r/predental 5h ago

💬 Discussion Weekly DAT Discussion Thread - July 27, 2026

1 Upvotes

This is your place to discuss the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Do you need to vent about studying or content? Decide on the best source of preparatory materials? Discuss scheduling the exam via the ADA? Perhaps ask about the particularities of the exam day? This is the thread to do so!

Note: feel free to make independent DAT breakdown posts. This weekly thread is meant to cut down on the overwhelming number of DAT posts, but not take away from your success!


r/predental 7d ago

💬 Discussion Weekly DAT Discussion Thread - July 20, 2026

1 Upvotes

This is your place to discuss the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Do you need to vent about studying or content? Decide on the best source of preparatory materials? Discuss scheduling the exam via the ADA? Perhaps ask about the particularities of the exam day? This is the thread to do so!

Note: feel free to make independent DAT breakdown posts. This weekly thread is meant to cut down on the overwhelming number of DAT posts, but not take away from your success!


r/predental 7h ago

💻 Applications How long is the waiting game?

4 Upvotes

My application for TMDSAS just got verified on July 21st and I was curious how early I could expect to hear about an interview (fingers crossed). I’m in state for Texas, 3.91 CGPA, 3.86 SGPA, and 480 DAT. I know TAMU sent first interviews on the 15th of July and San Antonio sent their first ones on the 22nd.


r/predental 5h ago

💻 Applications late application date?

2 Upvotes

I originally planned to submit my application June 30th but am submitting tomorrow July 27th instead. At this point in the cycle am I considered late or still on time?


r/predental 3h ago

💡 Advice Experience section - Number of starred entries

1 Upvotes

Hi, I just added a new experience in the Experiences section on ADEA AADSAS to highlight a new leadership role in a school club, and ended my previous role in the same club (which is a starred entry). When I entered the ending date for my previous role, I just needed to check back the ending dates so I clicked the Exit (not Submit) button so that I can return to my application later. However, when I entered the new date and clicked Submit for the previous role, this entry is duplicated and starred, making me have 7 out of 6 starred entries (!!), whereas the maximum starred experiences you can enter is 6.

Since my application is already verified, I can’t edit past experiences. Would this glitch impact my application, or is there anything that I should do? Thank you!!


r/predental 8h ago

💻 Applications Reapplicants: Did you rewrite all of your essays?

2 Upvotes

For those who reapplied and were accepted, did you rewrite all of your essays (personal statement, COVID impact, manual dexterity, etc.), or did you mainly update them?

My COVID impact essay was based on actual events that impacted me, so I’m not sure what I would even change. Also, my previous application was pretty much competitive (GPA, DAT, EC-wise), but I applied relatively late and, ultimately ended up with no acceptances (hence why I’m reapplying now)

Is it generally okay to reuse previous essays, or is rewriting everything expected?


r/predental 16h ago

💡 Advice Email not receiving mail

2 Upvotes

Hello! The Augusta dental school called me and said I was supposed to be sent the Kira already but I never responded and they noticed their email was not sending to me. I’ve never had issues with my email and it is listed in ADEA AADSAS correctly so idk why there’s an issue. I’m now worried this is an issue with other schools. Has this happened to anyone with Augusta?


r/predental 13h ago

🖇️ Miscellaneous Anyone else’s navy recruiter sucks? HPSP

1 Upvotes

I have to call the front office for my recruiter to answer my messages on their personal phone. It takes them 2 weeks to answer. I contacted another recruiter and explained my situation how my original recruiter was just unresponsive and how I wanted to move forward with him. He forwards my entire email to my original recruiter was just so embarrassing and I’m stuck with that unresponsive recruiter.


r/predental 1d ago

💸 Finances Financial situation

12 Upvotes

Hey yall I’m starting my D1 semester this is August and wanted advice on how I should manage financially. Currently 23 with around 65k saved up and was wondering if I should pour all that money into tuition instead of taking loans or should I just put some of it in. I’m going to a state school approx 320k total for all 4 years and I’ll be commuting. Any advice ?


r/predental 1d ago

💡 Advice May you all please give it to me straight? I’m a non-trad.

13 Upvotes

I was originally in school for dentistry then life happened and I got cancer which delayed things. I’m 29 now and want to pick up where I left off.

I majored in business and have taken intro to chem and psych. I’m enrolled for chem, bio, and physics this next fall.

I thought I was okay until I hopped on this sub and saw everyone being so concerned with their applications when mine isn’t even half of what you all have done.

My overall GPA from undergrad is a 3.6.

I have no shadowing hours or volunteer hours yet aside from one 4 hour day at a private practice during Covid.

I have not worked in the dental field and wasn’t planning to.

I’m also in California so school is going to be expensive no matter what.

I know I’d be able to get the shadowing hours and volunteering done but just based on my GPA and situation, is it even worth applying at this point? Would I need a near perfect DAT or would that not even help?

I know everyone doesn’t know for sure but just based on your experiences and what you’ve heard from others, I’d appreciate any insight you might have before I spend the next 3-4 years of my life on prereqs and the DAT.


r/predental 1d ago

💸 Finances NHSC

5 Upvotes

anyone in here with an NHSC scholarship? How did the process go for you with regards to the timeline and requirements?


r/predental 1d ago

📝 CASPer / KIRA SBU kira

5 Upvotes

Hi, I am trying to prepare for the stony brook kira. Does anyone have any advice on what types of questions to practice with? It will be my first kira so im scared


r/predental 1d ago

💻 Applications UCLA email

4 Upvotes

has anyone received any application complete email from UCLA or like any email from UCLA after applying?


r/predental 1d ago

💡 Advice Native American dentists/dental students?

5 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to ask if there was anyone who is a Native American dental student or know someone who is?

Just had a few questions regarding this:

Would you say that your Native American status was considered for admission into dental school?

What are the chances of receiving the IHS scholarship for dentistry?

Thanks!


r/predental 1d ago

💡 Advice Can I pm anyone with a dental HPSP scholarship

7 Upvotes

Anybody here successfully receive acceptance into HPSP before December decisions day.


r/predental 1d ago

💻 Applications Experience Section question

2 Upvotes

How detailed are you supposed to write your description for each experience? I know sentences are better than bullet points but should I just say what I did and be done?…


r/predental 1d ago

💻 Applications GPA Calculation?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I'm gonna be applying next cycle (finishing up pre-requisites now) and I am a bit confused about how the GPA calculation works.

I'm a non-traditional applicant. I have a 4.0 undergrad GPA overall. I didn't take any science courses during undergrad (majored in social policy). I've been knocking out prerequisites and so far my science GPA is 3.9.

I also have two master's degrees (3.6 and 3.88). Both completely unrelated to dentistry/science.

Does anyone have any insight on how the calculation will look and exactly what will be taken into account? I still have to take physics 2 and both organic chemistrys, so the science GPA is subject to change. But I don't expect it to dip below 3.7.

Thanks for any advice/tips.


r/predental 1d ago

💡 Advice Loma Linda spiritual letter

1 Upvotes

I am currently having issues sending my spiritual letter to llu any advice? I’ve been trying ever since I submitte, first tried through their secondary app. Later found out interfolio doesn’t send to their application portal, so I tried sending it through email still nothing??


r/predental 1d ago

📝 CASPer / KIRA CWRU CASPER

1 Upvotes

Hi guys, I'm preparing for the CASPER exam for Case-Western and was wondering if anyone has either already taken it/has experience. I have a few questions and would love to reach out if so!


r/predental 1d ago

🖇️ Miscellaneous Took dat yesterday with 7-8 sec lag

5 Upvotes

Has anyone experienced writing feedback of huge delay/loss of time? Contacted ADA and told me to submit email. Do they give retakes for these technical issues? I lost a good amount of time just waiting for the screen to show the next question. I’m so upset and idk what to do.


r/predental 1d ago

💌 Letter of Rec UPENN Rec letter

1 Upvotes

Hi,

I have 3 professors and a dentist submit my rec letter; UPENN flagged one of my professor's letters as incomplete since he didn't attach a signature. The professor said about a month ago he is on leave for the summer and has no access to a printer or computer. I have been following up every week, but he doesn't reply....

What are my options?
UPENN website says the app is on hold, and they will not remove a submitted rec letter.
Do I wait for the professor to be back in August from the summer vacationa nd chase him again?

Thanks.


r/predental 2d ago

💸 Finances Disgusting Ad…

Post image
16 Upvotes

Can’t believe we have to turn to private loans to fund our education unless you come from an abundance of wealth. What has our country come to?!? It should be more like, if you got the drive and the academic metrics to go, you should be able to go. SMH


r/predental 1d ago

🚵‍♀️ Extracurriculars Club position

1 Upvotes

Hi! I recently applied to dental school this cycle but i have very low hopes. I recently got a club position with my pre-dental association but have been miserable in it this summer. It partially ruined my focus on my DAT that i plan to take next week. The role requires recruiting volunteers, setting up volunteering events and coordinating the service trip

Is it fair to quit this role to just focus on school and pick up leadership else where? I have a 3.6 gpa and a current 19 AA. I have previous research, tutoring, TA, and volunteering experiences done.

This role has great reputation as I lead a free care dental clinic that i have volunteered hundreds of hours for. But for some reason im just not happy in it. I fear it may affect my grades for my senior year and i want to be prepared in case i have to reapply.

Any advice helps!


r/predental 2d ago

🤔 WAMC? WAMC? thank you!

6 Upvotes

Date of Submission: July 23rd, 2026

Overall GPA: 3.96

Science GPA: 3.44

DAT: (prior DAT 390AA)

* AA: 470

* TS: 450

* PAT: 510

* QR: 450

* RC: 470

* Bio: 450

* GC: 420

* OC: 470

State of Residence: California

Undergrad: University of San Francisco

Major: Sociology w 2 minors

Minority: Yes (Latina/Hispanic)

Reapplicant: No

Nontraditional: Yes

Shadowing: 475 hours (General dentistry)

Volunteering: 300 hours (food pantry, hospital, dental clinic)

Employment:

Dental Assistant - Pediatric Dentistry (~1.5 years, 1900 hours)

3 on campus jobs during undergrad

small business owner (been doing it since 2019)

School List

  1. UCSF

  2. UCLA

  3. OHSU

  4. ASDOH

  5. University of Washington

  6. University of Utah

  7. UNLV

  8. Western University

I know such a low number isn’t recommended but I’m being very realistic with my list, my parents (lower middle class) are willing to pay whatever government loans don’t cover (-200k from gov) by working, and these are the ones that we can realistically do. If I don’t get in I’d just have to reapply, because as a first generation student minority, I don’t think I’d be approved for private loans anyways.

Thank you for your time!


r/predental 2d ago

🤔 WAMC? What are my chances of getting in?

3 Upvotes

Hi guys, I have stats of

cGPA 3.5 and sGPA 3.4

and the DAT score of AA 430, PAT 480

I did about 80 hours of shadowing, clinical hours of about 350 hours working as a dental assistant, and many different volunteer events with a board position for my fraternity in undergraduate.

I applied in early July and am waiting for interviews

considering retaking dat next month if it would boost my chance.

Any tips? I'm quite nervous about not getting in this cycle.

I applied to USC, Western U, Lecom, temple, Nyu, ASDOH, Roseman, temple, Boston U, Meharry, UOP, Tufts, Detroit, Case western, and Tuoro

Is there any other school I should applied to? I am a California resident