26 DAT 3.8 Gpa---no interviews?

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Mr.Dr.Strange

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Anyone in the same boat or have advice on what to do?

I applied to UCLA, UCSF (rejected already), Columbia, Harvard, Penn, NYU, Pacific, Texas A&M, UIC, and UW

For some background, I am a Cali resident, went to UCLA, was premed but changed to predent last year. I have about 100 hours of dental shadowing and a lot of premed EC's (research, hospital internship, volunteering abroad, etc....)

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.
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Pretty sure one of your letters of rec is what killed your application. That's usually the case if everything else is otherwise solid.
 
Mr.Dr.Strange said:
Anyone in the same boat or have advice on what to do?

I applied to UCLA, UCSF (rejected already), Columbia, Harvard, Penn, NYU, Pacific, Texas A&M, UIC, and UW

For some background, I am a Cali resident, went to UCLA, was premed but changed to predent last year. I have about 100 hours of dental shadowing and a lot of premed EC's (research, hospital internship, volunteering abroad, etc....)

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.
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This is strange.
 
This is really unusual and I can't say anything other than 1. Don't expect too much at Texas schools being an OOS and 2. LOR

This is just so weird considering I've gotten an interview at NYU cause my stats are quite lower than yours lol. But many people who've gotten In touch with NYU said that they're interviewing lesser this cycle, so they and maybe other schools probably know you'll get into your top choice / in state school. Really shocking as to why you outright got rejected at UCSF and heard nothing From ucla.
 
FlowerGirl35 said:
Pretty sure one of your letters of rec is what killed your application. That's usually the case if everything else is otherwise solid.
Click to expand...
I highly doubt it, I was close to them all. I graduated in 2013 but kept in contact with them since and they have been very supportive.
 
Mr.Dr.Strange said:
I highly doubt it, I was close to them all. I graduated in 2013 but kept in contact with them since and they have been very supportive.
Click to expand...

Can you call UCSF and ask what went wrong?
 
Are you sure you're not telling us a criminal past you had expunged from your record before? 🤣
 
When did you apply? Would any of your letters be a problem?
 
Those are all pretty reachy schools, but your stats are great. Just gotta be patient I think...

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Incis0r said:
Can you call UCSF and ask what went wrong?
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I emailed them, they said this ...

Unfortunately, we are unable to conduct a review of your application with the goal of identifying specific reasons that your application was denied, or provide applicant-specific advising with regards to reapplying.

and then gave me some generic instructions on what to do if i reapply
  1. Retaking basic science course work that you received grades of C or lower in, and/or earning an advanced degree in the sciences to demonstrate your ability to successfully complete the rigorous dental school curriculum,
  2. Retaking the DAT if you did not perform well the first time,
  3. Gaining more dental experience and/or knowledge about the profession,
  4. Strengthening your interpersonal skills (e.g. leadership, initiative, communication
  5. skills, etc.), and/or
  6. Refine your professional goals and/or discuss in a more in-depth manner.
    Incis0r said:
    Can you call UCSF and ask what went wrong?
    Click to expand...
 
i feel you man, i applied to 7 of those schools and only one of them has replied so far :S
 
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Mr.Dr.Strange said:
No criminal records, good essay, great recommendations, verified in July
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How do you know your essay is good and your recommendations are great? (By the way, it is ethically questionable to read your recommendations.)

Also, is it possible you broke any rules while taking the DAT? The test company can notify the schools if they think you cheated.
 
Mr.Dr.Strange said:
I emailed them, they said this ...

Unfortunately, we are unable to conduct a review of your application with the goal of identifying specific reasons that your application was denied, or provide applicant-specific advising with regards to reapplying.

and then gave me some generic instructions on what to do if i reapply
  1. Retaking basic science course work that you received grades of C or lower in, and/or earning an advanced degree in the sciences to demonstrate your ability to successfully complete the rigorous dental school curriculum,
  2. Retaking the DAT if you did not perform well the first time,
  3. Gaining more dental experience and/or knowledge about the profession,
  4. Strengthening your interpersonal skills (e.g. leadership, initiative, communication
  5. skills, etc.), and/or
  6. Refine your professional goals and/or discuss in a more in-depth manner.
Click to expand...

Their response to you was not helpful at all. Hmm...
 
The Flossopher said:
How do you know your essay is good and your recommendations are great? (By the way, it is ethically questionable to read your recommendations.)

About the LOR's, I got into medical school last year with the same professors writing me LOR's (Don't worry, not using the same recs as I did for medical), but I decided I would rather go to dental school so I am applying again this year.
Click to expand...
 
The Flossopher said:
How do you know your essay is good and your recommendations are great? (By the way, it is ethically questionable to read your recommendations.)

Also, is it possible you broke any rules while taking the DAT? The test company can notify the schools if they think you cheated.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure you are allowed to read them if you say you "don't waive your rights". Not sure how that would appear to schools but you can't get in trouble if you check that box that you don't waive your right and with that option you can also ask to see your letters after the cycle or something.
 
californiway21 said:
Could it be your recent switch from pre-med to pre-dent?
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Could be, but at the end of the day it is a choice I made and I don't think it would be right to punish me for that. I put in the time, did the work. If I only had like 20 hours of shadowing that would be more understandable. Medical and Dental are very similar so I don't think it should be a red flag as to why I decided to change.
 
@Mr.Dr.Strange , would you like to PM me your personal statement? I'm a Columbia student (not an admissions officer), but I should be able to pick up on any potential red flags you might have unwittingly inserted into your essay. I promise I will keep it confidential between you and me. (I don't have any real influence on admissions here anyway.) If this is indeed the case, you may be able to save your admissions chances this year by a corrective email update or letter of intent to the schools to which you applied. No pressure though.
 
californiway21 said:
Could it be your recent switch from pre-med to pre-dent?
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that explains it !
did you take the MCAT ever ?
...and one more thing, did you put your pre-med EC's in your app ? that might also be a negative
 
Last edited:
Michael_Scott said:
that explains it !
did you take the MCAT ever ?
...and one more thing, did you put your pre-med EC's in your app ? that might also be a negative
Click to expand...
I did yes, I was accepted last year. I don't think that "explains it". I left most of premed ec's out, I explained on my PS how I was drawn into the medical profession and how that transitioned me into dental.
 
Mr.Dr.Strange said:
I did yes, I was accepted last year. I don't think that "explains it". I left most of premed ec's out, I explained on my PS how I was drawn into the medical profession and how that transitioned me into dental.
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Do they know that you were accepted to med school last year? Honestly, you should have several interview so far. Do you have any research experience? That could be another factor for places like UCSF and Harvard.
 
californiway21 said:
Do they know that you were accepted to med school last year? Honestly, you should have several interview so far. Do you have any research experience? That could be another factor for places like UCSF and Harvard.
Click to expand...
Yes they know. I did research but not dental, 1 publication.
 
Mr.Dr.Strange said:
Yes they know. I did research but not dental, 1 publication.
Click to expand...
This is tough. All I can say is that you applied to some elite school. I personally didn't apply to University of Washington (UW?) because they are not oos friendly. I'm sure you'll hear something this cycle, but if not I'd apply to other schools like University of Minnesota or University of Iowa where they are still fantastic dental programs, but not where you're competing with every other elite(25+AA, >3.8GPA) applicant.
 
Shouldn't have mentioned anything about medicine...your applying to dental keep the ps dental related.
 
The Flossopher said:
Also, is it possible you broke any rules while taking the DAT? The test company can notify the schools if they think you cheated.
Click to expand...

I think they would have nullified his scores and sent him a letter, or at least that's what happened before when someone broke the rule.
 
I'm med → dental and this is scaring me. OP, it could really be your LOR or premed history. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
 
did you apply to the same dental school whose medical school accepted you?
did you indicate on the application that you were accepted/applied to medical school?
in my opinion, I think your PS could be the problem
 
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