Pre-Dental Chances of being admitted?

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SXCoronado

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SXCoronado said:
Hi everyone,

I'm about to begin my second year at The University of Texas at Austin, and would appreciate opinions on where I stand as far as gaining admission to dental school.

There are three dental schools in Texas that I will apply to, but I also plan to apply to three or four out of state schools (and to be honest, I don't know which ones are the best, I would appreciate guidance here).

I am majoring in Neurobiology (BS) and this allows me to complete pre dental requirements while getting my required classes anyway. I have a 3.65 GPA, but it will rise over the next year or two because all I have to take are science courses, and I do the best in those (my B in calculus brought it down this first year).

I participated in research Spring 2013, upwards of 10 hours a week using programs like PyMol and GOLD for virtual drug screening research. I learned a lot about wet lab versus computer lab for drug discovery and target research. I enjoyed it and can get a good letter of recommendation from my research educator as well (should I ask for it now and hold on to it on my computer?)

I have shadowed a podiatrist and had one on one question and answers, and he promised me a wonderful letter of recommendation should I ask for it.

I also worked at an animal hospital this summer (all healthcare fields interest me, if that isn't obvious yet).

This fall I am joining Texas Pre Dental Society at UT, and will begin shadowing and volunteering specifically for dentists this fall and next spring. How often should I volunteer versus shadowing? I want to shadow a certain dentist for so long that I can get a letter of recommendation (needed for dental school applications where I am looking at).

Also, I can graduate 1 semester early from UT with my BS in neurobio and have finished dental school prereqs. Should I? Financially, it is wise since I have to take loans, however, I am not sure if they would look down on that.

I have dexterity, and draw with pencils regularly. I am a bit of an artist with aesthetics. I am not sure if that will even affect dental school admissions, but it's worth mentioning since I am unsure.

Sorry for such a long winded post, but I would like to make sure all factors are taken into account. What seems to be a general outlook for me and dental schools? Will I need to really beef up the shadowing and volunteering this year?

Thanks in advance everyone. It means the world to me!
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Come back when you have your DAT scores and when you have submitted your application.
 
SXCoronado said:
Hi everyone,

I'm about to begin my second year at The University of Texas at Austin, and would appreciate opinions on where I stand as far as gaining admission to dental school. :horns:

There are three dental schools in Texas that I will apply to, but I also plan to apply to three or four out of state schools (and to be honest, I don't know which ones are the best, I would appreciate guidance here). PM me when the proper time comes. BTW, we currently have ex at Harvard. Dreams do come true.

I am majoring in Neurobiology (BS) and this allows me to complete pre dental requirements while getting my required classes anyway. I have a 3.65 GPA, but it will rise over the next year or two because all I have to take are science courses, and I do the best in those (my B in calculus brought it down this first year). Make sure you earnestly ace those science courses.:thumbup: Temperance comes a long way when participating in those extra-extracurricular. You don't want to turn that 3.5 year plan into a 5+. Teach others as a means of learning, the DAT will be laughable if you follow this.;) Make sure you are passionate in research.

I participated in research Spring 2013, upwards of 10 hours a week using programs like PyMol and GOLD for virtual drug screening research. I learned a lot about wet lab versus computer lab for drug discovery and target research. I enjoyed it and can get a good letter of recommendation from my research educator as well (should I ask for it now and hold on to it on my computer?)In lecture, sit at the front and suck up. Attend office hours and continue sucking up. Starting NOW. Trust me, you won't later regret it for a second.:)

I have shadowed a podiatrist and had one on one question and answers, and he promised me a wonderful letter of recommendation should I ask for it. If you don't plan to go into podiatry. Still get the letter though. You'll have a, hopefully, unique template if you ever have to run into that situation.:rolleyes:

I also worked at an animal hospital this summer (all healthcare fields interest me, if that isn't obvious yet). Continue, it'll give you something unique to write and speak about.

This fall I am joining Texas Pre Dental Society at UT, and will begin shadowing and volunteering specifically for dentists this fall and next spring. How often should I volunteer versus shadowing? I want to shadow a certain dentist for so long that I can get a letter of recommendation (needed for dental school applications where I am looking at). Find a single-general dentist (not in the dating sense, mind you) where you can shadow no less than 100 hours. The BCD seminar suggests this.

Also, I can graduate 1 semester early from UT with my BS in neurobio and have finished dental school prereqs. Should I? Financially, it is wise since I have to take loans, however, I am not sure if they would look down on that. Are you nutz, that's an extra semester of extra-extracurricular you're throwing away!:mad:

I have dexterity, and draw with pencils regularly. I am a bit of an artist with aesthetics. I am not sure if that will even affect dental school admissions, but it's worth mentioning since I am unsure. Excellent, continue! You'll have something down for the manual dexterity section during application to ds.

Sorry for such a long winded post, but I would like to make sure all factors are taken into account. What seems to be a general outlook for me and dental schools? above Will I need to really beef up the shadowing and volunteering this year? Yes. No problem. Good Luck! BTW, don't apply just ISS or else you'll might end up like me and many others.

Thanks in advance everyone. It means the world to me!
Click to expand...
:horns:
 
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SXCoronado said:
I have shadowed a podiatrist and had one on one question and answers, and he promised me a wonderful letter of recommendation should I ask for it.

I also worked at an animal hospital this summer (all healthcare fields interest me, if that isn't obvious yet).

This fall I am joining Texas Pre Dental Society at UT, and will begin shadowing and volunteering specifically for dentists this fall and next spring. How often should I volunteer versus shadowing? I want to shadow a certain dentist for so long that I can get a letter of recommendation (needed for dental school applications where I am looking at).

Also, I can graduate 1 semester early from UT with my BS in neurobio and have finished dental school prereqs. Should I? Financially, it is wise since I have to take loans, however, I am not sure if they would look down on that.
Click to expand...

According to their websites and the 2013 ADEA guide, a good amount of schools have shadowing hour requirements. And even if they don't, most applicants will have 100+ hours, so you'll definitely want to shadow enough to be competitive in that department. As for volunteering, I don't think it necessarily needs to be dental related, though it can be of course. Just make sure you do volunteer (ideally long-term) for a cause you care about. Otherwise, you might have a hard time in interviews discussing the experience with sincerity.

As for the LORs, I believe there is a low limit and people usually end up submitting one from a dentist and a composite letter, given their school offers it. Thus, I wouldn't ask for a LOR from a podiatrist and would instead focus on getting a great LOR from the dentist you shadow/volunteer with.

Finally, I don't think they would "look down on you" at all for graduating early! Just make sure you can fit in all your prereqs and several upper-level science courses to be competitive and to prepare for dental school. Most importantly, do not rush to graduate at the detriment of your GPA, especially your sGPA/BCP. Trust me, it'll end up costing you more time and money with post-bac/Master's program in the end. If you CAN graduate early and do exceptionally well, I'd think it would speak to your time management skills. I would, however, be sure to continue volunteering and shadowing dentists in your free semester. Hope this helps!
 
SXCoronado said:
Thank you as well, I think I will aim for 100 hours of shadowing general dentistry practice, and if possible I would get it to be with one dentist so I could get a really great letter of recommendation. And that's a great point about volunteering in the long term, very good thing to keep in mind.

I'll begin shadowing this semester and try to find a volunteer opportunity that can be long term and possibly dental or healthcare related. And thank you so much for your input, Mufasha, I am leaning towards graduating early at the moment, but I could graduate one time with my peers if I took a few more electives (GPA padding, as they are mostly liberal arts subjects).

I appreciate it and I added you!
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Take some philosophy courses, they're a treat.:)
 
I go to UT Austin as well! I am applying this cycle though. In my opinion, the most important thing you should focus on is your GPA. Then you can start filling your free hours with volunteering and shadowing. When you start to take some of the upper division science it gets much tougher. (Personal experiences with some professors at UT)
 
SXCoronado said:
Thank you as well, I think I will aim for 100 hours of shadowing general dentistry practice, and if possible I would get it to be with one dentist so I could get a really great letter of recommendation. And that's a great point about volunteering in the long term, very good thing to keep in mind.

I'll begin shadowing this semester and try to find a volunteer opportunity that can be long term and possibly dental or healthcare related. And thank you so much for your input, Mufasha, I am leaning towards graduating early at the moment, but I could graduate on time with my peers if I took a few more electives (GPA padding, as they are mostly liberal arts subjects).

I appreciate it and I added you!
Click to expand...

100 hours is a decent goal, but try to spread it out a little. Not only will u overstay your welcome if you do it all at one place, but doing so will limit your perspective. It's good to see general/specialist practices as well as Medicaid mills vs. FFS practices.

Other than that, you are checking all the boxes that need checking. Sounds like you are on your way.
 
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Starzn91 said:
Hi,
I am a recent graduate. I earned a BS, in cell and molecular biology. And my GPA is 3.31. I took the DAT for the first time, without studying at all, and not surprisingly did, poorly. I was wondering when I should take it again, what I should do in the meantime to make myself a better candidate for dental school. If I take it in November again, I will apply in June next year...that means I'll be 2 years behind, right?
I was thinking about taking a few upper division biology course at the local community college in my year off, is that a good idea? Please help me with what I can do in this year off, and when I should apply.
I'll appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
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I suggest to start your own thread and not hijack this persons.
 
SXCoronado said:
Thank you for your advice. That makes sense. Perhaps I should break it down into smaller components.

Should I ask for a LOR from every dentist just to amass them and save them for dental applications?
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That's up to you. Personally, I would just choose one dentist. The one that you get to know best or at least will write the best letter. I don't think it would be fair to have them each write one if you don't intend to use them all. They are already doing you a favor by letting you shadow at their office.
 
SXCoronado said:
This might be a dumb question, but, humor me, do I ask for the letter as soon as I'm done shadowing as much as I will with said dentist, or do I wait until I start applications? Also, do I ask for an electronic letter, or physical document? Does the dentist have to sign it? (So many questions about this process, I appreciate your help very much).
Click to expand...

I think, so long as you have a good personality, pay attention, ask good questions, etc., the dentist will usually offer to write a letter of recommendation. You want an electronic letter. You'll probably want them to write it during/after you're done shadowing, but ask them if they'll hold on to it until you do your AADSAS.

Once you start AADSAS, input the dentist's email address into the LoE (letter of evaluation) spot and it will send them an email. They have to send it in. There is no signature needed. You don't want a physical document, unless you want to send it in to AADSAS via snail mail... takes awhile.
 
I'm an entering sophomore too at UT, and just recently declared pre-dent..

your stats are putting me to shame :oops:, but they do look great. Wish you the best
 
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