What schools should I be looking at?

[mikey13]

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I recently took the DAT and will be applying for dental school this June. I am going through the application process, letters of rec, personal statement, etc., but I'm still not sure which schools to apply to. I live in California and so I am planning on applying to all 5 Cali schools (UoP, UCSF, USC, Loma Linda, and UCLA), but I dont know too much about out of state schools. I've heard UPenn is good, and I was also contemplating Michigan or Boston U. Any more options of schools to apply to or inside information on the schools I mentioned would be very very much appreciated. THANK YOU! - Mike

My DAT scores were:
20/20/21
My grades are: overall - 3.65; science - 3.5; major (psychology) - 3.85
I go to a pretty good school (UCBerkeley), and am active in the community/school. I dont have an incredible amount of dental experience, although my dad is a dentist. I know its hard to say, based on this amount of info, if I could get into a school, but if any current dental school students could let me know my chances on certain schools (especially University of the Pacific) that would be very much appreciated. Thank you again for any reply or comment that you might have, EVERYthing helps me!

 

[Balki]

I think with stats like yours, you'll get an interview probably to any school you apply. The state schools might give you a harder time. On the east coast there are many great schools, depending what you like.
Upenn,
NYU
Columbia
Harvard
UCONN
etc... Some have a more extensive clinical training than other, some are more speciality oriented, but overall all good schools. Browse this forum for any specific information about the schools. Also look at the Interview feedback and good luck

-Balki

 

[Zurik5]

I would pick a few schools that you really like, and save yourself some money. You have very good scores, and should get in at most schools. Best of luck.

 

[mikey13]

thank you very much for your input, would any of you know which schools emphasize clinical experience more than the others, because that's what I'm most interested in early on in my dental school years

 

[ecdoesit]

That would be UOP. And it is a 3 yrs program.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Mikey, apply only to school you could see yourself attending. You should have lots of luck with those Cali schools, but don't apply to east coast schools unless you can see yourself enjoy life in a different atmosphere. Michigan, Boston, Penn, may be good schools--but are they good for you?

 

[ShawnOne]

As far as Cali schools, I think you'll most likely get an interview at USC and UCSF. You have a good shot at UCLA and UOP, but not 100% IMHO.

and Loma Linda only if you are SDA or have good religious references.

As far as out-of-state, as others said, consider places you would really consider going. You should research them for yourself. The full list of ADEA schools are posted in the "links of interest". My favorite out-of-state schools are Nova and UNLV.

good luck!

 

[Woodsy]

You got some good scores, like Balki said, you would be good for any school you apply to, just APPLY EARLY to have a better chance of success!

 

[callmehere]

Hey,

You should really only apply to Loma Linda after you do some research about it. I didn't know it was a religious school and wasted $65 bucks on the application. Anyways, I had scores and a GPA very similar to yours, but for some reason I still applied to 14 different schools. It seemed like a good idea at the time because I only wanted to go through the apps once, and wanted to make sure I got into somewhere. I got interviews to all of the schools I applied to (I applied late too, mid Oct), and most of them I didn't attend after I got into my number one pick. So, you have good scores, save some money and apply to those schools not only you would actually go to, but those you would actually like to go to. Hindsight is 20/20, and I know you're nervous, but from my experience, I spent wayyy too much $$ on apps, hopes this helps you.

 

[ziptree]

Like callmehere, I applied to way too many schools (20+) to make sure I made it in somewhere.

Since everyone has warned you about Loma Linda, I'll leave it alone. Also, a word of caution; since you're from California, you probably enjoy the warm weather and lack of snow (in most places). I remember when I interviewed at east coast schools (UPenn, Temple, NYU) they were pretty cold, and I needed an overcoat. Don't apply to those schools if you don't like the cold or can't stand it for 4 years. =)

If you want a higher chance of being interviewed and accepted to UOP, you should re-take your DATs to get as high a score as possible (20-21+) in all categories.

Good luck, and apply early!

 

[grettlin2]

I would say not to apply Howard. This school is rude and I only heard from them with two letters: one asks for application fee and the other is rejection.

Then, research U of Iowa before you apply. Dr. Brown said the average GPA for out-of-state this year is 3.8 and DAT is 20. My GPA 3.67 and Science GPA 4.0 with DAT 22 was rejected without even an interview.