I think I am in denial
I don’t wana accept it Bt the way things are going I need time and have to mentally get myself ready
It’s towards the end of October 3 months passed by
Still no words from any of the school
With GPA 3.67
2000+ hours working as RDH
Total of 220 hours of shadowing 3 different doctors
100+ hours of volunteering
1000+ hours working as RDA
410 AA DAT
4 letter of recommendation
Idk . Atleast send a email of rejection Bt pls don’t ghost

What’s the best way to answer the question what’s the last book you read? Or Tell me about the last book you read when you genuinely have not read a book in a while. I feel like being honest and saying you don’t really read could only hurt you

I don't know how true this is but I've seen this advice going around a lot recently but people are saying "Make sure to get a B- or higher in all of your prerequisite course work."

Is there some secret rule where you need a B- or higher in all of your prereqs? I know the requirement for all schools is a C or higher in prereqs, but I keep seeing people say to earn a B- or higher.

Do I now have to retake my gen chem 2 and stats class because I got C's in both of them? Or is this rule not true?

Hello everyone! I’m feeling a little lost right now and would really appreciate some advice on what direction to take.

I currently have a undergrad 3.2 cGPA and a 3.1 sGPA and I’m trying to decide whether pursuing a master’s program or doing a post-bacc would be the better option for me. I have six classes left this fall before I graduate, so I’m trying to plan my next steps.

My concern rn is the cost. Master’s programs are pretty expensive and I’m not sure how I would afford one. I currently attend a private university and I honestly would prefer not to pay their tuition rates for additional undergraduate classes so if I decide to pursue a postbacc, I would most likely transfer to a public university in my city to save money.

For those who have been in a similar situation, what would you recommend? Any advice would be great!

I just recieved an email from loma linda saying my application had a status update but when i logged in, it still says "under review." did this happen to anyone else?

For those who have taken the Casper test, how did you prep for it? Did you find any prep companies worth it? (ie, CasperBooster or BeMo)

Do you have any advice for someone who is about to start studying for it?

I really have to struggle to find someone saying something good about dentistry these days…

Everywhere I look is that dentists are underpaid, loans are too high, job market is saturated….

I don’t even get how this process works but can someone tell me how for an example someone were to apply in September get a Kira as opposed to someone that applied first day of June where the Kira is literally just the minimum requirements? I’m out here wondering when tf I’m getting a usc Kira but from what it looks like I will prob get it post December which makes no sense 💀

I am interviewing here in a few days and wanted to ask if anyone had any tips for prepping for their interview! Thank you

I know some schools (I.e. Tufts and Penn) absolutely do not want to be contacted during application review. Does anyone know of any schools that are open to receiving letters of interest/update (such as temple, Boston, UConn, Pitt, VCU, Maryland, or any schools that are known to be open to them.)

Are schools still releasing interview invites ? Like boston , tufts, pitts, marquette, case western, buffalo

I'm sure I'm just overthinking this, but are there any suit/shirt/tie combinations that should be avoided at all costs? I have a suit that I've owned for a little bit, and I don't want to step on a landmine with it

what range is ok for a masters gpa for reapplicants? Obviously I know as high as possible is the goal, but realistically what is the acceptable range?

I’m almost done with my program and am on the fence about reapplying for the upcoming cycle or just going into academia. I had a 3.7ish gpa and 3.6ish science gpa during undergrad

what traits do UCLA dental look for in an applicant?? What specifically makes someone stand out to them

Did anyone in-state for Iowa interview and not get in last cycle?

Hello!

I will be interviewing at UMN and it is my dream school😭. I would love to connect with someone who is currently attending 🥹

I interviewed yesterday (Friday) and asked my interviewers if I could get their emails or if I should contact the admissions office for them. They said to contact admissions, so I emailed them but haven’t heard back. I know it’s the weekend so maybe that’s why(?), but I’m worried about waiting too long after my interview to send my thank you letters.

For those who interviewed, were you able to get the emails of your interviewers? And on another note, should I send two separate emails once I get them?

To clarify, I applied to 3 schools for free in July because I got the FAP waiver, however I do not take my DAT until this week and i’m expecting to get 410-420 which isn’t what i was aiming for. I cannot reschedule it as my eligibility period ends this month, so I decided not to apply until next cycle and retake the DAT in march, aiming for around a 470. I feel like those scores won’t offset my gpa or applying this late and I want to have the best possible chance of getting admitted.

Here are my stats so far (according to AADSAS)

cGPA: 3.52

sGPA: 3.30

BCP GPA: 3.40

250 shadowing

100 hours volunteering (a couple years old so planning on doing more before applying)

100 hours dental/neuroscience research.

Extracurriculars: pre-dental club, pickleball, table tennis

I’m planning on taking Anatomy & Phys II as well as some more science classes online to boost my science gpa. I’m also starting work at Mayo Clinic in their hematology lab as an assistant in 2 weeks. What else can i do until May to strengthen my app?

For those who do gel polish (at home or at the salon), acrylic nails, press ons with nail glue, rubber base gel, builder gel, etc please read this post I linked!! It can give you a lifelong allergy to not only nail products but dental materials and medical glues, which not only impacts what procedures you can receive but is also important as a future/current dentist to not be allergic to the materials you will be working with 24/7. Just wanted to put this out there for awareness! I chose to throw away my $50 at-home gel nail collection after seeing this, switching to regular polish 🥲

Anyone know when or if Howard is going to offer the dental hygiene program again?

hello! I’ve seen that some people got interview invites on 10/12 for IU and I haven’t received anything so i’m curious if I should send a letter of interest now. I feel like they sent the october interview date in like one day so I’m not sure If i’m going to even get an interview now for november but IU is one of my top choices so I’m not sure what to do.

My dream school finally sent me an invite. After months of constant chest pain I finally feel some relief 🫶🏻

Okay. I understand I have 2 interviews right now, which is great. But as a reapplicant, I am getting paranoid because I got 5 last cycle. Especially as a first generation student from a 3rd world country and figuring out the american dream after my Dad died od fucking cancer.

I got verified in August. Most apps were done in mid august. For context:

2025-26 cycle: 3.8 GPA and a 3.7 gpa. D1 athlete devoting 25 hours a week to training and travel and regualr 530 am wake up/practice times. Bible study leader. SAAC rep leadership. 500 hours of research with a poster and incoming publication. 440 DAT with a 360 PAT. 17 credits average. My gpa and sgpa are SO low because I got a C+ and a B- bc in Bio 1 and Gen Chem 1 my first semester. TA'd nursing students. Tutored biochemistry. 2 international mission trips in Guatemala and Panama. Dental and non-dental related. Was a general dental assistant and dental lab tech for 500 hours. 200 hours of volunteerism.

2026-27:

3.85 gpa and a 3.75 sgpa. Additions and improvements are as follows:

Retook the DAT and got 470AA and a 450 PAT. I also graduated with MCL honors, Excellence in Research Award, got a TA award. TA'd students at my state's school of dentistry in Head And Neck Anatomy. Donor concierge for our university's men's basketball team, which is one of the best in the NCAA. Added an omfs job where I added another 750 hours in iv sedation assisting, nitrous oxide assisting, implant assisting, patient management. I also became a coach for local hs xc and tf team and really enjoy the kids I work with since retiring from the sport and helping them reach their goals. Spent 30 hours as a volunteer dental assistant at an underserved clinic until it unfortunately closed :(

I am really frustrated because I feel like I am doing what I need to be to improve as an applicant. Yeah, a 21 AA and a 17 PAT simply won't cut it to get into dental school these days, but I took the time and raised it to a 23 and a 21 PAT, which is above average even in today's dental applicant pool. What I dont get is that I took the tike to talk about these things extensively in my PS and other essays. Like I woke up at 5am most days, ran like 13 to 14 miles a day, took care of my own nutrition and fueling, and still aced classes despite my early struggles and even took dental school level coursework while the rest of my classmates complained about getting up for an 8 or 9 am class. With the little time I did have outside of training and competition and studying, I volunteered. I barely had time for friends or going out. More over, I feel like being a first generation student on top of all that was really overwhelming, especially since my family doesnt know anything about college or how to succeed in it and found out how to succeed on my own, despite all my classmates having their connections. And yet, I couldn't convert any of the interviews last cycle, and this cycle, despite improving significantly I only get TWO!? Like I really want to know where I am going wrong. Like am I average for this cycle. I am feeling so lost and any advice or help would be really appreciated.