Really Late Application, Please Give Advice Please

[nate222]

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice. I'm a senior and I've decided i'm going to apply to dental school. I'm a biology major, with only a few classes left to graduate. I've taken most of the pre-reqs for dental school. I'd only need to take 2 next semester to finish them up.

I'm from Indiana and would like to attend IUSD for obvious reasons (close to home, in-state tuition). My GPA is 3.65 and science around 3.5, which are on par with the averages listed on IUSD's website for their acceptances. I haven't started studying for the DAT yet, but the only difficult course I have this semester is biochem, so I could dedicate some time to it. Do you think I have a chance at the 2009 cycle if I took the DAT in December? I could probably have my LORs in around that time as well. I've had some exposure to the medical field because I originally thought that is what I wanted to do, but I shadowed a dentist last week and really enjoyed it. I could probably be able to get some shadowing done on the weekends maybe? I know IUSD favors heavily on in-state residents, and I have at or above average stats. I'm not sure if it would be a waste to start now, or maybe I should just wait until the spring and take my time then apply for the 2010 cycle. I could probably do the accelerated one year post-bac program at the IUPUI campus where IUSD is located. Any thoughts are appreciated. PLEASE HELP!

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[water88]

Definitely wait, December is too late.

Hey, that rhymes.

 

[doc toothache]

I'm a biology major, with only a few classes left to graduate. I've taken most of the pre-reqs for dental school. I'd only need to take 2 next semester to finish them up.

I'm from Indiana and would like to attend IUSD for obvious reasons (close to home, in-state tuition). My GPA is 3.65 and science around 3.5, which are on par with the averages listed on IUSD's website for their acceptances. I could probably do the accelerated one year post-bac program at the IUPUI campus where IUSD is located. Any thoughts are appreciated. PLEASE HELP!

Of the 44 students accepted at IUSD, 7 were accepted after Dec. 1. (www.predents.com) While the numbers are most certainly not representative of the class since we are not dealing with a random sample it will give you a starting point from which to draw your conclusion. With the gpa you are claiming to have why not consider a M.S. degree rather that a post-bac since you likely to get more mileage from the former.

 

[nate222]

Would it be possible to enter the dental program after one year of the M.S.? I would really rather not wait 2 full years before entering the program. What do you think the admissions committee would think of me getting a job for a year instead of going to school and still applying for the 2010 cycle?

 

[supraman]

just study one month for it and take the DAT

 

[nate222]

What books/methods do you think I should use over the next couple months to study for it? Destroyer? Kaplan?

 

[doc toothache]

Would it be possible to enter the dental program after one year of the M.S.? I would really rather not wait 2 full years before entering the program. What do you think the admissions committee would think of me getting a job for a year instead of going to school and still applying for the 2010 cycle?

DS will be more interested in your stats than what you did during the summer.

 

[supraman]

What books/methods do you think I should use over the next couple months to study for it? Destroyer? Kaplan?

Check the DAT section, especially the predents that score high, they give a break down of what to use for each section. Check especially the recent threads.

Im takin the DAT End of September and I haven't started Gen or Orgo if that makes you feel any better but I study like 8 hours a day. As far as timing, if your committed to it go for it, I called literally 8 schools, each of them telling me my application getting there for October is sufficient timing. Lemme know if you have any further Qs

 

[klpennin]

I would wait to apply for 2010, get some more shadowing under your belt, study hard for the DAT. Especially if you can't get in your application 'til December. I know that for Texas, your application and materials must be in by October! I think you would have a better shot if you waited until next year. Goodluck!