Hello SDN,
I will be applying to dental schools this summer with these credentials:
Grade/Age: Junior, 21
Race/Gender: Caucasian, male
Undergrad: a state school in Ohio
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Chemistry
GPA: 4.00
AA: 21
TS: 20
PAT: 20
Bio: 18
RC: 18
Community service hours: 110 (mostly involved in one organization recently)
Observation hours: 100 (with 5 different dentists)
Research: One summer for diabetes institute at a medical school, co-authored a recently published paper
Involvement: Pre-dental club 2 years, running club, scholarship program
Leadership: none
Jobs during school: General Chemistry review session leader (5 hours per week), tutor (10 hours per week)
Other application strengths:
- From southeastern Appalachia Ohio
- Planning to start a practice in southeastern Appalachia Ohio with my brother (who is currently finishing up dental school at OSU)
- Took a well-rounded course load (will have 11/13 pre-reqs completed by end of junior year), have averaged 16-17 credits, took a business undertone of coursework, took a year of spanish, and took other useful classes that weren't part of my major (medical terminology, sociology, will be taking psychology, etc...)
- Did not have any credits coming into college. I have taken all of my classes at the state school where I am enrolled at, and have not taken a summer class.
- High school valedictorian
- Am possibly going to be working as a dental assistant starting at the beginning of this summer
Other application weaknesses:
- Have not taken o-chem labs yet
- No concrete evidence that I have good hand skills since I don't really do much with my hands... However, I have always displayed great hand-eye coordination in sports, am a very fast/accurate typer, and am an above average video gamer (for whatever that is worth haha)
- My letters of recommendations will probably be similar to the average applicant; I have made some OKAY acquaintances/connections, but no real GREAT relationships with faculty members or employers
I am planning on applying to Ohio State, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Louisville, and Pittsburgh.
Should I apply to all of these places, or are any of them probably not worth my time trying? What do you think my chances are at OSU (this is my goal school, due to cost and quality of education)?
Should I re-take the DAT? Some of you make think this is ridiculous but DAT scores just keep going up so much, and I believe that it is the highest valued criterion... My weak sections (bio, rc, pat) are also the most important sections I think. I thought I could get a 23 or 24 the first time around but I think I just didn't study right and took it way too soon in undergrad.. Also, if I can score high enough and get accepted to OSU there's a chance I could get a half tuition scholarship (they give some of these to in-state kids).
Thanks in advance.
I will be applying to dental schools this summer with these credentials:
Grade/Age: Junior, 21
Race/Gender: Caucasian, male
Undergrad: a state school in Ohio
Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Chemistry
GPA: 4.00
AA: 21
TS: 20
PAT: 20
Bio: 18
RC: 18
Community service hours: 110 (mostly involved in one organization recently)
Observation hours: 100 (with 5 different dentists)
Research: One summer for diabetes institute at a medical school, co-authored a recently published paper
Involvement: Pre-dental club 2 years, running club, scholarship program
Leadership: none
Jobs during school: General Chemistry review session leader (5 hours per week), tutor (10 hours per week)
Other application strengths:
- From southeastern Appalachia Ohio
- Planning to start a practice in southeastern Appalachia Ohio with my brother (who is currently finishing up dental school at OSU)
- Took a well-rounded course load (will have 11/13 pre-reqs completed by end of junior year), have averaged 16-17 credits, took a business undertone of coursework, took a year of spanish, and took other useful classes that weren't part of my major (medical terminology, sociology, will be taking psychology, etc...)
- Did not have any credits coming into college. I have taken all of my classes at the state school where I am enrolled at, and have not taken a summer class.
- High school valedictorian
- Am possibly going to be working as a dental assistant starting at the beginning of this summer
Other application weaknesses:
- Have not taken o-chem labs yet
- No concrete evidence that I have good hand skills since I don't really do much with my hands... However, I have always displayed great hand-eye coordination in sports, am a very fast/accurate typer, and am an above average video gamer (for whatever that is worth haha)
- My letters of recommendations will probably be similar to the average applicant; I have made some OKAY acquaintances/connections, but no real GREAT relationships with faculty members or employers
I am planning on applying to Ohio State, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Louisville, and Pittsburgh.
Should I apply to all of these places, or are any of them probably not worth my time trying? What do you think my chances are at OSU (this is my goal school, due to cost and quality of education)?
Should I re-take the DAT? Some of you make think this is ridiculous but DAT scores just keep going up so much, and I believe that it is the highest valued criterion... My weak sections (bio, rc, pat) are also the most important sections I think. I thought I could get a 23 or 24 the first time around but I think I just didn't study right and took it way too soon in undergrad.. Also, if I can score high enough and get accepted to OSU there's a chance I could get a half tuition scholarship (they give some of these to in-state kids).
Thanks in advance.
Last edited:
