You have good points on the DAT and how expensive it is. Not everyone has the resources. With that being said, there are 8 dental schools that do not require it, and it will be a trend in the years ahead
@gracekwon12472 ай бұрын
Hi! I'm also a FAP recipient and I want to just submit to 3 programs first before submitting others due to waiting for my 4th LOR. When you submit all, is there an option to remove the other schools and only submit to 3 schools?
@ThinkingInProgress7 күн бұрын
Not that I remember. I messed up and submitted to only a single school at a time so I wouldn’t know how to delete the rest to add them back
@ScarletScarlet-er2zj2 ай бұрын
I finally passed my DAT exam after all the stress.I thank God for the great opportunity and my tutor Thomas 🎊🎊🎉🎉 All my prayers to those struggling to pass through DAT cause it hasn't been easy.I hope y'all make it some day too Amen🙏
@ThinkingInProgress2 ай бұрын
Amazing!!! Congrats!! 🎉🎉🎉
@brendaarmas82792 ай бұрын
Great video, thank you
@lizwl39014 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for this video!
@ThinkingInProgress2 ай бұрын
Thank YOU!! ❤
@mu73364 ай бұрын
This was super inspiring to watch. Do dental schools have a GPA cutoff? I'm also a transfer student, how did you find your transition from CC to UC? This is my first year at a UC and it's been a tough challenging start and my GPA took a hit
@ThinkingInProgress4 ай бұрын
Some schools have a cutoff and others don’t. Had to check with the schools individually to find out. I had the same issues when I transferred so I ended up with a downward trend in my GPA. Definitely change study habits or eliminate major distractions to focus on what you can change to help your GPA. Time management is really key. It helps to talk to professors or upperclassmen to figure out how to study/manage your time. Honestly, I had to revamp my study methods completely when I got to dental school, I didn’t realize how bad they were before. Dental school really is a learn at a REALLY fast pace.
@anac.98795 ай бұрын
Thank you for making this video! Currently on that pre-dental track and applying to dental school this cycle, with not the best GPA as well. Glad schools are taking a more holistic approach. Best to you!
@ThinkingInProgress4 ай бұрын
Best of luck to you!!!
@glennmukooyo9936 ай бұрын
Wow very inspiring.....congrats
@ThinkingInProgress4 ай бұрын
Thank you ❤
@chris_bb8 ай бұрын
hello!! Your story was very heartwarming and inspiring to me. I am pursuing dental hygiene's next cycle, and I am hoping for an interview invitation! I was wondering how did interview go for you? and if you have any interview tips/advice? :o
@ThinkingInProgress4 ай бұрын
Hello!! I made a video on my interviewing experience and it’s probably a lot more detailed than what I can type up. Best of luck!!
@TheDedloc10 ай бұрын
I needed this today. My stats arent the best. I'm just immediately going into a masters. My plan to get in was always to throw myself at the wall as hard I can until it eventually breaks and lets me in lol it's going to break first because I'm way too stubborn to just give up on something I've worked so hard for. I'm not a 4.0 student and that has never been me. If my stats prove anything at all they are going to prove that isn't me and I can't pretend like it is. BUT I'm going to show that it doesn't matter what they put in front of me, that I'm willing to cross it. Once upon a time in my life I ranked the absolute lowest among my classmates in highschool and the truth is someone has to be ranked the lowest once you get into dental school. Id wear the badge with honor, because it never mattered about being the best. And I refuse to believe that you have to be the best when so many dental students have told me otherwise. That's why I keep going. I never would have tried if I didn't hear that grit and determination was a possible route into dental school. When you get into dental school, you don't have to pass everything with an A. You have to be good enough just like every other class you've taken. THAT'S what I'm good at. Being good enough. I retook a few classes in undergrad and I'd retake a few in dental school if that is what it takes for me. When I made the decision to go into dental, I dedicated my life to it. If you fail something that sets you back 4 months, is that really the end of the world when we are talking about a life time commitment? It's a drop in the bucket and not anything I'm not willing to do 10 times over.. but it would never take that. I care way too much. The only option for them is to let me in eventually... or nobody gets anything from me at all. I'll default the f*** out of the student loans and wont pay a dime on them. Nobody gets anything if I don't get what I want lol I said at the start of this how stubborn I was. I didn't turn my life around and come 1000x further than I ever thought possible for myself just to be told I'm not good enough at the end.
@ThinkingInProgress10 ай бұрын
I had a very similar determination to get into dental school, and similar mindset of “just pass classes and get through” now that I’m in dental school. But dental school really does beat you to a pulp though. I understand now why they accept high GPA/DAT and have in their contract that essentially you need to be mental stable enough to handle dental school because MAN it has put me through the ringer. I don’t have imposter syndrome to be here and I’m really not competing with my classmates or anything, but I do see a lot of that in the school in every year. But taking 16 classes (29 units) this fall really does make you constantly tired and stressed. The unfortunate reality is that most students in dental school were at the top of their class and now the 91% A students in undergrad are C students in dental school and the 99% A students are A students since the curve has now been shifted (I mean this figuratively bc there are no curves in dental school) but what that also means is C students in undergrad are failing in dental school. And dental schools don’t want students who fail or remediate/drop out. They want their stats for graduating and passing the boards high. Determination WILL get you into dental school, but unfortunately stats are something all dental schools can’t overlook either since that’s a predictor on if you can make it through dental school. Determination will help get your stats up and will help you get through dental school. They just want to make sure you can handle taking 29 units per semester and handle 2-3 exams every week without breaks (like 1 week between semesters and an exam the day you get back) and not burn out or fail for 4 years.
@TheDedloc10 ай бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress Yea, the workload is goin to be a big step up. But I think it will make a really big difference when I am finally learning about what I have set out to learn about. No classes I have taken in undergrad really make feel like "this is what I do." If this doesn't burn me out then there is no way doing what I love will stand a chance. I WANT to be exhausted from doing what I love... not from doing what I don't. Ur right though. I think I have a strong mindset and a beautiful story to tell, but my stats wont lie. I don't have the best GPA and if they just look they will find a stronger applicant than me. But I hope to get in early enough and be just good enough to get an invite somewhere... anywhere. I feel I'm getting old. I'll be 34 this year and I'm just so ready for the next phase of my life. It's my understanding that there 2 main pillars that get one accepted are GPA and DAT score. There is a small amount of give and take with them. I'm just doing the only thing I know how. I wish I had a coach that could say more than just get good grades! I need someone to really assess my situation and give me a plan of action that probably involves a masters program. Just tell me which wall to run into! Lol
@ThinkingInProgress10 ай бұрын
@@TheDedloc I do really like your attitude about it, because you sound exactly like me as well. But I just want you to keep in mind that a lot of what we learn in dental school is just as related to the field and just as applicable as the classes you took in undergrad. I don’t mean to say all of them are like that, just like 70%. I’d love to chat sometime about your situation. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram: @ThinkingInProgress. Also, a strong applicant isn’t only about stats. You mainly just need to be above the minimum so they can see the other aspects of your application. Also the two parts are more like: stats (GPA, DAT, shadowing/volunteer hours) and the rest of the app (personal statement, letters of rec, diversity statement, ect.). You want to be strong in both but one can compensate for the other, although both still need to meet a minimum.
@sabaj5207 Жыл бұрын
What were some of the disability accommodations provided at the DAT exam?
@ThinkingInProgress11 ай бұрын
I was able to get more time and a separate testing area, but it depends on your disability what they would offer.
@jazzyjazz6986 Жыл бұрын
Do you think any school will accept a 16 on the dat?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
16 AA or in a specific section?
@jazzyjazz6986 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress AA? If not is okay to score 16 on Chem and ochem?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@jazzyjazz6986 most schools have a cutoff at 18, but few schools will make exceptions if it’s in a single section
@jazzyjazz6986 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress thank you! Im really not good with chemistry and I’m using dat bootcamp and still not understanding. I take my test this month
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@jazzyjazz6986 I wish I could help. I tutor for Gen Chem but I’m about to start my semester and don’t have a lot of time to tutor anymore
@MariaGutierrez-zr8oq Жыл бұрын
I love you Leap!!! I’m sorry to hear about ur cat and dog🥺 ik how much they meant to u… I’m always here for you too!im so proud of everything and ur journey to be the Dr.Leap Stewart 🤩😚
@DailyMeditation365 Жыл бұрын
Congrats but there is a reason why schools shouldn't regularly accept applicants with a low GPA. You can have all the passion in the world, but if you don't have the academic aptitude then you're going to struggle.
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
I can tell you that now that I’m in dental school and finished my first year that I haven’t struggled any more than my peers. If anything I stress less than they do because I have failed and learned from it and keep going. I don’t worry about getting straight A’s or having to do well on every single exam; tbh grades matter even less to me now. But I mainly focus on the clinical portion and am doing well on that. Dental schools need to look beyond just GPA because the biggest thing I see is people who are extremely smart but lack any sort of social skills and communication, or that they are very interested in the dentistry but lack being able to see that there’s a patient attached to that tooth. Students without passion, drive and persistence struggle in dental school because they don’t see the bigger picture on who they are here to help. They focus on exams and grades and that’s not why we’re here to become health providers. People who struggle with the grades are also the people I see having to put more work and have a better grasp on the material. There are SO many reasons why people have low GPAs and academic aptitude is only one of them.
@sara0814 Жыл бұрын
ur the best and I appreciate u and ur channel sm ❤️
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
💚
@Greeneggsandham123 Жыл бұрын
Curious if you have any idea why you got accepted over others with high GPA’s and DAT scores? Everyone has lots of shadowing and volunteering hours. Do you think you had way more? Was this acceptance on your first round of applying? Was there something else that gave you the edge?
@Greeneggsandham123 Жыл бұрын
Nevermind. Just saw the video of your personal statement paper. It was really really good and I’m sure that was your edge. Congrats.
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@Greeneggsandham123 I don't believe I had anything extensive over others who were applying necessarily (except maybe volunteering hours, I had 1500+). Also to answer your question, yes this was my first cycle applying. I think that some schools look at applicants more holistically than others, Maryland just happens to be one of those schools. There are other schools who, while liking the other aspects of my application, chose to deny me or have a conditional offer based on raising my GPA. I applied very early in the cycle, which I think was the major thing that helped me out since schools are trying to fill seats quickly. I like to think about it like there weren't as many applicants I was being compared to at the time that I applied as opposed to waiting later and being compared to those with higher stats. I hoped that other aspects of my application stood out to them and ultimately that was the case. I am not struggling in dental school, so I believe they made the right call, but it's mainly trying to convince them that. If you have characteristics that help you stand out, make sure to highlight that in the application. Not all schools care about the applicant (they only care about stats) and I tried to stray away from those schools. I had hope that there were schools that look beyond the statistics and looked at the student and their capabilities. Luckily I was correct about that, but you have to look for them.
@ameeraali-qs1or Жыл бұрын
congratulations!!!!! Hope you're enjoying dental school!! Thanks for sharing this T_T. What's your IG I can't seem to find it. ❤
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
I had to take my dental IG down, it was causing issues with my class/the school. Which is why I also had to remove any of my videos also involving the school. You can always connect with me on my personal IG: @thinkinginprogress just send me a message first so I know it’s not spam.
@lesleynicole1658 Жыл бұрын
Hi, I was wondering if you could help answer a question I have. I watched your previous videos and I remember seeing you said you took a lot of your dental school Pre-reqs at cc. Were they transferred over to your university or did they stay as cc credits?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
I transferred most of them over to university, but not all of them transferred over. Nonetheless, I still submitted my transcripts from CC to AADSAS and they were on my dental school apps. They don't see CC credits transferred to university any different than just CC credits, they're the same thing
@lesleynicole1658 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress thanks for replying! I was asking because I took chem at cc but it was all online and I found it hard for me to understand concepts teaching myself so I withdrew. I transferred to UMD and took it this semester but also withdrew due to a lot of circumstances and my school only allows 2 retakes unless I appeal. In the case they don’t allow me to take it again, I was going to take it at cc but I don’t think it would be allowed to be transferred over and I know it’s a dental school Pre req. withdrawing from gen chem 2x already looks horrible but then to not have it be transferred to my bachelors degree feels like a serious blow. Do you have any advice you could give me?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@lesleynicole1658 you can take the class over at community college without having to transfer it over as a prereq, the attempts at CC should also not count towards how many times your school should allow you to retake a class, but that would be something to check with your school about (I've never heard of that being a problem in California, but it might be different at UMD). I wouldn't worry about having the W on your record, I had one for Organic Chemistry as well from CC and retook it at university and got a C. You may have to explain it to the schools you apply to if they ask in interviews though, but that shouldn't be an issue.
hey hope dental school is going well. really glad you posted this very informative and helpful. Could you list somethings I can boost my application with aside from academics and shadowing?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
It helps to have research experience and a variety of volunteer work
@richardchurchill2942 Жыл бұрын
What courses did u take in cc in order to apply for dental school
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
I got an associates in biology. I took a year of biology, physics, Calc, Gen Chem, essentially most of my lower division science
@richardchurchill2942 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress uhm thanks tho but like what did u major in like in your associate degree, can u major in psychology
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@richardchurchill2942 I got an associates in biology. You can major in whatever you want, as long as you meet the requirements that you need for the dental schools that you are applying to, but as I said I just did biology
@richardchurchill2942 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress so sorry but is it a must to offer cal like offer something other than org Chem, what course are u offer other than cal or org chem
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@richardchurchill2942 I’m not sure I understand
@aylin7567 Жыл бұрын
Hi I have a question I think every school is different but do you have any insight on taking pre reqs online and during summer?
@aylin7567 Жыл бұрын
I’m trying to knock off classes to be able to apply in a certain cycle but I need to take both parts of ochem. They only have ochem one during summer but it’s only offered online so idk if I should do it
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@aylin7567 during the summer is fine, but I don’t think schools are accepting ochem online. They begrudgingly accepted them during COVID but it’s been long enough that schools are back in person. Especially since you are required to complete the lab and an online lab is not equivalent. I hope that helps
@marisolavalos13 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the words of encouragement! Enjoyed listening to your chat. Good luck this coming semester, you got this! 🙂
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching 💚💚💚
@kendranguyen69 Жыл бұрын
Hello! I can't seem to find the DAT fee waiver application anywhere and the link you provided says page is not found. Is it because the applications won't open until January?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Yes, they should post an updated (new) form in January.
@maryamhayyawi6616 Жыл бұрын
can I apply to take the DAT and pay the 495$ BEFORE I apply for the fee waiver? Or will I have to first apply for the fee waiver then apply to take the DAT and pay the 495$??
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
You have to apply for and get approved for the waiver BEFORE you register to take it. Once you have the waiver, the discount should show up on your account, then you can register and pay for the DAT.
@maryamhayyawi6616 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress Thanks for replying! In one of the screenshots you showed of what they sent you after you submitted the fee waiver application, it says “candidates are allowed to submit an application in advance (if approved for a fee waiver you will be refunded 50% of the application fee)” does that mean they can refund 50% of it AFTER I had already registered to take it and had already paid the 495$?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@maryamhayyawi6616 theoretically but you'd need to contact them asap, but I'm not sure. It was easier to apply for the waiver first and then submit the app as to not run into any issues with them refunding you
@MChi-pr2to Жыл бұрын
I have low gpa as well and plan to apply for next year’s advanced standing dental program for international dentist. I have Doctorate degree and 8 published papers though.. do I got the chance to be enrolled even gpa under 3? Thank you a lot.
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
I'm not too familiar with the requirements for international students, but from what I've read it can vary by school. Some have cutoffs at 3.0 so I would be selective about where you apply and look into each individual school.
@chrisorji1 Жыл бұрын
Loved that you shared your struggle with mental health, really resonated with me a lot especially these past few years. You don’t understand the impact you are having on everyone who is listening or has listened to your message, truly inspirational.
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Thank you!! I wish I could have made more videos this semester but I'm not sure which videos are useful for everyone. It's also been a rough few months in my first semester of dental school. I appreciate your comment. It helps give me perspective sometimes when I'm lost during the semester to look back.
@XenaLopez Жыл бұрын
Your video was so inspirational! I’m on the same boat as you and agreed with everything you said! It’s so important to see content creators that have non traditional road paths into dentistry. We need to hear more stories of students from non privileged backgrounds or that are not necessarily exemplary students, who still succeed and do great in their careers. I’m so glad you shared this, it was really motivational for me to continue pre-dental!
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Thank you!! Im glad to hear and wish you the best on your journey!! 🍀
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
Hello! Do we have to include the first line input in every paragraph ? Thank you beforehand ! (:
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
What do you mean by first line input?
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress like the space before starting the first paragraph. The space that you do with the tab bottom
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@valeriawilson5450 Oh! When you copy + paste it into the box it will get rid of those
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress thank you so much 🙂
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
Hello, again, sorry for all the questions. Do you know if the subject must match the course code or the course title ? for example if the title is genetics is the subject genetics too? or biology?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Honestly, I didn't think it mattered much. I think I switched between using the two but you get to select the classes that meet the requirements for each school so that'll be when you can specify
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress thank you so much !
@paulinaflores6441 Жыл бұрын
I have a 3.1 over all GPA and 2.6 science GPA.... i havent taken the DAT yet but my councilor was recommending i give up on dental. Im taking biochemistry right now and im trying still... soo.
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
I wouldn’t give up on dental, especially if you really want to! You can definitely do it! My counselor told me the same thing, yet here I am. Your science GPA is a bit concerning, but that’s something you have control over and can change. There are also SO many options to do that as well. I was working on it as well since my sGPA was so low. But know that if you really wanna go into dental, your GPA won’t stop you, but you still have to make changes in order to succeed.
@paulinaflores6441 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress if i was to take classes again it wouldnt replace my grade right. It would just average it.
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
@@paulinaflores6441 yeah most likely, but if you got a C- or less in prereqs for dental school than you will have to retake them anyway. But if you also haven’t finished taking prereqs or if there are more classes you can take, it will help your overall GPA. Like for example, I was taking anatomy and microbiology since I didn’t get a chance to take them in undergrad but taking them also opens up the chance to apply to more dental schools who require those prereqs
@Bofadeez467Ай бұрын
You give up on dental when YOU want to, don’t let others tell you what to do with your life.
@keeman7994 Жыл бұрын
Is possible to apply to dental school after a bachelors in dental hygiene?
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Definitely! I know many people who have done that. The main thing is to make sure that you’ve met all the prerequisites for the schools that you’re interested in
@keeman7994 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress 👍
@meishanchen9116 Жыл бұрын
love your road trips experiences! congrats!
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!
@meishanchen9116 Жыл бұрын
thank you
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
Hey sorry for asking you a question again. I would like to know if characters are the same as words for the COVID impact question.
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Characters are letters as well as symbols. So, for example: "words!" would have 6 characters
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress thank you so much !
@nishakhaira9736 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this laid back video, I really appreciate it! Good luck with dental school :)
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
Thank you!! Best of luck to you!
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
Good morning, I would like to know where I would be able to select the schools that I want to apply (:
@ThinkingInProgress Жыл бұрын
27:28 is the section you’re looking for :)
@valeriawilson5450 Жыл бұрын
@@ThinkingInProgress thank you so much (:
@blueclouds35052 жыл бұрын
Great video
@dicta93902 жыл бұрын
I just completed medical school in China please can you help me with the procedures as a foreign student
@ThinkingInProgress2 жыл бұрын
Are you trying to enter dental school as a foreign student?
@iriscantrell2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the vid. I am in a similar situation and this really helped me. :)
@ThinkingInProgress2 жыл бұрын
Thank YOU! You’ll definitely get there if you’ve got the drive!!