Advice and chances for Columbia, Upenn and Harvard

[northeastbandit]

Hi guys, I am curious what my chances are for these schools in particular. I am a senior at a school in the northeast. I am interested in these schools as I would like to pursue a 6 year OMFS program leading to DMD, MD as I would like the option to work in an academic setting as well as private practice. I have heard from knowledgeable sources that these schools help with getting into the 6 year MD OMFS residencies since you take the integrated pre-clinical curriculum with the MD students thus putting you at an advantage for the boards. I realize these schools are incredibly competitive and one can be denied with perfect stats--I will discuss my ec's and stats below:

• 3.9 cumulative GPA, 3.92 BCP (science GPA)
• biochemistry anti-cancer research for a year (investigated inhibition of topisomerase)
• orthopedic research and formal internship for a year at northeast ivy--this lab was second in funding for ortho research only to hopkins. Name on two papers (just 3rd author)and a few posters.
• habitat for humanity for 3 years
• Treasurer of face aids and pre health group
• internship at free clinic
• 200 hours of clinical volunteering at free clinic
• 50 hours shadowing GP and 50 shadowing perio
• 25 hours shadowing ER doc and neurologist (wanted to survey both fields and decided the dental aspect I enjoy more)

Probably forgetting some stuff, but it isn't that important. I have yet to take the DAT, and was wondering what would be a score to shoot for with these schools in mind? I looked up Ari's study guide and think it looks very well done, and would likely utilize that exactly. Anyone who has any advice on the DAT I would greatly appreciate any input you can give--I am not knowledgeable much at all. As of now I would use bootcamp, destroyer, cliffs for bio, and chads vids---seem solid? Essentially this is ari's materials. I would like to apply this year thus will begin studying soon so I can apply in June/July. As someone who considered both med and dental during UG one thing I find disturbing is the cost of dental education! Do they give out financial aid at all? I am from a poor background, single mom. The cost seems daunting to me. Thanks guys for any input you can give me!!

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[midman19]

I had a similar GPA, similar research with publications, similar EC and plenty of volunteer hours as well. My DAT was a 22AA and 22TS. The only one of those three that I applied to was Harvard. I didn't even get an interview invite from them however. From talking to others it sounds like you really need a 23 or 24 on the DAT to really have a chance at some of those extremely competitive schools like Harvard. Once again I dont know about the other two. If you get a 22 then you should still apply cause there is a chance but I would shoot for a 23 or 24 to really have a good chance. Good luck!

 

[northeastbandit]

I had a similar GPA, similar research with publications, similar EC and plenty of volunteer hours as well. My DAT was a 22AA and 22TS. The only one of those three that I applied to was Harvard. I didn't even get an interview invite from them however. From talking to others it sounds like you really need a 23 or 24 on the DAT to really have a chance at some of those extremely competitive schools like Harvard. Once again I dont know about the other two. If you get a 22 then you should still apply cause there is a chance but I would shoot for a 23 or 24 to really have a good chance. Good luck!

Thanks for the solid input. Do you mind sharing what materials you utilized for dat?

 

[Weakfart]

You have a good chance at all three with a DAT in the 23 or 24 range. Obviously even with all this your lowest shot would be at Harvard due to their small class size and generally older class age.

 

[midman19]

I did a DAT prep course through Kaplan. I thought their materials were good and the practice tests prepared me well. The more practice you get the better, especially at taking practice tests. Any of the materials like DAT destroyer and things like that have great reviews too, though I didn't personally use them.

 

[northeastbandit]

You have a good chance at all three with a DAT in the 23 or 24 range. Obviously even with all this your lowest shot would be at Harvard due to their small class size and generally older class age.

Thanks.

 

[panmit]

Had a 3.9 GPA and 25 DAT, got rejected from Harvard without interview. The other 2 I got accepted to. Harvard is looking for a particular applicant, which I obviously don't what it is.

 

[Daneosaurus]

You don't have to go to an Ivy school to become an OMFS. Just saying.

 

[northeastbandit]

You don't have to go to an Ivy school to become an OMFS. Just saying.

Yes, I understand. But would you agree that it helps? I have been told that is can give an edge, especially at a school like columbia where you take the pre-clinical courses with the medical students. This is because you must take the NBME-CBSE exam on top of the plain NBME which is similar to the USLME. It would make sense the medical didactics would help with the CBSE. This is how it was explained to me, but I appreciate all input.

 

[H4LfAd1ME]

From what I know, only Columbia and Harvard have their dental students take didactic courses with the med students--Upenn doesn't, so you might want to consider that if you're shooting for omfs. I got accepted into Columbia, and they seem to really like high DAT scores. My GPA was average, my sGPA was slightly below average and my AA/TS/PAT DAT scores were 24/24/26. I don't have any experience with either Upenn or Harvard so I can't comment.

 

[pinklax]

I got into all three with a 4.0 and 21-22 DAT. Research experience is definitely a plus, but you seem to have the dental experience to back it as well. I would apply to all three, as you never know who will be reading your application. I cannot explain why I got into all of them when some applicants aced the DAT and didn't even get an interview. Stress that you are a well rounded applicant - name a hobby or something non-academic related. Oh, and apply early!! Good luck!

 

[Daneosaurus]

Yes, I understand. But would you agree that it helps? I have been told that is can give an edge, especially at a school like columbia where you take the pre-clinical courses with the medical students. This is because you must take the NBME-CBSE exam on top of the plain NBME which is similar to the USLME. It would make sense the medical didactics would help with the CBSE. This is how it was explained to me, but I appreciate all input.

Oh, I'm not say this to discourage you from applying to these schools! They're fantastic and have a high rate of acceptance to residency programs. I'm just trying to inform you that other schools also have these programs and I'm hoping you're not only applying to the three Ivies. At the risk of sounding like a plug for my school, Pitt actually hosts residencies for every ADA recognized specialty plus some that aren't considered specialties. Keep your options open, and apply to more than 3 schools because, honestly, the admissions process is a complete crapshoot.

 

[oceanangel4]

Oh, I'm not say this to discourage you from applying to these schools! They're fantastic and have a high rate of acceptance to residency programs. I'm just trying to inform you that other schools also have these programs and I'm hoping you're not only applying to the three Ivies. At the risk of sounding like a plug for my school, Pitt actually hosts residencies for every ADA recognized specialty plus some that aren't considered specialties. Keep your options open, and apply to more than 3 schools because, honestly, the admissions process is a complete crapshoot.

I agree with this. You should definitely keep your options open as the three Ivies are some of the priciest dental schools. I would definitely consider price over the "Ivy" name (which was why I ultimately chose UCLA over Columbia and declined Upenn interview). However, I'm not interested in OMFS so I can't really speak about that.

 

[teethlover93]

I had a 3.9ish GPA (3.92 and 3.95 I think) with a 24/25/24 DAT. (Parent is a general dentist, and I have 1000 hours assisting oral surgeons part time throughout undergrad.) I was accepted at Columbia and Penn, rejection without interview from Harvard (I had no undergrad research though). However, I too am interested in OMFS, and the surgeons I work for (who are Penn and Columbia graduates) actually pushed me to put my deposit down at a public school, which I did. Just something to keep in mind. As someone said above, you don't need Ivy League to do OMFS.

 

[MolarBear93]

I have a 3.92 and a 22 on the DAT and I got into columbia. Rejected from Harvard and declined interview at Upenn. You can really specialize out of anywhere if you try hard enough, albeit it's probably easier to get into specialty and academia out of a columbia or Harvard type institution. I feel like you need published research to have harvard even consider you. But for the other schools, I honestly think if you have the credentials to get to the interview, it's all about them liking you and you showing the upmost interest in their program. I picked the place I fell in love with, simple as that. A lot of schools are a lot of money but if you do it right it's worth the money.