Hi everyone, this is my first ever post after reading numerous others! Kind of excited.
I plan to apply to Dental School this cycle!
For context, I have a 2.98 cGPA (not sure on the sGPA yet), but I was diagnosed with a learning disability in my senior year of college (+ entering college during 2020 covid). Before I get bombarded, for context, I did very well academically (getting A's barely studying) and physically (sports) prior to college (I received a full ride coverage, not from sports), which is why it went undiagnosed. My culture has a strong discrimination against mental disabilities, which is why my parents have always told my primary care doctor to not test me. After many years of gaining the courage to go (scared for my life), I was diagnosed (My bio professor who wrote my rec helped me along the way and gave me the confidence). Being undiagnosed greatly crippled my chances when entering college, especially during the height of covid-19 (2020). I didn't do terrible in college, but I never felt like it was my best potential and continuously blamed myself for something I didn't realize I could not control.
After being diagnosed, I slowly gained confidence as I learned how to study and adjusted to my symptoms. Then in my final semester of college, I received a 3.8 GPA while taking high level sciences (Immunology, cell bio, high level psych courses too) while working.
I'm studying for the DAT currently while retaking Ochem II, (Just got my grade back on my first test as a 95 so I think I'll do well this sem). [The cGPA I stated is already including this possible A in ochem II].
Essentially I have been retaking the pre-req courses that I have not completed/need to retake. I retook Bio I & Chem II over the summer (2024) and received an A for both courses. In the fall I retook Ochem I but due to my mom losing her job and student loans, I had to work 4 days a week (full time) with this course, resulting in a C.
I plan to take Biochem during the fall after applying this cycle.
EC's:
- Orthodontic Assistant (1 year now)
- Founded a community youth program and have been actively volunteering for 6 years
- Dental mission caring for patients on the autism spectrum.
- about 200 hours of shadowing
- Have 6 different jobs that Ive done over the course of college
- Climate Change research pertaining to climate migration for 3rd world countries
Recommendations:
2 science professors (very strong, they know of my struggle in undergrad and how I've developed after my diagnosis) - both main sciences
1 english professor (pretty strong i think)
1 dentist (my boss - is also a professor at a dental school)
1 from my community youth program (Very strong)
I received an invite from my college for a commitee letter interview, which is tomorrow!!!! So, I will update how it goes (They have a 3.3 GPA cutoff for commitee letters, but know of my circumstances; I have no idea how they factored my learning disability to place me above 3.3).
Because of this interivew, I have a majority of my application finished (of course with more refining) - personal statement, RC's, etc. etc.
I understand that much can't be said without my DAT!
For my first practice test (~10 days into my review of a 12 week study plan) I got a 19AA
Weak in the sciences (expected)
Bio 18
GC 14 (Most of the Q's were calculations for formulas I had forgotten)
OC 18 (I had just started Ochem II class)
PAT 21 (FYI I learned how to do pattern folding the day before this PT!) I did v well on the sections except for TFE b/c of running out of time (I started with angles)
RC 24
QR 20
I am currently aiming for 26+ on the DAT (I have a strong background in standardized tests) and I am using DAT Booster, Destroyer, and Chad's Prep.
While all said and done, my main concern is: Will I be screened out by admissions before they see my circumstances (learning disability diagnosis)?
I recently spoke with Columbia's admissions and they stated to make it known in the application, but they didn't mention if I will be screened out. I'm just wondering if admissions will be able to see it all before I get screened out (if thats even possible)?
Thank you so much for anyone listening to my ramblind and for your replies in advance. Please let me know if you need to know anything more specifically.
I plan to apply to Dental School this cycle!
For context, I have a 2.98 cGPA (not sure on the sGPA yet), but I was diagnosed with a learning disability in my senior year of college (+ entering college during 2020 covid). Before I get bombarded, for context, I did very well academically (getting A's barely studying) and physically (sports) prior to college (I received a full ride coverage, not from sports), which is why it went undiagnosed. My culture has a strong discrimination against mental disabilities, which is why my parents have always told my primary care doctor to not test me. After many years of gaining the courage to go (scared for my life), I was diagnosed (My bio professor who wrote my rec helped me along the way and gave me the confidence). Being undiagnosed greatly crippled my chances when entering college, especially during the height of covid-19 (2020). I didn't do terrible in college, but I never felt like it was my best potential and continuously blamed myself for something I didn't realize I could not control.
After being diagnosed, I slowly gained confidence as I learned how to study and adjusted to my symptoms. Then in my final semester of college, I received a 3.8 GPA while taking high level sciences (Immunology, cell bio, high level psych courses too) while working.
I'm studying for the DAT currently while retaking Ochem II, (Just got my grade back on my first test as a 95 so I think I'll do well this sem). [The cGPA I stated is already including this possible A in ochem II].
Essentially I have been retaking the pre-req courses that I have not completed/need to retake. I retook Bio I & Chem II over the summer (2024) and received an A for both courses. In the fall I retook Ochem I but due to my mom losing her job and student loans, I had to work 4 days a week (full time) with this course, resulting in a C.
I plan to take Biochem during the fall after applying this cycle.
EC's:
- Orthodontic Assistant (1 year now)
- Founded a community youth program and have been actively volunteering for 6 years
- Dental mission caring for patients on the autism spectrum.
- about 200 hours of shadowing
- Have 6 different jobs that Ive done over the course of college
- Climate Change research pertaining to climate migration for 3rd world countries
Recommendations:
2 science professors (very strong, they know of my struggle in undergrad and how I've developed after my diagnosis) - both main sciences
1 english professor (pretty strong i think)
1 dentist (my boss - is also a professor at a dental school)
1 from my community youth program (Very strong)
I received an invite from my college for a commitee letter interview, which is tomorrow!!!! So, I will update how it goes (They have a 3.3 GPA cutoff for commitee letters, but know of my circumstances; I have no idea how they factored my learning disability to place me above 3.3).
Because of this interivew, I have a majority of my application finished (of course with more refining) - personal statement, RC's, etc. etc.
I understand that much can't be said without my DAT!
For my first practice test (~10 days into my review of a 12 week study plan) I got a 19AA
Weak in the sciences (expected)
Bio 18
GC 14 (Most of the Q's were calculations for formulas I had forgotten)
OC 18 (I had just started Ochem II class)
PAT 21 (FYI I learned how to do pattern folding the day before this PT!) I did v well on the sections except for TFE b/c of running out of time (I started with angles)
RC 24
QR 20
I am currently aiming for 26+ on the DAT (I have a strong background in standardized tests) and I am using DAT Booster, Destroyer, and Chad's Prep.
While all said and done, my main concern is: Will I be screened out by admissions before they see my circumstances (learning disability diagnosis)?
I recently spoke with Columbia's admissions and they stated to make it known in the application, but they didn't mention if I will be screened out. I'm just wondering if admissions will be able to see it all before I get screened out (if thats even possible)?
Thank you so much for anyone listening to my ramblind and for your replies in advance. Please let me know if you need to know anything more specifically.