New some advices again :P

[paulee1983]

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Hi all SDNers,
Again before the 2006 application cycle start, I would like to clarify something to make sure I am on the right track. I am a junior from a 2 yrs CC in CA, and I am going to apply without completing my B.S. (transferring next semester). Followings are some my current status:

1. By the end of this semester, I will have 3.73 overall GAP and 3.90 science GPA.
2. I am now shadowing in a dental office, and the dentist taught me ALOT! I am also a volunteer in a dental lab, learning how to do crown and denture 😛. In addtion, I am a Research Assistant in Kern Medical Center doing some research work, where I know I don't want to be a doctor after going into ER at night 😱
3. got the Dean's List for several semester, and got The National Dean's List in 2003-2004.
4. being a tutor at my CC on science subject for an year and half, and part time about 15~25 hrs per week
5. I only finish 2 bio class, 1 yr G.chem, 1 1/2 Caclcus, 1 1/2 Cal. based Phy, psychology, sociology, speech. I am planning to take anatomy, physciology, genetics, microbiology, O. chem (it doens't offer in my CC 😡 ), and maybe biochem.
6. Going to take the DAT in July or August.

So I hope now you guys know something about me 😛
Here are my questions:

1. What schools should I apply to? I know definitely UOP,UCLA,UCSF,USC, and LLU, but what about the out of state one?
2. Will the adcoms look down on me because I am from CC even though I may transfer to UCLA?
3. I can obtain LORs from 4 science instrutors (2 Phy, 1 Chem, 1 Bio), my counselor, my Dean of Student, and my dentist. Should I send all of them to the d.schools, or select the best three? And which one do you guys prefer?
4. Can I send the LORs to the d. schools directly from my home, or they must be sent from the evalutors? (I will also send them to AADAS though)
5. Do you receive any grants when you enroll in d. schools? Or you can just use loans and schlorships to pay off you huge amount of tutions? 🙁

That is all the questions I want to ask right now
Thx for the readings and I am waiting for you guys replies!! 😍

 

[hockeydentist]

Hi all SDNers,
Again before the 2006 application cycle start, I would like to clarify something to make sure I am on the right track. I am a junior from a 2 yrs CC in CA, and I am going to apply without completing my B.S. (transferring next semester). Followings are some my current status:

1. By the end of this semester, I will have 3.73 overall GAP and 3.90 science GPA.
2. I am now shadowing in a dental office, and the dentist taught me ALOT! I am also a volunteer in a dental lab, learning how to do crown and denture 😛. In addtion, I am a Research Assistant in Kern Medical Center doing some research work, where I know I don't want to be a doctor after going into ER at night 😱
3. got the Dean's List for several semester, and got The National Dean's List in 2003-2004.
4. being a tutor at my CC on science subject for an year and half, and part time about 15~25 hrs per week
5. I only finish 2 bio class, 1 yr G.chem, 1 1/2 Caclcus, 1 1/2 Cal. based Phy, psychology, sociology, speech. I am planning to take anatomy, physciology, genetics, microbiology, O. chem (it doens't offer in my CC 😡 ), and maybe biochem.
6. Going to take the DAT in July or August.

So I hope now you guys know something about me 😛
Here are my questions:

1. What schools should I apply to? I know definitely UOP,UCLA,UCSF,USC, and LLU, but what about the out of state one?
2. Will the adcoms look down on me because I am from CC even though I may transfer to UCLA?
3. I can obtain LORs from 4 science instrutors (2 Phy, 1 Chem, 1 Bio), my counselor, my Dean of Student, and my dentist. Should I send all of them to the d.schools, or select the best three? And which one do you guys prefer?
4. Can I send the LORs to the d. schools directly from my home, or they must be sent from the evalutors? (I will also send them to AADAS though)
5. Do you receive any grants when you enroll in d. schools? Or you can just use loans and schlorships to pay off you huge amount of tutions? 🙁

That is all the questions I want to ask right now
Thx for the readings and I am waiting for you guys replies!! 😍

DO WELL ON THE DAT, becuase if you don't that proves the level of education at a university is far more superior than community college. Not that it doesn't take hard work to get A's in cc, but its a lot harder in University.


Otherwise you look good on paper! I don't what your personality is like so your a stud in school but can you hold a conversation?

Good luck

HD

 

[joooj86]

I dont know much about cali.i hear its hard..but i can tell u that if u were in my state-illinois..it will be almost impossible for you to get in..unles u pull a 23-24 or something then you might have a chance

 

[ItsGavinC]

I dont know much about cali.i hear its hard..but i can tell u that if u were in my state-illinois..it will be almost impossible for you to get in..unles u pull a 23-24 or something then you might have a chance

With a 3.7 and a 3.9? Are you serious?

A 23-24 and a 3.9 gives an applicant more than "a chance" at EVERY school in the US.

 

[2pac]

Hi all SDNers,
Again before the 2006 application cycle start, I would like to clarify something to make sure I am on the right track. I am a junior from a 2 yrs CC in CA, and I am going to apply without completing my B.S. (transferring next semester). Followings are some my current status:

1. By the end of this semester, I will have 3.73 overall GAP and 3.90 science GPA.
2. I am now shadowing in a dental office, and the dentist taught me ALOT! I am also a volunteer in a dental lab, learning how to do crown and denture 😛. In addtion, I am a Research Assistant in Kern Medical Center doing some research work, where I know I don't want to be a doctor after going into ER at night 😱
3. got the Dean's List for several semester, and got The National Dean's List in 2003-2004.
4. being a tutor at my CC on science subject for an year and half, and part time about 15~25 hrs per week
5. I only finish 2 bio class, 1 yr G.chem, 1 1/2 Caclcus, 1 1/2 Cal. based Phy, psychology, sociology, speech. I am planning to take anatomy, physciology, genetics, microbiology, O. chem (it doens't offer in my CC 😡 ), and maybe biochem.
6. Going to take the DAT in July or August.

So I hope now you guys know something about me 😛
Here are my questions:

1. What schools should I apply to? I know definitely UOP,UCLA,UCSF,USC, and LLU, but what about the out of state one?
2. Will the adcoms look down on me because I am from CC even though I may transfer to UCLA?
3. I can obtain LORs from 4 science instrutors (2 Phy, 1 Chem, 1 Bio), my counselor, my Dean of Student, and my dentist. Should I send all of them to the d.schools, or select the best three? And which one do you guys prefer?
4. Can I send the LORs to the d. schools directly from my home, or they must be sent from the evalutors? (I will also send them to AADAS though)
5. Do you receive any grants when you enroll in d. schools? Or you can just use loans and schlorships to pay off you huge amount of tutions? 🙁

That is all the questions I want to ask right now
Thx for the readings and I am waiting for you guys replies!! 😍

Fart Fart.....................................

Chil Pill is necessary for the constipated applicants

 

[Jess_SB]

With a 3.7 and a 3.9? Are you serious?

A 23-24 and a 3.9 gives an applicant more than "a chance" at EVERY school in the US.

The OP stated that they will not be completing their BS and they have yet to take important classes like O. Chem (or any classes at a 4 year University). I think that this narrows down the possible schools quite a bit. It is my understanding that you need around a 3.9 and a 23 DAT to get in without a degree. And at the UCs it is impossible to transfer from a CC and then graduate in one year.

It seems like there have been a lot of people posting lately who are attempting to get in without degrees. I just hope that they realize how much higher their stats need to be...

 

[jk5177]

Like Hockeydentist said, you want to do well on your DAT. Seriously. My advisior told me that I needed at least 19s on every section.

You haven't taken O-Chem, so I assume you will be learning in some way during the summer, because it will be on the DAT, and you get a score for itself. It wouldn't look good if you get 20s in everything and a 12 in O-Chem.

Question to OP: Your record looks stunning. If you had a bachelors degree right now with your amazing record, I imagine you will get in a CA dental school. I sense that you are rushing the process; and I may be wrong, but if you are, can you share with us the reason why you are rushing it? Or maybe you are dedicated and simply know that this is what you always wanted?

I actually went to CC myself, and I thought the education was great and fulfilled my needs at that time. I do think the competition is less at a CC, so the grading usually aren't curved, and that helped with my GPA. Either case my DAT rocked, and that ought to shut up the admission committees who were wondering about my GPA from CC.

 

[paulee1983]

Maybe I should say something more about my background
I moved to US from Hong Kong 3 yrs ago, and yes I am an ESL student
I tried to get into CSU (because there are only CSU and CC in my area) at first, but they didn't admit my transcript well, so I end up go into CC.

And jk5177 you are right, I am kinda rushing the process. What I feel like is if I have a chance to get in w/out a B.S., why shoudn't I give it a shot? I mean, I can also apply again next yr if I don't succeed this time, but if I do get into d. schools I think it worth it to save one yr.

I am 21 and turning to 22 in August. most of my friends in HK have already graduated, and I don't want to fall behind. Plus, I have a gf in HK, and we have dated almost 7 yrs. I really want to bring her to US and start my little family; however, I must ensure I have sufficient financial support to take care of her and our family.

Moreover, my parents are getting old and I don't want to give them too much burden on my education. They already sacrificed their easy life and high salary in HK to accompany w/ me to US. I don't want to disappoint them, and I do want to take care of them ASAP.

Those are the reasons I want to rush my work. (and UOP, the 3 yr program, are one of my aim too.)

I know it is hard, and I know 90% of applicants have an B.S., 3% have M.S., and only the remained 7% w/out B.S.. As most of you can see, I did a lot of extra work to enhance my competition abilites, such as the shadowing, volunteer work, RA. Even I failed this time, I have no regret at all, as I know I tried my best (William Hung huh?😛).

This is my story😛

By the way, can anyone pls answer my questions? thx!^^

 

[Dentist 2 be]

Ok What the hell does OP mean??? I've been trying to figure it out for a while now. LOL

 

[impuny]

Ok What the hell does OP mean??? I've been trying to figure it out for a while now. LOL

Yeah I was really confused with it too.. still am. I've got it down to original poster? The Original Post? 😡
Can I get a little help here? 😀

 

[Dentalist]

Hi all SDNers,
So I hope now you guys know something about me 😛
Here are my questions:

1. What schools should I apply to? I know definitely UOP,UCLA,UCSF,USC, and LLU, but what about the out of state one?
I would apply to some private schools, such as Arizona, UNLV, Nova, Case, NYU, BU, Indiana, Tufts, Penn, Columbia, Temple, Creighton, Marquette etc. Check out the dental school websites, and see their curriculum (i.e. pbl vs. traditional lecture based, focus on research vs. clinical exp), location, class-size etc

2. Will the adcoms look down on me because I am from CC even though I may transfer to UCLA?
The adcoms will never look down on you just because you went to CC. However, if you receive low grades in upper-div science courses at UCLA, then your high remarks in lower-div science courses at CC may look questionable.

3. I can obtain LORs from 4 science instrutors (2 Phy, 1 Chem, 1 Bio), my counselor, my Dean of Student, and my dentist. Should I send all of them to the d.schools, or select the best three? And which one do you guys prefer? whoever knows you well for a long period of time

4. Can I send the LORs to the d. schools directly from my home, or they must be sent from the evalutors? (I will also send them to AADAS though)
I believe that LOR's cannot be sent directly from your home.

5. Do you receive any grants when you enroll in d. schools? Or you can just use loans and schlorships to pay off you huge amount of tutions? 🙁
Mostly loans unless you get a scholarship.

Paulee,

It seems to me as though you want to attend dental school right after the third year of your undergraduate education. If that's the case, you will need to apply this upcoming cycle (I'm supposing you are a sophomore now) and take the DAT soon as well. Indeed, you have a respectable GPA, and your extracurricular activities seem to show your desire to go into dentistry. However, it is important to note that most people who got into dental school with 3 years of undergraduate education completed their first two years of coursework at a 4-year university. Now, your DAT will be very crucial in your situation since high DAT score will reflect a good credibility of your high remarks at CC.

Personally, I wouldn't rush things. College is meant to be a place where you explore your interests, find your passion, learn more about the culture you never exprienced, and grow as a person. Take some time, have some fun, and make memories from those moments. One year will not make much difference in a long run. Remember... life is a journey, not a race. 😉

Regards,

Dentalist

 

[Dentist 2 be]

Yeah I was really confused with it too.. still am. I've got it down to original poster? The Original Post? 😡
Can I get a little help here? 😀

I thought it was something like to the "other people" because I saw people writing...."To the OP" lol...My guess is as good as yours.

 

[nhp3142]

Hi all SDNers,
Again before the 2006 application cycle start, I would like to clarify something to make sure I am on the right track. I am a junior from a 2 yrs CC in CA, and I am going to apply without completing my B.S. (transferring next semester). Followings are some my current status:

1. By the end of this semester, I will have 3.73 overall GAP and 3.90 science GPA.
2. I am now shadowing in a dental office, and the dentist taught me ALOT! I am also a volunteer in a dental lab, learning how to do crown and denture 😛. In addtion, I am a Research Assistant in Kern Medical Center doing some research work, where I know I don't want to be a doctor after going into ER at night 😱
3. got the Dean's List for several semester, and got The National Dean's List in 2003-2004.
4. being a tutor at my CC on science subject for an year and half, and part time about 15~25 hrs per week
5. I only finish 2 bio class, 1 yr G.chem, 1 1/2 Caclcus, 1 1/2 Cal. based Phy, psychology, sociology, speech. I am planning to take anatomy, physciology, genetics, microbiology, O. chem (it doens't offer in my CC 😡 ), and maybe biochem.
6. Going to take the DAT in July or August.

So I hope now you guys know something about me 😛
Here are my questions:

1. What schools should I apply to? I know definitely UOP,UCLA,UCSF,USC, and LLU, but what about the out of state one?
2. Will the adcoms look down on me because I am from CC even though I may transfer to UCLA?
3. I can obtain LORs from 4 science instrutors (2 Phy, 1 Chem, 1 Bio), my counselor, my Dean of Student, and my dentist. Should I send all of them to the d.schools, or select the best three? And which one do you guys prefer?
4. Can I send the LORs to the d. schools directly from my home, or they must be sent from the evalutors? (I will also send them to AADAS though)
5. Do you receive any grants when you enroll in d. schools? Or you can just use loans and schlorships to pay off you huge amount of tutions? 🙁

That is all the questions I want to ask right now
Thx for the readings and I am waiting for you guys replies!! 😍

Some advice ... ill try not to repeat that which has been said in detail, but
1) ACE the DAT (20's in all sections)
2) find a health professions comitee at your school that can take your letters of recommendation and formally compose a "stamp of approval" letter for you.
3) if possible, have your pre-professional advisor send ALL your LORs and the commitee letter to AADSAS
4) get to a 4 yr univ ASAP to take Organic and additional upperlevel bios/chems (ie: biochem).
5) In my honest opinion, unless you're made of money, you may be wasting money and time applying before having taken those classes you plan to take. AADSAS for 2006 will open in a few months, and you'll have no grades to enter for some key science classes ... and applying early is KEY ... so if you have update your AADSAS apps after receiving grades in these key science classes, you'll be put on hold behind someone who already has this info available.
6) As for the DAT, I'm not sure how it is before having taken Organic and Micro, but, preparing for the exam is a HELLA of a lot easier after having taken those courses (and acing them). You may want to concentrate more on DAT prep from the KAPLAN book.

CONCLUSION) I'd say you're a bit early. You may want to focus on spending this Fall/Spring at a 4 yr so that by the 2007 cycle, you'll have 1 year of sciences at UNIV level and be in much better shape to take the DAT (do this summer of 2006). Fill out the AADSAS stuff as soon as it opens online for 2007. Get the essay out of the way, and focus on the DAT for summer. You'll be in great shape, provided you did equally well at a 4 yr univ.

good luck!

 

[DB#1]

I thought it was something like to the "other people" because I saw people writing...."To the OP" lol...My guess is as good as yours.

Thats what I have learned OP stands for "Original Poster" aka thread started aka creator of this weak thread, LOL! jk 😀

I think lots of people are confused about the "CC" the OP used, may be clarify thats by spelling it out, or SDNers will think you are another pre-dent who trying to say that they are perfects, "I have a 4.0 GPA and still need some help!"

Sorry I can't help you on you original questions, I know very little about non-trad applicants (if you are considered that 😕 ).

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Ok What the hell does OP mean??? I've been trying to figure it out for a while now. LOL

I thought it was pretty obvious.....geez dentist2be, you arent really giving anyone good indications on any intellectual ability you might have.....

Ill end the post in the way you always seem to end your posts...LOL LOL LOL LOL

 

[miravyn]

I thought it was pretty obvious.....geez dentist2be, you arent really giving anyone good indications on any intellectual ability you might have.....

Ill end the post in the way you always seem to end your posts...LOL LOL LOL LOL

I notice that you're enrolled in the DMD/MPH program at Temple. I'm currently working on a minor in Public Health and wondering if you applied for the dual program after you got accepted or before. BTW, I'm interested in getting a MPH as well. Do you think it's okay to write in my appl personal statement that I want to pursue public heatlh dentistry because that is one of the things I'm considering (in addition to ortho like everyone else). Other people have told me not to mention having interest in specializing in ortho because dental schools hate to hear that. But, as for PH, it's not very popular (probably because you don't make that much) but I do have a genunine interest. So maybe it's okay to talk about that?

And I have another quick question about community colllege classes. I took calculus 1 when I was in high school just to learn, not considering the ramnification of getting a bad grade. Well, I ended up getting a C in the class. Now I realize that this grade will probably end up in my dental school appl GPA. That's my only C ever. I have a 3.76 at UCLA as a biochem major. You think they might take pity on me since I took that class when I was a dumb kid. LOL. I also took some english classes at a CC, which I did well. I took precalculus at the same CC I took my english classes and got a B. I don't want the d. schools to see my grade for that class and I don't think they have to know because that pre calculus class didn't count for anything in college. Do you know if it's possible to send in a transcript without all your grades on it.

 

[Dentist 2 be]

I thought it was pretty obvious.....geez dentist2be, you arent really giving anyone good indications on any intellectual ability you might have.....

Ill end the post in the way you always seem to end your posts...LOL LOL LOL LOL

Excuse me??I hope you were joking. Sorry I'm not down with the SDN lingo.

 

[jk5177]

Paulee,

It seems to me as though you want to attend dental school right after the third year of your undergraduate education. If that's the case, you will need to apply this upcoming cycle (I'm supposing you are a sophomore now) and take the DAT soon as well. Indeed, you have a respectable GPA, and your extracurricular activities seem to show your desire to go into dentistry. However, it is important to note that most people who got into dental school with 3 years of undergraduate education completed their first two years of coursework at a 4-year university. Now, your DAT will be very crucial in your situation since high DAT score will reflect a good credibility of your high remarks at CC.

Personally, I wouldn't rush things. College is meant to be a place where you explore your interests, find your passion, learn more about the culture you never exprienced, and grow as a person. Take some time, have some fun, and make memories from those moments. One year will not make much difference in a long run. Remember... life is a journey, not a race. 😉

Regards,

Dentalist

I think if you want to rush things, then that choice is up to you. People will give you all sorts of advice, and those are merely advices. If you decide to rush, be sure you know the risks of doing so, and the reasons why you want to rush things. An extra year out of school is an extra year you can make money, grow as a person, explore your interests, find your passion. Twenties is not the only age that one could do those things.

Oh. Yeah. DAT is important. If you scores isn't higher than 19s on every section, then I really suggest you to channel your energy toward next application cycle rather than wasting it on the coming cycle.

By the way OP: It is worth figuring out the energy that doing an application cycle takes. You probably already know much about it, but in case you don't, I want to remind you to look into the whole application process.

To Dentalist:
I have to disagree with you just to give the OP a different viewpoint. What you said do have validity though.

 

[jk5177]

Excuse me??I hope you were joking. Sorry I'm not down with the SDN lingo.

Dentist 2 be:

May I introduce you to Dr.Badvibes? He really carry a bad vibe with him, and you can learn a lot about him by reading some of his previous post.

I do appreciate his bad vibes though, keep the "group think" mentality out of SDN. Go Bad Vibes! Wake us up!

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Excuse me??I hope you were joking. Sorry I'm not down with the SDN lingo.

Actually I wasnt. When I first joined SDN, I as well was confused by OP at first, but then when I noticed that whenever someone posted "to the OP" and was referring to a question by the first post....hmmmm, first post, OP....first post, OP.....



didnt take long to put two and two together. Just common sense my friend. LOL LOL LOL LOL.

By the way, Ive always wondered what "LOL" stood for?? People seem to always say it after saying a joke, yet I cant figure it out. 😀

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

I notice that you're enrolled in the DMD/MPH program at Temple. I'm currently working on a minor in Public Health and wondering if you applied for the dual program after you got accepted or before. BTW, I'm interested in getting a MPH as well. Do you think it's okay to write in my appl personal statement that I want to pursue public heatlh dentistry because that is one of the things I'm considering (in addition to ortho like everyone else). Other people have told me not to mention having interest in specializing in ortho because dental schools hate to hear that. But, as for PH, it's not very popular (probably because you don't make that much) but I do have a genunine interest. So maybe it's okay to talk about that?

75% of my personal statement was devoted to mentioning my interest in public health, my public health background, and my future goals. I think that is something that made me stand out from other applicants and is probably why I got interviewed and accepted to so many schools, so I would DEFINITELY write about your public health interest in your personal statement.

As for ortho....naw...80% of predents wanna do ortho, so mentioning that is just gonna waste valuable space in your personal statement that can be used to sell other more important qualities about yourself.

However, Im wondering how you link an interest in going into public health dentistry with an interest in going into ortho. I cant seem to find the correlation there. Please enlighten me.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Dentist 2 be:

May I introduce you to Dr.Badvibes? He really carry a bad vibe with him, and you can learn a lot about him by reading some of his previous post.

I do appreciate his bad vibes though, keep the "group think" mentality out of SDN. Go Bad Vibes! Wake us up!

<takes a bow> *thank you* *thank you*

 

[paulee1983]

I had a conversation with my parents when we were having our dinner. I told them my situation and ask their advices. They told me that I should only apply only CA schools as I still have one more year to prepare myself if I fail in this cycle, so I shouldn't waste my time and money to apply for the one that I definitely won't go in even I luckily get accepted. I thought this is pretty convincing to me, what do you guys think?

So the d.schools would be limited to UOP, LLU, UCLA, UCSF, and USC. The dentist I am shadowing was graduated from LLU. What astonished me was he graduated when he was 23 😱 , and he was top 3 students in the class. He told me that LLU will prepare you much better than any other d. schools. From my observation, I have no doubt on this because all of his patients told me they felt nothing even after extractions, root canals, or even surgical procedures...... 😀


To Dentlist:

4. Can I send the LORs to the d. schools directly from my home, or they must be sent from the evalutors? (I will also send them to AADAS though)

So I should tell my evalutors mail to AADAS and d. schools directly? I heard that for the AADAS one you may need a matching form, though someone said that it is not necessary. Besides that, would that be a pain to have adcom reading 8 LORs just for me? 😛 and what will be the best time to mail those LORs?

life is a journey, not a race

I really love this!!!!

To nhp3142:

2) find a health professions comitee at your school that can take your letters of recommendation and formally compose a "stamp of approval" letter for you.

The problem is, my CC doesn't have any health professions comittee. 🙁

5) In my honest opinion, unless you're made of money, you may be wasting money and time applying before having taken those classes you plan to take. AADSAS for 2006 will open in a few months, and you'll have no grades to enter for some key science classes ... and applying early is KEY ... so if you have update your AADSAS apps after receiving grades in these key science classes, you'll be put on hold behind someone who already has this info available.

I am planning to apply right at May, try to get #1 for AADAS application


To DB#1

I think lots of people are confused about the "CC" the OP used, may be clarify thats by spelling it out, or SDNers will think you are another pre-dent who trying to say that they are perfects, "I have a 4.0 GPA and still need some help!"

I feel sorry for the misleading. CC means Community College.


To jk5177:

By the way OP: It is worth figuring out the energy that doing an application cycle takes. You probably already know much about it, but in case you don't, I want to remind you to look into the whole application process.

Yes, I start doing my research since 2004 Mar, as you can see my joining date of SDN 😛 Thx for the advice!



Again, thx for the advices. SDNers are always nice to newbies 👍

 

[impuny]

<takes a bow> *thank you* *thank you*

Oh please... don't encourage him. 😛