Hey guys, having a big headache here.

Two concerns right now:

1. I'm currently taking Gen Bio 1 and Gen Chem 1 (Fall 2024), which means I'll be taking
   • Gen Bio 2 and Gen Chem 2 in Spring 2025
   • Orgo 1 in Fall 2025
   • Orgo 2 in Spring 2026
   • Can I apply for Class of 2026 in this case? If I can, wouldn't that mean I would have to take DAT without taking Organic Chemistry class? Do you guys think that it is possible?
2. I graduated as Mechanical Engineer on 2019 and took Gen Physics 2 (Spring 2015) / Gen Physic 3 (Fall 2016). Does this mean that I'm still good for class of 2026 application?

I'm really pulling my hair out. Any advice would be very appreciated.

Thank you guys in advance,

Date of Submission: Planning for the 2025–2026 cycle

Overall GPA: 3.67 Science GPA: 3.56 BCP GPA: 3.27 (more on this below)

DAT Score (2nd attempt; received 17 AA & 14 TS 1st time): AA 21 - PAT 23 / RC 20 / QR 22 / TS 20 / Bio 20 / GC 21 / OC 20

State of Residence: New York

Undergrad Attended: Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter College (June 2024) Major: Biological Sciences Minor: Political Science Minority: No Reapplicant?: No Nontrad?: No

Shadowing Experience: ~1,000 hours as a dental assistant

Started assisting in high school at an orthodontic office (300 hours)

Continued assisting at a large clinic from freshman through sophomore year, primarily with general dentists and some exposure to prosthodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics (500 hours)

Currently working at a nonprofit organization where I assist dental patients with disabilities, which has profoundly influenced my approach to patient care and will be the focus of my personal statement (160 hours and ongoing)

Volunteering Experience: ~200 hours ~20 hours of Volunteer work with Food Bank for NYC 160 hours at nonprofit organization as treatment coordinator volunteer intern, calling patients to streamline appointments Future volunteer work planned with Give Kids A Smile & Special Olympics (~15 hours combined)

Employment: Resident Assistant (RA) experience in junior year Dental Assistant at three clinics through high school & college to present

Research: None yet, but seeking opportunities to gain research experience before applying Should I look for lab research or focus on social science research involving equity (which aligns with my personal statement and experiences)? I know that it's kind of pointless thinking of it even before getting spots for them, but just want to get a second opinion before I proactively look for them.

Relevant Honors or Awards: though they may not be significant - Dean's List for 5 semesters Rudin Scholars recipient at my college

LOR Type and Strength: Receiving a committee letter from my college's pre-health office that combines 6 strong recommendations: 2 from dentists I’ve worked with 3 from science faculty 1 from a non-science faculty member & 1 from my volunteer supervisor

Misc Info/Things Not Stated Elsewhere/Red Flags:

Low GPA (2.5) in the fall of my sophomore year due to personal challenges, but I have shown an upward trend since then, maintaining a 3.9+ GPA each semester by senior year. Got D in Bio 2 & C+ in Orgo 1, which have brought down my GPA a lot. Got B+ in Orgo 2 and retook Bio 2 and received B+.

First-generation college student and first-generation immigrant who arrived in the U.S. as an undocumented student (no longer the case)

Considering whether to retake the DAT or focus on strengthening my application through research, further clinical experience, and interview prep

School List: Columbia (dream school) NYU Stony Brook Buffalo Touro Rutgers Boston University UConn Open to recommendations for other schools in the region

I’d appreciate any feedback on my competitiveness for dental schools I listed above. Should I apply to more schools, and if so, which ones would be a good fit? I’m also debating whether I should retake the DAT or focus on other aspects of my application. Any insights into how I can further improve my application would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi! For anyone who had an interview today at UDM whether at 8am or 11am session, how did you think it went?

Does it make any difference to do so, especially for schools we haven’t heard anything from yet?

Hi everyone! I'm planning on applying to dental school this cycle and I wanted some input on what schools I should include given that you guys know so much already. My stats are 21 AA, 22 TS, 22 Bio, 23 GC, 21 OC, 20 RC, 21 QR, 24 PAT. GPA - 3.79 but probably gonna be higher since I have 4 quarters left. I have about 370+ hours volunteer and 120 hours shadowing. I'm kinda worried since my DAT score seems so low and limits a lot of options, especially within California.

I'm a CA resident, but I'm not sure where to start. Any input is appreciated! Also, any resources you guys would recommend to refine my dental school list.

I’ve been hearing a lot about decision day Dec 13. But I have interviews after December in Feb and march. Is that a bad thing? I’m just confused if they accept or reject Dec 13 why are schools interviewing after?

hello i recently got my scholarship cancelled because i couldn't meet the min gpa for it which was 3.5 and i had a 3.4, i tried reinstating it but my college is not being understanding ofc. They told me to try again the next semester and i am confident that my gpa is going to increase to 3.5 now here comes the question as i am filling out the apps I came across this question

Have you ever been disciplined for academic performance (e.g. academic probation, dismissal, suspension, disqualification, etc.) by any college or school?

should i say yes or no ? i am kind of embarrassed to say yes because ik i am going to get it reinstated next semester and also at the same time i am not on academic probation exactly so I'm not sure T-T

Hello, I just applied to UBC DMD this year (currently in my 4th year of a BSC majoring in microbiology). This year in my application cycle they take my first 3 years, but if I do not get in next year they will take my 2,3, and 4th year. For UBC, they have certain requirements- with one being first year chemistry. Although my first year will be wiped away, they still use my pre req marks within the application. I am a bit worried because my first year chem mark is pretty bad (58%), and i'm worried this will affect my application. In my third year I had a 89% average GPA, and fourth year aiming for around a 92% GPA. I have a lot of shadowing hours and work within research labs. I am wondering if I should retake this first year chem course, or do I leave it (does anyone know if it is weighted heavily). I am freaking out that I will never be able to get in even though I now have a good GPA all because of this first year mark that is a pre-req. Should I retake the course or leave it?

I already know that the official answer to this question is “no”, but let me explain.

So, I’m a freshman in college, and a chemistry major. I’m on the track to complete a bachelor of science in 2028.

Now, originally, I wanted to major in biology (I have more of an interest in this field.) However, a friend of mine suggested I take chemistry instead as it is the harder major between the two. She tells me that a 3.4 or a 3.5 GPA in chemistry is as impressive as a 3.8 or a 3.9 GPA in biology.

(She recently graduated, and has friends who applied to dental school. She noticed that more people who applied with a degree in chemistry were accepted than those who had a biology degree. She suspects that it’s because biology is far more common and easier, though she concedes that this may be correlation, not causation.)

So, I went in with a chemistry degree. I wanted to make things easier on myself by pursing a bachelor in arts. Again, I was told to get a bachelor in science instead, as it’s a harder course load.

Now, on the other hand, I spoke to the person in charge of admissions at my university’s dental school. She told me that my major didn’t actually matter; instead, she told me that what mattered was my GPA in general, and my shadowing/volunteer hours. I was told that majoring in biology wouldn’t make me any less competitive as a student.

I really don’t want to stress myself out for no reason; and, if I can pursue something I care more about, I would like to do that instead. At the same time, I don’t want to kill my chances of getting into dental school. Any advice on this? Thank you!

TL;DR: Told to get a bachelor of science in chemistry because it’s easier than a biology degree/a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry. Receiving conflicting advice about whether or not this is true.

Basically what the title says. I know people have answered this question in the past in this subreddit but I’ve seen people saying around now is usually a good time vs post december.

Hi, I have a question. So I didn’t finish all the pre requisites for dental school, finished only 4 classes. I was wondering if I can do master and apply without doing the rest of the pre requisites. Can I do that or I have to finish the pre requisites? Thanks

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Hey all, i have a pretty important question. On my TMDSAS application I have it listed that im retaking my DAT on 11/20. I heard it takes 2 weeks to get verified but on TMDSAS they mention how cutoff date for DAT is December 1st. Does it factor in the verified score, so as long as I have it listed for the 20th i should be fine right?

Mid November is coming up and i still have no interviews. I applied Early august with a 21 AA and 3.78 gpa, lots of shadow and volunteer hours. Should i call admissions offices and ask about status? I feel like they're only going to get annoyed 😭 but i'm anxious and worried that I haven't gotten ANYTHING.

I got a Penn interview and I’m wondering if they have an opportunity to visit the school as the interview day is all online. Anybody know about this? My other 3 schools have all had in-person interviews or online interviews but with an optional in-person visit day.

Hello, I was wondering which dental schools in Canada drop your lowest year. If they do, would it be completely dropped from consideration, and would they not ask about it? Also, I was wondering which dental schools accept summer courses?

I recently just transferred for my local CC to a pretty large state school. Given that I am planning to apply during next cycle, how would you guys recommend getting letters of recommendation from my professors given classes are usually 300+ students. This situation is causing me a boatload of stress so any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks you.

Hi so I’m currently a freshman and I am really interested in a lot of community college courses online. I’m taking a lot of them a probably will have 30 credits for CC. Is this a red flag? I will have all As in them, but will it look bad lmk :)

I’m curious if anyone has gotten into dental school within the last few years without a 4 year degree. I’ve been a hygienist for 8 years and I spent the last 3 years taking prerequisites for dental school. I’m still 2 years out from a bachelors and I’m not sure I can slog it out much longer. My overall gpa is 3.5, science slightly higher. I was going to apply this cycle but I decided to take more time to prepare for the dat. My 128 education/credits consist of hygiene school, and the prerequisites for dental. I wish there were an easier way for me to earn a bachelors but I think I’ll have to switch to an online program in psychology or something. I currently work 3 days a week and attend class the other 2 days. I’m 33 years old, and I’m starting to be on the fence if I can or even should keep going with this goal. I’m motivated to keep trying when I’m at work and see the differences between my day and the doctor’s.

Thanks for any advice

I scheduled my interview with Nova but I didn’t received any sort of email confirmation. Is this normal or did I put it my wrong email or something. Help!

Does UB (Suny Buffalo) has the writing section during the interview day?

Hey everyone! I’m currently in the application process and could use some advice on which dental schools I should consider. Here are my stats: • DAT: 25AA • GPA: 3.55 I’ve already applied to a few schools, but I want to make sure I’m covering all my bases. What are some of the best dental schools you’d recommend based on my stats? Are there any schools I should definitely add to my list? Any advice or insight would be super helpful! Thanks!

This is my list so far of schools I’ve already applied to

• Columbia
• USC
• Rutgers
• Temple
• Buffalo
• Touro
• U of Maryland
• Penn
• WesternU
• WVU
• NYU
• Michigan
• Stonybrook
• Boston U
• UConn
• Pacific
• VCU

Hi! I interviewed w UPitt in late September. After the interview, we were required to attend an info session but there are only 2 per month. Due to my work schedule, I couldn’t attend the one available in October, so I’m attending one on December 4th or November 20th. Do you think that me attending the info session later/past my interview will cause them to reject me? Essentially, I’m a dental assistant and we are incredibly understaffed, and the info sessions were on Wednesdays when we were down an assistant. I’m feeling a little anxious about this! I emailed them and they never responded

Sort of a weird question, but has anyone been accepted to a school after an "average" interview conversation? I'm probably overthinking it, but my interview felt like there were some really great talking points along with some awkward moments.

Does anyone have advice for how to study for the Casper? I just received an interview invite to a school that requires it, so I’m taking it next week. I heard it’s not too bad, but just don’t know what to expect. Thanks!!

Has anyone received interview invites to KCU Joplin? If so what were your stats ?

I recently went to an interview and during the interview they mentioned about sending a letter of intent to the school if your very interested.

I was wondering if it would hurt if I sent the letter of intent to the school I interviewed a while ago before Dec 13 decisions come out?

I haven’t heard anyone in this Reddit forum with interviews from there, and they’ve been radio silent on my end.

Hi! I have an interview with Temple coming up if anyone has already had one and would be willing to comment or PM me as to what it was like. Any insight would be helpful and much appreciated!!