SUNY - Stony Brook

[MsPurtell]

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Hi everyone (Ford, I hope you are still there). I took my DAT today and did very well (acad avg = 23, PAT = 23, quant = 21, reading = 23, bio = 22, g chem = 22, orgo = 27, total sci = 23)!!! The rest of my credentials are equally as solid. I am a NY resident and I've applied to SUNY - Stony Brook. I think I have a very good cchence of getting in and I'd like to ask a few questions about the school. First, how are classes graded? Are dental students and medical students mixed in the same classes? Do many students go on to specialties? Also if anyone can think of anything important I should know about the school, please let me know. I've very excited at the prospect of possibly attending there! Thanks, Margaret 😀

 

[Sterichind]

Hello Margaret,

Congrats on your scores! I am about to begin my first year at Stony Brook, and I feel I might be of some help. Well, I feel you have an excellent chance of being accepted. My scores were 21/18 on the DAT, and my GPA was a 3.7. I think the average of my class is about a 19 or 20 academic. So as you can see, you are in a great position. In regards to the grading system, it's a ABCF system for the dental students, and a pass or fail system for the medical students. The dental students do take classes in the first two years with the medical students, however, you are graded separately. From what I know so far, the dental students work on cadavers together separated from medical students. On the topic of specialties, let me just tell you to keep an open mind on dentistry. I would not go into an interview saying you want a specialty when you haven't even started dental school. Regardless, from what I have seen in brochures from the school, it appears that in the year 2000, 3 students went to ortho, 1 to OMS, and 3 to perio. Probably of the approxiamately 38 students in a class, 7-8 students go off to a specialty, and the rest go to general dentistry. My feelings on the whole matter are open-minded; I am here to learn everything to the best of my ability. If I am chosen for a path, I will happily take it. For in the end, I will be someone who is doing something I learned, and I have always been someone who has loved that which I have learned. If this school is your top choice, I expect to see you here next year. After my first year, I'll definitely be able to offer more advice. Plus, we have a great big brother/sister program. You may even be my sib next year. I will introduce myself then but for now Good Luck and Take Care!

Sterichind

 

[MsPurtell]

Thanks Sterichind. It'd be great to have a big brother during my first year of school! That reminds me of another question. Is there, as far as you can tell, a strong sense of comeraderie among students at Stony Brook? That's really important to me. I wouldn't go to a cut throat school. I just got through shadowing a dentist who also teaches residents out on LI. She teaches many students from different schools and she told me that Stony Brook students are notably happier with their dental school experience. Of the schools I've applied to, she thinks I'd be happiest and do the best at Stony Brook. That would be great because the price is really right and, being from NYC, I wouldn't have to move too far away.

The reason I asked about specialties is not because I necessarily intend to pursue one. I'd like to know that the option is there though if I do decide to pursue one. 7 of 35 grads pursuing specialties sounds pretty high. That gives me the confidence of knowing that if I fall in love with a particular area of dentistry that my training will be good enough that I'll be attractive to the specialty programs. 😀

 

[Ford67]

Sterichind pretty much sumed up most of your questions. With those stats you will get in, no doubt in my mind. Classes are graded A/B/C/fail and clinics are High Honors/Honors/Pass/Fail. During some of the first year and maybe a couple classes the second year you will take with med students. They were very nice and were a great bunch of people. Since the class size is so small you will become family with all your students atleast my class did. They will become a huge help to you if you have any problems, thats why nobody fails out. The location was also great. I grew up in Westchester County and went to Fordham University so I was glad to stay in the NYC metro area. I must say that the average Stony Brook dental student is happier then the happiest students at most schools. The reasons are supportive enviroment and very inexpensive. As for advice, BE READY for the very demanding course work in the second year. It took everyone by surprise. Also do research, the oppurtunities are great. I noticed you are not entering dental school right out of college. The biggest surprise to me was that alot of students were older tha I was. I went in right after undergrad and felt like a baby because i was 22. Finally, almost all my class mates got into postgrad positions of their choice. The top 4 students went into General Dentistry, just wanted to say that not all great students become specialists. 😀

 

[Dental Caries]

Ms. Purtell,
Congratulations! Your scores are very impressive. I am going to take my DAT for the second time next month because I need to really improve to make up for my GPA. I got 19/17 (acad/PAT) and 19 on the science the first time. I am taking Kaplan right now and I remember some of the stuff on the DAT were not in Kaplan's review notes. I noticed that the actual test put some subjects that I vaguely remembered from when I took the class. Since the test is still fresh in your mind can you tell me some of the specific topics (stuff that wasn't on Kaplan's more specifically Bio) that you saw on the test? Did you study with Kaplan? Also, should I remember the glycolisis and Krebs cycle (pathways and intermediates)? I would appreciate your reply. Again congrats on the superb scores!

 

[MsPurtell]

HI again Ford67-

It's great to hear how well the students get along at Stony Brook. I've heard so much about other schools where the dental students are treated like second class citizens - that must be such a downer when you work so hard. I grew up in NYC and my whole family is here and that's another reason why I'd be so happy to stay in the area. How early does Stony Brook let students know of their acceptance? I'd love to get my interview and know ASAP (my family is dying to know where I'll be going too!) Do they by any chance have and early decision option? I'm also pleased to see that SB apparently doesn't discriminate based on age. That's the only thing that has worried me about my app so far - I'll be 34 when I start. My concerns are really clearing up by speaking to you and Sterichind. SB is perfect for me!!! Margaret 😀

 

[Sterichind]

Hello Margaret,

How are you? Yes, the students at Stony Brook are pretty helpful and cooperative. Also, If you are accepted they will probably notify you by phone on December 1 or after. Most likely Dr. Riley will call to accept you. She is the nicest person I have ever met. I'm not sure about Early Decision, but I'm sure you'll make it on the regular cycle. In the upper classes, I have seen older students so do not feel like it is impossible. If you sent everything in by June, I would expect an interview by October or November. Mine was October 17th last year. Don't fret. Just make sure they have all your paper work, and you will get an interview. Till later. Feel free to ask more!

Sterichind