What should I aim for?

[Legendary13]

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I haven't taken the DAT yet, but I just wanted some input from you smart people on what I should aim for. I also haven't done anything in terms of shadowing/researching, so if you can help me on how to go about doing all that then I would truly appreciate it.

I am entering my junior year of college and planning to apply to dental schools during June 2013. I know my GPA can change, but this is what I have so far:

College: University of Houston
Major: Finance
Current Overall GPA: 3.74
Science GPA: 3.60
Shadowing: 0 hours
Research: 0 hours
Volunteer: 200 hours
Letters of Recommendation: 0
Planning on joining the Pre-Dental Club this year

I do plan on applying to all 3 Texas dental schools (Houston, San Antonio, and Baylor).

-How many shadowing/research/volunteer hours are required/good enough?

-How should I go about getting letters of recommendation? How many do I need? Do they all have to be from science teachers?

-What should I aim for on the DAT to at least get interviews, and hopefully get accepted?

Thank-you guys in advance!

 

[PointEstimate]

Regarding DAT scores, courtesy of Oracle DMD:
17- you can apply
18- not bad
19- avg acceptance score...thats good
20- an attention getter
21-23- you killed it
+24- pick your school to interview at

 

[BRZ24]

Regarding DAT scores, courtesy of Oracle DMD:
17- you can apply
18- not bad
19- avg acceptance score...thats good
20- an attention getter
21-23- you killed it
+24- pick your school to interview at

Love that scale.

 

[aznboi89x]

I haven't taken the DAT yet, but I just wanted some input from you smart people on what I should aim for. I also haven't done anything in terms of shadowing/researching, so if you can help me on how to go about doing all that then I would truly appreciate it.

I am entering my junior year of college and planning to apply to dental schools during June 2014. I know my GPA can change, but this is what I have so far:

College: University of Houston
Major: Finance
Current Overall GPA: 3.74
Science GPA: 3.60
Shadowing: 0 hours
Research: 0 hours
Volunteer: 200 hours
Letters of Recommendation: 0
Planning on joining the Pre-Dental Club this year

I do plan on applying to all 3 Texas dental schools (Houston, San Antonio, and Baylor).

-How many shadowing/research/volunteer hours are required/good enough?

-How should I go about getting letters of recommendation? How many do I need? Do they all have to be from science teachers?

-What should I aim for on the DAT to at least get interviews, and hopefully get accepted?

Thank-you guys in advance!

hello fellow cougar! I graduated from UH last semester and applied through TMDSAS (in-state) and AADSAS (out of state schools). With your current gpa TMDSAS will calculate it to be higher than AADSAS since AADSAS has their own scale for GPA standardization.

Shadowing should be kept to mininum of 50 hours and no more than 300? Anything more than 300 is complete waste of time when you can dedicate those hours towards dental community outreach such as TMOM (Texas Mission of Mercy) or Smiles on Wheels. You should definitely go out to TMOM events and dental assist. That way you meet new people such as Board members, dental students, and pre-dental students. These new people gave me lots and lots of advice. You can research but only do it if you absolutely have time to spare or can't find anything else to do. I know Baylor is all about community service and they ABSOLUTELY LOVE TMOM events since most of their students go to those events throughout the year. Also Baylor likes students that continue their education even though they have already graduated. All of this info came from a Baylor student that is on the admissions team.

4 letters is more than enough. 3 from professors and 1 from dentist. Get letters of recommendation from professors that actually know you, preferably science professors. If you have taken organic chemistry for Dr. Mary Bean, you should ask her. Dr. Richard Knapp for Biology/Microbiology is also good. However, if you ask a professor that doesn't know you well, be prepared to hand out your personal statement, transcript, and etc.

All texas schools require Statistics and biochemistry. Genetics and human physiology is recommended as well. I am not too sure if all 3 texas schools accept community college credits so you might want to check that. If you have an AP credits, be sure to check as well if they're ok with it.

You should aim for at least a 20 on Academic average and Total Science. Most schools look at Reading Comprehension score to gauge your reading skills since you will go through lots and lots of material in a short amount of time. Keep a score of 18 or more on the Reading and you should be fine. I hope this helps! If you have any questions, PM me or post on here.

 

[RU1992]

The post above covered most ground honestly. But one question though: Why are you applying in June of 2014, as opposed to June of 2013? Are you planning to take a year off, because if you're not, then you should be applying at the end of your junior year beginning of senior year? Just giving the heads up.

 

[Legendary13]

The post above covered most ground honestly. But one question though: Why are you applying in June of 2014, as opposed to June of 2013? Are you planning to take a year off, because if you're not, then you should be applying at the end of your junior year beginning of senior year? Just giving the heads up.

Sorry guys! I meant June 2013.

 

[Legendary13]

Thank you very much! I will definitely keep all that in mind, and I'll try to get involved with TMOM.

 

[casiouser]

A 22 DAT is good with that GPA.

 

[wo5678]

Regarding DAT scores, courtesy of Oracle DMD:
17- you can apply
18- not bad
19- avg acceptance score...thats good
20- an attention getter
21-23- you killed it
+24- pick your school to interview at

This is the SDN adjusted scale.

20- you need to retake
22- average
24- Don't quit your day job just yet.
26- *still no interviews*
28- "You haven't cured cancer with this score? I see a lack of motivation here. I have to see what other applicants have to offer. "
30- Ok, NOW we are talking

 

[Tragictrend]

This is the SDN adjusted scale.

20- you can apply, but apply broadly.
22- average
24- Don't quit your day job just yet.
26- ok, maybe a couple of interviews
28- "You haven't cured cancer with this score? I see a lack of motivation here. I have to see what other applicants have to offer. "

30- retake

 

[mustardseed5]

How do you know you want to be a dentist? Just wondering what the root of your interest is, as a finance major with zero shadowing.

 

[wo5678]

30- retake

"This is good... but we want students that will give us 110%."

 

[wo5678]

30- retake

😉

 

[Stacker]

Better to overshoot for a 30 so it won't be half bad if you miss the mark. I wanted to get a 23 but I knew I was only going to get a 20 at the rate and amount of time I was investing. I ended up with a 20. Not ecstatic but not really disappointed either.

 

[NeoSmiles]

Better to overshoot for a 30 so it won't be half bad if you miss the mark. I wanted to get a 23 but I knew I was only going to get a 20 at the rate and amount of time I was investing. I ended up with a 20. Not ecstatic but not really disappointed either.

Yes!!! Agree! Shoot for the Stars and you will fall on the clouds. I know I did and it worked out.

 

[PointEstimate]

Yes!!! Agree! Shoot for the Stars and you will fall on the clouds. I know I did and it worked out.

Not so sure that's how Les Brown said it....

 

[Smurf12]

Sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
I'm, I'm sky high
Sky, Sky high
I'm, I'm sky high -Kanye West

Seriously, aim for the AA30 PAT30. I only wanted at least a AA20, PAT20 with only 37 days of studying. After seeing the flash flood of AA+24 on SDN it now makes my AA23 feel like cr@p.