WAMC - Average Stats (DAT & GPA)

[Tig3rTurtle]

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Date of Submission: July 2nd

Overall GPA: 3.54

Science GPA: 3.32

Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.22

DAT Score:

• AA: 440 (21)
• PAT: 470 (22)
• QR: 420 (19)
• RC: 450 (23)
• BIO: 450 (21.5)
• GC: 410 (19)
• OC: 450 (21)
• TS: 440 (20.5)

State of Residence: Florida

Undergrad Attended: Broward College (Associate’s degree), Nova Southeastern University (completed Bachelor of Science)

Major: Biology

Minor: Public Health, Pre-Health, Honors Trans-disciplinary Studies

Minority: Hispanic

Reapplicant: No

Nontrad: Yes (took a gap year)

Shadowing Experience:

• Dental Shadowing with General Dentist, 105 hours
• Dental Shadowing with Orthodontist, 28 hours
• Dental Shadowing with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, General Dentist, 75 hours

Volunteering Experience:

• Community Service: Local Site Leader with NSU Sharks & Service, 128 hours
  • Served as a liaison between undergraduate students and community partners for one year, providing students on campus opportunities to participate in community service.
• Community Service: Community Service Ambassador, NSU Inter-Organizational Council, 225 hours
  • Served as Ambassador for Community Service for two years, while working with student-led organizations, learned about strategy and how to improve programming and events. Hosting office hours consulted with club leaders on requirements, providing consultative service reviewing and approving club budgets. In addition, worked in campus events, speaking at monthly meetings promoting service opportunities.
• Community Service: (NSU chapter) Alpha Phi Omega Membership Vice President, 414 hours
  • Contributed for approximately two years serving in the position of Membership Vice President and Secretary while attending my undergrad studies. Responsibilities included planning and hosting events for prospective applicants, recording and maintaining records for events, collaborating and communicating social and service programs with students and administration. (Alpha Phi Omega is a service co-fraternity).
• Community Service: Cleanup Volunteer, Hands on Broward, 116 hours
  • Recurring undergrad volunteer, working to clean beaches and parks throughout Broward and Miami Dade county.
• Community Service: Sorting & Packaging volunteer, Feeding South Florida, 68 hours
  • Active volunteer with Feeding South Florida, a food bank network that provides food to under-served communities. Responsibilities included inspecting donating food supply and repackaging hundreds of pounds of meals for distribution.

Employment: N/A

Research:

• Volunteer Research Assistant received academic credit, 112 hours, worked on TinyEarth Summer Symposium Project, conducting research testing local soil for a hypothesis on whether saltwater or freshwater sources would contain more antibiotic-producing bacteria. Completed a presentation at symposium at end of project.
• Volunteer Research Assistant, 408 hours, worked with dental faculty on establishing a Saliva and Dental Plaque Bio-bank at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine. Responsibilities involved laboratory work and clinical work with patients.

Other Extracurriculars:

• Competitive Swimmer, South Florida Aquatic Club, 734 hours (14 years swimming)
• Proficient in playing piano, fishing, and weightlifting.

Volunteer/Shadowing/Attending Dental: N/A

Relevant Honors/Awards: Outstanding Student Leader Medallion (NSU) Brother of the Year Award (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Chapter Distinguished Service Key (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Leadership Certificate of Achievement (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Lifetime membership in TriBeta Biological Honor Society, Service Certificate of Achievement (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Music Piano Superior Award.

LOR type and Strength: (4 total): 1 from general dentist (the 105 hours experience, strong), 1 from undergrad anatomy II professor, 1 from undergrad Physics II professor, 1 from undergrad Honors course professor (strong).

Misc. Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Recently earned Certificate in Fundamentals of Dental Assisting (UF Dental), 5 Ws on Transcript. 1 F on Non-elective Science Course. (2 W during COVID, 1 W and F from semester where I was very sick mid semester).

School List:

1. A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
2. Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale AZ
3. University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Aurora, CO
4. LECOM School of Dental Medicine, Bradenton, FL
5. Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
6. University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL
7. Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Downers Grove, IL
8. University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY
9. Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
10. University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit, MI
11. University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI
12. Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health at ATSU, Kirksville, MO
13. Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha, NE
14. University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
15. Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, Hawthorne, NY
16. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH
17. Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry, Portland, OR
18. Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, WI

I cast a big net, but overall I was looking for dental schools that had involvement in Community Service / Research. Please let me know what you think and honest feedback is appreciated!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Are you applying to NHSC or HPSP, considering your interest in community dentistry?

Please clarify: You have a certificate in dental assisting, but you have never worked in a dental clinic? Do you have experience with community dentistry?

 

[macsak]

you have a broad list and only 2 reaches
and while i have issues with some of your choices geographically, i think you should be fine

although i don't understand how you could have gone to NSU and not have any contact with the dental school...

Date of Submission: July 2nd

Overall GPA: 3.54

Science GPA: 3.32

Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.22

DAT Score:

• AA: 440 (21)
• PAT: 470 (22)
• QR: 420 (19)
• RC: 450 (23)
• BIO: 450 (21.5)
• GC: 410 (19)
• OC: 450 (21)
• TS: 440 (20.5)

State of Residence: Florida

Undergrad Attended: Broward College (Associate’s degree), Nova Southeastern University (completed Bachelor of Science)

Major: Biology

Minor: Public Health, Pre-Health, Honors Trans-disciplinary Studies

Minority: Hispanic

Reapplicant: No

Nontrad: Yes (took a gap year)

Shadowing Experience:

• Dental Shadowing with General Dentist, 105 hours
• Dental Shadowing with Orthodontist, 28 hours
• Dental Shadowing with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, General Dentist, 75 hours

Volunteering Experience:

• Community Service: Local Site Leader with NSU Sharks & Service, 128 hours
  • Served as a liaison between undergraduate students and community partners for one year, providing students on campus opportunities to participate in community service.
• Community Service: Community Service Ambassador, NSU Inter-Organizational Council, 225 hours
  • Served as Ambassador for Community Service for two years, while working with student-led organizations, learned about strategy and how to improve programming and events. Hosting office hours consulted with club leaders on requirements, providing consultative service reviewing and approving club budgets. In addition, worked in campus events, speaking at monthly meetings promoting service opportunities.
• Community Service: (NSU chapter) Alpha Phi Omega Membership Vice President, 414 hours
  • Contributed for approximately two years serving in the position of Membership Vice President and Secretary while attending my undergrad studies. Responsibilities included planning and hosting events for prospective applicants, recording and maintaining records for events, collaborating and communicating social and service programs with students and administration. (Alpha Phi Omega is a service co-fraternity).
• Community Service: Cleanup Volunteer, Hands on Broward, 116 hours
  • Recurring undergrad volunteer, working to clean beaches and parks throughout Broward and Miami Dade county.
• Community Service: Sorting & Packaging volunteer, Feeding South Florida, 68 hours
  • Active volunteer with Feeding South Florida, a food bank network that provides food to under-served communities. Responsibilities included inspecting donating food supply and repackaging hundreds of pounds of meals for distribution.

Employment: N/A

Research:

• Volunteer Research Assistant received academic credit, 112 hours, worked on TinyEarth Summer Symposium Project, conducting research testing local soil for a hypothesis on whether saltwater or freshwater sources would contain more antibiotic-producing bacteria. Completed a presentation at symposium at end of project.
• Volunteer Research Assistant, 408 hours, worked with dental faculty on establishing a Saliva and Dental Plaque Bio-bank at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine. Responsibilities involved laboratory work and clinical work with patients.

Other Extracurriculars:

• Competitive Swimmer, South Florida Aquatic Club, 734 hours (14 years swimming)
• Proficient in playing piano, fishing, and weightlifting.

Volunteer/Shadowing/Attending Dental: N/A

Relevant Honors/Awards: Outstanding Student Leader Medallion (NSU) Brother of the Year Award (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Chapter Distinguished Service Key (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Leadership Certificate of Achievement (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Lifetime membership in TriBeta Biological Honor Society, Service Certificate of Achievement (NSU Alpha Phi Omega), Music Piano Superior Award.

LOR type and Strength: (4 total): 1 from general dentist (the 105 hours experience, strong), 1 from undergrad anatomy II professor, 1 from undergrad Physics II professor, 1 from undergrad Honors course professor (strong).

Misc. Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Recently earned Certificate in Fundamentals of Dental Assisting (UF Dental), 5 Ws on Transcript. 1 F on Non-elective Science Course. (2 W during COVID, 1 W and F from semester where I was very sick mid semester).

School List:

1. A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
2. Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale AZ
3. University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Aurora, CO
4. LECOM School of Dental Medicine, Bradenton, FL
5. Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
6. University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL
7. Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Downers Grove, IL
8. University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY
9. Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
10. University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit, MI
11. University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI
12. Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health at ATSU, Kirksville, MO
13. Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha, NE
14. University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
15. Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, Hawthorne, NY
16. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Cleveland, OH
17. Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry, Portland, OR
18. Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, WI

I cast a big net, but overall I was looking for dental schools that had involvement in Community Service / Research. Please let me know what you think and honest feedback is appreciated!

 

[Tig3rTurtle]

you have a broad list and only 2 reaches
and while i have issues with some of your choices geographically, i think you should be fine

although i don't understand how you could have gone to NSU and not have any contact with the dental school...

Thanks for the feedback!

If you don't mind, could you elaborate on your thoughts regarding the dental school list I made (2 reaches / geographical issue)?

For clarification on the "Volunteer/Shadowing/Attending Dental" section: I attended in person / virtual informational sessions for NSU's and Oregon's dental schools. Also, for the research that I conducted for the Saliva Biobank Project included volunteering at NSU's dental clinic. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Tig3rTurtle]

Are you applying to NHSC or HPSP, considering your interest in community dentistry?

Please clarify: You have a certificate in dental assisting, but you have never worked in a dental clinic? Do you have experience with community dentistry?

I am applying only to the NHSC program. Also for clarification, I just recently earned the certificate in dental assisting (earned on August 24th 2025). I do not have any experience yet with community dentistry but I am currently looking for opportunities to volunteer/work as a dental assistant in my area.

 

[macsak]

Thanks for the feedback!

If you don't mind, could you elaborate on your thoughts regarding the dental school list I made (2 reaches / geographical issue)?

For clarification on the "Volunteer/Shadowing/Attending Dental" section: I attended in person / virtual informational sessions for NSU's and Oregon's dental schools. Also, for the research that I conducted for the Saliva Biobank Project included volunteering at NSU's dental clinic. Sorry for the confusion.

reaches are UF and UMich
geographical issues with the west coast/arizona/mountain schools...

 

[Tig3rTurtle]

reaches are UF and UMich
geographical issues with the west coast/arizona/mountain schools...

Thank you for your reply.

Based on what you know regarding geographical issues, are there any other schools within my region (Florida/East Coast) that I should apply to?

 

[macsak]

Thank you for your reply.

Based on what you know regarding geographical issues, are there any other schools within my region (Florida/East Coast) that I should apply to?

i don't understand why you applied to boston and not tufts

but other than that, you need to do your own research, plus you already applied to a ton of schools, and we are startign to get deeper into the cycle...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Have you reached out and networked with the HDA or SNDA/NDA? What are you doing in the gap year since you don't list any employment. Are you working as a DA?

As a Latino/Hispanic applicant, you may have a little more traction outside of Florida. Your application is very service-heavy (not saying this is a bad thing except...) but not so much on the dental/clinical experience side of things. I agree that some of your schools outside the immediate region could lack a significant number of Spanish-speaking patients if that is important to you.

I agree that you shouldn't be thinking of adding schools at this point. Many of them have deadlines in September/October, so you are already "late" for that subset. I would suspect that by mid-September all fall interview spots are filled across the board (for sure by October, we see people complaining about interviews scheduled in January/February).

 

[macsak]

Have you reached out and networked with the HDA or SNDA/NDA? What are you doing in the gap year since you don't list any employment. Are you working as a DA?

As a Latino/Hispanic applicant, you may have a little more traction outside of Florida. Your application is very service-heavy (not saying this is a bad thing except...) but not so much on the dental/clinical experience side of things. I agree that some of your schools outside the immediate region could lack a significant number of Spanish-speaking patients if that is important to you.

I agree that you shouldn't be thinking of adding schools at this point. Many of them have deadlines in September/October, so you are already "late" for that subset. I would suspect that by mid-September all fall interview spots are filled across the board (for sure by October, we see people complaining about interviews scheduled in January/February).

oh, i missed that point
i would bet the arizona and colorado/unlv have a more significant # of hispanic students than some of the midwestern and east coast schools...