So what should I focus on right now?

[cooldentalgirl]

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Hi everyone! 🙂 I am new to these forums and I'd like some advice please.

I'm currently an undergrad in my second semester of Junior year, and a URM. Psychology Major, Biology Minor. I've wanted to pursue dentistry since college began but due to some personal issues I haven't done as well as I could have. My science GPA now stands at a 3.14 cumulative, and my overall is a 3.43, with a steady upward trend.

I know that Junior year is basically considered the last year that really matters for most pre-dents and pre-meds, because it's the year right before app season. But I don't know if I'm ready yet.

I'm confident that I can ace all my classes this semester, and pull at least a 21/22 on the DAT, so thats not my biggest concern. My issue is that I don't feel I have significant enough EC's to make up for my sub-par grades, even if I do pull all A's this semester (which would raise me to like a 3.2 science & 3.5 overall).

I haven't done any dentist shadowing yet (though I'm planning to get that set up this semester). I have about 80 hours of volunteer time at a medical clinic last summer. And I've held membership in a few clubs but never any leadership positions. The only awards I've received are Dean's List for two semesters (if that even counts) and an Excellence in Japanese Studies Award I got after my second semester of my Japanese language course.

Besides my grades and the DAT, where should I focus on improving most this semester if I want to apply this cycle? I considered taking a gap year so I could do more stuff, but I don't want to if it isn't absolutely necessary. I've brainstormed some ideas including:
- searching for a mentorship program on campus and mentoring a freshman or sophomore (this is the best thing I can think of for leadership?)
- participating in more volunteer projects for both of the pre-health societies I'm a member of (+50 hours or so?)
- volunteering for a dental outreach event that provides dental care for the less fortunate in my city (I think this would boost me a lot!)
- working as an RDA this summer

I would deeply appreciate any additional suggestions or advice. Thank you so much everyone!

 

[BrazilianRider]

Shadow and volunteer like crazy. You ideally want to have 100 hours of volunteer work, 75ish minimum.

 

[cacajuate]

3.1 sgpa and you feel you can pull a 21/22? Getting those scores is a lot easier said than done.

 

[DocVaquero]

I agree with BrazilianRider, get job shadowing hours! Also, try to do really well these last two semesters to improve that GPA. Right now it's a little below average.

Good luck

 

[BrazilianRider]

3.1 sgpa and you feel you can pull a 21/22? Getting those scores is a lot easier said than done.

I had a 2.75 oGPA/ 2.9 sGPA at the beginning of my Junior year and got a 23 AA/24 TS/24 PAT, yeah, it's tough, but people on here act like it's impossible.

If you put in the work and study your butt off, you can do it.

 

[cacajuate]

I had a 2.75 oGPA/ 2.9 sGPA at the beginning of my Junior year and got a 23 AA/24 TS/24 PAT, yeah, it's tough, but people on here act like it's impossible.

If you put in the work and study your butt off, you can do it.

A blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while.


Im happy that you did well, but your success is not going to be the norm.

 

[DentalDoge]

Get shadowing hours. That will help with your personal statement and plateform to work off of for the interviews.

Don't apply if you dont feel like you can put together a strong application. Unless $3k-4k is chump change to you. I myself took a gap year to strengthen my application, shadow dentists, worked a bit, made sure my application features my best foot forward. And I got into my #1 in Dec.

But since you're an URM, you are already sitting pretty with 3.4 cum. Just make sure you shadow, at least 50 hrs but 100 hrs recommended. Join some clubs, find some hobbies, think about something that makes you stand out.

 

[BrazilianRider]

A blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while.


Im happy that you did well, but your success is not going to be the norm.

That's true, but it's not absolutely impossible like some people here make it out to be. I'm not gonna lie, it was a lot of work getting my GPA up and studying for the DAT... basically gave up my social life, but it was worth it in the long run.

 

[SXCoronado]

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