Hi everyone! Long time reader, first time poster haha. I just wanted to let you know about my current situation and what some of your advice/suggestions/comments are. So first I'll discuss my grades, then my dental experiences, and then my quest to gain acceptance into dental school.
I graduated in February 2011 with a B.S. in Biomedical Science and a minor in Pharm & Tox. My cumulative GPA was a 3.696. I was also a member of our pre-dental club and the Association for Pre-Medical Students. I took the DAT in October 2011 and had the following scores (numbers in parentheses represent the percentile):
- PAT: 19 (69.4)
- QR: 18 (86.6)
- RC: 22 (93.2)
- BIO: 23 (98.9)
- GEN CHEM: 22 (95.2)
- ORGO: 20 (84.4)
- TS: 22 (98.3)
- AA: 21 (97.2)
As far as dental experience, I have always been on the path towards dentistry. I did a high school internship observing a general dentist my senior year of high school (oh how I wish my guidance counselors had told me about the combined degree programs..ugh). I also observed the dental clinic at my university during my undergraduate years. I admit I would've liked to observe the clinic more, but between studying my coursework and working part time, I went as often as I could. All together I had roughly 100 hours of shadow experience. As of last week, I found a place to shadow again which will be important for my reapplication (which I will tell you about soon...I know this is getting long so please be patient with me haha).
And now the part where I need the most amount of advice from everybody. My application for 2012 was completed in June of 2011 with the exception of my DAT score (which as you will remember I didn't take until October). I applied to 8 schools: Buffalo, Maryland, UCONN, Ohio State, Pitt, Tufts, Boston University, and Stony Brook. Of those, I only got 2 interviews- from Buffalo and Maryland. I got waitlisted at both. With my credentials, is it possible that my late DAT was my main hold up? My pre-health advisors seem to think so (which is why they didn't recommend for me to go for a post-bac or anything like that).
Now, I am reapplying for 2013 while still be waitlisted for 2012. Since January of 2012, I had been searching for a place to shadow in the hospital setting due to advice from a dean of admissions. However, after months of leaving messages and emails at numerous locations all telling me of no such opportunities, I found a local Aspen Dental to observe at last week and that at least shows I am still dedicated to the field.
Should I reapply to the same schools as last year knowing that my DAT score is ready to go? Different schools? A mix of the two? Was 8 a good number of schools to apply to? If I don't get off a waitlist for 2012, do you think my chances are good for 2013? Any help/advice/comments/anything is appreciated. Thanks everyone and good luck!
I graduated in February 2011 with a B.S. in Biomedical Science and a minor in Pharm & Tox. My cumulative GPA was a 3.696. I was also a member of our pre-dental club and the Association for Pre-Medical Students. I took the DAT in October 2011 and had the following scores (numbers in parentheses represent the percentile):
- PAT: 19 (69.4)
- QR: 18 (86.6)
- RC: 22 (93.2)
- BIO: 23 (98.9)
- GEN CHEM: 22 (95.2)
- ORGO: 20 (84.4)
- TS: 22 (98.3)
- AA: 21 (97.2)
As far as dental experience, I have always been on the path towards dentistry. I did a high school internship observing a general dentist my senior year of high school (oh how I wish my guidance counselors had told me about the combined degree programs..ugh). I also observed the dental clinic at my university during my undergraduate years. I admit I would've liked to observe the clinic more, but between studying my coursework and working part time, I went as often as I could. All together I had roughly 100 hours of shadow experience. As of last week, I found a place to shadow again which will be important for my reapplication (which I will tell you about soon...I know this is getting long so please be patient with me haha).
And now the part where I need the most amount of advice from everybody. My application for 2012 was completed in June of 2011 with the exception of my DAT score (which as you will remember I didn't take until October). I applied to 8 schools: Buffalo, Maryland, UCONN, Ohio State, Pitt, Tufts, Boston University, and Stony Brook. Of those, I only got 2 interviews- from Buffalo and Maryland. I got waitlisted at both. With my credentials, is it possible that my late DAT was my main hold up? My pre-health advisors seem to think so (which is why they didn't recommend for me to go for a post-bac or anything like that).
Now, I am reapplying for 2013 while still be waitlisted for 2012. Since January of 2012, I had been searching for a place to shadow in the hospital setting due to advice from a dean of admissions. However, after months of leaving messages and emails at numerous locations all telling me of no such opportunities, I found a local Aspen Dental to observe at last week and that at least shows I am still dedicated to the field.
Should I reapply to the same schools as last year knowing that my DAT score is ready to go? Different schools? A mix of the two? Was 8 a good number of schools to apply to? If I don't get off a waitlist for 2012, do you think my chances are good for 2013? Any help/advice/comments/anything is appreciated. Thanks everyone and good luck!