Hi Pops! (OK, it's late and it doesn't take much to amuse me.... I couldn't resist the twist on your pseudonym!
)
So, are you a college freshman? What year will you be starting in the fall (FR? SO?)?
This will help me to help you better.
Don't say no one replies in the dental forum....I do when I know the response! But I agree that we need to increase traffic there. I don't mind giving my opinion or known facts, but I know there have to be more folks out there w/their 2 cents to offer... I also want some dental-specific advice!
{Calling all dental folk!!! Hear ye, hear ye! }
OK, the DAT... How hard is it? Well, how hard did you think the SAT was? Same kind of answer here. If you're well-prepared, no test is out of reach. A lot depends on what kind of test taker you are. I did quite well on the DAT (and also SAT), but I also spent a fair amount of time preparing. The DAT's science questions do not have an associated passage--so if you like MCAT-style questions with passages to try to deduce an answer, you're outta luck on the DAT. It's 100 questions on bio, chem, and orgo to be answered within 90 minutes. To me, most of the orgo questions focused more on 1st semester than 2nd sem (but the sample DAT booklet can give you a clue there on topics). The other thing that's probably unlike anything you've ever done before is the Perceptual Ability section (otherwise known as PAT). You really do need to practice for these questions. And obviously, anyone attempting to become a dentist should have good 2-D and 3-D visual perception. Again, the fact that the reading comp. passages are all science-based could be a pro or a con, depending on your perspective and background. For me, it was a plus. Now, as I mentioned in another post, the other thing to consider is that the test is offered only on computer (while the MCAT is only pencil/paper). So that means your reading comp. and PAT Q's are on the screen, as are quantitative and science Q's requiring calcn's. If you're used to writing in your test booklet, you have to change your strategy. They do give you scrap paper, though. So, I guess I'd say that the DAT is not easy, but I found it quite manageable. However, others may disagree w/me. You'll have to judge for yourself.
You want to study for the DAT after you've taken your science pre-req's, namely intro bio, intro chem, and organic chem (all 1 year, w/lab). The beauty of the DAT is that there's no physics; so, while you'll need to take a year of physics w/lab to get into dental school, you don't need it for the DAT. (You could say that the PAT is kinda instead of Physics.)
GPA...I'll have to look 'em up for you. I think most schools have an average GPA of roughly 3.5 for their matriculants, and similar science GPA, but I can double check. A 3.2 is prob. fine. Most schools recommend above a 3.0.
Columbia is one of the harder schools to get into. (I'm still hoping to get admitted off their alternate list! Wish me luck!
) Columbia is one of only 3 Ivy League dental schools, the others being UPenn and Harvard. So, standards for admission are pretty high.
The other factor in admission, which you've probably noticed from other med. posts, is that your legal state of residence when you apply can either help you or hurt you. If you apply to an in-state school, it will likely help you, but if you apply where you're considered an out-of-stater, it will make it much, much harder for you to get in (except perhaps at a private school). But of course, private schools are more $$.
In the long run, it really doesn't matter where you go to dental school since they're all accredited and thus have to meet certain standards to stay in existence (this from my health professions advisor). However, each dental school does have some differences. Some place more emphasis on early clinical experience, others more biomedical curriculum (even taken w/med students). Some strongly encourage research. Location (rural/inner city)? Special programs/degrees like MBA, MPH in add'n to dentistry? You just need to determine what you want in a program to figure out where to apply.
Hope I've enlightened you somewhat...
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You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
--Eleanor Roosevelt
ok I am going into my sophomore year in college at the University of Missouri-Columbia! and I am interested in dentisty but i want to be an Orthodontist, How would I go About that, if anyone coud reply i would be greatfull.Thankz...
People answered questions so thoroughly.
