Thank you, man. I definitely appreciate your input! Yeah, I have pretty solid ECs, but I'm sure they could always be more dental-oriented. I just started a research position in a dental lab, but unfortunately, that was after I submitted. Is it weird to send update letters to the more research-focused schools if I don't hear from them within the next month or two? Thanks again!
You had a 21 TS the first time, why'd you retake anyway!? And yeah I was incredibly nervous the first time I took it. I felt the pressure on a retake but I literally went frozen mode and had the parody of let it go in my head ("f*ck it all or something like that) as I walked in. It was basically, if I didn't do better a gap year was a realistic possibility.
Because you called an interview a II. It will not have that big of an effect as long as you show a genuine interest in dentistry through shadowing and other activities. Do you have a lot of volunteering related to medicine?
Thank you *woman. Ahah. Im glad my opinion could help. You have a TON of great ECs all in all. So I mean if you're not applying to any med schools and they're all dental... It's just human you went through a career change. Don't sweat, your stats are killer and so are your EC's. You'll be more than fine. And I think you should def send them the update! I mean it could only help. Def send ! Good luck you'll do great.
Well you've improved on the whole so I'm sure it'll only work in favor for you! Keep us updated about the DAT. Haha no problem ... Maybe you can reply to my chance thread lol
You're app was really complete around the same time my app was complete (okay maybe 3 weeks earlier) but I think we are in the same kinda "wave". Most schools are on the July and beginning of August complete apps so I'm sure we have time. Many people don't hear for like a month or two. So let's hope we hear before that but it's really not too late at all.
Apply to a lot of private schools and I think you should be pretty good. If anything would hold you back it would be the DAT but your masters GPA is really good and your UGPA isn't too bad either. Hopefully your EC's outshine the 19. The score is not too bad but it's not too good so good EC's will def help on the whole. Good luck keep us updated
GPA
AA:20 PAT: 23 QR: 19 RC: 22 BIO: 21 GC: 20 OC: 18 TS: 20
shadowing: ~100 hours general dentist
Work: Car Salesman throughout college, 1 year at non-profit working with children, now in a program as a dental assistant full time.
Residency: AR
Volunteering: ~100 hours from various things, Teaching assistant for an upper division chemistry course.
EC: President of Dental society in college, won various martial arts competitions.
Research: ~300 hours in a chemistry lab
~300 in a neuropsychology lab as a lab technician.
School list:
LECOM
Marquette
MWU
Missouri
NYU
Temple
UL
Colorado
Tufts
UL
NEB
USC
UTHSC
If I don't get in this cycle should I just retake my DAT?
I think your DAT is actually fine. I think the only problem that could be holding you back is the low GPA's. Might wanna do a masters or post bacc for a year and then apply? When was your app complete?Bump. because I am beginning to lose hope.
A lot of schools are still on July apps so just wait a little. Like 2-3 weeks before getting worried I'd say. I've heard apps complete in July sometimes don't hear till November
Too risky. You have good stats, but I would apply to at least 4 schools if you want to make sure you get in that cycle.
I agree completely. Your stats are fantastic, without a doubt you would have got an interview if you applied a few months ago. But considering UCLA is extremely slow in general with sending out invites, it may be unlikely to get an interview with them now or in any case it will be a later in the interview cycle. You should still give it a chance, but maybe also send out to other schools if you really want to go to dental school. Also, do you have a CA residency?
Yes, I'm a California resident. I'll be applying the next cycle. What are some ways I can further improve my chances these next 6 months?
You got good stats and decent ECs, why didn't you apply to schools like UPenn or Columbia? And for California, Western?
Yeah, the shadowing hours is the only thing lacking, IMO. Did you already hear back from those schools?
I'm applying next year. I'm hoping I can gain entrance into one of these because they're relatively inexpensive and nearby which will keep my traveling to a minimal. I'll probably extend the school list a bit if I can get HPSP but I want it between 3-6 schools. I mostly want a very good clinical education and a laid-back environment.
Case seemed very laid-back, great school.
You are fine.. actually, you are more than that! 26 AA is killer, GPA is average but you can improve it this last year. Research isnt make it or break it.. it is just a cherry on top. Go get shadowing and volunteer hours and you are more than solid. Good luck!
Very nice DAT AA. 26 is probably 99.99 percentile. Good job. Just try to bring that GPA up. What undergraduate school are you at now?
bump
Well that is something you should personally look into.. The tuition, program curriculum, tuition, clinical experience, tuition, and many other things including TUITION play a role in deciding which school is right for you. Lol jk, tuition is definitely a big deal too though if you are attempting to pay for it through loans vs. saved money.
what is URM?
I got into 3 schools with a 3.0 cGPA/sGPA and 22 DAT. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Just apply broad and research the schools you are applying too.
You can get into basically every school in the country with those stats. Maybe try to get more shadowing and volunteer hours. Other than that just apply wherever you want and nail the interviews.
