Smdep 2009

Started by mflinchb
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mflinchb

mflinchb

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Is anyone planning on applying/has applied to the SMDEP program for Summer 2009? Or if you participated in one last year could you tell us a little more about it?

I was going to apply last year but due to family reasons I stayed home,and this year I applied to: Louisville, Case, and Omaha. I was just wondering if anyone who participated in any of these 3 (or any of the Dental SMDEP programs) could share their experiences and perhaps when you applied. I really hope I get in😍 i've been looking forward to it for about a year now.
 
I went to Duke SMDEP. It was so much fun! And everyone there are amazing people. From what I have heard from others, Case is really good too. Goodluck! And enjoy the experience if you get in.
 
I'm going to apply to the Baylor one for next summer. It looks really cool and I need to improve my DAT. I really hope I get in!
 
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I participated in the Columbia program last summer- its was an amazing experience!

Each site structures its' program a little differently than others, but you can look that up at each individual site.

As far as Columbia goes- every Friday we had clinical labs. A Prosthodontist would come in, lecture and show us the various cases they had worked on. Then they would teach us how to do impressions, fillings, crowns, etc. on a set of fake teeth obviously.

We had classes in Bio, Orgo, Physics, and a Histology component. Really helpful, those who have taken the class before find its a good review, those who haven't get a good crash course.

Good Luck! If you have any more questions, let me know.
 
I'm going to apply Columbia, UCLA and U Washington for SMDEP 2009 ! Last year i submitted my application the day b4 the deadline and got rejected of course. I'm writing the second essay now and this is my final week ! 🙁 hopefully we all get into this program and have fun there. 🙂
 
I attended the Columbia SMDEP. That program changed my life. I met some of my best friends there, and made one of the strongest support networks any pre-dental student could ask for. I can't speak for any other program site, but I KNOW Columbia will def be worth it...not to mention that its NYC and one of the nations top ivy league schools for free! Good luck!
 
i went to UCLA for smdep 2006. i would highly recmmend doing SMDEP... its a wonderful and the most amazing experience. and it looks amazing when applying to dental schools.

i hope u get in too...

-masksof2004
 
I got into Duke, Yale, and Louisville. I went to Louisville and I feel like I definitely made the best decision. The faculty are great and because the pre-dents and pre-meds are in the same classes and we tend to do the same hands-on things with a few exceptions, I got to see a little from the dental side and the pre-dents got to see a little from the medical side. Plus Louisville is a fun city.
 
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are these programs only for underclassmen, or can upperclassmen or even graduates get into them?
 
I called them back towards the end of November (I applied on 11/3) and they said that they were not going to enter anybody's information until 12/15 when I called them on Monday they said it would still be a couple days and haven't even sent anyone's information out yet 🙁 They said give it a couple days and check to make sure your status is updated.

Have you checked on there whether everything has been received/approved?
I looked today and only saw my Transcript received and not my LOR. I guess I'll find out. It's my finals week so I am trying to focus more on those haha. \

Good luck! let me know if you hear anything.🙂
 
If you're sure that the recommendation/s should have been received by now, I would give them a call tomorrow and make sure. I sent in my transcript a month ago and my recommendation was sent in a few weeks prior to submitting my application but neither were listed as "received" until I gave them a call this morning.

The representative was very nice and she was able to update the status of my application while I was on the phone with her. Within seconds, she was able to confirm that my transcript was received, as well as my recommendation.
 
My LORs, Transcripts, etc. have been Received/Approved since Dec. 15. How long does it take to receive a decision? I applied to Columbia, Louisville, and Houston, and none of them have made a decision yet. Have any of you found out yet?
 
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My LOR and ONE out of two transcripts have been received/approved as of maybe a couple days ago (less than a week). I have had problems with the transcript from this other school I attended- I go to Purdue, and the other transcript is just a joint school of Purdue near my house.. but whenever I send ANYONE my transcript from this other school, they always just say they get 2 Purdue transcripts and don't count it.. I don't get it, but I will be calling them tomorrow (if they're open, or sometime next week) to tell them. When I called SMDEP back in the middle of Nov. they said they had 2 purdue transcripts and when I said that one was from a joint school of purdue they're just like "oh, ok" and so I thought they'd have it figured out. I'm hoping its just an error with uploading them onto the website because I want to know soon where i'll be spending my summer 🙂 haha. If anyone hears anything let us know! Good luck! 🙂
 
Poly: Would you mind sharing how long it took for you to receive the decision from Columbia and Louisville? Also, did you receive the decision just recently?
 
Well I applied Nov 3. And all my documents were in by Dec 15. Lousville replied 5 days after everything was ready so Dec 20 and Columbia took longer and replied yesterday! I havent heard anything from UCLA.

Good Luck everyone.

P.S- Kentucky & Columbia both told me to make a decision before JAn. 7 so I am sure everyone will find out before then

I hope this was helpful 🙂
 
Thanks Poly. I've actually been waiting on all my sites for a while now. I spoke to one of the representatives at SMDEP about the waiting period and they suggested that I call the sites if I don't receive a decision by the end of the month. That might be helpful to you as well.

Ois: It's not too late to apply. Many people don't apply until January/February. If you do apply, I suggest that you get your recommendations/application/transcript completed as soon as possible.
 
fla01 said:
My LORs, Transcripts, etc. have been Received/Approved since Dec. 15. How long does it take to receive a decision? I applied to Columbia, Louisville, and Houston, and none of them have made a decision yet. Have any of you found out yet?
Click to expand...


I applied to the same exact ones!
I randomly looked at my SMDEP profile at like 3am, lol, and it said I got accepted into the columbia site🙂.
Since Columbia was my first choice, I discussed it with my parents and read all the information on columbia, louisville, and houston's program I decided to accept columbia's offer.

I'm hoping to hear more information from them by next week seeing as that they have never contacted me.
 
wow....its amazing that all you guys have already been accepted to columbia.......well I applied to uva, duke and houston of which I am accpeted to uva....however i haven;t heard anything from duke or houston!!😕

is there anyone who has heard from duke....i am kinda confused because i heard that you have to make a decsision within 5 days of acceptance....well the decision for uva was made on 29th, but i am really looking forward for the other two also.,..

any input will be greatly appreciated.....congrats to u all once again....I FEEL SO BAD FOR NOT APPLYING TO COLUMBIA>.....its one of my dream schools....and well....i missed one chance of actually experiencing "columbia"🙁
 
Does anyone know which SMDEPs accept those that may have graduated already from an undergraduate school but are getting back into the dental field (nontraditional student if you will)?

Thank you!
 
I don't believe that any sites will accept students who have already graduated. They specifically state that you must be a freshman or sophomore student in undergrad. You can always e-mail/call and ask.
 
I finally got everything sorted out yesterday over the phone, the people were very nice and helpful. That being said, my stuff was just sent out yesterday and they said I should know by the 15th. They also said that they're having a problem with some schools not getting back to people within their deadlines so they're starting to push the schools to decide. Either way I'm really hoping for a response from any of them. They are all great schools and will be an amazing experience no matter where you go I feel.

Random question. I noticed on Omaha's website they have a white coat ceremony, does anyone know if other schools do this? I think that would be really cool and strange as it sounds a really big motivator to do well after this program, just having it there to remind you constantly what you're working for. I don't know maybe its just me!

Good luck to everyone and congrats to those who have already been accepted! Keep us posted on where you decide to go!
 
Just thought I'd update you guys, I received my acceptance to Louisville today via email! I'm still waiting on case and omaha but Louisville is my top pick so I think i'll probably confirm by sunday. Any other news from anyone else?
 
Congrats mflinchb!
How long did it take you to receive your decision?

My application has been finished since late December and I've yet to receive an acceptance or a rejection.
 
Well When I talked to them on the 1st they said my 10 business days (since the 1st was a holiday for most places) would end on Jan. 15. so everything was sent out to the schools from their system on the 1st and I found out today so 8 days but about 5 or 6 business days. Have you talked to them to make sure everything of yours is in?
 
To MiamiDent-

In my group last summer, there was a 24 yr old married guy. I think he was taking classes in a univ. though.
Call and make sure like the previous poster said, there were a lot of "nontraditional" students at the Columbia program.
 
Update: Just got accepted into Columbia dental. I got the notification via e-mail and I'm still waiting for the other two schools but I think I'll be going to Columbia. Anyone else?
 
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I've already confirmed for Louisville. It's one of my top choices of Dental Schools to go to and I really think an experience like this would look good to them. I've filled out all my paperwork so far and found out the building/stipend/activities. 😀

I'm so excited. Good luck to those still waiting.

Oh and PS what did your SMDEP page say when you were accepted?
Mine first said "not yet processed" next to louisville but after I confirmed louisville I had "not yet processed" next to all 3 of my schools?
 
I received my acceptance e-mail this morning and on SMDEP, it says "not yet processed".
mflinchb: When did you receive your paper works?
I just sent in my confirmation to Columbia today and I'm curious when I'll receive more information about the program.
 
I confirmed Saturday and got "paperwork" to fill in blanks and save and send back to the email address provided. This happened 2 times, the first one was confirming my acceptance and the second was filling out my preferences for the type of roommate I want and facts about myself and my school. They also wanted to know which courses I would be taking this semester, as well as next semester (I guess since Louisville gives 3 credit hours?) but other than that they said in a letter I would be getting paper work in the snail mail to my home address, so I'm having my mom check up on that for me since I'm away at school. Those papers they said include the W-9 form for receiving my stipend and some other stuff I guess. I'm sure they'll get the paperwork out to you soon, Columbia might be doing all snail mail and one big packet rather than a few emails.
 
Ah, alright. Thanks for the update.
You must have a wide-range of courses that's offered at Louisville (and the fact that you get credit) hence the reason you had choices of the different courses whereas at Columbia, it seems that they only offer three, Biology, Physics, and Organic Chemistry.
 
Has anyone heard anything lately from SMDEP? Just wondering if anyone will be joining me at Louisville Dental this summer haha
 
I just got an e-mail from Nebraska Medical School saying that I got accepted.

I'm still waiting for UVA and Case Western, but I have until Feb. 15th to reply.

Any suggestion as to what I should do?
 
Well I saw on Nebraska's website that they do a white coat ceremony 🙂 haha I think that'd be cool, but it's not the only reason to pick one over the other. I really looked into what the stipends are and how much you'll have to pay out of pocket for meals, etc based on how many meals they give you/week.

Also, which one might fit into your schedule better if you're planning on taking summer classes (Louisville is right in the middle of any summer classes I want to take, but I don't HAVE to take summer classes). Surprisingly enough, my friend lives in Omaha and said there is a lot to do there (I was under the impression it'd be pretty boring there) but at any site you go to you'll have fun.

Also consider maybe which Med Schools you want to apply to? I'm sure they'll keep record of your name and see in your application that you did a summer program there and might look favorably upon you. I'm hoping Louisville does that for me because I would love to go there for DS.

Hope this helps! Keep us updated on which one you pick 🙂
 
Hey guys,
Do any of you know/remember how much the stipends are for the program? I applied and will *hopefully* get into one of them, and I just wanted to start planning for the summer. Is it like one of those summer research programs where you make about ~2-4k for the summer, or is the stipend just enough for living costs? thank!
 
well since housing/food is provided, the stipends aren't TOO much. I heard Nebraska is like $1000, (I could be wrong about that!) and I believe Louisville is $720. I am more excited to be getting the opportunity rather than making money. I have heard of a couple research programs paying 2K to 4K so if you're wanting to make a decent amount of money I would suggest doing that, but those are a lot of work. My roommate did one this past summer and worked about 60 hours a week and made about $3500.
 
Thank you! Of course, I'd love the opportunity even if they didn't provide a stipend. Just in the process of figuring out how much I'm going to have to work. 🙄
 
Congrats to you all! 🙂
Are you disappointed Oistrakh? I think it'll be a fantastic experience regardless of where you go!
I wish I would have applied at UCLA but I feel that I would not have been what they were looking for (i.e. not a CC student)

I'm really excited for this summer, has anyone who previously participated heard of (or has anyone heard of this..) getting an edge on the competition when it comes to applying.. like do they save a file with your name on it and are able to see that you participated (besides putting this on your app).. Does it help you out in the interview/acceptance process if you've spent 6 weeks there? just curious.
 
YAYY!! Just got into NJMS!! Now I'm just waiting to hear back from Columbia and Nebraska...but I'm so happy to know I'll be attending!!!
 
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hey ill be joining everyone whos going to nebraska. are the stipends distributed to everyone or by need basis??
 
I'm a little confused about these programs. Are they really only for URM and financially challenged individuals, or is this for anyone.
 
Do you guys think smdep really makes a difference when it comes down to getting into dental sch. I applied a couple months ago but now im reconsidering cuz I was planning to take orgo 2 over the summer and i dont know what to do (I haven't heard from any of the sites yet by the way).
 
Hey SheilaG! I just got accepted into UCLA SMDEP too!! I am so excited about the opportunities that await. We should start a thread just for UCLA SMDEP scholars, haha i cant wait!
 
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