Should I hit the ground running...or?

[Pre-Dental'15]

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Alright. So, I just need some advice/ am interested in what sound minds think of my situation.

I just graduated from UNC- Chapel hill with a bachelor in Biology. I transferred there from a community college. My GPA at the community college was 4.0 and at UNC 3.1 (science classes here are a nightmare). I want to apply to Dental school this cycle but I haven't taken the DAT yet and I'm terrified of standardized tests. I also have only shadowed for like 30 hrs (different dentists) and will (maybe) shadow another this summer and ask him for the recommendation letter. I also have to get crafty with getting recommendation letters from my science teachers at UNC because they didn't really know me all that well.

A little background: At UNC I did some research with the medical and dental school and volunteered at the hospital. Did some dental service events here and there but I keep hearing about those applicants with like 100+ shadowing hours and if I apply late in the cycle with the unknown DAT score I'm about to get and the unknown shadowing experience/ LOR I might or might not get, should I even bother apply this cycle? I'm taking a post baccalaureate degree with some pre-reqs next fall. Help!?

 

[predent_mathlete]

It sounds like you're definitely on the right track. Personally I would take a year to increase your shadowing, get a solid LOR from the dentist, and then get some letters from your post bach too. Then you'll also have more time to study for the DAT so you don't stress yourself out so much. If you think you can cram that into the next couple months, then this cycle would work too. It's up to you!

 

[DrowningInWork]

Nothing to add here, but yayyyy UNC buddy!