Should I bother applying to Harvard?

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My GPA isn't great (3.65 overall, 3.55+ science). I haven't taken my DAT yet so I know it's a HUGE part of the application.

I went on a humanitarian mission to Kenya last summer and it really got me interested in international dentistry - something like Doctors without Borders but for dentists. I was thinking that schools like Harvard, UPenn, Columbia while not known for great clinical training, would be a good choice for someone like me. Am I wrong about this? Also, is there a point in applying to Harvard?

Thanks for your input 🙂

 

[marshall]

My GPA isn't great (3.65 overall, 3.55+ science). I haven't taken my DAT yet so I know it's a HUGE part of the application.

I went on a humanitarian mission to Kenya last summer and it really got me interested in international dentistry - something like Doctors without Borders but for dentists. I was thinking that schools like Harvard, UPenn, Columbia while not known for great clinical training, would be a good choice for someone like me. Am I wrong about this? Also, is there a point in applying to Harvard?

Thanks for your input 🙂

Sure, go ahead. It's only one more check box really and $150. They don't have a secondary until you get invited for an interview so it won't be any additional time. They like research so I hope you did or are going to do some.

 

[Rezdawg]

My GPA isn't great (3.65 overall, 3.55+ science). I haven't taken my DAT yet so I know it's a HUGE part of the application.

I went on a humanitarian mission to Kenya last summer and it really got me interested in international dentistry - something like Doctors without Borders but for dentists. I was thinking that schools like Harvard, UPenn, Columbia while not known for great clinical training, would be a good choice for someone like me. Am I wrong about this? Also, is there a point in applying to Harvard?

Thanks for your input 🙂

If you want to do GP, dont go there. If you want to specialize or do research, apply for sure.

 

[Mithridates]

Also, is there a point in applying to Harvard?

Yes, you should definitely apply to Harvard if you think you might want to go there! Your GPAs are a little below the average, but they're still very good. Just do very well on the DAT (AA 22+) and you'll be a good contender. But keep in mind that it's a lot more than just your numbers. Your Kenya thing sounds good, but you should have other extracurrics, leadership, employment, volunteering, research, etc.

As for international dentistry; I'm not really sure what that means. But I do know that there are harvard dental school faculty that do international dental research. Also, there's an infinite resource of people not associated w the dental school that do international stuff. And believe me, a number are extremely receptive to involvement by any harvard student. Also, I believe that if you are accepted at HSDM, there's an extremely good chance that you would be accepted to the MPH program if you're interested in it enough.

But overall, there's probably a bunch of other schools with international dental opportunities. Not sure which ones though. However, I believe a degree from harvard would open a lot of doors for such activities. Especially if you want to participate in an administrative/leadership capacity.

Even if you want to be a GP, apply to harvard. Harvard's clinical rep. gets a bashing on SDN, and I don't think it's deserved. Harvard trains excellent general practicioners. And even if you did feel the need to do a GPR, what's so terrible about that?! People talk on this forum like doing a GPR is some sort of failure, when it really isn't. 🙂

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Also, I believe that if you are accepted at HSDM, there's an extremely good chance that you would be accepted to the MPH program if you're interested in it enough.

Does harvard have a DMD/MPH??? because I thought Harvard's MPH is only for people who already have doctorate degrees.

 

[Mithridates]

Does harvard have a DMD/MPH??? because I thought Harvard's MPH is only for people who already have doctorate degrees.

There isn't a specific joint degree program. Harvard's class is only 35 and I guess it just doesn't come up that often.

For Harvard medical students - i know they apply in first year, and then take a year off after 2nd year to do the MBA, MPH, or I even know someone doing a degree at the Kennedy School of Government. I could be wrong, but generally, what applies to the medical school applies to the dental school. It's just not as well established, and might take a little more leg work. I hear that your chances of getting into the MPH program are favorable if you're applying in this situation. Take my info with a big grain of salt.. i haven't pursued any of these programs. I'll ask around to get more info and post later.

 

[ianwright]

My GPA isn't great (3.65 overall, 3.55+ science). I haven't taken my DAT yet so I know it's a HUGE part of the application.

I went on a humanitarian mission to Kenya last summer and it really got me interested in international dentistry - something like Doctors without Borders but for dentists. I was thinking that schools like Harvard, UPenn, Columbia while not known for great clinical training, would be a good choice for someone like me. Am I wrong about this? Also, is there a point in applying to Harvard?

Thanks for your input 🙂

Whats up with you not thinking your GPA is great? You GPA is Perfect!!!

 

[Audio]

Whats up with you not thinking your GPA is great? You GPA is Perfect!!!

Thanks 🙂 But it's Harvard we're talking about 😀

 

[ianwright]

Thanks 🙂 But it's Harvard we're talking about 😀

i see - but you are no doubt in a great situation!

 

[mvs04]

Thanks 🙂 But it's Harvard we're talking about 😀

they're not necessarily harder to get in, just has one of the smallest class sizes.... just have to know whether their program is a good fit for your goals or not. Generally, if you want to be a GP and see patients first... you don't really want to go there.

 

[wammmy]

Short answer
No.

Long answer
maybe you should take the DAT first and then you'll know where you stand.

 

[docshep]

your grades are fine. people with grades lower than yours get in every year. harvard looks for diverse, dynamic individuals who happen to be pretty smart. if you do great on the DAT, apply. you sound like the type of individual who may really thrive in the harvard atmosphere. they love people who are public health/service oriented.

that said, i LOVE harvard. i can't imagine being anywhere else. don't listen to advice about harvard from people who go someplace else. the program has changed a lot over the last 10 years and most people have no clue what it's like now. it's heaven. really.

 

[docshep]

concerning the mph:

harvard students are at liberty to take a year off for research or to pursue joint degrees pretty much whenever they want. most take a year off after the second year to pursue the mph. there's a guy finishing his right now.

 

[EyeAmCommi]

Are Harvard dental students generally taken from Ivy undergraduate institutions? Is there a large proportion of students who do come from Ivy undergrads?

I go to a UC, would that hinder my chances of getting into Harvard in terms of perceived privilege of my undergrad institution?

 

[Rezdawg]

don't listen to advice about harvard from people who go someplace else.

How clinically competent do you feel you will be when you graduate? Will you be completely comfortable coming out of school and working as a GP?

 

[ItsGavinC]

To the OP: sure, why not? You never know what will happen if you apply, but you do know that if you don't apply you won't be attending there. In the scheme of things the money you spend on applications will be pennies compared to your dental education. You might as well go for it!

 

[Mithridates]

I go to a UC, would that hinder my chances of getting into Harvard in terms of perceived privilege of my undergrad institution?

Oh lord, absolutely not. There are students from Ivy League schools, but there's a lot from state schools - some of which USNews rankings would call "third tier" whatever that means. Some students came from schools I had never heard of like San Diego State. Myself, I didn't go to a prestigious school. When thinking of applying anywhere, don't be inhibited by what you think a school might want. They look at the individual first. Gavin's advice sums everything up.

 

[IWuvTeef]

From Harvard's website:

What is the average GPA and DAT of students who are accepted?

The average GPA for the class that entered in the fall of 2002 was 3.7. It is recommended that applicants have a GPA of at least 3.0. The average DAT scores for the fall 2002 entering class were 22.2 Academic Average and 22 Total Science average.

However, higher grades are not a guarantee of admission and lower grades do not necessarily mean rejection. Some applicants with a 4.0 GPA may not be admitted, while students who have more modest grades may be admitted. HSDM considers many factors when making admissions decisions.

 

[docshep]

Are Harvard dental students generally taken from Ivy undergraduate institutions? Is there a large proportion of students who do come from Ivy undergrads?

I go to a UC, would that hinder my chances of getting into Harvard in terms of perceived privilege of my undergrad institution?

if you were applying to harvard med school, yes, it would hinder your chances. almost 75% of the med class comes from harvard, yale, princeton, or stanford. few come from state schools. but those would be your med school classmates.

the dental school, on the other hand, strives to find a really diverse student body. yes we have a couple harvard, mit, yale, columbia grads, but most of the class comes from state schools - like mithridates said. doesn't matter where you went. that said, a lot of the students that went to no-namer schools graduated suma or magna cum laude.

 

[docshep]

How clinically competent do you feel you will be when you graduate? Will you be completely comfortable coming out of school and working as a GP?

i can't speak for myself b/c i'm not in clinic yet. but the upperclassmen seem to feel very confident in their skills. the school opened a faculty clinic 10 years ago and it has really changed the clinical side of harvard's dental education. most harvard students specialize, though. 34 out of the 35 seniors this year are specializing. that's one major reason why we come to harvard - excellent likelihood of getting into the specialty program of your choice (not to mention a great education, resources to many of the top medical professionals in the country, classes taught by nobel prize laureates, super easy schedule, pass-fail system, living in one of the nation's coolest cities, and - oh yes - that prestigious HARVARD diploma to hang in your office).

if you're certain you want to be a gp, though, then i'd consider somewhere else (like pacific) that really tailors to producing great gps.