I found your site very very helpful. I have 5 years of experience dental assisting. I applied last year but did not get accepted. I would love it if you cold advise me on my essay.

If you want to email me your essay, you could, but honestly, I doubt it will help. Essays are only a small, small part of the whole package.

Schools also keep old applications and will compare what you did differently from year to year. I would advise a brand new essay.

5 years of dental assisting is great; we have students who were assistants or hygienists. But grades, what university you went to, what your extracurricular activities were, research experience, course load, DAT scores, and how you present yourself in the interview all make a difference. The essay is very low in priority.

Category: Dental stuff

Asked on Saturday 10 May, 2008 at 20:59:32

Here is my Email: Nguyen_dmd@yahoo.com

(Unanswered)

Category: About Me

Asked on Saturday 10 May, 2008 at 11:05:32

Hi Ping! I saw you on a post on student doc forum...I am new to Nova. And just like you, when I first applied, I had no one guide me through the process. If you have any tips/advice/leads to roomates in Ft. Lauderdale, ANYTHING, I would be BEYOND greatful to hear it. Waiting in unabated anticipation....SONIA

Hi, congrats on getting into Nova. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about roommates. Since I'm married, I guess I have a permanent one :)

Anyway, I checked our class forum, and the only students looking for roommates are guys. You can start a thread on SDN. Or if you wanted something within walking distance, call Sunforest or Sundance - when you call the leasing office, ask to see if they have a roommate matching service.

Most of the roommate wanted ads I see are posted on the bulletin boards on campus in the Health building, or on the doors in the parking garage.

My girlfriend posted an ad on a website last year. When I find out the name of the website, I'll let you know. Just check back to this page.

[EDIT]

Ok, she told me about a great site: go to NSU's home page, on the left there is a link "Student Services" click on that. Once there, click on "Off Campus Housing" and play around on that site. On top there is a link "Roommate Finder." Good luck.

Category: Nova

Asked on Saturday 10 May, 2008 at 11:03:28

Ok, so I haven't shadowed any dentists yet and I'm about to be a senior in undergrad. I know I should have started earlier, but I am involved in a lot of school organizations and volunteer at a couple other nonprofits around town. Ive talked to some people who say that they shadowed for 3000+ hours! This really intimidated me, and I was just wondering if from what you've heard if THAT many hours are the norm? I plan to shadow this summer, but I doubt its going to be anywhere near 3000 hours, then I wonder if my measly amount of hours will stand out among those who have done a ton. I know that some is better than none, but Im just curious if im really THAT behind? Thanks!

If you search my website, you'll find that I didn't start shadowing until the summer I applied and I had a total of 40 hours. I don't know anyone who shadowed 3000+ hours, but there are plenty of students who worked for their dental parents growing up, so I guess those hours would count.

Category: Dental stuff

Asked on Thursday 8 May, 2008 at 13:14:56

Hello - If I apply to dental and optometry school, does the admission committee's frown upon that? Even though they are totally seperate schools, will a dental school know I applied to an optometry school (and vice versa)?

Yes, they wouldn't like it, but honestly, I don't know how they would find out. Maybe they share data, maybe they don't? If you decide to apply to both, just be prepared in your interview to answer if they ask you about it. Personally, I would do my research and figure out which I would prefer and apply only to that.

Category: Dental stuff

Asked on Monday 5 May, 2008 at 20:57:54

Hi! : ) I graduated from Maryland a year ago and moved back to Toronto because of family circumstance. Since I didnt plan on the Toronto move, I decided to go to gradute school as to not waste time and sit around (which I am in at the moment). Anyway, I have been seriously thinking of applying to dental school. Anyway since I am a bit older now (I am 23), do you think its too late to go that route? Also, I graduated with a GPA of 3.67 from university but I did attend a year of community college -- do dental schools take that into consideration? Thank you very much.

Hi, no you're not too old. 22 is about the average age of the incoming student. I was 26 when I entered, and there are 30-somethings in my class.

GPA of 3.67 is good and yes, they will look at your community college grades. But as long as they're good (mostly A's), and your university classes (mostly As-Bs), then that's fine.

Category: Dental stuff

Asked on Wednesday 30 April, 2008 at 19:33:37

I already graduated last year from college with a chemistry degree..3.8 gpa..i'm hoping to take the dat this summer..according to practice tests..i feel that i can master it since i've been preparing for a long time..ive done shadowing/volunteer a bit..my dad's a dentist back home in india so i spent numerous hours just volunteering at his clinic..however, i wanted other references and other experiences besides just that..so i have only shadowed 2-3 dentists..is that enough?? also currently i'm enrolled in a medicinal chemistry PHD program...I just recently decided that I really would like to apply to dental school..due to circumstantial reasons..i was unable to do so last year..i figured a year of extra research in this area would help me as well? My biology isn't very strong as I am a chemistry major..however, I feel that I'll be able to learn most things for the DAT..do you think non bio majors have problems at nova? also nova's my top choice..and I just wanted advice as to..what you think my chances are with this gpa and what avg dat score you think I should aim for at least...also the dental website for nova isn't working..i wanted to match up pre-reqs to see if they require a lot of biology pre - reqs..do you know if online classes would cover for that? thanks again..i'm so glad to see this website as nova is my no. 1 choice!

Ok, this question is overwhelmingly long and fragmented. If I was an admissions personnel, this would show me you need to do more research on your own, gain more confidence, and gather your thoughts. Would you want to read and answer this question?

Essentially, you're asking me to predict whether or not you are going to get in. I can't predict that.

But to answer your questions: 2-3 dentist is enough. Research is helpful especially with public universities. No, non-bio majors do just fine; we have engineers, assistants, finance majors. 3.8 is a really good GPA. Aim for 20 DAT score. They are probably updating their website; try again later. Why wouldn't online classes count, as long as you get credit for it.

PS - Your passion is great. But know that confidence goes a long way too.

Category: Nova

Asked on Monday 28 April, 2008 at 22:32:39

In addition to the question I just asked, will my grades be good enough to apply? I had shadowing experience but plan on taking the DAT in June. Do I need a score above 20 to really be considered?

Yes, your grades are good. Yes, you need some 20's in some of the DAT section. You want to aim for an overall score of 20. Of course, there are students with scores that are less (ie, 18) or more. But with an average GPA of 3.6, I would aim for a higher DAT score.

PS - I personally believe that an outgoing personality and interesting resume, you can get in lesser (but still good) GPA/DAT scores. I don't believe it's always about the numbers. And last, it helps if you know someone (faculty, dean) at the school.

Category: Dental stuff

Asked on Sunday 27 April, 2008 at 19:58:54

Hey! So I'm applying to dental school this summer and currently have a 3.6GPA (my school takes into account + and -, so it should be a little higher after a new GPA is calculated). Do you know which dental schools are the hardest to get into? Are there any easier schools to apply to? Thanks!

3.6 is an average GPA. Last year's incoming class to NSU was 3.5 or 3.6.

All schools are hard to get into. It's a matter of supply and demand. 100's or 1000's apply for only limited spots. Public universities tend to take more in-state students and fewer out-of-state students. For example, UF only took 10% of their 80 students from out-of-state, so the difficulty of getting in depends on where you're from (aside from grades, etc.) Private schools tend to take more out-of-state.

Category: Dental stuff

Asked on Sunday 27 April, 2008 at 19:57:16

Hi, I'm a Dental Hygienist, graduated in May of 07 and am very interested in going to Dental School. The only problem is that my grades in Hygiene school were mostly B's. I think my GPA is like a 3.0. Do you think it's hopeless? Would I most likely get turned down?

Hard to say. Which school? Any extra activities? From what you posted, a 3.0 is low and your application is not very strong.

I do believe in following your dreams. You can try calling a dental school to get suggestions on how to improve your chances.

Category: Dental stuff

Asked on Saturday 26 April, 2008 at 10:41:06