- Joined
- Jun 25, 2015
- Messages
- 24
- Reaction score
- 9
I have already submitted my application, but I have a few questions.
1) My GPA was recently verified, and unfortunately I have a 3.25 sGPA and 3.44 oGPA. I have a 21 AA DAT, with nothing lower than a 19 (25 in RC...). I have about 120 hours (95 listed on application) of shadowing at various low cost dental clinics, and have seen general, orthodontics, and OMFS. Had two jobs during my four years of undergrad, with one heavily involving manual dexterity. I'd been part of my university's pre-dental society, and do extensive volunteering. I have about 175 hours of what I believed is quality service between free clinics, schools, and food banks. I have LOR's from two science profs and a volunteer coordinator, which I believe isn't extraordinary, but should suffice. I'm a Louisiana resident, so I hope to stay in state for dental school. Sadly, when I submitted my appellation last week I only applied to my state school, Louisville, and LECOM (FL). I believe you can add schools after submitted your application, correct? It is fairly early right now (right?), and I need some assistance with additional picks. With my low GPA, what OOS friendly schools should I add onto my list? I preferably want to stay in the south...I think a few private northeastern schools might be within reach for me, but tuition and the distance from home is a terribly high number.
2) Isn't there two LECOMS? One in FL and one in PA right? Why do everyone just say LECOM when they post about it? I'm never sure which LECOM people are referring to on these forums.
3) I just did a bit of research on LDP and PBL. LECOM uses a PBL curriculum, and may be the reason why their enrollees have lower stats that many other dental schools. What do you guys think about LDP and PBL? I'm just worried that a PBL won't help much when boards come around. But I do think PBL, would make one a better dentist. Why don't LDP schools incorporate a hefty PBL portion into their curriculum, I think that would be ideal.
4) Even though my sGPA is rather low, I think my oGPA is somewhat acceptable. Despite my optimism, I look forward to the worst. What do you guys recommend? Taking random high-level science post-bacc classes to increase my sGPA or invest in a one year Masters for the incoming year? I definitely don't want to consider a Master's program, since that would mean taking about maybe 25k loans. I'd considered taking the DAT again later this year, but my the biggest concern is that my state school as well as a few others will primarily take into account your latest DAT score. That's a huge turn off, but I honestly only studied for about 3 weeks prior to taking my first DAT. I only use a Kaplan DAT prep book for my study material, and could do more the next time around. What do you guys think?
5) Many dental schools say that they take one's undergraduate school into consideration. Anyone knows how that works? I attended a prominent private liberal arts college, so I like to know how that comes into consideration. During my summers, I took some classes in my state's university, and found it much different (easier). I'm not saying that my state's school is lacking compared to my main school, it's just that I hope the dental schools I applied to will take that into consideration.
6) If I'm lucky to get an interview or two, how should I prep? How have you guys been prepping? Anyone willing to post questions that they have been asked during interviews?
Thanks and good luck to all applicants.
1) My GPA was recently verified, and unfortunately I have a 3.25 sGPA and 3.44 oGPA. I have a 21 AA DAT, with nothing lower than a 19 (25 in RC...). I have about 120 hours (95 listed on application) of shadowing at various low cost dental clinics, and have seen general, orthodontics, and OMFS. Had two jobs during my four years of undergrad, with one heavily involving manual dexterity. I'd been part of my university's pre-dental society, and do extensive volunteering. I have about 175 hours of what I believed is quality service between free clinics, schools, and food banks. I have LOR's from two science profs and a volunteer coordinator, which I believe isn't extraordinary, but should suffice. I'm a Louisiana resident, so I hope to stay in state for dental school. Sadly, when I submitted my appellation last week I only applied to my state school, Louisville, and LECOM (FL). I believe you can add schools after submitted your application, correct? It is fairly early right now (right?), and I need some assistance with additional picks. With my low GPA, what OOS friendly schools should I add onto my list? I preferably want to stay in the south...I think a few private northeastern schools might be within reach for me, but tuition and the distance from home is a terribly high number.
2) Isn't there two LECOMS? One in FL and one in PA right? Why do everyone just say LECOM when they post about it? I'm never sure which LECOM people are referring to on these forums.
3) I just did a bit of research on LDP and PBL. LECOM uses a PBL curriculum, and may be the reason why their enrollees have lower stats that many other dental schools. What do you guys think about LDP and PBL? I'm just worried that a PBL won't help much when boards come around. But I do think PBL, would make one a better dentist. Why don't LDP schools incorporate a hefty PBL portion into their curriculum, I think that would be ideal.
4) Even though my sGPA is rather low, I think my oGPA is somewhat acceptable. Despite my optimism, I look forward to the worst. What do you guys recommend? Taking random high-level science post-bacc classes to increase my sGPA or invest in a one year Masters for the incoming year? I definitely don't want to consider a Master's program, since that would mean taking about maybe 25k loans. I'd considered taking the DAT again later this year, but my the biggest concern is that my state school as well as a few others will primarily take into account your latest DAT score. That's a huge turn off, but I honestly only studied for about 3 weeks prior to taking my first DAT. I only use a Kaplan DAT prep book for my study material, and could do more the next time around. What do you guys think?
5) Many dental schools say that they take one's undergraduate school into consideration. Anyone knows how that works? I attended a prominent private liberal arts college, so I like to know how that comes into consideration. During my summers, I took some classes in my state's university, and found it much different (easier). I'm not saying that my state's school is lacking compared to my main school, it's just that I hope the dental schools I applied to will take that into consideration.
6) If I'm lucky to get an interview or two, how should I prep? How have you guys been prepping? Anyone willing to post questions that they have been asked during interviews?
Thanks and good luck to all applicants.