What are my chances? Applying this cycle

[u_stepped_on_mi_to_sis]

hey guys!! i've been lurking on SDN and recently ive read a LOT of threads w ppl that have AMAZING DAT scores and exceptional GPAs... makes me just wonder where i possibly stand. i'll post my stats and pleaaase give any advice possible!

DAT scores: 8/8/18
- 23 AA
- 22 TS
- 25 PAT

sGPA & GPA: (currently a junior & working on raising my gpa)
both are around 3.38
(economics major + all the pre-dental stuff)


Volunteering:
- Soup kitchen volunteer for the past 3 yrs

LOR:
- 1 from the orthodontist I shadowed
- 1 from my biology prof
- 1 from my calc II prof


ok this is everything i can think of off the top of my head!!

do you guys think this is enough? my gpa is what I'm stressing about the most

thanks for all the help!!

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[AppalachianDentalBoy]

You're fine as long as your school list makes sense. I wouldn't mention the shadowing of MDs/DOs on your app or you'll look like a failed premed.

 

[knewstance]

Looks good, as long as you interview well you should have no problem getting accepted.

Your school list should be 8-12 schools. Should include: state schools, schools that offer in-state after the first year, a dream school or two if thats your thing, and a few private schools to make sure you have an acceptance in the event things do not go well at your state interview.

 

[Alaskan _Polarbear]

I agree with those above. I was informed by many students in dental school and by the dental admissions that shadowing a doctor makes it seems as if dental was your backup plan and makes the admission committee think that you are not 100% interested in dentistry

 

[OrphanageCaretaker]

I wouldn't mention the hours you spent shadowing MD's, you could however mention in your PS that you in fact did shadow other professions, but dentistry was a better fit etc. Just my two cents. Your DAT should make up for your GPA, but you still have a year left so your GPA will only improve and that will show come academic update period. Start forming a school list. Good luck.

 

[MavsFanForLife]

I put my doctor shadowing experience on my application and even brought it up in my interviews saying that I explored all options and came to the conclusion that dentistry was the best fit for me because xyz. I didnt have 300 hours though haha

 

[jollytoaster304]

You're fine as long as your school list makes sense. I wouldn't mention the shadowing of MDs/DOs on your app or you'll look like a failed premed.

What if the shadowing showed that OP wasnt interested in that field as they thought they were? I feel like this would be a good point to bring up, unless Dental was the goal from FR year.

I put my doctor shadowing experience on my application and even brought it up in my interviews saying that I explored all options and came to the conclusion that dentistry was the best fit for me because xyz. I didnt have 300 hours though haha

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

What if the shadowing showed that OP wasnt interested in that field as they thought they were? I feel like this would be a good point to bring up, unless Dental was the goal from FR year.

There is a big difference between 100 hours and 300. As it stands OP has almost 2x as much med as dent. Combined with a 3.38 I would assume he is settling for dentistry since the matriculant avg GPA is 0.2 lower.