum, you or I..1,2,3.... NOT IT! I don't know if we would have a winner, so on second thought...lets play a different game called, where at VCU did I hide your dental instruments. Here are the rules, it can be ANYWHERE on MCV campus or on the shuttle between the campuses. The parking garage is NOT off limits. 😛
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHAHA what a boooooooooring game! i have a new and improved game. it's called...........pin the explorer on the SugarNaCl 😱
 
koochooloo said:
HAHAHAHAHA what a boooooooooring game! i have a new and improved game. it's called...........pin the explorer on the SugarNaCl 😱
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHAHA what a booooooooring game! I can't WAIT for D-school! Oh, did I copy you again? I didn't notice 😉
 
looooooooooooooooooooooool you're killin me
 
Back to topic...there is a site with other info too. Plus do a search on SDN and you will see that you fit in with the majority of applicants.
 
SugarNaCl said:
Oh yeah buddy, it's soooo ON! I have koochooloos for lunch.
Click to expand...

you have little ones for lunch?



to the OP, the advice given above is excellent and is the sort of advice any SDNer will give you. best of luck!
 
byebye...didn't notice that, but i stand by it
 
SugarNaCl said:
And now, back to jacking the thread... just kidding. 😱
Click to expand...

hey SugarSalt let's see how many threads we can jack and DOMINATE!

SIKE I don't want to be hated by you crazy SDNers :scared:
 
SugarNaCl said:
:laugh: HHAHAHAHA
Click to expand...

hahahaha i'm like randomly laughing to myself in the middle of the office in front of the computer at our messages....my co-workers think i'm a weirdo :scared:
 
koochooloo said:
hahahaha i'm like randomly laughing to myself in the middle of the office in front of the computer at our messages....my co-workers think i'm a weirdo :scared:
Click to expand...

You know what you have to do next. I learned it from Howie Mandel. Just start smelling your fingers and making a gross looking face like they stink. Do this for 5 minutes and then ask a co worker that has been watching you if your fingers smell. Proceed to stick them in his/her face with a perplexed look.
 
SugarNaCl said:
You know what you have to do next. I learned it from Howie Mandel. Just start smelling your fingers and making a gross looking face like they stink. Do this for 5 minutes and then ask a co worker that has been watching you if your fingers smell. Proceed to stick them in his/her face with a perplexed look.
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA no its ok........i might try it out on you though in a few months 😀.........did you check you PM yet and do what i said? hahaah
 
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