Tips for Pre-dental Students

[cor1031]

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Hi Everyone!

I'm going to be a freshman in college next year at a top 15 ranked college. Ever since I got braces, my dream job has something to do with teeth. Call me weird, but I am fascinated with teeth and do everything to keep my teeth clean/straight. I am going into college on the pre-dental track, and hopefully I can stay on the pre-dent track. I'm trying to do everything I can to prepare for dental school. Can someone give me any tips on how to get my dental application stand out? and how hard it is to get accepted into a dental school? What are the average GPAs/DATs? what life is like for a dental student? is it really as stressful as many people say it is? Can someone like me do it? What kind of clubs/groups should I join? Here are some of my stats:

ACT- 33
Unweighted GPA- 4.0
APs in high school- Completed 10 APs
Extra Curriculars: Treasurer of the National Honor Society, conducted research with a professor in psychology, beta club, volunteer at a hospital, etc.

I'm also a swimmer. I've achieved national times and was named MVP all four years of high school. I have numerous team records. I was recruited to swim on my college team, and my goal is to make it at least top 8 at NCAA. I'm also working toward getting the Olympic Trials cut for the 2016 Rio Games.

I also want to do a pre-dental mission trip to Africa to teach kids how to have good oral hygiene, etc.

I'm a hard worker, but also don't spend all my time just sitting in my room studying. I like to socialize with friends. One of my downfalls though is I am not too great at reading comprehension/writing. Will that affect me a lot? I will work hard to improve on it. Also, I'm a slow learner, is that detrimental for a pre-dental student? Again, I work hard, but it takes me maybe just a little bit more time than others.

Hopefully, someone can answer some of my questions! I know I asked a lot, and you all definitely don't have to answer all of my questions, but any help is appreciated! My dream is to become a dentist🙂 Thanks so much!🙂

 

[pinpoint212]

Hi Everyone!

I'm going to be a freshman in college next year at a top 15 ranked college. Ever since I got braces, my dream job has something to do with teeth. Call me weird, but I am fascinated with teeth and do everything to keep my teeth clean/straight. I am going into college on the pre-dental track, and hopefully I can stay on the pre-dent track. I'm trying to do everything I can to prepare for dental school. Can someone give me any tips on how to get my dental application stand out? and how hard it is to get accepted into a dental school? What are the average GPAs/DATs? what life is like for a dental student? is it really as stressful as many people say it is? Can someone like me do it? What kind of clubs/groups should I join? Here are some of my stats:

ACT- 33
Unweighted GPA- 4.0
APs in high school- Completed 10 APs
Extra Curriculars: Treasurer of the National Honor Society, conducted research with a professor in psychology, beta club, volunteer at a hospital, etc.

I'm also a swimmer. I've achieved national times and was named MVP all four years of high school. I have numerous team records. I was recruited to swim on my college team, and my goal is to make it at least top 8 at NCAA. I'm also working toward getting the Olympic Trials cut for the 2016 Rio Games.

I also want to do a pre-dental mission trip to Africa to teach kids how to have good oral hygiene, etc.

I'm a hard worker, but also don't spend all my time just sitting in my room studying. I like to socialize with friends. One of my downfalls though is I am not too great at reading comprehension/writing. Will that affect me a lot? I will work hard to improve on it. Also, I'm a slow learner, is that detrimental for a pre-dental student? Again, I work hard, but it takes me maybe just a little bit more time than others.

Hopefully, someone can answer some of my questions! I know I asked a lot, and you all definitely don't have to answer all of my questions, but any help is appreciated! My dream is to become a dentist🙂 Thanks so much!🙂

From here on out, no one cares about your ACT score, your highschool GPA, how many AP's you took in highschool, and what you did in high school. You're a freshman in college now. So is everybody else around you when you enter college. Clean slate.

Don't worry too much about reading comprehension/writing. There are international applicants that get 20+ on RC on the DAT. The DAT reading comprehension is different than your SAT/ACT reading comprehension. In my opinion, DAT RC is easier because the passages are actually interesting and don't lose your attention by the first paragraph. But that is simply my opinion.

Right now, you are a freshman. Be sure to put yourself out there and not be a hermit. Try new things and find out what really interests you. Do what you love and excel in it. Honestly speaking, it is too early to determine whether you will fit in at dentistry.

Average GPA/DAT = 3.4-3.5/19-20
Don't worry about being a slow learner. If you're going to a top 15 school, that'll change as long as you work hard at it.

Good luck!

 

[NeoSmiles]

Hi Everyone!

I'm going to be a freshman in college next year at a top 15 ranked college. Ever since I got braces, my dream job has something to do with teeth. Call me weird, but I am fascinated with teeth and do everything to keep my teeth clean/straight. I am going into college on the pre-dental track, and hopefully I can stay on the pre-dent track. I'm trying to do everything I can to prepare for dental school. Can someone give me any tips on how to get my dental application stand out? and how hard it is to get accepted into a dental school? What are the average GPAs/DATs? what life is like for a dental student? is it really as stressful as many people say it is? Can someone like me do it? What kind of clubs/groups should I join? Here are some of my stats:

ACT- 33
Unweighted GPA- 4.0
APs in high school- Completed 10 APs
Extra Curriculars: Treasurer of the National Honor Society, conducted research with a professor in psychology, beta club, volunteer at a hospital, etc.

I'm also a swimmer. I've achieved national times and was named MVP all four years of high school. I have numerous team records. I was recruited to swim on my college team, and my goal is to make it at least top 8 at NCAA. I'm also working toward getting the Olympic Trials cut for the 2016 Rio Games.

I also want to do a pre-dental mission trip to Africa to teach kids how to have good oral hygiene, etc.

I'm a hard worker, but also don't spend all my time just sitting in my room studying. I like to socialize with friends. One of my downfalls though is I am not too great at reading comprehension/writing. Will that affect me a lot? I will work hard to improve on it. Also, I'm a slow learner, is that detrimental for a pre-dental student? Again, I work hard, but it takes me maybe just a little bit more time than others.

Hopefully, someone can answer some of my questions! I know I asked a lot, and you all definitely don't have to answer all of my questions, but any help is appreciated! My dream is to become a dentist🙂 Thanks so much!🙂

Congrats on starting a new stage in your life. College is great and I elated to hear that you want to join the league of pre-dents.

1)Can someone give me any tips on how to get my dental application stand out?
-Good GPA, Great DAT, EC's, Shadowing Experience and a Personality

2) What are the average GPAs/DATs?
-Varies from school to school. National Average for the DAT is 17 and 18 but 20+ to be competitive...strive for a 30. For GPA's..average is around a 3.4 and goes up.

3) One of my downfalls though is I am not too great at reading comprehension/writing. Will that affect me a lot?
-It can but you have control over that. Just do your best and seek help when you can.

4) Also, I'm a slow learner, is that detrimental for a pre-dental student? Again, I work hard, but it takes me maybe just a little bit more time than others.
- It is ok..it is not about how fast you learn but rather "did you learn it". As long as you can perform well during test day..you are fine. Acquisition speed doesn't define your ability to apply the information.

5) let your dream be you motivation to excel.

 

[cor1031]

Ok! thanks!🙂 that helped a ton!

 

[wcombs]

You'll learn to play to your strengths and weaknesses in college.

Stay off of SDN. It will destroy you.

 

[diene]

1. Watch out for your GPA during freshmen year. Going to a top 15 university, you might have a I-can- handle-everything personality, but from experience, I have seen a lot of freshmen struggle. Use the first semester to figure out things in college, while trying to keep your GPA as high as possible...even if it means taking 12-13 credits during the first semester. Maybe get involved in 1-2 volunteer projecst/or other organizations during the first semester, BUT that should not be your priority. After your first semester, based on how much you can handle, increase your workload and feel free to get involved in activities of your interest.

2. I beg you to stay off of SDN until you start studying for the DAT, which should probably be after your sophomore/junior. If you check this place from now, you will go INSANE.

One more thing- shadow a dentist during one of your breaks to make sure you are heading in the right direction. Everyone loves their own teeth, but when it comes to others, that's a whole different story.

 

[voager]

1. Watch out for your GPA during freshmen year. Going to a top 15 university, you might have a I-can- handle-everything personality, but from experience, I have seen a lot of freshmen struggle. Use the first semester to figure out things in college, while trying to keep your GPA as high as possible...even if it means taking 12-13 credits during the first semester. Maybe get involved in 1-2 volunteer project/or other organizations during the first semester, BUT that should not be your priority. After your first semester, based on how much you can handle, increase your workload and feel free to get involved in activities of your interest

2. I beg you to stay off of SDN until you start studying for the DAT, which should probably be after your sophomore/junior. If you check this place from now, you will go INSANE.

ditto!

 

[circa86]

i remember my first beer!

 

[SevenSixSeven]

Handwork
skillful hand
time management
Motivation

Always remember what Thomas Edison said: "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% Pespiration"
And one more thing... If you really love this path of career, no matter how hard it is, you will make it through.