Tips on what to do next

[vash429]

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I am a bio major in my last year in undergrad. I have a 3.58 gpa and 3.25 science gpa. Studding for the DAT right now planning on taking it in January and applying next cycle.

I have 80 hours of volunteering at a local hospital by my house. and about 20 hours of shadowing. I am from eastern Europe and have been in the US about 10 years now and English is my third language. Ever since I came I have been in charge of bills and anything that went wrong since I was the one that spoke English in the household. This is one of the main reasons why I have not placed as much time on volunteering. I have also been working part time ever since 2nd year to make some of the expenses. I plan on taking loans to go to dentistry school since my parents cant afford to help.

Any tips on what schools I should apply too, if i should volunteer more, planning on shadowing more this upcoming semester, anything would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[crax]

after you take your DAT, try and find some "good" practices to get hours in. I'm under the impression it looks good (as well as is required by some schools) to have over 100 hours.I wouldnt worry about volunteering, but make sure you make it clear dentistry is your passion (not MD school as might be indicated by your hospital shadowing).

 

[wizi]

1. You need around 40 hours of shadowing at a General Dentist (Indiana specifically told me I need 40+ hours. VCU's dean told me he like to see me shadowing in a GP not specialist.)
2. Take some science classes that guarantee you As and raise your sGPA above 3.3.
3. You don't have to take your DAT in Jan so make sure that you overstudy for your DAT.
4. APPLY IN JUNE.
5. APPLY IN JUNE.

 

[vash429]

I did not include social sciences in that science calculation. Just chems and bio classes and upper-level bio. What is the scope of science GPA.

 

[wizi]

I did not include social sciences in that science calculation. Just chems and bio classes and upper-level bio. What is the scope of science GPA.

of course, the higher the better but 3.3+ should be ok.

 

[HillsNayyr]

You do not need 100 hours of shadowing.....
I did 35 and got accepted to 5 schools. One of them being NYU, which recommends some absolutely obscene amount of shadowing. I would focus on improving main stats over doing more shadowing. GPA and DAT are going to be your most important things along with your essays.