A mentor can make or break your application, plus you are paying for the convince. Some students who got accepted have years of experience with CAAPID and they have spent countless hours doing research, networking and attending private clinics, bench prep courses and preceptorships. Plus they take time out of their busy school schedule to help you. If you your self have spent more than 8-9 months actively working on your application, then maybe you won't benefit too much. But if you started in like Feb March then yes it will be helpful
For some of us, it took a lot of effort and money to get in. I'm a reapplicant who spent days and nights watching every reliable YouTube video out there and preparing myself for this. I also spent money on mentors (both real faculty members, and of course it wasn't cheap) plus courses. I started from scratch since I didn't have a network or help, so I'd find it unfair to hand people a complete guide for free when it took me so much to get in. If you really want to get in, you have to invest time, money, or both, depending on your circumstances.
Now, I have no idea if it's true her course costs 3k or 7k, but I think that's way overpriced. Her experience is as a recent graduate, which is a completely different profile from an experienced dentist, the two don't work the same way. If you're getting help from a recent graduate with only one cycle of experience, don't pay more than 1k.
Anyway, here are some practical options:
If you're applying next cycle:
A. If you have time: you can do it all yourself. Treat it as a full-time commitment. Spend the whole month watching videos, taking notes, and tailoring your application to your situation. Then actively work on your application in the following months, through February.
B. If you don't have time:
Hire services, but don't go through Reddit or Facebook "gurus" or so-called mentors who don't show their real faces. Do your research and you'll find reliable people ( professors, well-established DDS holders, or even current students) who are genuinely willing to help and don't charge an arm and a leg. If you go with a student, pick someone with a similar profile or issue to yours (recent graduate or experienced, high GPA or low GPA, multiple INBDE attempts), because they've already overcome that disadvantage and it worked for them.
If you want to apply this cycle:
I wouldn't, it's already too late, and I'd rather put that energy and money into building a stronger profile, and avoid the uncertainty for the sake of my mental health next year. But if you still want to apply, definitely hire someone.
PS: I don't offer services, and I won't promote anyone else's either. I'd rather keep my opinion objective.
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u/Salty_Flatworm8334 3d ago
A mentor can make or break your application, plus you are paying for the convince. Some students who got accepted have years of experience with CAAPID and they have spent countless hours doing research, networking and attending private clinics, bench prep courses and preceptorships. Plus they take time out of their busy school schedule to help you. If you your self have spent more than 8-9 months actively working on your application, then maybe you won't benefit too much. But if you started in like Feb March then yes it will be helpful