Ex Military looking for advice

[Raymundo21]

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Hey guys...

I've been roaming these forums just reading for a couple of months now, trying to suck in as much information as possible. Fortunately, the time has come where I need to make some decisions....Since you all seem like a bunch of edumacated folks, I would appreciate any of your advice.

I'll be getting honorably discharged at 24 with 4 years of service. In my free time, I have managed to acqure 24 credits with a 3.4 overall GPA from AMU, which im in the process of transfering so I can finish up a major in Biology. ultimately with luck, being accepted into dental school.

Oh, I also have a 100 or so "Shadow" hours with an Oral Surgeon, and have a very nicely written military LOR from him.`

The question, may it be a stupid one, is if you were in my shoes knowing these circumstances, how would you go about pursing the path of dentristy? Any tips, tricks, or things you wish you knew that would have helped you on the path to becoming a dentist would be much appreciated.

 

[spearmint]

You seem to be on the right track. Here are a few things you can do to increase your chances.

1. Finish up your prereqs at a university and do well in all your science courses
2. Nail the DAT (good idea to take before June which is when AADSAS opens up)
3. Shadow a general dentist (most schools seem to prefer that you've shadowed a general dentist at some point)
4. Do more extracurriculars (doesn't necessarily have to be dental related)

The fact that you served in the military will be an asset and will help to make you stand out from the general applicant pool. I would mention this in your personal statement and specify how it shaped your decision to enter dentistry. Good luck.

 

[Philippines03j]

There is unlimited amount of advice that could be given🙂 Hopefully you get lots of it. Here are a few of the things I thought of:

1) Log your volunteer/shadowing/extracurricular activites: write down something you did that was meaningful, why it gave you satisfaction and what you learned. (does not have to be long)-- this will help in filling out your application and writing your personal statement when it comes time.

2) Get to know your professors. Choose a few science professors to get to know. Make it so that you can go ask advice about classes you are taking from them or other faculty members. Keep in touch with them when you are not taking one of their classes. This will help in finding someone that you can trust to write a good personal statement.

3) Keep in mind that information you are going to learn in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Biology etc... is going to be on the DAT. The better you learn it in class the easier it will be to study...Also the closer you take the classes to the DAT the easier it will be.

Just a few. I am sure others will have more suggestions. Hope it helped!👍