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[midwesternis]

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Date of submission: planned June 4
Overall GPA: 3.89
Science GPA: 3.7
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.71
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 22AA 21 TS; PAT: 19 QR: 23 RC: 23 BIO: 20 GC: 23 OC: 22
State of Residence: IL

Undergrad Attended: Small, reputable, but non-'elite' LAC
Major: Philosophy
Minority? No (Indian)
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 100 hrs, 4 general dentists
Volunteering Experience: 150 hrs free medical clinic front office, >50 hrs working with a disabled student
Employment: Resident Assistant; TA next year
Research: N/A
Other Extracurriculars: Several hundred hrs in residence life/dorm activities, Pre-dental society cabinet
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's list
LOR type and strength: Very strong dental letter; 2 average science letters
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: N/A; only 'red flag' I can think of is I took bio and physics at a CC before entering my 4-year
School list:
UIC
SIU
Marquette
Midwestern IL
Indiana
Iowa
Detroit
Michigan
Creighton
Louisville
Kentucky
Case
LECOM
Stony Brook
Buffalo
Ohio State
Nebraska

 

[macsak]

Date of submission: planned June 4
Overall GPA: 3.89
Science GPA: 3.7
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.71
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 22AA 21 TS; PAT: 19 QR: 23 RC: 23 BIO: 20 GC: 23 OC: 22
State of Residence: IL

Undergrad Attended: Small, reputable, but non-'elite' LAC
Major: Philosophy
Minority? No (Indian)
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 100 hrs, 4 general dentists
Volunteering Experience: 150 hrs free medical clinic front office, >50 hrs working with a disabled student
Employment: Resident Assistant; TA next year
Research: N/A
Other Extracurriculars: Several hundred hrs in residence life/dorm activities, Pre-dental society cabinet
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's list
LOR type and strength: Very strong dental letter; 2 average science letters
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: N/A; only 'red flag' I can think of is I took bio and physics at a CC before entering my 4-year
School list:
UIC
SIU
Marquette
Midwestern IL
Indiana
Iowa
Detroit
Michigan
Creighton
Louisville
Kentucky
Case
LECOM
Stony Brook
Buffalo
Ohio State
Nebraska

what kind of help do you want with your school list?
please explain how you came up with this list...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

OP: you could probably trim your list back to 10-12. I agree I would like your rationale for the OOS schools on your list. Let it be said SIU has a specific preference for non-Chicago applicants.

 

[midwesternis]

Basically just a bunch of schools that were relatively more affordable, with a Midwest regional preference.

 

[macsak]

Basically just a bunch of schools that were relatively more affordable, with a Midwest regional preference.

to get interview invites and acceptances, you need to show mission fit with the schools, that's not mission fit...

 

[macsak]

to get interview invites and acceptances, you need to show mission fit with the schools, that's not mission fit...

Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? networking, volunteering in a D-school clinic, shadow faculty, etc.

 

[EnchantedCookies]

I disagree with the mission fit stuff - most schools don’t truly disclose what type of applicant they want. If you have the stats, want to serve communities, and a good reason on why you want to be a dentist, you have a 50% chance on getting an interview. From the interview, they decide whether or not you will fit into the class they hope to design (which only the admissions teams know). For example, while a mission fit may include advancing oral healthcare through research - they will NOT create a class with only students that have done research. It’s a gamble - so pick schools that you could see yourself attending factoring in COL. Mission fit is a myth nowadays

 

[EnchantedCookies]

Another reason why I think it’s a myth is because they know applicants will cater towards that single sentence in their essays. If they cater towards many schools in the personal statement, your statement will become generic. Once they give those interviews, they can see right through you and your essays. They’ve stopped relying heavily on your essays especially because of AI and editing services. Be yourself regardless of whether you are fitting their mission or not and let them decide if you would fit in their school. Pick schools you want to be at even if it’s not regionally convenient. I’m from the east coast and got into many in-state heavy west coast schools. Your personality, besides your stats, is the most important thing they’re looking for.

 

[macsak]

Another reason why I think it’s a myth is because they know applicants will cater towards that single sentence in their essays. If they cater towards many schools in the personal statement, your statement will become generic. Once they give those interviews, they can see right through you and your essays. They’ve stopped relying heavily on your essays especially because of AI and editing services. Be yourself regardless of whether you are fitting their mission or not and let them decide if you would fit in their school. Pick schools you want to be at even if it’s not regionally convenient. I’m from the east coast and got into many in-state heavy west coast schools. Your personality, besides your stats, is the most important thing they’re looking for.

i'm guessing you have really high stats...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I'm not sure how much admissions experience the respondent has. I can agree that there is variability in the application of "holistic review" in the dental school admissions process. But I can assure you that most dental schools are use holistic/whole-person review processes in light of what they want for an incoming class and the future profession. Yes, for many dental schools, mission statements sound similar.

I can also agree that mission fit's importance may be less emphasized as the dental school applicant pool shrinks and COA/tuition increases. However, if a significant number of non-residents of North Carolina get into ECU, you have made your point that mission doesn't matter. Balancing the school's budget always matters.

Once they give those interviews, they can see right through you and your essays. They’ve stopped relying heavily on your essays especially because of AI and editing services.

When I start to see the wave of dental schools using Casper, I'll agree with you. Many are going with Recorded Video Interviews (Kira Talent), and the non-cognitive skills still comprise "holistic" review.

 

[EnchantedCookies]

I'm not sure how much admissions experience the respondent has. I can agree that there is variability in the application of "holistic review" in the dental school admissions process. But I can assure you that most dental schools are use holistic/whole-person review processes in light of what they want for an incoming class and the future profession. Yes, for many dental schools, mission statements sound similar.

I can also agree that mission fit's importance may be less emphasized as the dental school applicant pool shrinks and COA/tuition increases. However, if a significant number of non-residents of North Carolina get into ECU, you have made your point that mission doesn't matter. Balancing the school's budget always matters.


When I start to see the wave of dental schools using Casper, I'll agree with you. Many are going with Recorded Video Interviews (Kira Talent), and the non-cognitive skills still comprise "holistic" review.

In terms of North Carolina, their universities are prohibited by the North Carolina state constitution to extend more seating to out-of-state applicants. Additionally, the ECU and NYU statements are very similar - ECU: “Develop leaders with a passion to care for the underserved and improve the health of North Carolina and the nation” // NYU: “The mission of the NYU College of Dentistry is to partner with students in achieving academic excellence, providing the best oral health care, and engaging in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors to improve the health of the highly diverse populations in New York City and around the world.” Most of the NYU students are indeed non-residents.

What I’m trying to say is that with basic research - matching stats and out-of-state seats - you should curate a list based on where you’d want to live + financials. You’ll never be more than 50% confident you’re getting an interview unless you have legacy or know someone on admissions.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

In terms of North Carolina, their universities are prohibited by the North Carolina state constitution to extend more seating to out-of-state applicants.

Yes, UNC and ECU are both public institutions. According to the DSE, ECU interviewed 0/31 OOS and 0/4 international applicants. All 166 interviewed were in-state NC to fill 53 spots.

Additionally, the ECU and NYU statements are very similar - ECU: “Develop leaders with a passion to care for the underserved and improve the health of North Carolina and the nation” // NYU: “The mission of the NYU College of Dentistry is to partner with students in achieving academic excellence, providing the best oral health care, and engaging in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors to improve the health of the highly diverse populations in New York City and around the world.” Most of the NYU students are indeed non-residents.

NYU is a private institution, and their DSE profile specifically states they have no-in state preference, consider Canadian, and consider international applicants. I am not sure about your point with this comparison other than noting that their mission statements are similar, but not identical. You will also notice that ECU does not claim to have a lot of specialty programs, whereas NYU does and have faculty with research programs.

Read the mission and vision statements of both institutions on the DSE. ECU's mission is a 5-point bullet list plus a vision: "
Creating leaders with a passion to care for the underserved and by leading the nation in community-based, service learning oral health education.

NYU's vision statement: Imagine a world where everyone smiles.® We aspire to become the dental institution with the greatest impact globally on the health of society. Their core values statement includes a history with a legacy of serving the world.

So I agree: basic research gives you the information. But mission goes beyond just the words, but in many cases the words mean something. (We can argue this "partner with students" bit in the NYU mission statement until the cows come home, but that's a sidebar.)

What I’m trying to say is that with basic research - matching stats and out-of-state seats - you should curate a list based on where you’d want to live + financials. You’ll never be more than 50% confident you’re getting an interview unless you have legacy or know someone on admissions.

That's a valid strategy, and I definitely start people off by thinking where you have strategic advantages as an applicant knowing what your IS/OOS trends are. And I agree the schools eventually choose people who they feel they would enjoy having as a student, future faculty member, and perhaps future benefactor.

In broad terms, mission fit is generally easy to read:

Mission Fit: Key to Your Success | SDN

Every application cycle, applicants request expert reviews on the Student Doctor Network to help them assess “What Are My Chances” (WAMC) at getting

www.studentdoctor.net

For dental schools, there are schools that clearly want to address community health/dentistry needs and may not have as many resources on research or specialization. Some may have connections to run GPR's at affiliated hospitals (with the medical school/university). I agree: simple research on the structure and resources the schools have to meet your career needs as the future dentist.