- Joined
- Jan 18, 2015
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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!
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!