I’ve been looking into the DAT for when I apply and I honestly think I’m going to just take it without studying.

I feel like most of the material is stuff from your prereqs so I’m a little confused seeing everyone on here studying for 3 months or more. It just seems like a lot of time for a single exam. And if I do well I’ll save myself the money of having to buy bootcamp or booster which I’ve heard by some people are not even similar to the exam.

Also if your GPA is good does it even matter what you get or can they just look at my GPA?

For reference I have a 3.7 and a 3.6 science.

Am I on the right track with this thought process or should I prep first for a couple weeks with my notes from my undergrad classes.

Let me know your guys thoughts on this. Thanks!

Anyone here have any notion of what competitive volunteer hours look like/how much weight they carry on an app? I have an average sGPA, around 3.5-3.6. Studying for the dat currently and my practice exams are at about a 460 AA so let's just imagine that. Community outreach is big for me and who I am, I also am hoping it will set my app apart. I'm at 350 hours rn and plan on getting to around around 500 by the time I submit next cycle. That's consistent weekly commitments as a leader in my university's student volunteer organization, no dental/mission trips etc. Any insight would be well appreciated. Also, I'd love to know what schools have a higher than average focus on volunteering and community outreach beyond just incoming applications.

*im canadian btw
is it even possible to apply for and afford dental school as someone who is from a low income background? of course i have worked since i was 15 and have a savings but its nowhere near enough to afford everything. and depending on the amount of cycles that can add up

just here to vent! i am sooo embarrassed right now. if anyone needs a laugh this morning please be seated

so i had my first shadowing for oral surgery today. the first patient was an extraction. 1 tooth, easy peasy, i’ve seen dozens of those i was chill! the second patient was getting 4 wisdom teeth out (i think?! i wasn’t there long enough to find out lmao) but basically as the dr. is starting i just get this awful feeling like im going to puke and then i got super woozy and dizzy, next thing i know i asked to step out because my legs turned to freshly boiled spaghetti and i am in a chair in the next room drinking a capri sun with an ice pack on my head. i don’t know if it was the different environment (dark room, beeping machine, spooky vibes) or because i didn’t eat a big enough breakfast… but ya girl literally PASSED OUT!

i have only passed out once in my life (until today) so that was scary asf do not recommend … literally thought i was dying lol. but long story short i was kindly sent home <33 they still gave me all of my shadowing hours for the day so happy about that:) im trying to not overthink it because some strange/not so nice comments were made by some of the office staff, but im sure this will be something i’ll laugh about in a few years. happy friday!

Did anyone else just get an invite to DCG? I would love to hear advice from anyone who has interview there before or knows what to expect! Thanks Guys!

Hey! I’m planning on applying next cycle and wanted to get some advice on my current app. For context, I decided to pursue dentistry post grad and I’m currently taking 10 credits of upper level science courses as a diy post-bacc. Expecting a 4.0!

cGPA: 3.56 -> 3.59 projected
sGPA: 3.32 -> 3.4 projected
DAT: 500 AA, 510 TS, 510 PAT
Dental Assisting: ~1500 hours (children & special needs)
Research: 1100 hours
Volunteering: 400 hours (hospital, service clubs)
Shadowing: 160 hours
Gateway to Dentistry program

I’d appreciate any advice on chances or what I should focus on over the next few months. Thanks!!

I got a call earlier today with an interview invite to MWU-IL. I was wondering if anyone who has interviewed there this cycle or previous cycles has any tips or info about it. I heard there’s a group interview portion? Also I heard the traditional interview portion is closed file?

Last week I was on this sub freaking out seeing ppl posting ab how many interviews they had while I hadn’t heard a peep. I don’t want to be that guy also but one week later, and I have heard back from 3 schools (2 Kira’s and 1 zoom scheduled for this Monday).

Point is, don’t panic you could end up hearing from multiple schools at once and have interviews a few days later. It’s still so early in the cycle majority of the interviews have not even been sent yet.

Got invited to do a Kira that’s due tmrw at 12, but it says I need to complete a supplemental academic application. Anyone know where it is? Can’t find it anywhere

If I already interviewed at my first choice school, should I send them a letter of intent pre December? Will it help my chances or harm?

Did anyone complete this program and qualify for the guaranteed interview? I qualified, but still haven't received the interview. I'm worried that pre dec slots are gonna be filled soon.

I always see people recommending DAT Booster and Bootcamp, but rarely Kaplan.

I recently got free access to Kaplan’s DAT course through a scholarship program, and I’m wondering why it isn’t as popular.

Is Kaplan really that much worse, or is it just less popular? Has anyone used it and had good results? Would you recommend sticking with it or getting Booster/Bootcamp instead?

Is this something I should be worried about?

Before my interview it said "invited to interview" and after it says "received/under review" the same thing as before my interview invite.

Got an interview for umich with a 21AA/17 PAT last cycle. Improved a lot of stuff and even my DAT up to a 23AA/21 PAT and gained like 1000+ hours as an omfs assistant with more awards. Just wondering bc I would rlly like to go there.

Title says it all.

Are you able to send letters to schools you haven't gotten interviews from pre-december?

Or is this only for applications that already interviewed and havent been accepted post December?