Dental Student Q&A: Why I chose USC, Undergrad vs. Dental School, Failing in Dental School and more!

[@steezeisthename]

I started watching at 157 subscribers and I look up and you are already in the thousands! keep up the awesome work!

[@ErikaCorrea]

Wow! Thanks for being here since the beginning! I appreciate the support. ☺️

[@GlamorousMorana]

HEY LOVE YOUR CHANNEL KEEP UP THE AWESOME JOB

[@ErikaCorrea]

Thanks for the support!

[@Pokemontcgp283]

I love your channel you are amazing!

[@ErikaCorrea]

Thank you so much!

[@Momo-ew3oi]

Are community college transfer students looked down upon when applying to dental schools? Or do you know anyone in your class who has indeed started in community college? I really enjoy your videos and wish you the best in dental school!

[@ErikaCorrea]

I do know people who start off with community college. I believe that your grades from a 4 year University will carry more weight so there is less room for error once you transfer. You definitely will save a lot more money if you do two years at a community college first though! It's not a bad idea.

[@michellewilliams655]

Can you do videos for what classes pre-dental students should take? And when you took your DAT?

[@ErikaCorrea]

I will consider that as a video idea! I took the DAT twice (2016 & 2017) and took it in September both times.

[@michellewilliams655]

What did u do to build your resume for Dental school?

[@ErikaCorrea]

I was involved in undergraduate research, was in a professional sorority, joined the pre-dental society, founded a club called emergency medical slugs, I attended many conferences, and had many many jobs and worked throughout all of college.

[@yulia1sel]

Hey! When writing the personal statement, did you include that you're taking a gap year and what you're planning to do during that year?

[@ErikaCorrea]

No I didn't. No need to waste the precious amounts of characters on that. Write about your story. If your gap year is part of your story then of course add it in. They will ask you during your interview so prepare an answer for that when it comes time.

[@elizabethcastanon9613]

Hey Erika, found your Q&A very helpful. Can you clarify your timeline, I’m taking a 5th year of undergraduate too and was wondering when I should start studying for the DAT and applying if I’m considering taking a gap year.

[@ErikaCorrea]

Hi! What year are you in now? I would take the DAT the summer after your 4th year. Apply right after graduating (after 5th year). Then you'll have a waiting year (gap year). I took the DAT summer 2016, then took it again 3 months later which is the minimum waiting time that you have to have between the tests. I applied June of 2017, interviewed around October, and was accepted December 1, 2017. 2017-2018 was my gap year. I then started dental school August 2018.

[@elizabethcastanon9613]

Erika Correa Im starting my 5th year this fall 2019. I don’t think I’m prepared to take it this summer. So that would mean my application process would be pushed back even more. Could I take it during my winter break?

[@ErikaCorrea]

@@elizabethcastanon9613 yes you can take it during winter break!

[@Maryam1.]

How do you apply for the Navy scholarships for dental school? Do you I have to have military background?

[@ErikaCorrea]

You don’t need a military background! Search on google for a health professions military recruiter in your area. They’ll walk you through it.

[@shrijanalama5374]

I am from management stream but now i want to go in dental school is that possible??

[@florencetam2830]

Hi Erika, I’m currently finishing my freshman year of dental school and am already very stressed. I keep reading online that you have to get all A’s in order to get into dental school, is that true? Also do you have any tips to increase the chances of getting accepted into dental school? I never really considered a gap year but, would you recommend a gap year?

[@florencetam2830]

Undergrad*

[@ErikaCorrea]

Having to get all A's to get into dental school is not true. To give you some perspective, I had around a 3.0 for the majority of undergrad and really struggled getting A's because I would always somehow forget everything when test day came. I knew I had to raise my GPA. I took a 5th year of undergrad and treated it like a postbacc year. I was able to raise my GPA to a 3.3 which is the GPA I used to apply to dental school. I didn't get straight A's but was still able to get in. I'm actually doing way better in dental school than I did in undergrad so test taking is something that you'll learn with practice. Believe in yourself! You have to apply to dental school a year before you want to attend. So if you wanted to start dental school at the end of your 4th year (no gap year), you would have to apply during the spring of your 3rd year which means you would have had to take your DAT before that date. To me, that's sounded to stressful and I knew I wouldn't be able to do well if I rushed it. If you're like me, I recommend a gap year vs rushing the application process and risk not getting in your first time. I also didn't know all these timelines when I was a freshman in undergrad so good for you for being ahead of the game! To increase your chances of getting in: aim to get the highest grades possible, do well on the DAT, get involved in extracurricular activities and take up leadership positions, volunteer, try to do research and shadow a dentist that will write you a great I recommendation letter. Just stay productive and motivated and you'll be just fine.

[@robertisham5279]

@@ErikaCorrea How long do you plan on staying in the navy?

[@ErikaCorrea]

@@robertisham5279 Hi Farhan, I still don't know yet and I feel like I can't make a decision now since I have not experienced what it is like yet. I like the idea of having my own practice after I'm done with my 4 year commitment. As of now my plan is to just be active duty for my 4 years and then just be in the Navy reserves which would still allow me to have my own practice. But if I really enjoy my time in the Navy then an option could be to continue doing active duty longer.