Well-rounded enough?

[OCDFlosser]

I'm currently a Sophomore, Biomedical Sciences major at USF...taking Orgo 1, Physics 2, likely getting A's in both. O-GPA - 3.3, with a steady incline.

~ C+ in Gen. Chem 1, and C+ in Physics 1 (both were my Freshman year).
My GPA should be about a 3.5-3.6 by the time I apply for Dental school next summer (c/o 2016!?)...preferably in-state schools (UF, and NOVA).

I've been studying for the DATs already (with a Kaplan test-prep book), and plan to take the Kaplan course in Fall or Spring. I'm estimating I'll get a 19/20 overall.

Extras:
-Chapter President of AKPsi Professional Business Fraternity (Co-ed)
-member of pre-dental society
-Oral-Health Research Study - completely designed by myself, with intent to publish results
-part-time job at First Watch Cafe (does that even count, haha?)

LOR's:
-worked for an orthodontist for two years, he attended my top-choice d.school...and he knows me well


What should I work on?
Based on this info, what are my strengths/weaknesses?
Any advice?

THANKS.

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[coolslugs]

I'm currently a Sophomore, Biomedical Sciences major at USF...taking Orgo 1, Physics 2, likely getting A's in both. O-GPA - 3.3, with a steady incline.

~ C+ in Gen. Chem 1, and C+ in Physics 1 (both were my Freshman year).
My GPA should be about a 3.5-3.6 by the time I apply for Dental school next summer (c/o 2016!?)...preferably in-state schools (UF, and NOVA).

I've been studying for the DATs already (with a Kaplan test-prep book), and plan to take the Kaplan course in Fall or Spring. I'm estimating I'll get a 19/20 overall.

Extras:
-Chapter President of AKPsi Professional Business Fraternity (Co-ed)
-member of pre-dental society
-Oral-Health Research Study - completely designed by myself, with intent to publish results
-part-time job at First Watch Cafe (does that even count, haha?)

LOR's:
-worked for an orthodontist for two years, he attended my top-choice d.school...and he knows me well


What should I work on?
Based on this info, what are my strengths/weaknesses?
Any advice?

THANKS.

1. Professional business fraternity...are you a business major?
2. Where is your community service?
3. What is your dental experience outside of working for a specialist?
4. Do you have a role in your pre-dental society besides just being a member?
5. What do you do for fun? What do you really care about? Take an active role in whatever interests you

 

[OCDFlosser]

1. Ha; not a business major - but I joined AKPsi in an attempt to learn more about the business aspect of dentistry, since my goal is to own my own practice. And it has paid off.
2. Community service - I do lots with the Fraternity, and other campus-events, but do I need to document my hours, or is an estimate good enough (so long as I can talk about it if asked in an interview)?
3. Mmm, just some shadowing...which I didn't mention.
4. And just a member...rather uninvolved because of the meeting-time, and class-schedule.
5. Should I mention things I do "for fun" in my personal statement, you mean?


Thanks again.

 

[coolslugs]

1. Ha; not a business major - but I joined AKPsi in an attempt to learn more about the business aspect of dentistry, since my goal is to own my own practice. And it has paid off.
2. Community service - I do lots with the Fraternity, and other campus-events, but do I need to document my hours, or is an estimate good enough (so long as I can talk about it if asked in an interview)?
3. Mmm, just some shadowing...which I didn't mention.
4. And just a member...rather uninvolved because of the meeting-time, and class-schedule.
5. Should I mention things I do "for fun" in my personal statement, you mean?


Thanks again.

1. That should be something good to talk about
2. Community service...just remember that there are only 10 spots on the application for you to fill in all of your extra-curricular and community service activities. It would be better to do a single activity over a long time, than many activities.
5. You have to think about what makes you stand out and what you are passionate in. Almost everyone's got dental experience, volunteering, and is part of some kind of dental club.

 

[dmitriyivanov]

Kaplan class is a WASTE of money and your valuable TIME , use your money to buy every possible text and software prep material: Destroyer, Kaplan DAt blue book (1 full exam in book and one online), Barrons DAT (2 full exams in the book and 3 full exams on the CD), Crack DAT PAT 10 Tests, Crack DAT math 10 tests, Barrons AP chemistry, Barrons AP bio, Cliffs AP Bio, Topscore 3 full exams. And anything else that you could get your hands on. You won’t get anything from Kaplans class (besides some cool flash cards or notes) blah , search SDN for what others think about it!

Def. need more shadowing (at least 30 hours or so and not just a specialist), volunteering, community service, campus club participation, employment, do you tutor someone, are you a member in any other honor society, are you actively involved with church, have you held any leadership positions in college or work?

Do you have any hobbies or anything that involves manual dexterity?

You could also do get involved with some research in your school to be even more competitive (but not required).

Get to know some of your professors that will be writing you your recommendation letters, it’s important to do this early. Also you could ask for one from your dentist that you shadow.

Don't shoot for 19-20 on DAT, if you are planning to be competitive, shoot for anything above 20-21. Admission will only get more competitive next year.

Ou and one more thing, it’s not "DATs" its "DAT"

 

[Rutsy]

If you're already preparing, you should definitely aim for a higher DAT score. Yes, your gen chem mark is low, but if you kill gen. chem on the DAT it'll show you're capable. I took the Kaplan course and it was sufficient for getting a 20, however, I would take the advice of others and find supplemental resources. Some sections were lacking, and my DAT could have been higher with extra resources (wish I would have been on SDN while I was studying... geeeeez )

 

[OCDFlosser]

Awesome! So, it seems like I need to work on community service, and shadowing some more dentists. I'll definitely be prepared to talk about some of my other activities (like ceramics, painting, etc)...and I definitely won't settle for a 19-20 on my DAT [not DATs...haha]...especially since UF has a DAT average around 21 (and that's just AVERAGE, not competitive).

I officially love SDN. Thanks fellow pre-dents.