Should I apply in Texas this cycle?? Having a lot of anxiety about this..

[artvandelay786]

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[Illfavor]

You are a Texas resident, right? If not, well...you're wasting your time.

Your stats are good, pretty much what they need to be to get in. You will need at least a 20 on the DAT, but I would shoot for a 21+. A 22+ and you'll be in fantastic shape. I think your ECs are pretty weak for nearly 2+ years in school, but playing a sport does take up time and give you something to talk about. Have you been working or anything? When your stats are around the average, you have to be qualified in other ways. Everyone who gets in will have your stats or better, so how can you stand out? Start your PS tomorrow. Stop making Bs, you can still raise the GPA.

I think you have a very good chance, but this state is insanely competitive. I know plenty of folks who got in with similar apps to yours. Just ace the DAT.

 

[artvandelay786]

Isn't my science GPA a bit low though? I've heard that stats matter a great deal more than PS, interview, etc.?

 

[BabyShades]

my overall is lower than yours, and my science is higher. My DAT is just average to get in, but I am still applying this cycle.

 

[Illfavor]

Isn't my science GPA a bit low though? I've heard that stats matter a great deal more than PS, interview, etc.?

Meh. Your science is lower, but not too low. It's slightly below average, but that will not hold you back all that much if you do well on the DAT.

 

[artvandelay786]

You really think so? I feel a bit better. What should I aim for on the DAT to guarantee an interview? Isn't 20-21 average? Also, so basically you wouldn't recommend waiting a year and trying to add more ECs and boost my GPA?

 

[Illfavor]

You really think so? I feel a bit better. What should I aim for on the DAT to guarantee an interview? Isn't 20-21 average? Also, so basically you wouldn't recommend waiting a year and trying to add more ECs and boost my GPA?

No way. Apply this year. Nothing is guaranteed, but a 21 would put you in great shape. With that and more shadowing I'd be surprised if you didn't get at least a few interviews. You have to remember these are averages for ACCEPTED applicants. Check out the DAT forum and read my breakdown in my sig for tips.

 

[BabyShades]

No way. Apply this year. Nothing is guaranteed, but a 21 would put you in great shape. With that and more shadowing I'd be surprised if you didn't get at least a few interviews. You have to remember these are averages for ACCEPTED applicants. Check out the DAT forum and read my breakdown in my sig for tips.

I agree, remember a lot of people are going have a GPA less than 3.6 and above a 3.6.

I would also apply if I were you.

 

[artvandelay786]

Thanks. Do you think I can only apply to the three in Texas or will I need to apply OOS as well (NYU, Roseman, BU, etc.)? I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to stay in Texas seeing as it is cheaper but I don't know if my chances are good enough for me to only apply in Texas.

 

[Illfavor]

Thanks. Do you think I can only apply to the three in Texas or will I need to apply OOS as well (NYU, Roseman, BU, etc.)? I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to stay in Texas seeing as it is cheaper but I don't know if my chances are good enough for me to only apply in Texas.

I was probably as close to a "sure thing" as it gets in this process, and no one recommended I only apply in-state.

 

[b-rad12]

Stats:

oGPA: 3.73
sGPA: 3.45
DAT: averaging 21-23
ECs: 50 hours shadowing, have played sport (not division 1), 50 hours volunteering, officer in one club for two years
LORs: 1 excellent, 1 OK, dentist - great letter
PS: Haven't started but have always been a good writer

I want to only apply to Texas schools (resident). Will I even have a shot at any of these schools? I don't know if I should take a year off or what. I looked up the average GPAs for the Texas dental schools and they all are 3.65+ and I don't have anywhere close to that. I'm confident I can do well on the DAT if I work on it this summer?

What do I do??

If you can score a 21-23 on the dat and get your application in early summer I would be very surprised if you didn't get in based on what you said. My stats were a 19 dat with 3.8 science and was accepted to Baylor and ut Houston. I did have more shadowing and volunteer hours however so I would recommend improving there. Also LORs are important in my opinion and were talked about during the interview, but it sounds like you have those worked out.

Best of luck! I do not envy you, that application cycle was a very stressful time.

 

[BabyShades]

If you can score a 21-23 on the dat and get your application in early summer I would be very surprised if you didn't get in based on what you said. My stats were a 19 dat with 3.8 science and was accepted to Baylor and ut Houston. I did have more shadowing and volunteer hours however so I would recommend improving there. Also LORs are important in my opinion and were talked about during the interview, but it sounds like you have those worked out.

Best of luck! I do not envy you, that application cycle was a very stressful time.

Nice! Who did you get your letter of recs from? Also, how many hours of volunteer and shadowing did you have?

 

[b-rad12]

Nice! Who did you get your letter of recs from? Also, how many hours of volunteer and shadowing did you have?

One from an endodontist, one from past professor and one from a lady who I've worked for. All of them I knew extremely well so I would recommend getting to know these people so you know they will write you a good letter.

I had just over 100 shadowing hours and like 130 volunteer hours.

 

[BabyShades]

One from an endodontist, one from past professor and one from a lady who I've worked for. All of them I knew extremely well so I would recommend getting to know these people so you know they will write you a good letter.

I had just over 100 shadowing hours and like 130 volunteer hours.

I need an advice, so I am debating if I should ask my volunteer coordinator for The Salvation Army, where I kept contact with so I can build my organization here at the university. I only know the person since January, or should I choose a professor that barely knows me?

I know my letter of recs would not be that great, but I know my volunteer hours and leadership positions are. So I am hoping that I can get in too.

 

[b-rad12]

I would recomend at least one professor. If you know that guy or girl well enough and you're confident they will write you a letter go with that. But you definitely need at least one professor or someone in academia who can vouch for you.

 

[BabyShades]

Yeah, that's what I am planning to do if I get it from the volunteer coordinator. I can get two professors and a dentist, or one professor, one volunteer coordinator, and a dentist.

 

[artvandelay786]

Dang, that makes me feel so much better. It would save me an entire year if I could get in this cycle. I pretty much just want to stay in TX because to minimize debt. Gotta crack open my DAT destroyer!

 

[SmileDesignersDDS]

I think your stats are fine for Texas if you are a Texas resident. Your stats are also great for other schools as well