Two questions about applying: advice needed!

[virtualmaster999]

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Hey everyone!

So I have two quick questions that I need an opinion on:

1) when is the latest I could apply, while being safe? I'm planning on taking my DAT at the end of May, maybe even really early June if necessary, as I'm studying during the semester right now. I have good LOR, EC, 3.94 gpa if that can be considered

2) this question is about shadowing: so I've shadowed from August til now, and have about 110 hours. I wanted to continue shadowing at the clinic I go to, but the dentists said they needed another student shadow so I basically stopped this month. I want to try to do a little more shadowing and get some more experience for myself, but how does this look that my shadowing ended? I mean I know I got a good amount of hours but I feel as it looks like I just got my shadowing "requirement" in right before I apply and just stopped. To me it looks kind of bad since I started my dental experiences my junior year rather than earlier (but I switched from being pre med so I had no way of doing it before). Is this going to be a major issue? I was thinking of still going to maybe shadow a specialist for a little bit to expand my horizon. What do you guys think?

Any advice helps. Thanks in advance!


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[THS]

Finish your application as soon as possible. I submitted mine 2 days after ADSAS opened, only to review my personal statement a few times. You can send DAT scores and rec letters later.

I stopped shadowing after I applied, no big deal.

 

[virtualmaster999]

Finish your application as soon as possible. I submitted mine 2 days after ADSAS opened, only to review my personal statement a few times. You can send DAT scores and rec letters later.

I stopped shadowing after I applied, no big deal.

Thanks for your reply! So you're saying I can still fill out the app and complete it, and that I'll still be fine? How late can I send the scores in? And I know you said you stopped shadowing after applying but do you think if I didn't find other opportunities I would be fine?


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[THS]

So you're saying I can still fill out the app and complete it, and that I'll still be fine? How late can I send the scores in?

1. Yep
2. I'm not sure, but after you take the test, I'm pretty sure it will automatically update your AADSAS with the scores.

And yeah, if you find someone else to shadow, go for it. Take this time to shadow any specialties you may be interested, or a different style practice.

 

[bc1002]

I think if you take DAT in early June it would be totally fine. Plus don't worry about stopping shadowing one clinic before application. People know that it is common that some dentists don't let one student shadow forever. I personally would just go and find another dentist to shadow if time is not tight. Hope it helps and good luck!

 

[sjv]

Thanks for your reply! So you're saying I can still fill out the app and complete it, and that I'll still be fine? How late can I send the scores in?

Your completed application will be mailed out regardless of the status of your DAT scores and letters. You DAT score will be automatically attached to the AADSAS application 2-3 weeks after you take it through your name/DENTPIN.

However, your application will be incomplete at schools until they receive your scores but your timeline is early enough that you would easily make the 1st or 2nd batch so this is not an issue.

 

[derbear]

With your given stats, I doubt you will have an issue if you write your DAT in June...just don't push it further into the summer. Also, don't worry about the timeline of your shadowing...as far as I am concerned exact dates are not needed and no one will really question what you put down on your application.

 

[DentalDoge]

Know that your application wont be complete until they have everything.

So it doesnt matter how early you send you application in, if they dont have your DAT they wont review it.

Pre-August is probably 'safest'. Any later is fine but if you have medicore or less than average stats, you'll want to submit asap.