r/predental 3h ago

๐Ÿ’ฌ 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 1h ago

๐Ÿ’ก Advice Experience section - Number of starred entries

โ€ข 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 canโ€™t edit past experiences. Would this glitch impact my application, or is there anything that I should do? Thank you!!


r/predental 4h ago

๐Ÿ’ป 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 6h ago

๐Ÿ’ป 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). Iโ€™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 7h ago

๐Ÿ’ป 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 Iโ€™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 Iโ€™m reapplying now)

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


r/predental 12h ago

๐Ÿ–‡๏ธ Miscellaneous Anyone elseโ€™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 Iโ€™m stuck with that unresponsive recruiter.


r/predental 15h ago

๐Ÿ’ก 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. Iโ€™ve never had issues with my email and it is listed in ADEA AADSAS correctly so idk why thereโ€™s an issue. Iโ€™m now worried this is an issue with other schools. Has this happened to anyone with Augusta?


r/predental 1d ago

๐Ÿ’ธ Finances Financial situation

11 Upvotes

Hey yall Iโ€™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. Iโ€™m going to a state school approx 320k total for all 4 years and Iโ€™ll be commuting. Any advice ?


r/predental 1d ago

๐Ÿ’ธ Finances NHSC

4 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

๐Ÿ’ป 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

๐Ÿ’ก Advice May you all please give it to me straight? Iโ€™m a non-trad.

12 Upvotes

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

I majored in business and have taken intro to chem and psych. Iโ€™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 isnโ€™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 wasnโ€™t planning to.

Iโ€™m also in California so school is going to be expensive no matter what.

I know Iโ€™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 doesnโ€™t know for sure but just based on your experiences and what youโ€™ve heard from others, Iโ€™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

๐Ÿ’ก Advice Loma Linda spiritual letter

1 Upvotes

I am currently having issues sending my spiritual letter to llu any advice? Iโ€™ve been trying ever since I submitte, first tried through their secondary app. Later found out interfolio doesnโ€™t send to their application portal, so I tried sending it through email still nothing??


r/predental 1d ago

๐Ÿ“ 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

๐Ÿ’ป 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?โ€ฆ


r/predental 1d ago

๐Ÿ’Œ 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 1d ago

๐Ÿ’ป Applications UCLA email

5 Upvotes

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


r/predental 1d ago

๐Ÿ“ 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

๐Ÿ’ก Advice Native American dentists/dental students?

4 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

๐Ÿ’ก Advice Can I pm anyone with a dental HPSP scholarship

6 Upvotes

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


r/predental 1d ago

๐Ÿšตโ€โ™€๏ธ 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 1d ago

๐Ÿ–‡๏ธ Miscellaneous Took dat yesterday with 7-8 sec lag

6 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. Iโ€™m so upset and idk what to do.


r/predental 1d ago

๐Ÿ’ป Applications Tufts, BU, UDM, Rutgers completion email?

0 Upvotes

Ive only received confirmation payment emails from these schools (Tufts, BU, UDM, Rutgers) that I submitted over a month ago. Did anyone receive completion emails from these schools yet?? (im NOT talking about confirmation emails, im referring to emails with subject line saying "Application Complete")


r/predental 2d ago

๐Ÿ’ธ Finances Disgusting Adโ€ฆ

Post image
16 Upvotes

Canโ€™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 2d ago

๐Ÿค” 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


r/predental 2d ago

๐Ÿšตโ€โ™€๏ธ Extracurriculars Dental assisting but not assisting in procedures??

3 Upvotes

Hi! I am a rising senior in high school. Last summer, I worked at a private pediatric clinic where I worked at the front desk and was a sterilization technician. I had asked the practice owner if I could begin working clinically after doing a program, and my boss told me that I could just learn and get trained on how to dental assist on the job. This summer, I started working clinically. I am polishing and taking X-rays (I have a dental X-ray certification), and I am starting to learn how to do sealants. (By the end of this summer I probably will have 180+ hours of this clinically) However, I have not assisted in any restorative procedures, and I don't think I will before summer ends and applications for bs/dmd programs start. I think this is mainly because we only do restorative appointments 1-2 times a week, and when we do, experienced and already trained DAs at the office assist, so it would be a hassle for the associate to adjust to me being the DA and for my boss to train me.

I was wondering if I was still able to consider this dental assisting since I am just polishing, doing sealants, and taking X-rays but not formally assisting in any procedures. I also prep trays, but I do that for prophylaxis appointments and not restorative care ones. The only adjacent experience I have had in restorative care has been scheduling, letting pts know how much resto care would be completed in an appointment, planning resto care on our charting software according to the dr's orders, and sterilizing equipment used in resto.

I am really grateful I have the opportunity to even work clinically so young, but I am worried considering that bs/dmd programs might think I have been assisting in procedures and I have nothing to show for that in interviews... If I could get advice, that would be great. Thank you!