So, this turned out to be an actual novel. Ive outlined my background and plan for the next year, which is when Ill be applying. This may be helpful to people in my non-traditional situation and if it applies to you, Id love to compare plans. If not, any feedback from people who are currently applying would also be appreciated. Its quite long, so if you dont want to read it, then dont!
For starters, my background: as mentioned before, I just graduated this past month. I majored in Neuroscience and while I classified myself as pre-med, I never really had the passion some of the other people in my major did and was never serious about applying. After doing a summer of research/shadowing, I realized I did not want to be an MD and I shifted my career plans to QA in pharmaceuticals. I worked in that sect throughout college and even went became a part-time student my senior year to work in a big pharma company 3 days a week. Mid-way through this past semester, I realized I pharma was not for me and after a lot of hard thinking I decided to pursue dentistry. Unlike in my pre-med days, Im motivated to do hard work for the next year because Ive honestly never wanted anything so badly before.
My current stats are 3.5 oGPA, 3.18 sGPA using the AADSAS calculations. My science courses include GC I & II, Bio I & II, Physics I & II, Orgo I, a few neuro classes, a stats course, and calculus. My science GPA is obviously not acceptable and thus, remedying that as much as possible is critical. Still, obtaining a super stellar sGPA will be impossible, so killing the DAT in so much as I am help it is also necessary. In combination with getting the shadowing hours in, my plan is as follows:
o Get in as many shadowing hours as possible (this has been hard, Ive visited 6 places in person and have no bites yet!)
o Take Biochemistry w/ lab at 4-year university
o Begin DAT Review: Ive been using CDP and CDR for about 2.5 weeks now, roughly 5 hours per week. Its super early to start studying, but I know myself and I think itll help boost my confidence. Im only focusing on RC and PAT at this point and Ive been getting 20s thus far in both.
o Continue working at big pharma company for much needed $$ dolla billz $$
Take Mircobiology w/ lab and retaking OC I (I got my only C in this course ) at 4-year university. Obviously need to get As in both of these.
Study for the DAT: Im taking this super seriously. Ill have classes three days a week and starting in October, Ill pick up the pace and hopefully fit in 5-6 hours on the days Im not going to be in class, depending on my homework load. I plan to review the sciences and continue practicing PAT, RC, and QR.
o DAT all day, every day. Ill have approximately 4.5 weeks to fully commit to studying after my finals are over and doing this time, Ill likely focus on taking practice tests.
o Take DAT at end of winter break (mid-January)
Take Orgo II, A&P II, and maybe another science class at a 4-year university. Hopefully As on As on As.
Reevaluate school list based on DAT scores and GPA
Prepare first draft personal statement in February. Review draft over the next few months.
Ensure all LORs are requested
Apply with my schools pre-health committee
Finish 100 hours of shadowing (so terrified I wont find places to do this)
Worst case scenario, DAT retake is necessary, study throughout the semester and take at the beginning of June 2014
o Finalize school list (20+ schools)
o Complete and submit the AADSAS application by the third week of June
o Ensure DAT scores and transcripts are sent to schools
o Follow up with schools on a bi-weekly basis to ensure all materials have been received
o Complete secondary applications when received
Its a lot to accomplish, but I think its necessary. If I do well in the 5-6 science classes Ill be taking, my projected sGPA will be around a 3.4 and my oGPA will sit at a 3.6. I know that achieving this is anything but guaranteed, as acing these courses will be difficult. But like I said, Im prepared to work for this. I think its too early to tell what DAT score range I should realistically expect, but I really aiming for 20+ across the board. Even if I commit myself 100% to my plan and do well this year, I realize that my application will still be mediocre at best. Thus, I plan on applying to 20 or more schools, including mostly privates and my state school.
Sorry for the rant, but I wanted to lay out my entire plan and see if anyone could identify any missing pieces or suggest alternative options. Or maybe I need a reality check on how naïve Im being with my project GPA/good DAT scores, who knows. Regardless, Id love any constructive feedback!
For starters, my background: as mentioned before, I just graduated this past month. I majored in Neuroscience and while I classified myself as pre-med, I never really had the passion some of the other people in my major did and was never serious about applying. After doing a summer of research/shadowing, I realized I did not want to be an MD and I shifted my career plans to QA in pharmaceuticals. I worked in that sect throughout college and even went became a part-time student my senior year to work in a big pharma company 3 days a week. Mid-way through this past semester, I realized I pharma was not for me and after a lot of hard thinking I decided to pursue dentistry. Unlike in my pre-med days, Im motivated to do hard work for the next year because Ive honestly never wanted anything so badly before.
My current stats are 3.5 oGPA, 3.18 sGPA using the AADSAS calculations. My science courses include GC I & II, Bio I & II, Physics I & II, Orgo I, a few neuro classes, a stats course, and calculus. My science GPA is obviously not acceptable and thus, remedying that as much as possible is critical. Still, obtaining a super stellar sGPA will be impossible, so killing the DAT in so much as I am help it is also necessary. In combination with getting the shadowing hours in, my plan is as follows:
Summer Break 2013
o Get in as many shadowing hours as possible (this has been hard, Ive visited 6 places in person and have no bites yet!)
o Take Biochemistry w/ lab at 4-year university
o Begin DAT Review: Ive been using CDP and CDR for about 2.5 weeks now, roughly 5 hours per week. Its super early to start studying, but I know myself and I think itll help boost my confidence. Im only focusing on RC and PAT at this point and Ive been getting 20s thus far in both.
o Continue working at big pharma company for much needed $$ dolla billz $$
Fall Semester 2013 aka. Hell
Take Mircobiology w/ lab and retaking OC I (I got my only C in this course ) at 4-year university. Obviously need to get As in both of these.
Study for the DAT: Im taking this super seriously. Ill have classes three days a week and starting in October, Ill pick up the pace and hopefully fit in 5-6 hours on the days Im not going to be in class, depending on my homework load. I plan to review the sciences and continue practicing PAT, RC, and QR.
Winter Break 2013-2014 aka. Hell 2.0
o DAT all day, every day. Ill have approximately 4.5 weeks to fully commit to studying after my finals are over and doing this time, Ill likely focus on taking practice tests.
o Take DAT at end of winter break (mid-January)
Spring Semester 2013
Take Orgo II, A&P II, and maybe another science class at a 4-year university. Hopefully As on As on As.
Reevaluate school list based on DAT scores and GPA
Prepare first draft personal statement in February. Review draft over the next few months.
Ensure all LORs are requested
Apply with my schools pre-health committee
Finish 100 hours of shadowing (so terrified I wont find places to do this)
Worst case scenario, DAT retake is necessary, study throughout the semester and take at the beginning of June 2014
Summer Break 2014
o Finalize school list (20+ schools)
o Complete and submit the AADSAS application by the third week of June
o Ensure DAT scores and transcripts are sent to schools
o Follow up with schools on a bi-weekly basis to ensure all materials have been received
o Complete secondary applications when received
Its a lot to accomplish, but I think its necessary. If I do well in the 5-6 science classes Ill be taking, my projected sGPA will be around a 3.4 and my oGPA will sit at a 3.6. I know that achieving this is anything but guaranteed, as acing these courses will be difficult. But like I said, Im prepared to work for this. I think its too early to tell what DAT score range I should realistically expect, but I really aiming for 20+ across the board. Even if I commit myself 100% to my plan and do well this year, I realize that my application will still be mediocre at best. Thus, I plan on applying to 20 or more schools, including mostly privates and my state school.
Sorry for the rant, but I wanted to lay out my entire plan and see if anyone could identify any missing pieces or suggest alternative options. Or maybe I need a reality check on how naïve Im being with my project GPA/good DAT scores, who knows. Regardless, Id love any constructive feedback!
