Advice on Reapplying

[MariesMeow]

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Hey there,

I've been a longtime lurker on SDN and could really use some advice on the next step I should take.

I recently graduated with my bachelors degree in December and applied to dental school this cycle. My stats are as followed...

Graduated from a community college with my Associates of Science degree with an overall gpa of 3.93
Transferred to a University where I received my Bachelors of Science: Major in Biology, Minor in Chemistry with an overall gpa of 3.04
When I applied to Dental school, the combination of my gpas came out to be 3.48.

The grades in some of my classes have not been stellar as I went through a particularly difficult time when I first started out at the University. I had just moved out on my own, was working part-time, and taking a full-load of classes and did not receive stellar grades during that time period. Mostly B's and C's but I never failed a class.

For example...
Gen Bio 1 & 2 : Both A's
Gen Chem 1 & 2: A and B
O Chem 1 & 2: B & C+
Biochem 1 & 2: B- & C
Physics 1 & 2: B & B+
Cell Bio: C
Genetics: C
Virology: B
Micro: C

My last semester though, I did receive decent grades with mostly A's and B's in various biology classes.

I took the DAT in November of 2015 and received the following scores
1st DAT - AA: 18 TS: 16 RC: 21 PAT: 20 QR: 17 BIO: 14 GC: 17 OC: 20

I retook the DAT in June of last summer and received the following scores
2nd DAT - AA: 18 TS: 18 RC: 21: PAT: 19 QR: 15 BIO: 20 GC 16 OC: 16

I am not particularly a good test taker which is obvious by certain drops in certain subjects but I did study my butt off to try and increase my biology scores.

I have over 300+ hours of shadowing and working experience. I've been volunteering at a free dental clinic for the past 2 years and was trained on the job to work as a dental assistant at the clinic. This opportunity has graciously allowed me to work with over 30 dentists in the area.

I've also volunteered with mission of mercy projects and currently volunteer at a library where I have over 80+ hours of volunteer time.

I received a letter of recommendation from the dentist who owns and runs the free clinic and from 2 of my science professors from the university I attended.

I applied to 10 schools and have received 7 rejections so far. I am pretty certain that I will not be accepted anywhere which is why I am writing this post.

My question to you all is whether or not it would be worth my time to even try applying to another cycle. If I did reapply, I have a bunch of things that I would try to do before reapplying including....

1. Retaking the DAT
2. More volunteering
3. More dental shadowing
4. Go on a dental brigade overseas

My question, is whether or not you guys think it would even be worth my time to reapply to not this upcoming cycle, but the following cycle (Apply in June 2018). Do you think that I could have a chance to get accepted if I retook the DAT, got more volunteer hours, and went on a dental brigade overseas? Or do you think that the problem is my GPA and think it would be beneficial to go into a masters program or post bacc? I feel as if I am at a turning point in my life and I either need to fully invest all of my time and effort into trying to reapply or I need to completely readjust my career plans and rotate into a new career. I've been trying to get into dental school since I was in high school and it has always been my dream to become a dentist, I just do not know whether I have the stats to get in as I know it is such a competitive field. I truly do not want to give up on my dream but I also need to evaluate my situation critically and figure out whether it would be worth my time to try and get in a second time.

Advice, Constructive Criticism, and Comments welcome 🙂
Thanks for the help!

 

[Pirateslifeforme]

I would probably recommend retaking DAT. The DAT along with your gpa and two of the most important portions of your application, and you are sitting at about average on the DAT. I would shoot for over a 20, because that will make you much more competitive.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

You have too many sections below 17. You need to retake. Use DAT Bootcamp. That's what everyone I hear uses and it should land you a 21+.

Going from community college to university and doing worse is not good. You need to showcase your ability to handle a more rigorous environment and demanding science classes at a higher level. Apply for the Masters programs that are affiliated with Dental Schools.

Everything else in your app is BEYOND what most others have so just focus on a retake and possible Masters.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

You need a retake for the dat. The rest of your application profile is stellar. We can give you help and coach you along the way for your retake. Id really recommend it! If you want to join our group chat, send me a message!

 

[MariesMeow]

Thank you all for so much for the advice! You've given me hope that maybe I could get in the second time around. I just hope that I can get better scores on my DAT.

 

[DMikes]

Like others said, retake the DAT. Other parts of your application are fantastic.

Feel free to DM me if you need anything!