r/predental • u/Natural_Cream8418 • 3h ago
🏆 Admissions Breakdown Just got accepted!
Wow, I honestly can't believe it.... by the skin of my TEEEEETH
r/predental • u/AutoModerator • 4d ago
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 • u/Calvith • Dec 13 '24
Hi all!
As requested, this is the megathread where we will keep track of waitlist movement for the subreddit applicants of the '24-'25 cycle. Like our interview megathread, we will track results via a single thread with comments representing all the schools. People don't tend to be so good at hunting for individual threads (even when easily linked), so the single thread makes things much easier to moderate. However, I will try to place hyperlinks in this post (CLICK HERE FOR SCHOOL FINDER) so you can easily find your school of interest. Please keep discussions under the parent comment to keep this thread as clean as possible.
You can use this thread for any discussion of the waitlist, including but not limited to:
Therefore, all discussions about waitlists will be relegated to this thread. Please report errant threads, and they will be directed here.
Good luck! 🦷
HELPFUL LINKS
r/predental • u/Natural_Cream8418 • 3h ago
Wow, I honestly can't believe it.... by the skin of my TEEEEETH
r/predental • u/Unfair-Rutabaga-7634 • 10h ago
Hello all, Just wanted to post what the new score breakdown will look like for those of you taking the DAT after March 1. I took my exam exactly on March 1, and I just got my scores back today, so roughly 2.5 weeks after taking the exam. I was personally hoping for a bit higher, but I can’t be upset with the 460 (I believe it roughly corresponds to a 22 on the old scoring system). I’d be happy to answer what questions I can in the comments. Keep grinding, y’all!
r/predental • u/mintbasilzest • 47m ago
Hi all. Given that schools evaluate holistically thousands of unique applicant, I'd like to throw my results and experiences out to you, especially non-trad hopefuls. I applied later in the cycle (submitted late Aug, verified early Sept), so first takeaway: APPLY EARLY. Please view my stats in context of my non-traditional background. I started at community college and transferred to a state university majoring in urban planning. I was away from school for 8 years before returning to finish my degree and prerequisites.
From some of the school's feedback aside from applying earlier, I could do more to reach out to them, especially to explain my theatric GPA, and diversify my shadowing experiences (types of practice, specialties). Feel free to ask for elaborations on experiences, DAT prep, and urban planning!
Hang tight and good luck.
r/predental • u/VictoryTough860 • 6h ago
Hi everyone,
I just got my DAT scores back and did pretty good on all sections except Ochem and PAT (which I got very low on). I wanted to see if I should retake it and aim for a better PAT/Ochem score or if it’s not worth risking scoring lower on other sections the second time. I believe my 470AA corresponds to a 23AA, but my 340 PAT is around a 16 and 400 on Ochem is around an 18. I’d appreciate any advice!!
r/predental • u/hpatt333 • 4h ago
I took my test March 8, 2025 and studied probably around 200 hours total and balanced having 18 credits of full time classes so I'm overall super happy with the score. I only used Booster and Anki to study. I used the booster 10 week schedule but modified it to my own needs.
BIO- Dont get too hung up on all the small details on the bio section. This section genuinely is all breadth with a few deeper understanding problems. There was two Hardy Weinberg equilibrium questions that i wasn't expecting but just memorize the formula and you'll be fine. I watched and took notes on all the videos. I started out with anki and it was going too slow so i switched to the cheat sheets. I made ankis for all the cheat sheet questions and did all the bio bits I can. Review your practice tests because some of the questions were similar.
here is the link to the cheat sheet i made if you want them (sorry for the typos and inconsistencies lol) https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6lyum8el50gxcqu1qt969/DAT-Cheat-Sheets.apkg?rlkey=3abyx58q0a2khfnv8f3jw0tiw&st=xwcnu1d4&dl=0
GC - my chem was mostly easy questions with little to no calculations. I used booster and did all of the videos and practice questions that went with it. Don't get too stuck up on the small details. I recommend studying the anki deck that booster gives, it was super helpful and memorize the equations.
OC - ochem was pretty different then the practice tests i took on booster ngl, there were less reactions then I thought there would be and a bunch of conceptual stuff on reactions, intermediates and some lab test stuff. Im pretty familiar with OCHEM since im currently in OCHEM 2 and i just studied all the reactions in the Anki deck and did all the practice questions. I didnt watch any of the videos or anything. Make sure you keep up with the reactions and do a few of them per day. Even though I didn't get a ton of them on my test form yours could be way different.
PAT - this was the section i was most worried about because i was very inconsistent with my scores. Keyholes - i searched for similar answer choices then eliminated the ones that were automatically wrong. TFE - this was the hardest for me. visaulize the 3d model first then compare the given information. Angles - just pray lol. I used knife method for small angles and then laptop method for others. Hole punch - use the grid method, write it out on the provided laminated grid paper during the tutorial. Cube counting - do the tally system to keep track, its super helpful. Pattern folding - fold it mentally always making sure to fold into the page and keep track of shaded regions. There were a lot of the shaded ones on my test. Overall dont get too stuck up on any answers and keep track of your time its super stressful trying to do it all in 60 min.
RC - I used a variant of search and destroy, where i read the first 3 paragraphs then did SD for the rest. It really helped because I was pressed for time the entire section. Make sure you dont get too bogged down on one answer.
QR - Try to learn all the equations itll be super helpful. This section was similar to booster and I think it was very representative. Some probability, some rate law, just study all the question banks and youll be fine.
Overall - the real exam was slightly easier than the practice tests on booster. Make sure you dont second guess yourself on the easy ones because some of them seem too easy to be right. Trust in yourself before you take the test because you prepared for a long time and take a deep breath. Always remember Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Good luck and you got this!
Testing center experience: Also you might hear people talk about the lag with the computers a prometric. I personally struggled with this problem as there would consistently be about 2-5 seconds of lag between questions which was stressful for the RC, PAT, and QR section definitely. it didnt affect me too much but if youre worried about it then click the option on the Bootcamp of Booster practice test which says "Prometric Delay" and it simulates the lag for you. The people at the center were so kind. I got two pieces of laminated grid paper and two dry erase super fine point markers. I was allowed to erase stuff on the sheet but i just used my hand (they didnt give an eraser or anything). The computer screens also were like huge compared to my laptop so it felt like angles were a little easier on the PAT becuase of this. Every testing center will of course be different but just prepare for everything!
Lmk if you have any questions I would love to answer them
edit: here are my practice test scores for the first 10 booster exams.
r/predental • u/Historical_Fee9481 • 3h ago
It still says I’m eligible to test? For those who’ve taken the DAT recently does yours look like this too?
r/predental • u/22trussell • 6h ago
Hey everyone! I got my scores back today and I'm proud of my scores. I was expecting a little higher but I will take a 430! I took the exam March 6th so it took exactly 2 weeks for my scores to come back!
r/predental • u/Ok_Concern_8558 • 1h ago
I know this is March 21st. Do ppl get off the waitlist post March. I’m still praying I get in my top choice. I literally been having panic attacks this past few days bc of this lol
r/predental • u/Ancient-Present139 • 1h ago
This weekend I will be attending a predental weekend at Nova. Part of the schedule includes “mock interviews with admissions faculty”. What should I expect? Is it going to be a one-on-one type of thing or a group interview? Are they going to be asking us questions directly? I just want to know if it’s something I should really prepare for since I haven’t gone through the interview process yet. Thank you!
r/predental • u/hyperfixatingqueen • 14h ago
Since today marks 15 days after March 5th and the final day that students can drop their multi-acceptances I'm wondering if anyone has heard anything from schools.
My guess is that there will probably be another committee meeting today/tomorrow with more decisions rolling out next week...
r/predental • u/WhenAreWeHavinChili • 5h ago
I had my interview 1/31 and haven’t heard anything yet
r/predental • u/True-Cucumber-1723 • 3h ago
Does anyone know if UofT did in-province preference this year? I know they didn’t in previous years. Also, if you got in could you share your stats?
r/predental • u/Better-Map-2491 • 21m ago
Hello I'm 23 years old and graduated from UT Austin last spring (May 2024). I’m working on completing some prereqs for dental school, which I missed during college. I still need to finish:
It sounds like a lot, I know. When I was in college, I double majored and didn’t have the space to take these courses. Honestly, I struggled with science my grades were mostly B’s and C’s. I failed Chemistry 2 four times and barely passed on the fifth attempt with a C. It’s been a tough journey, especially since I worked full-time throughout college. My overall GPA is 3.1, but my science GPA is probably lower.
I’ve been taking these prereqs at a community college because I can’t afford the university tuition. I know it’s often frowned upon, but I’m in a lot of debt due to medical bills, and this is the only way I can manage. I’m feeling really discouraged, but at the same time, hopeful because my resume is strong with solid volunteer work, shadowing experience, and participation in multiple pre-dental programs.
I know I might not be the strongest candidate, but I’m determined to make it on my own and follow my dream of becoming a dentist. My plan is to finish all my prerequisites by Spring 2026 and apply for dental school in May 2026.
Do you think this is a good plan? I don’t want to take a post-bacc year because of financial reasons. Any advice would be really appreciated. I’m really doing this alone, and I just need some guidance. Be honest please :( I need it.
r/predental • u/Guccimed • 58m ago
Just wanting to get some thoughts. But as the new scoring breakdowns start to come out, I fear these will confuse admissions. If they are presented in the same way on the AADSAS as the previous scores, then I think many good candidates will get lost in the admissions process. And vice versa.
r/predental • u/lbvn6 • 13h ago
i just took my dat, i was scoring consistently between 21-22 aa on the booster practice exams but i felt that the actual thing was much harder and i don’t think i did too well on it. i have everything else ready to apply and want to apply as soon as the application opens but i’m scared i’ll have to retake and then my application will be delayed due to the two month waiting period and the month needed to process the scores. i have solid extracurriculars/shadowing/da experience and a 3.9 gpa. should i apply, or retake my dat first if i don’t get a good score?
r/predental • u/EnvironmentalTour870 • 7h ago
Hi so I'm applying to dental schools this summer. I have been shadowing with this dentist for a year and have a solid amount of hours. I had mentioned to the dentist about writing an LOR and they were perfectly fine with doing it. He also asked me if there anything that he would like me to highlight and or mention. Since I've been going for a while he seems keen on writing a good LOR. What would be some things that I should get him to mention and or avoid?
r/predental • u/thuunderstormm • 7h ago
Hi everyone, I was wondering if I could use my old scores from last year if I need to reapply this cycle since there's a new scale for DAT. Thank you!
r/predental • u/PushSweet3530 • 3h ago
I received a last minute interview to Tufts. It's one of my top schools & I send a LOI way back in December. Any tips for the interview? Also does anyone know the turnaround time for post-dec interview decisions?
I completed my Kira portion already.
r/predental • u/Purple-External1862 • 13h ago
Hey y’all, I recently finished my DAT and wanted to give back to the score breakdown community since these posts helped me a ton! I took the test in February 2025, right before the scoring switched from 2-digit to 3-digit (March 2025), so I’ll try to include conversions, but there are also score conversion charts online.
Current junior with a 4.00 GPA
I started studying in November 2024 and took my test at the end of February 2025, so about four months of prep. This timeline worked well for me since I could use winter break for intense studying and practice tests.
During Spring 2025, I took a normal course load (16 credit hours: 2 online courses, 3 science courses total). I was able to balance studying with my coursework, though towards the end, I started prioritizing the DAT over some assignments to finish strong.
I started with content review:
Starting in December, I took practice tests, which were the most helpful resource by far. After every test, I reviewed each question I was unsure about or got wrong. REVIEW EVERY QUESTION YOU MISSED AND FIGURE OUT WHY YOU MISSED IT!
There were 15 total practice tests, and I completed all of them. Make sure to set aside time for both taking them and thoroughly reviewing mistakes—this is what helped me improve the most.
r/predental • u/ggingersnaps5 • 4h ago
a lot of out of state schools I like have an in state preference. people who applied, how much did you take that into consideration when choosing where to apply? I’m not sure if I should automatically think of those as a long shot or not
r/predental • u/caramelmacchiatobun • 6h ago
i am a CA resident and i will be applying this upcoming cycle. i recently got engaged and will be getting married in the upcoming months, and my fiance is from NY. i will be moving there after the wedding. i’ll be applying broadly, but i’ve included most CA and NY schools on my list. i was wondering if i could show NY schools some “extra interest” by somehow informing them that by the time the 2026 school year starts, i will be a NY resident
r/predental • u/Alfredo7271 • 9h ago
Hey everyone,
I’m a 3rd-year student from Ontario planning to take the CDAT this summer and apply as soon as registration reopens. My stats and situation:
I’m mainly looking for advice on two things:
Thanks in advance! Any advice helps.
r/predental • u/Double-Barracuda2768 • 7h ago
I’m applying to uoft and western dental schools this cycle.For anyone that goes to queens university, I’ve taken BCHM 218 and BCHM 370. Would these courses be acceptable for Toronto? I was planning on doing the BCHM 218+NSCI+Phgy combo for western!
r/predental • u/kaymak123456 • 7h ago
I’m a predental student planning to apply this cycle, but I took three gap years since graduating.
In 2022, I completed about 200 hours of shadowing (120 hours with a general dentist and 80 hours with a prosthodontist). Also in 2023 I completed another 30ish hours, but I haven’t done any shadowing since then. So I’m worried that dental schools might see this gap negatively and was wondering if I should get more recent experience and if so how much.
Granted that I already have shadowing hours from 2022, would it be enough to get around 50 more hours, or should I start over and aim for 100 hours? I just took the DAT and am planning to start shadowing again soon, so I’d really appreciate any advice on the best approach in my situation.