Getting ready to prep for the DAT this summer. Plan to study all summer, take late July, first week of August before going back to school. I just don't have time to study during the school year with classes, sport, etc.
My application so far looks like this (as of end of sophomore year) best I can figure. I'm still waiting on Ochem and Genetics grades, which I expect to be A/A- for class and lab grades so those should go up just a bit. I have one C in Comparative Anatomy lab:
oGPA 3.66/3.71 (+/- and w/0 +/-)
sGPA 3.56/3.74
BCP 3.51/3.67
non-science 3.71/3.71
--I've taken all the basic pre-reqs, physics, calc, bio, chem, Ochem (A- for the year !!!!!), etc. Also have Genetics, Comparative Anatomy done.
--90 hours shadowing general dentist so far. I have a 90 hour internship scheduled for this summer with a specialty clinic that does OS, Endo and cosmetic. I will also do some one day shadow experiences with general dentists so another 20 hours or so.
--Volunteer hours, will have over 200 hours by the end of June
--President of one club, VP of another, board member of a 3rd.
--RA
--Admissions Rep (give tours, host overnight students, etc.)
--Varsity Athlete (will be captain the next 2 years)
--LOR's---I will get a strong one from our family dentist--he sparked my interest in dentistry after having a pretty severe dental issue that landed me in the hospital, dentist I shadowed last summer has offered a LOR as well. I have 3 science profs that have offered, no committee at my school.
Obviously I want to do as well as possible on the DAT. What score is "minimum" for my GPA, etc. to make me competitive. Also, which schools would you suggest. Geography isn't an issue but I'd prefer the smaller towns. I'm ok living just about anywhere though. My list so far includes:
MSDOH
Iowa (instate)---could live at home--huge cost savings!
Minnesota (could make a case for instate--lived in MN for 18 years, graduated from MN high school)--would have free room/board likely with grandparents
Indiana
New England
Creighton?
Plan now is small town general dentist possibly doing some endo and ortho??? I'm interested in OS, but not sure I really want to add the extra years and I think doing basic extractions in the office will be fine.
I know this is early but I want to have a good plan in place before junior year starts so when it comes time to apply this time next year I'm ready, mainly with the school list, and just starting to get a bit nervous for the process 😀. I think I'm a strong candidate already but anything I'm missing (other than the DAT obviously). I also want to get a list in place so I know what upper level classes I need for sure.
My application so far looks like this (as of end of sophomore year) best I can figure. I'm still waiting on Ochem and Genetics grades, which I expect to be A/A- for class and lab grades so those should go up just a bit. I have one C in Comparative Anatomy lab:
oGPA 3.66/3.71 (+/- and w/0 +/-)
sGPA 3.56/3.74
BCP 3.51/3.67
non-science 3.71/3.71
--I've taken all the basic pre-reqs, physics, calc, bio, chem, Ochem (A- for the year !!!!!), etc. Also have Genetics, Comparative Anatomy done.
--90 hours shadowing general dentist so far. I have a 90 hour internship scheduled for this summer with a specialty clinic that does OS, Endo and cosmetic. I will also do some one day shadow experiences with general dentists so another 20 hours or so.
--Volunteer hours, will have over 200 hours by the end of June
--President of one club, VP of another, board member of a 3rd.
--RA
--Admissions Rep (give tours, host overnight students, etc.)
--Varsity Athlete (will be captain the next 2 years)
--LOR's---I will get a strong one from our family dentist--he sparked my interest in dentistry after having a pretty severe dental issue that landed me in the hospital, dentist I shadowed last summer has offered a LOR as well. I have 3 science profs that have offered, no committee at my school.
Obviously I want to do as well as possible on the DAT. What score is "minimum" for my GPA, etc. to make me competitive. Also, which schools would you suggest. Geography isn't an issue but I'd prefer the smaller towns. I'm ok living just about anywhere though. My list so far includes:
MSDOH
Iowa (instate)---could live at home--huge cost savings!
Minnesota (could make a case for instate--lived in MN for 18 years, graduated from MN high school)--would have free room/board likely with grandparents
Indiana
New England
Creighton?
Plan now is small town general dentist possibly doing some endo and ortho??? I'm interested in OS, but not sure I really want to add the extra years and I think doing basic extractions in the office will be fine.
I know this is early but I want to have a good plan in place before junior year starts so when it comes time to apply this time next year I'm ready, mainly with the school list, and just starting to get a bit nervous for the process 😀. I think I'm a strong candidate already but anything I'm missing (other than the DAT obviously). I also want to get a list in place so I know what upper level classes I need for sure.
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