How screwed am I this cycle? :(

[satrialesporkstore]

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Hey guys,

I am going to be a senior and was hoping to apply to dental school this cycle. Anyway, some personal stuff happened and things got a little messed up this last year.

My sGPA is about a 3.48 and my cGPA is about a 3.7. I have not yet taken my DAT but I am planning on taking it at the end of August but I only just started studying. I am worried that my recommendations won't be very good since I don't know my professors very well and to boot, I have not started on my application and I only have like 30 hours of shadowing.

My parents are pressuring me to apply this year despite the personal issues that that took place over the last year but I am not confident that I have a good chance of getting in. I will only be applying to schools in Texas if that helps.

I don't know what to do. Do I have any shot whatsoever? Can I do well on the DAT in only a month? I want to take a gap year but my parents are extremely against it. I think that I could bump my GPA up at least to a 3.55 or a 3.60 in a year as well as get some better letters of recommendation.

What do I do? I'm kind of worried right now.

Thanks

 

[B0wMNj]

If your parents are paying for your application, and they really want you to send it out go ahead and do it, there's no harm. But, I would not rush when it comes to taking the DAT, your GPA isn't that bad, and if you get a good-great DAT score you will get interviews if not this cycle, definitely next cycle, even if you don't have good LORs. You should still focus on getting more shadowing though.

 

[satrialesporkstore]

Is a 22-24 do-able with only one month of studying? I did decent in my pre-requisites (with the exception of the last year).

Also, if I were to push back my DAT, what would be too far?

 

[mgether36]

Is a 22-24 do-able with only one month of studying? I did decent in my pre-requisites (with the exception of the last year).

Also, if I were to push back my DAT, what would be too far?

Yes, I studied for just under 3 weeks (albeit, I studied 10-12 hours a day, 21 days straight), and I got a 22AA and a 24TS. Totally doable as long as you take it seriously.

 

[satrialesporkstore]

What was your background in the sciences? Are you someone that had like a 4.0 or is a super genius?

 

[DentalDoge]

What was your background in the sciences? Are you someone that had like a 4.0 or is a super genius?

It says in his post that his GPA is 3.48 and 3.7 sGPA.

But I think you can do well on the DAT in 1 month.

 

[itscalvss]

You can totally rock the DAT in a month! I had less than 3 weeks to study for it and I did fairly decently. Just be sure to be using effective study materials, which you can find out using this forum. Also, you should finish your application in between studying and just submit your DAT when you have completed it.

Good luck and go Texas! 🙂

 

[satrialesporkstore]

Thanks. Would I be considered late at all? Because if I'm taking the exam so late, it would probably be several weeks later for my application to be completed?

 

[csudental]

don't apply this cycle take your DAT twice and get more hours of volunteer and shadowing !!
and rise your GPA apply early next year and in this year belt a good relationship with your professor

 

[DentalDoge]

don't apply this cycle take your DAT twice and get more hours of volunteer and shadowing !!
and rise your GPA apply early next year and in this year belt a good relationship with your professor

Why would he have to take the DAT twice?

 

[IsaacYankem]

I don't know what to do. Do I have any shot whatsoever? Can I do well on the DAT in only a month? I want to take a gap year but my parents are extremely against it. I think that I could bump my GPA up at least to a 3.55 or a 3.60 in a year as well as get some better letters of recommendation.

What do I do? I'm kind of worried right now.

Thanks

Make Chad's Videos, DAT Destroyer and DAT Bootcamp your bible for 3 weeks and you'll be good. IDK about Texas schools, throw some privates on your list (Case Western, NYU, Tufts, ASDOH) and you'll be strong enough to be a D1 come fall. Good luck

 

[csudental]

Why would he have to take the DAT twice?

He says that he already just started and maybe he will not be ready for the test so better to take it twice

 

[DentalDoge]

He says that he already just started and maybe he will not be ready for the test so better to take it twice

He will be. 1 month is plenty of time to thoroughly prepare for DAT.

But he needs to buckle down, right now.

 

[toothshine]

You have a good GPA. Just kill the DAT (make sure you take practice DATs so you'll be familiar with the format - you don't want to risk having to take it a second time for this cycle), and I'm sure you have a good chance.

I'm going to assume you're a Texas resident, but even if so, I'd add a couple of other private schools to your list.

 

[Illfavor]

I would recommend getting at least 80 hours of shadowing (I don't remember the official requirements). That can be done in the month you have before the DAT. I also agree with others as far as applying to more schools.

 

[kitaO13]

One month is fine. I worked full time (40+) hours a week, I'm married and have a lot of other obligations. I only had 3 weeks to take the test and still did well. People who study for three months without any other commitments either really need that time or are just beating it to death. LORs are really important. Try to get at least one from someone who knows you well, did you do any research? That would help a lot. Or maybe an employer?