bobjoey042
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Disclaimer: This is a dense post, and I’m not really sure what to do from here. I'm a reapplicant from TX. I'll explain the context between both my app cycles.
I graduated in 2022 and applied in May/June (13 schools, including the 4 in TX) with a 3.7 GPA, 3.5 science, upward trend. I have good leadership/extracurriculars/volunteering (the strongest part of my apps). My essays were good, I had current dental school students/mentors look over it. Strong LORs too. I took the DAT twice to this point (18 first attempt, 20 on second but RC raised it, no scores under 17). During my gap year, I shadowed at 5 offices for about 200 hours, then eventually worked as a dental assistant (still working as one currently). I also worked as a dental lab tech for a few months. I took one upper level science class in the meantime and made an A. At the time, the biggest "red flag" on my app was lack of dental experience, which I was able to get during the 2022-2023 gap year.
I received 2 OOS interviews from private schools, both were virtual and pre-December. Looking back, I did ok but probably over-prepared and might have come across as too scripted. No interviews after that, and was just put on the waitlists for both schools. I sent 2 update letters each to both schools in the meantime. I was never officially rejected until their respective first week of classes.
In 2023, I retook the DAT for a 3rd time. I scored a 20 again but brought my TNS to a 20 as well and PAT to a 19, and no scores under 19. I rewrote my essays (still solid, along with LORs), and was able to add the new experiences from my gap year. I applied early again (a few different schools from last time and all 4 TX schools). I had 1 pre-December interview and 2 in January (all OOS private schools and in person; same 2 schools from last cycle). My interviews were for sure better than last cycle, but not sure if I was able to stand out much. Again, I was left on the waitlist for all 3 schools. I already sent them all an update letter last month. I took another upper level science class but made a B+ in it last semester.
Coming into April now, I'm just kind of lost and don't know what to do from here. I've looked into a few masters programs, but not sure what else I can do outside of maybe taking the DAT again and scoring a 21+. I had some hope last cycle I'd get off the waitlists, but I'm getting a feeling that I'll have to apply for yet another cycle. Any advice would be appreciated.
I graduated in 2022 and applied in May/June (13 schools, including the 4 in TX) with a 3.7 GPA, 3.5 science, upward trend. I have good leadership/extracurriculars/volunteering (the strongest part of my apps). My essays were good, I had current dental school students/mentors look over it. Strong LORs too. I took the DAT twice to this point (18 first attempt, 20 on second but RC raised it, no scores under 17). During my gap year, I shadowed at 5 offices for about 200 hours, then eventually worked as a dental assistant (still working as one currently). I also worked as a dental lab tech for a few months. I took one upper level science class in the meantime and made an A. At the time, the biggest "red flag" on my app was lack of dental experience, which I was able to get during the 2022-2023 gap year.
I received 2 OOS interviews from private schools, both were virtual and pre-December. Looking back, I did ok but probably over-prepared and might have come across as too scripted. No interviews after that, and was just put on the waitlists for both schools. I sent 2 update letters each to both schools in the meantime. I was never officially rejected until their respective first week of classes.
In 2023, I retook the DAT for a 3rd time. I scored a 20 again but brought my TNS to a 20 as well and PAT to a 19, and no scores under 19. I rewrote my essays (still solid, along with LORs), and was able to add the new experiences from my gap year. I applied early again (a few different schools from last time and all 4 TX schools). I had 1 pre-December interview and 2 in January (all OOS private schools and in person; same 2 schools from last cycle). My interviews were for sure better than last cycle, but not sure if I was able to stand out much. Again, I was left on the waitlist for all 3 schools. I already sent them all an update letter last month. I took another upper level science class but made a B+ in it last semester.
Coming into April now, I'm just kind of lost and don't know what to do from here. I've looked into a few masters programs, but not sure what else I can do outside of maybe taking the DAT again and scoring a 21+. I had some hope last cycle I'd get off the waitlists, but I'm getting a feeling that I'll have to apply for yet another cycle. Any advice would be appreciated.