It has already begun: I am cutting schools from my application list.
I know, it probably does not make any sense, considering at this point I have not visited most of the schools. I guess I just know which schools I would like to go to and would be happy with.
Other than that, not much else. I still have a few secondaries to finish up - one of which is really long. I also got the unwanted news that I would need 2 additional letters from science professors. Apparently, some schools do not count a recommendation from a science professor unless they had you in the classroom. Honestly, that really pissed me off, but what can you do?
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Let the Review Process Begin!
This past week I received letters notifying me that the schools are reviewing my application.
What does this actually mean?
It means that I will not hear anything from these schools until early September, and if I am curious about the status of my application between now and then, I will receive a "we are reviewing the application" response.
In the meantime, I have enrolled in an advanced science course for the Fall semester to keep my science knowledge sharp. My hope is that taking this class will not only benefit me in dental school, but also during interviews.
For now, I am enjoying my freedom.
What does this actually mean?
It means that I will not hear anything from these schools until early September, and if I am curious about the status of my application between now and then, I will receive a "we are reviewing the application" response.
In the meantime, I have enrolled in an advanced science course for the Fall semester to keep my science knowledge sharp. My hope is that taking this class will not only benefit me in dental school, but also during interviews.
For now, I am enjoying my freedom.
Monday, July 14, 2008
School shmool
Looking through the ADEA's 45th Ed. of dental schools, I am not surprised to see a lot of institutions require advanced science courses in order to gain admission.
Let me go on the record by saying this is entirely fair.
All dental school students should have taken some courses, at least at the introductory level, in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, etc. But, what this means for me is that I have to take these classes, and I have to take them soon.
So the plan? Enroll in a night class at a nearby university. I will most likely start off with biochemistry and then take physiology in the Fall. Even if I do not get into the schools that require these courses, the material will provide me with a great background when I (hopefully) start dental school in the Fall of 2009.
It is easier said than done to take biochemistry with work and other commitments: we'll see how fair I think this requirement is in a few months.
Let me go on the record by saying this is entirely fair.
All dental school students should have taken some courses, at least at the introductory level, in anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, etc. But, what this means for me is that I have to take these classes, and I have to take them soon.
So the plan? Enroll in a night class at a nearby university. I will most likely start off with biochemistry and then take physiology in the Fall. Even if I do not get into the schools that require these courses, the material will provide me with a great background when I (hopefully) start dental school in the Fall of 2009.
It is easier said than done to take biochemistry with work and other commitments: we'll see how fair I think this requirement is in a few months.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Secondary Applications
Just so you know, applying for dental school is never really over. When you think you have done everything you can, something is bound to come up.
The one thing I was not prepared for was the fact that some schools require secondary applications BEFORE they even look at your application. There are not many, but unfortunately I chose to apply to 3 schools that have this requirement. Other schools ask for secondary applications after reviewing your AADSAS application, guaranteeing you that will have an interview if and when you fill it out.
And, what type of information do these secondary applications require? On the whole, not much, but one in particular asked me to recount my volunteering and shadowing experiences.
I literally blew my top when I saw this. The AADSAS application requires this type of information, and this school was going to make me write about it again? Not only that, but require that I give the contact information of the people who supervised me?
My response: Sorry, but could you kindly please go fuck yourself? I am not going to waste my time with an additional requirement with no interview guarantee, butthole.
As for the others, they took all of about 15 minutes to finish. Still stupid, but a lot less painful.
The one thing I was not prepared for was the fact that some schools require secondary applications BEFORE they even look at your application. There are not many, but unfortunately I chose to apply to 3 schools that have this requirement. Other schools ask for secondary applications after reviewing your AADSAS application, guaranteeing you that will have an interview if and when you fill it out.
And, what type of information do these secondary applications require? On the whole, not much, but one in particular asked me to recount my volunteering and shadowing experiences.
I literally blew my top when I saw this. The AADSAS application requires this type of information, and this school was going to make me write about it again? Not only that, but require that I give the contact information of the people who supervised me?
My response: Sorry, but could you kindly please go fuck yourself? I am not going to waste my time with an additional requirement with no interview guarantee, butthole.
As for the others, they took all of about 15 minutes to finish. Still stupid, but a lot less painful.
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Time in Between
It has been a few weeks since my last post, but nothing much to report. I have taken the opportunity to visit a dental in Arizona last weekend and was thoroughly impressed with the program. The summer heat is a major detractor, but it is something I could definitely stand for a few years.
The time between applying and waiting to hear from dental schools is really great time because I do not and cannot worry about anything regarding my application. Eventually, I will want to hear from the schools, but for the time being, I could not care less.
Of course, just because I do not have to worry about my application, does not mean I will be doing nothing to get the jump on the process. I plan to do some volunteering, visit some more schools, and look into continuing education courses in the sciences for the fall and winter semesters. Unfortunately, I do not have an extensive science background, so I need to take additional classes in preparation for dental school. Of course, taking classes would look good in the eyes of the dental schools, too.
It still beats the hell out of studying for the DAT.
The time between applying and waiting to hear from dental schools is really great time because I do not and cannot worry about anything regarding my application. Eventually, I will want to hear from the schools, but for the time being, I could not care less.
Of course, just because I do not have to worry about my application, does not mean I will be doing nothing to get the jump on the process. I plan to do some volunteering, visit some more schools, and look into continuing education courses in the sciences for the fall and winter semesters. Unfortunately, I do not have an extensive science background, so I need to take additional classes in preparation for dental school. Of course, taking classes would look good in the eyes of the dental schools, too.
It still beats the hell out of studying for the DAT.
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