Hey everyone,
I hope you're all doing well. I have some concerns about my chances of getting into dental school and would appreciate your insights and advice. Here's my situation:
I currently have a 3.0 GPA, which I know is not particularly competitive for dental school admissions. However, I'm planning to take the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and apply to dental schools, submitting my application in late August. I have also accumulated over 100 hours of shadowing experience in multiple dental clinics. I also have other extracurriculars to highlight in my resume with good letters of recommendation from professors in my core classes, major (Physiology), and a dentist.
On the other hand, I'm considering another scenario: obtaining an average DAT score and applying in late July, rather than applying later (after the first wave of interviews). I am open to acceptance from any dental school, as my primary goal is to secure admission and begin my dental education. On top of that, I don't mind having to apply to more schools, as many as possible. As finances are not my primary concern as of right now.
My current plan is to apply to grad school regardless, during the winter of this year, for the semester Fall 2024. This is to improve my GPA and increase my chances of getting into dental school. If I do end up going to a 2-year grad school program, then I would be applying in the summer between my first and second year of grad school to move to dental school right after graduating.
Given these circumstances, I have a few questions:
Best regards
I hope you're all doing well. I have some concerns about my chances of getting into dental school and would appreciate your insights and advice. Here's my situation:
I currently have a 3.0 GPA, which I know is not particularly competitive for dental school admissions. However, I'm planning to take the DAT (Dental Admission Test) and apply to dental schools, submitting my application in late August. I have also accumulated over 100 hours of shadowing experience in multiple dental clinics. I also have other extracurriculars to highlight in my resume with good letters of recommendation from professors in my core classes, major (Physiology), and a dentist.
On the other hand, I'm considering another scenario: obtaining an average DAT score and applying in late July, rather than applying later (after the first wave of interviews). I am open to acceptance from any dental school, as my primary goal is to secure admission and begin my dental education. On top of that, I don't mind having to apply to more schools, as many as possible. As finances are not my primary concern as of right now.
My current plan is to apply to grad school regardless, during the winter of this year, for the semester Fall 2024. This is to improve my GPA and increase my chances of getting into dental school. If I do end up going to a 2-year grad school program, then I would be applying in the summer between my first and second year of grad school to move to dental school right after graduating.
Given these circumstances, I have a few questions:
- How much does applying early (late July) with a 3.0 GPA and an average DAT score increase my chances compared to applying with a ~22 DAT score in late August?
- If my chances of getting into dental school with my current stats are not favorable, would it be advisable to pursue graduate school to improve my GPA and then apply for dental school afterward? Or would it be better to apply directly to dental schools and address the GPA issue in my application?
- Should I apply this cycle in the first place with these current circumstances? Or would it be better to wait to apply during grad school with a better GPA?
- Would schools look at my application if I submit it without my DAT score and then sending in my DAT once I take it mid-August?
Best regards
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