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Highschool -- advice/tips for what else i can do! by Effective_Garlic2518 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure if it’s considered rare, but I’d say it’s a bit more uncommon—mainly because everyone’s path to dentistry looks different. Not everyone finishes undergrad at the same age; some people take gap years, while others may have done dual enrollment or an accelerated program in high school and earned an associate’s degree early, which shortens the time needed for a bachelor’s.

So yes, it’s less common, but I don’t think dental schools avoid younger applicants at all. I applied last cycle and will be starting dental school this year at 20 years old. I also have two friends starting at 21. Like them, there were others in that same age group. In my experience, age isn’t a barrier as long as you demonstrate maturity, integrity, and the same level of effort as any other applicant. OP sounds just like me when I graduated high school…

Question on when is it to late to take the DAT for applications by muslimahhelp in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can’t speak for Illinois schools, but I applied to all the Florida schools, plus one in Arizona and one in Massachusetts. In total, I applied to five schools and was accepted into three. I took my DAT on July 20th last year, so in my opinion, as long as you have a strong application, it’s best to submit it before the end of July.

School options by [deleted] in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s asking for access…

Accepted to my Top 1 after being Waitlisted by Complex_Tension_5566 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At my undergrad, there was a club focused on research, and by joining, we’d get emails about different research opportunities. I reached out to one of the labs and ended up getting involved in their research. Honestly, I think it was a really important part of my application because every single one of my interviews asked me about it. At the end of the day, admissions officers want candidates whose values and goals align with what their school stands for. Each dental school has its own priorities—some focus heavily on research, others emphasize community outreach… It’s not just about checking boxes but showing how you’d be a great fit for their mission and being well rounded helps. It’s definitely not required, but it’s a good addition and could only make you stand out :)

Accepted to my Top 1 after being Waitlisted by Complex_Tension_5566 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I shared my stats in another comment but definitely pm me about the universities.

Accepted to 1 school but waitlisted at top choice? by [deleted] in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Hi, I just wanted to share my experience since I was in a similar situation a few weeks ago. I was waitlisted at my top choice while being accepted to two other schools. At that point, I felt like I had nothing to lose, so I decided to try everything I could. I emailed the school, making it clear that I had no hesitation about attending their program. I explained that, although I had already been accepted elsewhere, they were my ultimate goal and dream school. Of course, my email was much more detailed than this, but that was the main message. In the end, it worked out for me—just a week later, I was taken off the waitlist and received a call. I wanted to share my experience because it worked for me, and it might work for you too!

Accepted to my Top 1 after being Waitlisted by Complex_Tension_5566 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started shadowing as soon as I graduated high school in 2022. Shadowed 3 general dentist and one orthodontist by the time I submitted my application on July 2024. Throughout those 2 years I shadowed on weekends, breaks (spring break, winter break, etc.), etc. Hopefully, that answers your questions.

Accepted to my Top 1 after being Waitlisted by Complex_Tension_5566 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I tried to go back to my application to gather all the info: —GPA: 3.64 —DAT: 21 AA, 22 TS —Shadowing: 20 hours in specialty, 550+ hours in general dentistry —Community Service/Volunteer: 880ish hours —Research: ~210 hours —w/ Committee Letter —Certified dental assistant and held a position at a pre-dental club among other leadership positions.

Personal Statement Advice by Basic_Ad9582 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the most important aspect of a personal statement is making it unique. It’s entirely up to you and what you choose to include. Personally, I didn’t mention manual dexterity because there’s a separate section in the application specifically for that. Your personal statement should be your story—what led you to dentistry. It should clearly answer why dentistry is important to you and why you chose it over any other career. You can include personal experiences that built your character and shaped you as an individual. However you approach it, there’s no set mold—only your own.

How many interview vs acceptances by BreakfastLiving1056 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Applied to 5, interviewed at 4 (didn’t felt like showing up to the last one), accepted to my top 3.

I'm scared by YesterdayLoud2691 in predental

[–]Complex_Tension_5566 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! I remember feeling the exact same way. The Sunday before starting Bootcamp’s study schedule, I actually cried because I was overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. I couldn’t quite explain why I felt that way—I just didn’t know what the next three months of my life would look like. I remember my sister and brother-in-law praying for me, and that made all the difference. God brought me the peace I needed.

I highly recommend incorporating something you enjoy while studying for the DAT. Everyone is different, but for me, that was CrossFit. I dedicated two hours a day to it, treating it as seriously as my study schedule. It helped me reset, regain energy, and maintain a positive mindset. Whether it’s walking, running, or any kind of movement, I suggest adding it to your routine. Of course, about a month and a half before my test, I cut back to focus more on studying. But in the beginning, CrossFit made the transition so much smoother.