planning to graduate in 3 years, need timeline for that...

[missdiana]

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Hello,

I just finished my 1st year.
I was originally planning to go to Medical school but I have changed my plan and decided to go to Dental school.

Originally I was Chem Major but I changed to BIO and now I can graduate UG in 2 years (so when it's 3rd year for me).

Currently, I have worked at Dental Lab for 4 years since HS
and shadow/worked with dentists for about 90 hours.
My family owns dental lab, so I had more chance to work with dentists then MDs.

Till now, I have finished
Gen Chem 1, 2
Intro, Bio 1 (and BIO 2 - I got AP credits, so I skipped it)
and Calc I (AP credit)
and Phys I
and ENG I, II (required in my college)

I am going to take these next year
Orgo I/II
Cell Bio
Genetic
Phys II
Stat
Research paper class (required in my college)
+ more BIO/General education

I know I haven't learn orgo or cell bio/genetics yet,
but if I want to graduate on my 3rd year, I think I should take DAT next year...but when and how should I prepare for it? I am studying Orgo/Cell bio/anatomy this summer by my own to prepare for DAT..and when should I take DAT? 2013 March? or earlier?

Also research experiences..
I only have one more year till I submit my application...I am not sure one year of research will be good enough.

Also I don't have any leadership position yet either..

I can get more clinical experiences and good recommendations from dentists.
but will I be okay?

My GPA is 3.9 and I don't expect my GPA to be lower than 3.8. (I am pretty good student..)


My goal schools are
Howard and University of Maryland
when should I visit these schools and when should I take interview with them (before apply for them..)

Can you give me some timeline for next year?
and some other preparation I should do before I apply next summer?
Please help me!! (and don't tell me to just go to college for 4 years..I will have no class to take on 4th year...I do Bio major and Chem minor but I can still graduate in 3 years.. - I can stay..but why would I?)

 

[SnowyRox]

You can also take a gap year... it's not the end of the world and you'll be more likely to get into a good dental school with 3 years of coursework than 2 years + 1 in progress.

... but I'm not the one to answer the rest of your questions.

 

[missdiana]

well, I am not really focusing on good school...
If I go to Dental School, it better has to be Howard or UMD...since my parent's business location and all the other consideration.

and I don't want to take gap year...

so...yeah...no gap year..and I wish I can just finish college in 3 year since I can..(and it saves whole lots of money for sure!)

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

well, I am not really focusing on good school...
If I go to Dental School, it better has to be Howard or UMD...since my parent's business location and all the other consideration.

Are you a URM (African American, Hispanic, Native American)? If not, getting into Howard isn't very likely.

We all have places we want to stay. But it all depends on how much you want to be a dentist. You might be trying for awhile if you only want to go to only one certain school.

 

[missdiana]

I am Asian and i know an Asian man who graduated from Howard dental school. It is not all that unlikely to get in to Howard....
And also don't judge me so quickly base on my preference on school. I really want to be a dentist and i know it is my way now. I wouldnt mind going away but i have reasons to stay around DC. I am not crazy about UMD because of school but because of location. Because of my personal problem, i need to go either Howard or UMD. That doesn't mean I dont have passion to be a dentist.

 

[DoeAdeer]

I am Asian and i know an Asian man who graduated from Howard dental school. It is not all that unlikely to get in to Howard....
And also don't judge me so quickly base on my preference on school. I really want to be a dentist and i know it is my way now. I wouldnt mind going away but i have reasons to stay around DC. I am not crazy about UMD because of school but because of location. Because of my personal problem, i need to go either Howard or UMD. That doesn't mean I dont have passion to be a dentist.

First of all,

Having said that, take the DAT whenever you feel ready. Most people take it after their 3rd year of college, so in your case it'd be right after your Spring 2013 semester. But if you feel ready by the end of this summer, go for it! Lastly, think about the professors you're going to get letters of recommendation from either in January or February and have them ready by the end of May.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I am Asian and i know an Asian man who graduated from Howard dental school. It is not all that unlikely to get in to Howard....
.

Howard took 6 Asian females last year out of 442 female Asian applicants and 4 out of 441 Asian males. If you want to roll the dice, go ahead. I'm just telling you what I know.

And also don't judge me so quickly base on my preference on school. I really want to be a dentist and i know it is my way now. I wouldnt mind going away but i have reasons to stay around DC. I am not crazy about UMD because of school but because of location. Because of my personal problem, i need to go either Howard or UMD. That doesn't mean I dont have passion to be a dentist.

It's hard to get into a specific school that you want unless you have some awesome connection or your application is flawless. Everything else is kind of a risk and a gamble. That's why almost everyone who applies to dental school goes for 10+ schools just to be safe. If you have have no problem potentially applying multiple times to get into the place you want, then go for it. Just making you aware of the risks.

And FYI, the schools invite you to interview with them after you apply. You don't have any control over that.

 

[ddsnothingless]

^clutch meme.