Advice on what I could improve on to reapply?

[RamsFan1991]

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Hi everyone,

I interviewed at 2 schools in late January and March (LECOM and NYU) having applied to 10 schools back in September and was rejected from the rest. Though I have some hope of getting off these waitlists, I wanted to start reviewing my application to improve on it and reapply a stronger candidate. Here is my application as succint as possible.

3.40 oGPA, 3.32 sGPA
21 AA, 19 TS, 24 RC, 21 PAT, nothing below 17.

EC's:
- 3 Research Publications working in a Pharmacology and Toxicology lab, 1 publication is firstauthor. 2000+ total hours of research including presenting my project at a convention in San Diego, California.
- 100 hours shadowing between two General Dentists.
- 450 hours working in Orthodontics at VCU School of Dentistry this past summer while studying for the DAT.
- Accepted a one-year research position in my Pharmacology and Toxicology lab to get more publications and pay for my student loans (would have loved to continue working in the dental field but my loans wouldn't be possible to pay if I didn't take this research position.)
- 150 hours of volunteering teaching graduate students the hands-on research techniques that our lab uses
- 50 hours community service across various student organizations during undergrad.

I would greatly appreciate some constructive criticisms on what I can do from here to improve my application. I understand my GPA is slightly below the average for matriculation but I think my DAT really helps balance it out. Please keep in mind it is very difficult for me to find a dental-related job that can pay for all my financial obligations including my student loans. What should I do differently this year if I don't get off any of the waitlists? Make sure to apply and make it in the first batch as opposed to taking my DAT last August and unfortunately ending up in the 12th batch? Should I try to get a Dental Assisting job that can give me more experience while I pay for my student loans? Thank you all for reading.

 

[Bifenthrin]

Don't give up just yet, you might still get off the waitlist. NYU's second deposit is due next week I think. There will be a lot more movement on the waitlist after that.

The only thing I can think of is more shadowing hours in general dentistry, and applying earlier. Your DAT looks good, so I wouldn't retake. Your GPA is decent (higher than my undergrad GPA was). Maybe doing a masters and getting a high GPA in it would help, but I honestly don't understand why you weren't accepted with the stats you have.

If you don't get in this cycle, I would call the schools you're most interested in and ask them what you could do to improve your chances.

 

[Chga]

Apply first day.. would help.

Even though 21AA is good, 19TS kind of hurts you because your GPA is not 3.5+.
I would really work on interview skills and if you can retake the DAT to try and improve your scores, where your lowest score is 19(This combined with your AWESOME ECs would make you really stand out)
I hope you get in this year =)

 

[RamsFan1991]

Thanks for your guys' input! It's hard imagining taking the DAT again, that 19 TS does suck tho :\ I'm not quite sure what else I can do to improve on my interview skills, I feel like I gained a good amount of interpersonal skills throughout my internships and my work in Ortho with all those patients and before my interviews I practiced with my family and lab members. I will try to calling Dr. Mejia's listed number next week before that deposit deadline next week and really tell her how impressed I was with NYU. It truly is my #1 school after my interview, the students were so passionate about it and I am really eager to get involved with their research.

 

[Weakfart]

Dang you ECs are incredible! Yeah I guess you can pick your poison, DAT or GPA to raise, and obviously the DAT will be easier to raise. Good luck!

 

[pinkster]

If I were you, I would focus on applying early. Get your application ready to submit the first day and have your transcripts mailed that day as well. Maybe add a couple schools the next time around. As others have said, you could definitely call some schools and get some feedback, or at the very least drop your name as an interested student. Remember to keep in contact with the schools you are on the waitlisted for. Not in a harassing way, but checking in every few weeks can't hurt! Now since you will be applying again in June, there isn't a ton you can do with your GPA. You could consider taking a couple classes in the summer but before you do that, I would calculate what 2 A's would even do for your gpa and see if it is even worth the time/effort/money.

 

[Coloradoboulder]

There is nothing wrong with your application in my opinion. It is just your timing because September is pertty late. As Pinkster said maybe add a few more schools. What I hope is that you get off the wait list for those two schools so you don't have to worry about this anymore. Good luck!

 

[RamsFan1991]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice =]

 

[synthiac]

I think applying earlier should suffice. During my interview with UMD the interviewer asked me why I applied late which I was honestly shocked about since my application was considered complete by the 1st week of August. He informed me that by then they already start giving out several interviews and I should have applied earlier. So yea, if you don't get accepted (I seriously hope you do!) then apply early next cycle.

 

[carlsab]

Apply early, day 1 and I think you'll be fine. Application looks pretty great. I would contact all schools who rejected you and ask to talk to them about your app. Otherwise,looks good to me.