"I wish I had known these as a predent" list

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imback said:
any tips?
Click to expand...

1) Plan out your application (how you're going to word your ECs, final draft of PS, hours and longevity of activities, etc) way before the application comes out. Don't fill it out on the fly.
2) Submit secondary applications immediately!
3) Take the DAT before applications come out
4) Ask for LORs early
5) Get a lot of hardcore dental experience
6) Only apply to schools you want to and can go to, don't just pick and choose because that money adds up

Bottom line: Make like a boy-scout and be prepared. Good luck!
 
...that schools will ask me about non-dental community service activities that I was involved with. Fortunately, I did have an answer because I had a few special interests.
 
I wish I moved to different states and work for a year to acquire residency.
I have been looking at cost of attending, loan interests, and monthly payment and spent over 60 hours punching numbers.
It's not looking pretty.

I probably will attend in fall if I get accepted tho. All the options that I have are private schools.

Go to a cheap school and if its clinical sucks, then do GPR.
 
Do people really move to other states to acquire residency before the matriculate? That seems extreme to me. I'm in Massachusetts, where we do kind of get the shaft in not having any in state schools. The ones that are in state are hard to get into (Harvard), Out of State preferred (Harvard, BU), or on the upper end of the fund spectrum (Harvard, BU, Tufts).

That being said, I don't think I'd go move to a different state for a year and hope that I got into a school in that state for the money. Getting in is hard enough. Moving to another state and hoping you get in there seems a little too much. Plus, I have a full time job in Massachusetts and I'd be starting from scratch by moving to another state.

That's just me though, maybe some people have moved to other states and had success with it.
 
NDPitch said:
Do people really move to other states to acquire residency before the matriculate? That seems extreme to me. I'm in Massachusetts, where we do kind of get the shaft in not having any in state schools. The ones that are in state are hard to get into (Harvard), Out of State preferred (Harvard, BU), or on the upper end of the fund spectrum (Harvard, BU, Tufts).

That being said, I don't think I'd go move to a different state for a year and hope that I got into a school in that state for the money. Getting in is hard enough. Moving to another state and hoping you get in there seems a little too much. Plus, I have a full time job in Massachusetts and I'd be starting from scratch by moving to another state.

That's just me though, maybe some people have moved to other states and had success with it.
Click to expand...

One Word: Texas

Cheap.affordable.Dentistry.
 
smthngintheway said:
Those are four words.

You sir are a liar and a cheat.
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:laugh:

imback said:
Elaborate please.
Click to expand...

What I meant is that there are some schools that I applied to (not naming any) that I would never attend even if accepted. This is due to the tuition, the location of the school, the curriculum/philosophy, etc.

I say apply to schools that you can rationalize attending. Lots of people here say apply to 12-15 to maximize your chances, but what is the point in applying to schools that you would absolutely hate attending for 4 years? If you are going to apply to 12 or 15 schools, they should all reasonably attract you.
 
That I could have gone to a CC to rack up a killer GPA, transferred to a 4-year and take an easier major, kept the 4.0 and then just wait for all the schools to interview me.

Moral of the story: nothing else matters if you have a 3.9+ sGPA/cGPA...so get it anyway you can.
 
amalgamgrillz said:
That I could have gone to a CC to rack up a killer GPA, transferred to a 4-year and take an easier major, kept the 4.0 and then just wait for all the schools to interview me.

Moral of the story: nothing else matters if you have a 3.9+ sGPA/cGPA...so get it anyway you can.
Click to expand...

Not true. I have a 3.9+ for both GPAs as a bio major at a 4 year university and I haven't gotten an interview 5/9 places I applied (including my state school).
 
amalgamgrillz said:
That I could have gone to a CC to rack up a killer GPA, transferred to a 4-year and take an easier major, kept the 4.0 and then just wait for all the schools to interview me.

Moral of the story: nothing else matters if you have a 3.9+ sGPA/cGPA...so get it anyway you can.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't take any of the prereqs at a CC though. And what are some examples of "an easier major?"
 
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imback said:
I wouldn't take any of the prereqs at a CC though. And what are some examples of "an easier major?"
Click to expand...

Anything outside of the natural sciences and engineering.

So any social science: Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Anthropology etc.

Humanities: English, Philosophy, History, Religion, etc.

Some business majors...

At least this is what people consider "easy" at my school. However, choose what your strengths are as well. I am a communication major and it is pretty writing intensive... lots of 10-15 pg papers. I imagine English and Philosophy might be the same. So if you hate writing, then maybe it might not be the best option for you.

Also, make sure you pick a major you enjoy... if you pick an "easy major" that you hate, you will do terrible. So pick something you enjoy.

Lastly, if you do choose a major outside the sciences, be prepared to take more upper division bio. Most times, the prereqs wont cut it. So even though i am a communication major by the time i will graduate i will have taken (in addition to the prereqs): biochem, microbio, a+p 1 & 2, and about 3 other upper div bio course. So often times, to squeeze everything in, i have taken 21 credits a semester... and it sucks so be prepared!

Bottom line = choose a major that interests you and one you will do well in!
 
imback said:
I wouldn't take any of the prereqs at a CC though. And what are some examples of "an easier major?"
Click to expand...

Whatever you find easy, I guess. For some, it's physics and math. For many others it's social science courses, like sociology and anthropology.
 
When would be the most ideal time to request transcript from your school?

Also, from what I've seen:

BCP GPA > science GPA >> cumulative GPA >>>>>>>>>>> non-sci GPA

Academic Average = Total Science > RC = PAT>>>>>>>QR

in order of importance to dental schools
 
I wish I would have known about how early to request transcripts. Why I was lolly-dagging around until July thinking they'd process quick was beyond me 🙄
 
I knew this, but a lot of people didn't:

You can pretty much prepare all your essays for AADSAS and secondaries ahead of time, you just need to search SDN for the topics. I don't care what anyone says - early is better. A good essay today is more effective than a great essay two weeks from now.
 
C'mon gunners! Pour out all your secrets!
 
Don't apply to schools u don't want to go to.. I didn't even send two of my secondaries when i realized I really don't want to go there... Money burned
 
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