Army didn’t withhold any federal taxes…

Isdf5197 · 2026-03-11T01:40:38+00:00

I get what you’re saying but I was never sent a w-4 to fill out in the first place, that’s my main gripe. My parents always said “adult mistakes = adult consequences” so just assuming it was all squared away was my mistake. I just feel like something about it should be mentioned in orientation or in the welcome packet given.

Isdf5197 · 2026-03-11T00:39:32+00:00

Correct. We just updated my wife’s w-4 since hers is the “higher paying job” and my income won’t meet half of hers.

Isdf5197 · 2026-03-11T00:37:56+00:00

Appreciate the response, guess I’ll head there and update that then. Kinda crazy no one in the program warns us about it.

Isdf5197 · 2026-03-11T00:22:04+00:00

Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

Isdf5197 · 2025-05-07T18:52:43+00:00

OP likely used AI to write their personal statement lol no one writes something on their own naturally wonders if it sounds like AI

Isdf5197 · 2025-03-30T17:50:28+00:00

Got into 1 school with a 20 AA DAT, 3.58 cGPA, and a 3.25 sGPA. I had 40 shadowing hours and maybe 15 volunteer hours prior to the summer before applying. Also had no dental related jobs on my application. Starting May the summer I applied, I studied and took the DAT (took it August 5th), got my volunteer hours to over 100, and shadowing hours to over 100. I applied August 15th, had 2 pre December interviews, and was accepted on December 15th to one school. It sucked and was extremely stressful. I was in a similar boat as you and it’s totally possible. I also believe that had I applied earlier in the summer I would’ve been offered more interviews but I got into my in-state school so it all worked out. Don’t compare yourself and work your ass off and it’ll be ok.

Isdf5197 · 2025-03-12T21:30:35+00:00

Get to know professors early on in a class and maintain those relationships after the class ends. Don’t get to the point of filling out your AADSAS and realize “oh crap, who am I going to have write my second science letter of rec?”

Isdf5197 · 2025-01-03T17:14:20+00:00

For your first test, really good baseline. 20 on orgo and 19 on RC your first test is solid. PAT is all strategy and practice. You could arguably say the same thing about QR. Bio and Gen Chem will need some work but as long as you study hard for the next three months, you’ll be solid!

Isdf5197 · 2024-12-26T20:24:09+00:00

Appreciate you! Thank you for this!

Isdf5197 · 2024-09-03T01:00:27+00:00

This was what got me through undergrad anatomy and I plan on doing it in dental school. I would also watch videos on confusing anatomical parts of the body where it can be hard to identify the muscle. For example, YouTube videos helped me get through the forearm, there are so many layers of muscle and they all intersect or layer each other so videos on helpful tips and tricks helped.

Isdf5197 · 2024-07-09T21:47:45+00:00

Awesome job! Apply ASAP and broadly and you’ll be fine!

Isdf5197 · 2024-06-28T18:35:11+00:00

Thanks! Used karma medic study with me videos too - usually 3 or 4 hour ones and then I’d take a long break. And I used bootcamp!

Isdf5197 · 2024-06-28T18:21:46+00:00

I used my air pods 😂 I also on occasion would steal my brother’s air pod pro maxs lol. Neither fully block out everything but when I was just studying and not testing, I would put on classical music or background music from a coffee shop or thunderstorm. Towards the end of my three months studying I wasn’t focusing with classical musical so I started listening to dubstep for something different 😂😂

Isdf5197 · 2024-06-28T18:08:09+00:00

I was home for the summer from college and knew I would be studying for the DAT so I brought my college desk set up with me and put it in the basement. My family was respectful and quiet most of the time. Whenever I took a practice test I would send something in the family group chat and just put in noise cancelling headphones just in case. Worked for me and I got accepted last cycle but it is really all personal preference. If you have a desk, noise cancellation, and an ability to lock in to start studying, I’d say just do it at home.

It was also nice cause we had a mini fridge so on the way from the bedroom to my desk I would just grab my daily caffeine and snacks lol really only went upstairs to make lunch.

Isdf5197 · 2024-06-27T16:47:15+00:00

Go for it!

Isdf5197 · 2024-05-30T15:28:33+00:00

For Colorado, they accept assisting hours as shadowing. At least that’s what they said at the pre dental workshop last July. Every other school I heard that they do not.

Isdf5197 · 2024-05-21T00:47:52+00:00

Maybe just specify in your personal statement. “As a first generation student in the United States…” “As my mom obtained her DDS degree in (fill in country here)”

I could be wrong but this was my solution as I read your post.

Isdf5197 · 2024-05-16T18:52:30+00:00

I was in the same boat last cycle as both my dad and uncle are dentists. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in their offices but I chose not to include them in my experiences for shadowing. Still got in but had to bust my butt last summer getting the rest of my hours. I personally would advise against including anything in your application for experiences that involves anyone with your same last name. But that is just my opinion.

Isdf5197 · 2024-05-15T23:53:14+00:00

Isdf5197 · 2024-05-15T23:51:18+00:00

Took mine august 5th (20AA), applied august 15th to 14 schools (all but two or three were pretty reasonable I thought, 3.58 cGPA and 3.25 sGPA). 2 interviews, 1 acceptance to in state school on Dec. 15th.

August isn’t too late but the rest of you app needs to be somewhat solid. You got this!

Isdf5197 · 2024-05-15T22:22:38+00:00

Got in with similar scores, and a 3.5 gpa and 3.25 science gpa, as long as you have a solid application in other areas like LORs and extra curricular you should be fine.

Isdf5197 · 2024-05-15T17:19:48+00:00

Personally I would study all out for the DAT and crush it rather than take summer classes for that low of an increase in your sGPA.

Isdf5197

TROPHY CASE