Is it too late?

[FutrDDS]

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Okay, so I am in a little mess. I have been debating back and forth whether I should apply for dental school this year, or wait for the next application cycle. Of course, I recently realized that I want to apply for Fall 2004 admission. Is it too late? I have the application almost done with personal statement and all. I am preparing for the DAT ad plan to take it in August sometime. I have pretty strong stats and resume. Should I go through with California schools and a couple of out-of-state private schools?

Oh and the reason I debated was because I got a cool research job at UCLA, but I dont know if I want to lose two years (I graduated this past June).

One more thing (sorry)- I also have the LOR's prepared and they will be final by the end of this month....

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!

 

[iamwolverine]

Heylo, I'm a recent UCLA grad in the same exact position as you, just started up in another research lab too, and putting the final touches on statement, letters of rec coming in soon, and planning on taking the test in about a month . . . and I think I am still going to apply, figure it's worth the shot, and if anything, if for some reason it's too late (which I don't believe it is yet), then I could just continue at the research position I have for another year and try again.

 

[iamwolverine]

oh yeah, since you've finished most of your application, do you think you could help answer this question:
here
Thanks & best of luck whatever you decide!

 

[scandalouslj]

Hey,
Its not late at all. I put my app in a the end of sugust last year, and I have friends that didnt get it in until oct. Yes, they did get later interviews in jan/feb, but all of them got in. People always tout that you have to get your app in early or your screwed, but that isnt the case at all. You might not be in the first wave of accpetances, but there are still a LOT of spots open in the class of every school.

 

[shootin4par]

My boy Scandalous is right on.

It's no where near too late to apply. Just get organized and get ready to give applying your all. It can be a costly process too. My advioce is research the schools you are interested in and then make you decision.

Also people get accepted all the time, so even if you dont apply til ocotober you still will get in......

Dont fret a thing.

 

[Midoc]

I was even later than snsethy. I took my DAT in November and I sent in my application in December. I had my interview and was accepted in February. So you are not even close to being late. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

 

[iamwolverine]

Does anyone know about this, regarding filling out coursework on the application?

I feel a little stilly asking this, but don't want to screw up. There are lots of possible course codes, and the instructions say to choose the course code which most closely matches the course name on the transcript. Should I go by course title or course listing? For instance, Chem153A: Biochemistry, should be enetered with the course code for biochemistry correct? And, as a slightly different example, Italian46: Italian film and culture, would I use the course code for Italian or Humanities (which is the GE category it is listed under on my transcript)? In other words, should I be choosing course codes that match the course listing or course title/category? And if I have a course i.e. Biology of evolution and ecology, would I use the course code for either one or Biology other? Like I said, the questions are a bit silly, and I'm probably just spending too much time thinking about this.

 

[ItsGavinC]

It's never too late, although applicants who apply later in the cycle (notice I said later, not late) may have to taylor the schools they are applying to, based on their stats & application.

Just because SOME people have turned their applications in over the Christmas break and had success does NOT mean that the same will go for you. There just aren't many sure things in the admissions process, so the advice "the sooner the better" does hold true in this case.

August/September are still plenty early, however. Good luck!

 

[mcataz]

Depends on how competitive you are. Dental schools are always happy to receive some last minute 3.6 GPA/20 DAT students. If you are on the 3.0 GPA and under list, your chances are severely impaired if you apply in November or beyond. There are exceptions but this seems to be the general rule.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Good post mcataz!