How often do students get into D. School early?

[IllegalSeal]

Both my father and aunt were accepted to dental school before graduating college. I was just wondering if I have all of my pre-requisite classes done and have taken the DAT is it worth applying early? Also if so, what sort of stats would I need/be most ideal? I just don't see the point in waiting another year to apply since all I will be taking is filler classes (art, history, music, etc...). I not only have finished my pre-requisite classes but have also finished my major in biochemistry. I just don't have enough credit hours to graduate. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Hunterdan]

Both my father and aunt were accepted to dental school before graduating college. I was just wondering if I have all of my pre-requisite classes done and have taken the DAT is it worth applying early? Also if so, what sort of stats would I need/be most ideal? I just don't see the point in waiting another year to apply since all I will be taking is filler classes (art, history, music, etc...). I not only have finished my pre-requisite classes but have also finished my major in biochemistry. I just don't have enough credit hours to graduate. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was in the position to apply last cycle with a 23 DAT and 3.9ish GPA. However, I ended up deciding against it due to the majority of the programs that I wanted to attend strongly recommended a bachelors degree. Ultimately if you have a very high GPA and DAT along with great ECs it is possible, but it can limit future options and opportunities. I'd recommend finishing your undergrad.

 

[Grbled]

I’ll restate the above. Getting your degree may prove beneficial in the future and I would do that. Also, when your relatives applied early, dental school was MUCH less competitive. Now, most schools will only accept applicants without degrees if they have monstrous scores in the 3.95+ GPA and 25+ DAT. Despite this, you may have a shot at getting in now, but if it were my choice, I’d enjoy a year of college before life gets taken over.

 

[IllegalSeal]

I’ll restate the above. Getting your degree may prove beneficial in the future and I would do that. Also, when your relatives applied early, dental school was MUCH less competitive. Now, most schools will only accept applicants without degrees if they have monstrous scores in the 3.95+ GPA and 25+ DAT. Despite this, you may have a shot at getting in now, but if it were my choice, I’d enjoy a year of college before life gets taken over.

I appreciate the advice! I probably won’t apply early, but if I did decide to, do you think it would hurt any future applications the next year if I did not get an acceptance? I’m just wondering because if it won’t look bad or hurt my future chances, I might as well just take the leap

 

[Grbled]

I appreciate the advice! I probably won’t apply early, but if I did decide to, do you think it would hurt any future applications the next year if I did not get an acceptance? I’m just wondering because if it won’t look bad or hurt my future chances, I might as well just take the leap

It won’t hurt you by any means. If your stats are good enough to take the leap now, then they’re most likely well above average and you’ll find an acceptance fairly easily next cycle. Not having the degree is less about getting into dental school, and more about what happens during and after dental school. (Some specialist programs which are already highly competitive may prefer students with prior degrees).

 

[cooliyak]

I say do it. I did and haven’t regretted it at all. It hasn’t limited me in any way and I got out a few years earlier into practice. If you think you may want to specialize, it may not be the best choice (some programs are masters programs so they require a bachelors), but I knew from the start that general dentistry was right for me so that wasn’t an issue. There are also some programs that will give you a bachelors after your first year or two if you didn’t have one already, so if specializing is something you are interested in, that’s probably worth looking at.
You don’t need too too good of stats (3.95 GPA and 25 DAT is a little exaggerated), but you do need to be on top of your game in all aspects.

 

[IllegalSeal]

I say do it. I did and haven’t regretted it at all. It hasn’t limited me in any way and I got out a few years earlier into practice. If you think you may want to specialize, it may not be the best choice (some programs are masters programs so they require a bachelors), but I knew from the start that general dentistry was right for me so that wasn’t an issue. There are also some programs that will give you a bachelors after your first year or two if you didn’t have one already, so if specializing is something you are interested in, that’s probably worth looking at.
You don’t need too too good of stats (3.95 GPA and 25 DAT is a little exaggerated), but you do need to be on top of your game in all aspects.

Do you mind me asking what sort of scores you had when you were accepted early?? I think I will apply early, I just don’t really have a super good Idea of what would be a good enough scores.

 

[doc toothache]

2014 The MS Advantage-Predental Education of Enrollees

 

[cooliyak]

Do you mind me asking what sort of scores you had when you were accepted early?? I think I will apply early, I just don’t really have a super good Idea of what would be a good enough scores.

I was on the higher end w/ GPA, but more average on the DAT. When I applied, I had a GPA of 3.87 ish (did the academic update w/ a 3.9 ish and eventually matriculated with a 3.94). My DAT was 21 (with no section score above 22 and no score below a 19). Where I think I stood out was in volunteering and dental experience. You still need to be competitive and on top of your game, but you don’t have to have unrealistically high scores. Just don’t let anything disqualify you from anywhere (other than those schools who require a bachelors, obviously).

 

[IllegalSeal]

I was on the higher end w/ GPA, but more average on the DAT. When I applied, I had a GPA of 3.87 ish (did the academic update w/ a 3.9 ish and eventually matriculated with a 3.94). My DAT was 21 (with no section score above 22 and no score below a 19). Where I think I stood out was in volunteering and dental experience. You still need to be competitive and on top of your game, but you don’t have to have unrealistically high scores. Just don’t let anything disqualify you from anywhere (other than those schools who require a bachelors, obviously).

2014 The MS Advantage-Predental Education of Enrollees

Okay so on the other note, just how limited would I be as far as specialty programs go? I am considering OMFS as a possible route, and I don’t want to be severely hindered due to possibly not having a bachelors degree.

 

[cooliyak]

Okay so on the other note, just how limited would I be as far as specialty programs go? I am considering OMFS as a possible route, and I don’t want to be severely hindered due to possibly not having a bachelors degree.

That I wouldn’t know. I’ve only heard that from others who tried to convince me to get my bachelors. Someone else will have to chime in on that one.

 

[deleted678432]

It’s a great idea because you forego one year of tuition while adding one year of income in the long run. It is however very rare and competitive nowadays. Personally, I would never do this because I love college too much and want to enjoy my last year before I get thrown to the wolves.