Need Help!!

[andreap]

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Ok, I'm a pre-dentistry student who has absolutely no clue how this process works. I have a fairly high GPA, decent extra-curriculars and such.

Some questions I have:

1) Average DAT scores for admitted students
2) Average study time and a "good" application time
3) Usefulness of Kaplan/Princeton courses
4) "Expected" activities for pre-dental students

Thanks!!

 

[whatDATmean]

1) Average DAT scores for admitted students
I would say around 19-20 give or take1 or 2 points
2) Average study time and a "good" application time
Average study time for me on the DATs was 6-8 hours/day for 2-3 months
Good application time is opening day of next application cycle, submit even if your DAT test day is later.
3) Usefulness of Kaplan/Princeton courses
Did not take so can't help here but if you just work hard and apply yourself, I believe you'll do fine without it. I know I did well without it.
4) "Expected" activities for pre-dental students
Shadow (100+ hours), Volunteer work

 

[two thirty]

1. It really ranges. 3.5 is the number I see here to be considered competitive, but people get in all the time with 3.2-3.5. It's pretty rare if someone under 3.2 gets in, but it does happen.

2. Depends on the individual. However long you need to study to get good grades. Personally I don't kill myself studying and I have a good GPA, but there are people out there who study 4-5 hours everyday. If you're talking about the DAT, usually people study a few months in advance. It's best to apply summer of your junior year and the earlier the better(applications open around June-July I think.)

3. Useful if you need motivation to study, but if you can study fine on your own its usually a waste of time/money. You'll hear mixed reviews, but from reading here if you spend about $500 on a few resources(check the DAT forum and read some breakdowns), you'll get off a whole lot cheaper and be more effective.

4. Whatever you are interested in. Volunteering looks good, but you need to make it something you are passionate about. Any pre-dental/pre-med clubs look good too, but try to get a leadership role in them rather than just being a member. Join a fraternity/sorority if that's your thing and get involved in leadership there. And you'll need to spend a decent amount of time shadowing a dentist(50 hours min, you probably want to shoot for around 100).

Hope that helps

Sorry, I thought you said GPA instead of DAT.

 

[duycuonggg]

There is a sticky thread at the top of the predental forum called "What are my chances" or something along those lines. This thread will tell you almost everything you need to know about applying to dental school.