My Story

[Jo23]

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Hi everybody!
I've just discovered this forum and I would like to thank you for the help provided.
I'm currently studying for the DAT which I intend to take on the 29th, and you guys gave me a lot of motivation and since I read your posts I've been studying a lot better(you sure scared me 🙂 ).
I have a difficult situation and I would like to hear some opinions regarding it.
I moved to US in July 2002 from a European Country. I've been in dental school over there for 4 years(it takes 6 years to graduate), but as I moved here, I had to interrupt my studies.
Now I'm applying to dental school in US. I applied at U. of Maryland and Howard U. I only applied to these because I live in the area and I can't go anywhere else.Of course, U.M. is my first choice.
So, I have 4 years of dental school from a foreign country-I had my transcripts from dental school evaluated and I got a GPA: 3.82.
In 2002, I contacted UM and faxed them my transcripts and I was told I don't have the prereq(which of course I didn't have because nobody teaches biol or chem in Dental school). By the way, in my country there is no college...after highschool-which is at US college level- I went straight to Dental school.So, the prereq that they ask for I did them in highschool,but they won't accept highschool transcripts.
Anyway, I went to a local college and took 20 credits in the spring semester 2003, including all the labs and organic 2. The lecture for gen chem 1,2 and org 1 I took them credit by exam. I finished with a 4.0 GPA. I still have to take biol2 and phys 2.
I sent my application on Sept 8th, but without the DAT scores...which I'm working on now 🙁
So, what do you guys think?

 

[ecdoesit]

Hi, Jo23
I am wondering if UMB or Howard have advanced standing or some programs for foreign students.

Please help out.

 

[Jo23]

Usually you have to have a degree to enroll in an advanced program.I had 2 more years to graduation, so I don't have any degree...

 

[mlsripathy]

I also studied 3 and a half years of dental school in South America. When I moved to the US, I contacted the dental schools and was told to take all the pre-requisites in order to be able to apply. I decided to go ahead and get a BS in biology so my curriculum would be much stronger.
I took the DAT last month and my grades were not that great:
Bio 20
Gen Chem 20
Orgo 19
PAT 16 🙁
QR 17 🙁
Reading 20

I have applied to UNC, U of Maryland, UConn, U of Tennessee, VCU, and UF.
I have interviews scheduled at UConn and U of Maryland. I am hoping my previous dental experience and high GPA will help me since my DAT is not good.
Please let me know what you all think.
Good luck to you!
Maria🙂

 

[Jo23]

I think your DAT scores are not bad.Also,you got interviews,so that is definately a good sign!
How long did it take you to get a BS in Biology? I just don't want to waste more time...that's my problem.
Good luck with everything.
Suerte! 🙂
Joanna

 

[UBTom]

to Maria:

A suggestion: You might want to add some private schools to your AADSAS application.

All the schools you mentioned are state-funded public schools, most of which are required to give preference to in-state residents because they are tax-payer-funded. Most of the time even with spectacular GPAs and DATs lots of state schools are notoriously difficult to get into if you don't live in that state.

 

[Midoc]

I think that both of you are in great positions. Just becase the average on this board is very high that doesn't mean the overall average is anywhere close to that. This board is full of very highly motivated and skilled people.

Jo23 - Your 4.0 in the classes shows that you have a good background in the basic sciences. As long as you continue that and do well on the DAT I think you're a shoo-in. Your previous experience will show you have a strong determination and you could be a very helpful member of your class in the first years.

Maria - Your academic average on your DAT should be around a 19. This is a very respectable score. As long as there weren't any problems that forced you to leave school in your native country then I think your previous experience will more than make up for your less than stellar PAT score. Even so, I don't belive admission committees but all that much weight on the PAT scores. As you should know, much of the hand skills in dentistry must be learned regardless if you're good or not with line on a paper (or computer monitor).

 

[mlsripathy]

Thank you for the advice.
No, I did not have any problem in Brazil. I decided to come to the US because I really wanted to live abroad.
Also, it took me 4 years to complete my BS in Biology here in NC.

 

[abina81]

i know neither one of you are 'international students' but you might want to post this under the 'internation students' thread. They might have more ideas and comments for you guys.

abina81

 

[Jo23]

I am not an international student and I doubt Maria is.
Yes, I went to school in another country, but now I'm a resident of US.So, when I apply to dental school, I won't apply as an international student( Thank God!)
But thanks for the advice.
Joanna

 

[Jo23]

Ups...now I read you post again...sorry for the confusion.

 

[mlsripathy]

I am also a permanent resident, but not yet a citizen.

 

[busupshot83]

Originally posted by mlsripathy

I took the DAT last month and my grades were not that great:
Bio 20
Gen Chem 20
Orgo 19
PAT 16 🙁
QR 17 🙁
Reading 20

Maria,

Why do you (like others on SDN) continue to put down your scores? Perhaps they are not what you were aiming for, but I think you are fine. When I take the DAT, I would be satisfied with scores like that; but that's just me. Good luck. 😎

bus.

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by mlsripathy

I took the DAT last month and my grades were not that great:
Bio 20
Gen Chem 20
Orgo 19
PAT 16 🙁
QR 17 🙁
Reading 20


Maria🙂

You're right, your scores aren't great. But I'd venture to guess that they are good enough for a number of acceptances. So, yes they aren't great, but in the end, who cares! 🙂

 

[mlsripathy]

Thanks! I know my scores are not that terrible, but I was really upset with my low PAT and QR. I was getting much higher scores on my practice DATs (Kaplan), and I guess I was shocked to find out that my scores dropped 4-5 points on the actual exam.
Another problem is that I only applied to 6 public schools. I really would love to attend one of these schools, and I sent my AADSAS application before I took the DAT.
I was wondering if I should add more schools, but later decided to try my best to do well on my interviews (UF, UConn, UNC, and U of Maryland). I have not yet heard anything from VCU and Tennessee, so I am a little scared.
Do you guys think 4 interviews should give me a good chance of being accepted?
Thanks again for the input, and I wish you the best of luck!

 

[ecdoesit]

Due to misconception of low and high, do u mind sharing your stat with all of us?
Also, GPA is important.

 

[mlsripathy]

I have a 4.0 GPA. It is my PAT grade that lowers my chances...

 

[Jo23]

Hi,
I just took the DAT today and I got:
-AA:22
-PAT:18
-QR:21
-RC:22
-BIOL:21
-GEN:23
-ORG:22
-TS:22

As I stated at the beginning of this thread, my GPA is 4.0 for the prereq that I took in the US, and 3.84 science and 3.92 overall for 121 credits that I've taken in my country.
I really want to get in U.Maryland.I also applied to Howard,but I'm not a minority and I might not have a chance there(I wouldn't like going there either).A week ago I got a little desperate and I applied to U.Penn,even though I don't know that much about the school.It was the only one close to where I live that didn't require a bachelor dergree.
Do you guys think I have a chance for Maryland?They already have my application,I'll just fax the DAT scores tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your help.This forum has helped me a lot through this application process.

 

[mlsripathy]

Hi, Jo!

Congratulations on your great performance on the DAT!!! Your scores are awesome, and I am happy for you.
I think you have great chances considering your GPA and DAT scores.
What courses did you take while in your country??
What prerequisites do you still have to complete before starting dental school? Remember that you still have the spring and summer to fulfill these requirements.
Good luck!