oli84 said:
...1. what kind of extracurricular activites should I be looking for?
2. What should my GPA be for a more prestigious school like UPenn?
3. How do I explain to the admissions committee my switching from premed to predent?
4. How does the DAT compare to the MCAT (which I've already taken)?...
First off, welcome to SDN's Dental Forums. As you already have discovered there are a lot of positives associated with a career in dentistry. There are also headaches and issues, much like any other job, too. With that said I would encourage you to shadow a couple of dentists and get some time in with them. Observe their routine, ask them about school, what drew them to the profession, what they consider the drawbacks/challenges to be, and so forth. This will come in handy not only as a means to clarify certain decisions for yourself but also a way to demonstrate to adcoms that you have 'done' your homework and your decision is based on research and analysis versus an emotional, quick change of heart.
1. Extracurricular activities are not a required element for most dental schools. That's not to suggest that having them is not of value. Schools are interested in not just filling seats for their class but attracting the best candidates that match their mission and philosophy and will contribute to their little community. Past extracurriculars are one way for a school to guage the future performance and interests of a candidate. What interests you? What issues engage you on a personal and professional level? In my opinion the value of extra-curricular activities and other involvements and pursuits outside of the classroom is not so much the actual activity as it is the passion and commitment a candidate can cultivate and which can be later directed in their life as both a student and professional. For example Case likes to see athletes (and varsity falls under the heading of extracurricular activities) apply as they feel the regiment, training, and commitment needed to seriously engage in sports can be easily focused in their lives as dental students. In short, although not required, extracurriculars can give an adcom a window into your interests as a person and through it they might see something that makes you a perfect fit for their program. The sky is the limit.
2. Although the average gpa for matriculating dental students is somewhat lower than their medical counterparts, that should not suggest that dental school is not competitive in this area. Recently, a lot of students from different areas of academia and pre-professional paths have been switching over to dentistry for various reasons. I believe this trend is partly responsible for the increase in average gpa's and thus what an increase in what is considered a competitive gpa. For example, Penn's average matriculating gpa has been climbing for the past few years and I believe that one around 3.5 - 3.6 for both science and overall gpa's would get your foot in Penn's door.
3. Be honest, but also be sincere. If you mention that you switched from pre-med to pre-dental expect to be questioned on the move. I am sure adcoms have heard every answer you could possibly throw at them so make sure that whatever response you give it demonstrates a knowledge about the profession, any realistic expectations you may have, and why a career in dentistry would better enable you to reach your personal and professional goals. (This is where shadowing and extracurriculars can help you out).
4. The DAT is a four and a half hour long computerized exam. Unlike the MCAT, which can only be taken on select days during the year, the DAT can be scheduled virtually any day of the year. The major sections of the test are biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, the dreaded Perceptual Ability Test (which many people discover is harder than what they expected), reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning. The DAT does not test you over physics, no critical writing is required, and the format differs from the MCAT. I suggest that you go to your local Borders or Barnes and Noble and pick up a copy of Kaplan's blue DAT review book. They have outlined all of the information in the order in which it is presented in the actual DAT, and some sections such as general and organic chemistry contain all of the information you will need to know. If you did well on the MCAT and developed a good study routine then the DAT should be a bit easier for you.
Best of luck in your decision!
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, that is why you're thinking of dentistry. I hope you don't get in, I'm getting tired of premeds using dentistry as a backup,
