I Need Some Guidance

[Mike Zeus]

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I figure you guys see a lot of these types of threads, so I'm sorry for being redundant. However, I'd like some advice tailored specifically for me and my situation.

I have my AADSAS completed and ready to e-Submit. I have a 4.0 GPA in science and non-science (assuming all "A"s in AADSAS equates to a 4.0). I've shadowed a couple of area dentists for a total of 50 hours and volunteered in a free dental clinic for 180 hours. However, my procrastination has gotten the best of me and I have not yet taken my DAT. I plan to hit the books hard and take the DAT late July. My hope is that all the necessary information will be available to my chosen schools by the time they start sending invites for interviews. Is this a reasonable assertion given an early July AADSAS/late July DAT?

Also, regarding number of schools to apply to...how many is average? After doing research, I had narrowed down my school choices to 5: Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia (I'm a resident of WV). However, after reading some posts, five seems to be too few and I'm looking to add a few additional ones, even if they're not where I'd prefer to go.

Thanks.

 

[sfoksn]

You know the answer yourself, if you are 4.0 overall then obviously you know how to study.. You will know when you are ready.

 

[MountainDeW]

Whyd you choose those schools if you dont mind me asking

 

[Vicviper]

The normal rule of thumb is that you should apply to at least 10, because even with amazing stats, the chances are too high that you'll simply be overlooked if you apply to only a few. That, and stats really do most of their work to get you the interview, once you get the interview, you never know if you'll have a hostile interviewer, something could go wrong, etc. I didn't get into my top choice schools, but that's how dental school works, you go where you get in, and I'm happy with how it turned out.

 

[Mike Zeus]

Whyd you choose those schools if you dont mind me asking

Well, I started with the list of 19 out-of-state applicant friendly schools from the stickied thread at the top of the forum. From those 19, I cut out ones that were either too expensive or had a disagreeable location. But, as Vic has pointed out, I'll need to be less stringent in my choice making and add a few extras.

 

[AfroChapin]

With a 4.0 I don't think u'd have to apply to as many schools as others with low stats assuming you do well on your DAT which you probably will..

Apply to 7 that you want to go to.

 

[sfoksn]

Oh, and just apply to where you want to go. No reason to apply to somewhere that you will not want to go later.

You will for sure get into your top choice listed.

 

[doc toothache]

Oh, and just apply to where you want to go. No reason to apply to somewhere that you will not want to go later. You will for sure get into your top choice listed.

It is so nice to have someone who can actually see the future.

 

[pharmddds]

It is so nice to have someone who can actually see the future.

 

[Mike Zeus]

After looking into the OOS-friendly schools, I've come up with an extended list of Creighton, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Buffalo, Michigan, Marquette, Indiana, Detroit Mercy, and West Virginia. I'm still not satisfied though. I'm not too sure what "possible religious undertones" involve regarding Creighton and Marquette. I know they both have religious affiliations, but would a non-religious person like myself feel that out of place? Plus, there are a couple of places I may not particularly like to spend four years of my life, namely Buffalo and Detroit. Also, I'm uncertain on Indiana's PBL approach.

It just seems like there are very few schools that hit all the right buttons for me. It's really quite daunting. 🙁

 

[Vicviper]

After looking into the OOS-friendly schools, I've come up with an extended list of Creighton, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Buffalo, Michigan, Marquette, Indiana, Detroit Mercy, and West Virginia. I'm still not satisfied though. I'm not too sure what "possible religious undertones" involve regarding Creighton and Marquette. I know they both have religious affiliations, but would a non-religious person like myself feel that out of place? Plus, there are a couple of places I may not particularly like to spend four years of my life, namely Buffalo and Detroit. Also, I'm uncertain on Indiana's PBL approach.

It just seems like there are very few schools that hit all the right buttons for me. It's really quite daunting. 🙁

My understanding of Creighton is that it's Jesuit (a Catholic order) - and that Jesuits don't discriminate based on religion for admissions, and don't really push religion on you in school.

 

[iluvdentistry]

After looking into the OOS-friendly schools, I've come up with an extended list of Creighton, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Buffalo, Michigan, Marquette, Indiana, Detroit Mercy, and West Virginia. I'm still not satisfied though. I'm not too sure what "possible religious undertones" involve regarding Creighton and Marquette. I know they both have religious affiliations, but would a non-religious person like myself feel that out of place? Plus, there are a couple of places I may not particularly like to spend four years of my life, namely Buffalo and Detroit. Also, I'm uncertain on Indiana's PBL approach.

It just seems like there are very few schools that hit all the right buttons for me. It's really quite daunting. 🙁

Hey I am applying to both those schools as well, having absolutely no ties to religion whatsoever. I read the Creighton Jesuit values, and for the most part, they are more focused on doing good for the sake of hummanity. Yes, there are strong religious overtones of the values, but I really don't think it would be an issue in d-school. You just have to think that you'll most likely be so busy with d-school, that the religious stuff shouldn't really be a blip on your radar. Plus, I have a friend who went to undergrad there and just got into med school and she told me they do not have to take and religion classes like they do as undergrads.

Not sure about Marquette though... I need to look into it more.

 

[threeblindmice]

Just apply to the ones you really want to get into. Your stats and stuff are pretty good. If for some reason you don't get in this cycle then expand your list next year once you know how your DAT fits in to averages and such. Its hard to know where you fall compared to everybody else without having taken the DAT.