How important are dental references?

[jdenney741]

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I'm new here and haven't searched if this has been covered or not, so here goes.

I am a full time student, husband with 2 kids, 26, and work full time. I will be applying to schools this June and the DAT July 8th. I have a 3.4 gpa, and sciences is around 3.3. I know it's on the low end, but I'm swamped in life and think I've still managed to do well.

I was wondering how important recommendations from dentists are? I know I'm on the low end, but I have 2 dentists writing letters or rec. for creighton who graduated from there, 2 writing for UoP that graduated from there and are still involved with the school, 1 dentists who sat on the board at Boston University and knows board members at UoP that are calling and writing for me. Will these increase my chances?

They say to get a 20 on the DAT and I should be golden. I'm also applying before my bachelors degree will be finished, I have a possibility to finish it before next fall, would just have to take 6 classes per semester to do so.

So that's my question. Do letters or Rec and phone calls really help that much?

 

[duckyofrubber]

I didn't have a single letter or recommendation from a dentist. I still got in, but then again, it's going to be different from person to person. I would try to get a couple letters from your professors, however. Overall, I think your DAT and volunteering/shadowing hours are more important than amazing recs, but that's just my opinion.

 

[dyesht]

I'm new here and haven't searched if this has been covered or not, so here goes.

I am a full time student, husband with 2 kids, 26, and work full time. I will be applying to schools this June and the DAT July 8th. I have a 3.4 gpa, and sciences is around 3.3. I know it's on the low end, but I'm swamped in life and think I've still managed to do well.

I was wondering how important recommendations from dentists are? I know I'm on the low end, but I have 2 dentists writing letters or rec. for creighton who graduated from there, 2 writing for UoP that graduated from there and are still involved with the school, 1 dentists who sat on the board at Boston University and knows board members at UoP that are calling and writing for me. Will these increase my chances?

They say to get a 20 on the DAT and I should be golden. I'm also applying before my bachelors degree will be finished, I have a possibility to finish it before next fall, would just have to take 6 classes per semester to do so.

So that's my question. Do letters or Rec and phone calls really help that much?

Get that degree in time and also, like you mentioned, a 20 and above on the DAT. It's also really nice that you have some connections with UOP, because without, it would be tremendously difficult to get in with low stats.

 

[JLT223]

Would you apply to medical school without a letter from a physician? I wouldn't. Get a letter, it will only help.

 

[dyesht]

Would you apply to medical school without a letter from a physician? I wouldn't. Get a letter, it will only help.

I think he was asking which letter would be better from the 2 dentists that are writing him letters.

 

[PerioDont]

I'm new here and haven't searched if this has been covered or not, so here goes.

I am a full time student, husband with 2 kids, 26, and work full time. I will be applying to schools this June and the DAT July 8th. I have a 3.4 gpa, and sciences is around 3.3. I know it's on the low end, but I'm swamped in life and think I've still managed to do well.

I was wondering how important recommendations from dentists are? I know I'm on the low end, but I have 2 dentists writing letters or rec. for creighton who graduated from there, 2 writing for UoP that graduated from there and are still involved with the school, 1 dentists who sat on the board at Boston University and knows board members at UoP that are calling and writing for me. Will these increase my chances?

They say to get a 20 on the DAT and I should be golden. I'm also applying before my bachelors degree will be finished, I have a possibility to finish it before next fall, would just have to take 6 classes per semester to do so.

So that's my question. Do letters or Rec and phone calls really help that much?

You can pretty much only have one dentist write your AADSAS letter as the limit is 4 I believe and your science profs will take at least two for most schools.

 

[Typical Average Student]

A good portion of dental schools require a letter from a dentist. Since your GPA is on the lower side, you'll want to apply to a lot of schools, not having a letter of rec from a dentist diminishes your chances drastically.

 

[jdenney741]

I think he was asking which letter would be better from the 2 dentists that are writing him letters.

I'm actually getting my uncle to write my letter for the application process and one of the creighton dentists for app process. The other dentists will be making phone calls to people at the schools that they know.

I know the 3.4 is on the lower side, it's from the basic bio classes. All the harder classes I've gotten B+ and A's in.

I'm just wondering if knowing dentists whom are alumni from schools is really that big of a plus?

 

[jdenney741]

Get that degree in time and also, like you mentioned, a 20 and above on the DAT. It's also really nice that you have some connections with UOP, because without, it would be tremendously difficult to get in with low stats.

I count my blessings daily in life. I'm just worried I'm not going to get in anywhere.

Idk if I will have the degree, it will be almost an impossible feat to get it next year while trying to increase my gpa.

 

[jdenney741]

A good portion of dental schools require a letter from a dentist. Since your GPA is on the lower side, you'll want to apply to a lot of schools, not having a letter of rec from a dentist diminishes your chances drastically.

I am currently looking at applying at 12-15 schools, I know it will be expensive, but I feel I do not have many other options. I actually served the one of the Deans at UNLV's dental school before I was headed towards dental programs and he was the first one to really invite me and told me to apply to dental school. That is how this crazy whirlwind got started.

With where my gpa is what schools would you recommend looking into?

 

[sciencebio]

Would it be possible to get LOR from summer course and non-matriculate course? I have been out school long time although i have all pre-reqs.

 

[jdenney741]

Would it be possible to get LOR from summer course and non-matriculate course? I have been out school long time although i have all pre-reqs.

Most of the school requirements I read say 2 science professors, some require it to be one chemistry and one biology. Then say 1-2 references from either dentists or volunteer work.