PreDents.com: Critical Fields -- input needed

[PDizzle]

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Hello all,

I've been doing some thinking and after recieving many flags for people with missing data I have decided to install a minimum criteria of fields in order for a record to even show up on my website. I feel this is the best way to get people to enter the much needed info and to remove the accounts that do not add to the website. I have made a preliminary list of what the bare minimum should be. Please discuss because this will go into effect in a month or two, before the cycle heats up.

1) GPA
2) sGPA
3) AA, TS and PAT of the DAT (Or a future test date before Dec of that cycle year)
4) State residence
5) AADSAS submit date

I feel without this core data, the record in question isn't adding much to the site so its loss will not be felt. Remember, the record simply isn't displayed, not deleted. Once all critical fields are entered it will show up.

What do you think?


Your web slave....

Dizzster

 

[dentstd]

Hello all,

I've been doing some thinking and after recieving many flags for people with missing data I have decided to install a minimum criteria of fields in order for a record to even show up on my website. I feel this is the best way to get people to enter the much needed info and to remove the accounts that do not add to the website. I have made a preliminary list of what the bare minimum should be. Please discuss because this will go into effect in a month or two, before the cycle heats up.

1) GPA
2) sGPA
3) AA, TS and PAT of the DAT (Or a future test date before Dec of that cycle year)
4) State residence
5) AADSAS submit date

I feel without this core data, the record in question isn't adding much to the site so its loss will not be felt. Remember, the record simply isn't displayed, not deleted. Once all critical fields are entered it will show up.

What do you think?


Your web slave....

Dizzster

If people don't want to disclose certain information, but you make them, what they'll disclose are lies. Given a choice between missing information and false information, I'd rather have missing information. Otherwise, I'd be question all available information.

 

[msamiraj]

I think its a great idea to have minimum requirements on predents 🙂However, because so many applicants have similar TS and AA scores perhaps we should be required to list our detailed scores also. After all adcoms don't just use at these averages in determining advancement so why should we withhold this information from each other. I find the detailed information more useful than just the averages but that's just me 😳

 

[DoctaWalnuts]

I think that if it is taking up valuable space then you should do it. But if it's not really messing with the site, then why bother?

 

[Tsrshorty]

I reaallllly want to be able to search for others that go to my same undergrad.

 

[vlct0ria]

I reaallllly want to be able to search for others that go to my same undergrad.

I would like that too...but I understand its a little unrealistic and stalker-ish...I mean c'mon, there are only so many people in the pre-dental clubs, and with other extracurricular info we could easily figure out who's who on predents. I guess its a privacy issue.

 

[enfuego]

I might be alone in this, but I think the EC field is the most interesting. We all know what the average GPA and DAT scores are, but ECs can help you stand out. It's interesting to see what other people have done and get a feel for what their EC involvement was. Even if it's just something vague, it's better than a blank space.

 

[adizzle87]

I think Undergrad institution should be mandatory. For example a 3.7 from Calstate Fullerton isn't the same as a 3.7 from UCLA. Having this field mandatory will help students gauge how important undergrad instutition is or isn't and if it is an apparent selection factor for ADCOMs. Besides, ADCOMs can see what other schools you have applied to, no need to hide information or other information.

 

[doc toothache]

I think Undergrad institution should be mandatory. For example a 3.7 from Calstate Fullerton isn't the same as a 3.7 from UCLA. Having this field mandatory will help students gauge how important undergrad instutition is or isn't and if it is an apparent selection factor for ADCOMs. Besides, ADCOMs can see what other schools you have applied to, no need to hide information or other information.

While the undergrad school attended might serve a good purpose, it might infringe a bit on the anonymity and could make the individual less likely to be forthright.

 

[Locutus of Borg]

Firstly, I like to express my sincere appreciation for your having taken the time to create this uniquely usefull datatbase. It already is an excellent and well-designed system. But it could also benefit from improvements.
If I may propose eight additions to Predents.com:

1. Distinguish between Canadian citizens and people whose citizenship/permentant residence are outside of North America. Right now, predents.com indicates "international" for both.

2. Indication of whether the applicant is applying to the regular, 4-year (except at UoP) DMD/DDS program or the advanced placement 3 year/2 year program for internationally trained dentists.

3. Indication of which school the applicant is planning to attend, in addition to those schools "interviewed", "accepted" and "withdrawn". Right now, one would have to search through the list of schools to which the applicants have been accepted in to see if he/she is on the "Attending" list of a particular school.

4. "Post-bacc" GPA section broken down into three categories: that of a post-bacc Program (usually two years, designed to get people already with an undergrad to fulfill all pre-reqs and relevant extracirriculars for appplying to med/dent school), that of a 2nd undergraduate degree, and that of grad school (Masters and/or PhD) program (s).

5. A GPA for BCP (biology, chemistry, and physics).

6. Each of overall, science, and BCP GPAs broken down to without +/- and with +/-, just like on AADSAS's grade verification report.

7. An indication (e.g. yes/no) of whether the GPAs are AADSAS verified. This should be a part of the periodic reminder (see below), as many people file out their profile on Predents.com before submitting their grades to AADSAS.

8. An automated e-mail reminder sent to each applicant with a profile on predents on a periodic based (eg. once a month) to solicit his/her to update profile for any changes. The last reminder would be sent out on September if he/she has indicated that he/she is planning to attend a school. If he/she has not indicated where to attend, the remender to be continued to be sent on a periodic bases.

Thank you very much for considering these additions.

 

[PDizzle]

Thanks a lot for your suggestions as I continually try to make the site better and better. 🙂

Comments in RED

Firstly, I like to express my sincere appreciation for your having taken the time to create this uniquely usefull datatbase. It already is an excellent and well-designed system. But it could also benefit from improvements.
If I may propose eight additions to Predents.com:

1. Distinguish between Canadian citizens and people whose citizenship/permentant residence are outside of North America. Right now, predents.com indicates "international" for both.
Good idea and easy to do.

2. Indication of whether the applicant is applying to the regular, 4-year (except at UoP) DMD/DDS program or the advanced placement 3 year/2 year program for internationally trained dentists.
That's a whole other ballgame. For that I would need to add a NBDE score, how long you have been practicing, when you graduated, from what school. Plus, from my Google Analytics, almost all my hits are from US and Canada

3. Indication of which school the applicant is planning to attend, in addition to those schools "interviewed", "accepted" and "withdrawn". Right now, one would have to search through the list of schools to which the applicants have been accepted in to see if he/she is on the "Attending" list of a particular school.
Two possible problems with this. 1) It's not extremely useful to know where the applicant "wants" to go. 2) Some people want to protect their privacy and do not want others to find out their #1 pick. They might think a school will find out that theirs is not one you plan on attending and not interview you.

4. "Post-bacc" GPA section broken down into three categories: that of a post-bacc Program (usually two years, designed to get people already with an undergrad to fulfill all pre-reqs and relevant extracirriculars for appplying to med/dent school), that of a 2nd undergraduate degree, and that of grad school (Masters and/or PhD) program (s).
I might put in a field where you can add additional degrees you have obtained but prob not a GPA associated with each one. This is to keep it simple, a strong goal of any data entered/driven website.

5. A GPA for BCP (biology, chemistry, and physics).
I could, but I think the AADSAS adjusted GPA is something everyone knows once they complete the app process. Also, it's probably the most important indicator of your ability to successfully complete coursework.

6. Each of overall, science, and BCP GPAs broken down to without +/- and with +/-, just like on AADSAS's grade verification report.
Since this is what AADSAS does, I will most likely put it in. Not sure if I will make both critical fields.


7. An indication (e.g. yes/no) of whether the GPAs are AADSAS verified. This should be a part of the periodic reminder (see below), as many people file out their profile on Predents.com before submitting their grades to AADSAS.
I prob won't put another field, again to keep it simple, but will remind them to use the AADSAS adjusted numbers.

8. An automated e-mail reminder sent to each applicant with a profile on predents on a periodic based (eg. once a month) to solicit his/her to update profile for any changes. The last reminder would be sent out on September if he/she has indicated that he/she is planning to attend a school. If he/she has not indicated where to attend, the remender to be continued to be sent on a periodic bases.
I have plans for something like this. An email will go out if critical fields are missing at certain times in the cycle(less often than 1/month probably). I really wanted to keep the emails down to an absolute minimum but if it will help the integrity of the data it will make my, "to do", list.

Thank you very much for considering these additions.

 

[dds4yrs]

3. Indication of which school the applicant is planning to attend, in addition to those schools "interviewed", "accepted" and "withdrawn". Right now, one would have to search through the list of schools to which the applicants have been accepted in to see if he/she is on the "Attending" list of a particular school.
Two possible problems with this. 1) It's not extremely useful to know where the applicant "wants" to go. 2) Some people want to protect their privacy and do not want others to find out their #1 pick. They might think a school will find out that theirs is not one you plan on attending and not interview you.

I think what he was trying to say here is that once an applicant clicks on that they have been accepted to that school they always show up under the accepted, possibly once they withdraw from the school or decide to attend another they could be segregated into a different group under accepted, kinda like you have those under waitlisted.

But also Locutus of Borg did you notice that on the applicant's profile there is an "attending" up in the right corner? For when they do decide and commit to a school...Instead of having to search through all the schools they applied to!

 

[Locutus of Borg]

dds4yrs,

I didn't notice that "Attending" corner at all. Thanks for telling me. Yeah, that was I was referring in suggestion #3. Sorry for confusion fellas.


PDizzle,

Of course, those are understandably practical considerations. Great job nonetheless. Much appreciated.

 

[mx41]

Could you add a section to the form relating to community college credit?
like it can say
Community College Credit: Yes or No
CC Sci Pre-Reqs: Yes (and # of credit hrs taken) or No
CC other credits: Yes or No

 

[adizzle87]

Could you add a section to the form relating to community college credit?
like it can say
Community College Credit: Yes or No
CC Sci Pre-Reqs: Yes (and # of credit hrs taken) or No
CC other credits: Yes or No

It think that would be helpful as well.

 

[PDizzle]

Could you add a section to the form relating to community college credit?
like it can say
Community College Credit: Yes or No
CC Sci Pre-Reqs: Yes (and # of credit hrs taken) or No
CC other credits: Yes or No

That sounds reasonable and important info. I will have the yes/no on CC credit a searchable criteria but not the amount. The reason is that it could be units, semester hours, quarter credits or any combo of those. The amount will have to be a type in field that you can see when you look at the profile.

Good idea

 

[ChrisM07]

I think that GPA and DAT along with college and major should be mandatory, I mean, at least for me the main reason I visit the site is to see A) what a school/person's GPA is and B) what the DAT score is for that person/school. The other two are extras in which I am also curious.

Also, maybe you could add a feature to your site that allows me to input my DAT and GPA score and have your site spit out the schools in which I meet that requirement (example: if I have a 3.5, it will show schools which have average GPA scores of 3.5 and lower).

Just a suggestion...

Chris

 

[PDizzle]

I think that GPA and DAT along with college and major should be mandatory, I mean, at least for me the main reason I visit the site is to see A) what a school/person's GPA is and B) what the DAT score is for that person/school. The other two are extras in which I am also curious.

Also, maybe you could add a feature to your site that allows me to input my DAT and GPA score and have your site spit out the schools in which I meet that requirement (example: if I have a 3.5, it will show schools which have average GPA scores of 3.5 and lower).

Just a suggestion...

Chris

Great idea and doesn't seem too hard to do. Thanks 🙂

 

[yuppers]

I have an idea for the university attended..... well instead of names for privacy's sake why not use rankings.

Also the ranking goes best to worst: 1-2-3-4-5-0 for anyone who is not firmiliar with this.

 

[adizzle87]

I have an idea for the university attended..... well instead of names for privacy's sake why not use rankings.

I really like!

 

[DrReo]

I have an idea for the university attended..... well instead of names for privacy's sake why not use rankings.

Because UC Davis is ranked better than UCLA

 

[DrReo]

If everyone is claiming UCLA is so "elite" and difficult, why is it only ranked a three on the scale? Does this mean UCLA is a bottom tier school?

 

[yuppers]

Dr. Reo,
Thats a good question about UCLA.... maybe a newer ranking will put them in that 1 or 2.
But 3 is not bottom tier...it is actually average.

Also the ranking goes best to worst: 1-2-3-4-5-0 for anyone who is not firmiliar with this.

Just a word of advice to other pre-dents, dont get frustrated if you see your school is not a 1 or 2.....I see many people on pre-dents get accepted who came from the 3 and 4 range..... (good news for me and I'm sure many others). Just keep that GPA high if you do come from a 3 or 4.

 

[Locutus of Borg]

So, by default Canadian universities are ranked 0.