Advice Please: Waitlisted and then Accepted Next Cycle?

[dentpin2]

---

Members don't see this ad.

a

 

[KittySquared]

Seems like GPA is the real issue here. If I were you, I'd take 2 semesters of post-bac classes and apply again. Add some volunteer work and more shadowing in there as well. I wouldn't go as far as getting a masters if all you need is to boost that science GPA 3.1 to a 3.3 or something. The DAT score is pretty solid.

PS: Yes, from talking to some admissions folks, it does seem that they give reappliants a little more attention. It shows dedication that you're applying the second time around.

Best of luck

 

[dentpin2]

Thanks so much for the input-- forgot to mention I have a bunch of shadowing experience and did dental research for a summer (probably why I was interviewed at Penn and Columbia, which are very research-oriented).

Do you think it'd still be okay if I applied this coming June and took summer/fall classes to raise my GPA (and do an academic update)? I wouldn't really want to take a whole year off people applying again. That would essentially mean 2 more years until I start d-school.

 

[omnipoDent]

Hi everyone,

Despite applying to 12 schools this cycle, I wasn't admitted anywhere, but was waitlisted at two places: Penn and Columbia.

I was wondering if I don't get in off the waitlist of these schools this year, is it subsequently more likely that they'll accept me next cycle/I'll get a guaranteed interview? Or does it really have no impact?

My stats are: GPA: 3.4, Science: 3.1, went to Yale for undergrad
DAT: 23- Science, 23- AA, 22- PAT

I know my GPA is low, but honestly I expected to score more interviews/acceptances than this. Both my Penn and Columbia interviews were post-Dec interviews, and I didn't receive interviews from anywhere else.

Any advice for me? I'm hesitant to do a masters program next year because of the cost. But of course I will if it's necessary.

I believe your 3.1 was probably what hurt you, but I'm surprised you only got two interviews and no acceptances. I seemed like it was a very competitive cycle, though. Do you mind sharing some of the other schools you applied to and when your application was completed. It may have just been you needed to apply to a wider range of schools, or you may have just been completed too late in the cycle.

 

[wired202808]

Hi everyone,

Despite applying to 12 schools this cycle, I wasn't admitted anywhere, but was waitlisted at two places: Penn and Columbia.

I was wondering if I don't get in off the waitlist of these schools this year, is it subsequently more likely that they'll accept me next cycle/I'll get a guaranteed interview? Or does it really have no impact?

My stats are: GPA: 3.4, Science: 3.1, went to Yale for undergrad
DAT: 23- Science, 23- AA, 22- PAT

I know my GPA is low, but honestly I expected to score more interviews/acceptances than this. Both my Penn and Columbia interviews were post-Dec interviews, and I didn't receive interviews from anywhere else.

Any advice for me? I'm hesitant to do a masters program next year because of the cost. But of course I will if it's necessary.

You should do a Masters or post-bacc to boost the low sGPA. While Yale is prestigious, it won't help in the admissions game. You're DAT is clearly in the genius range so you're obv a smart person but you need to boost the low sGPA and then you should be golden. Also apply broadly dont apply to 2 schools and hope to get in. There are a ton of other schools that are good and will provide you with an awesome education. Ivy leagues aren't necessarily the best schools for a dental education, at least not always. So think broadly, boost the weak sGPA and you'll be golden.

 

[dentpin2]

My application was initially complete in late July, but after not receiving any invites from schools, I panicked a bit and retook the DAT (with the new scores shown above), and my new scores were sent out at the end of November. Before the retake my scores were 21/20/19.

I applied to a pretty wide range of schools I think. Though it seems like most schools put a lot of emphasis on GPA vs. DAT. I applied to NYU, Tufts, BU, Case, my state school, Midwestern IL (actually got rejected from here in November-- probably because of GPA), Pitt and Temple. Still have yet to hear back from some of these schools, but I'm assuming that it's a rejection at this point.

 

[KittySquared]

Thanks so much for the input-- forgot to mention I have a bunch of shadowing experience and did dental research for a summer (probably why I was interviewed at Penn and Columbia, which are very research-oriented).

Do you think it'd still be okay if I applied this coming June and took summer/fall classes to raise my GPA (and do an academic update)? I wouldn't really want to take a whole year off people applying again. That would essentially mean 2 more years until I start d-school.

Sure thing. If you can start postbac this fall, that's the best. Don't overdo it. Just do 4 science in the fall and 3 in the Spring but ACE them and apply in June again. I think that'll be a pretty good boost, but keep adding extracurriculars though, if you have time and opportunity.

 

[wired202808]

My application was initially complete in late July, but after not receiving any invites from schools, I panicked a bit and retook the DAT (with the new scores shown above), and my new scores were sent out at the end of November. Before the retake my scores were 21/20/19.

I applied to a pretty wide range of schools I think. Though it seems like most schools put a lot of emphasis on GPA vs. DAT. I applied to NYU, Tufts, BU, Case, my state school, Midwestern IL (actually got rejected from here in November-- probably because of GPA), Pitt and Temple. Still have yet to hear back from some of these schools, but I'm assuming that it's a rejection at this point.

ye the late DAT probably killed you. A masters or post bacc will suffice and give you what you need as long as you boost the sGPA to at least a 3.4 or 3.5

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

My application was initially complete in late July, but after not receiving any invites from schools, I panicked a bit and retook the DAT (with the new scores shown above), and my new scores were sent out at the end of November. Before the retake my scores were 21/20/19.

I applied to a pretty wide range of schools I think. Though it seems like most schools put a lot of emphasis on GPA vs. DAT. I applied to NYU, Tufts, BU, Case, my state school, Midwestern IL (actually got rejected from here in November-- probably because of GPA), Pitt and Temple. Still have yet to hear back from some of these schools, but I'm assuming that it's a rejection at this point.

The late DAT really delayed your application and may have messed things up.

Your post caught my eye because I also went to a big name school and came out with a GPA sort of similar to yours (3.2 sci and 3.3 overall) but I had lower DAT scores. My application was also complete in July. I was accepted at one school and got waitlisted at other places I interviewed.

I think applying early next cycle will help you out tremendously. I also think taking on post bac classes will be better for you than a masters (if you're worried about money, undergrad classes are cheaper depending on where you take them). But a masters (if you do well, like a GPA of 3.5+) will help you stand out more if that's what you want for your GPA.

Good luck

 

[dentpin2]

Thanks a lot of the input; I sincerely appreciate it.

Still hoping to get off the waitlist at either Penn or Columbia, but I'll start looking into post-bacc stuff-- would save me a year and $$ if I could just get in now!

 

[Just Peachy]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but don't count on getting into the places you were waitlisted. I was waitlisted at a school the first year I applied, then outright rejected (they didn't even want me to fill out a secondary) the next year despite having strengthened my application. Hopefully your experience will be better than mine, but I wanted to give you a heads up so that if you get rejected next year you won't be as surprised as I was. Best of luck!

 

[dentpin2]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. Did they tell you at all why they did that? And if you don't mind what school was it?

 

[Just Peachy]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. Did they tell you at all why they did that? And if you don't mind what school was it?

I didn't ask them - I was accepted at other places that cycle, so it didn't matter to me in the end. I don't want to drag their name through the mud, so I'd rather not say which school. I've heard from classmates and friends that the same thing happens at other places too, so my experience wasn't an isolated incident. Hopefully it works out well for you, I just wouldn't put all my eggs in the waitlist-to-acceptance basket.

 

[bhagan01]

My experience with reapplying was not good with the school I was previously waitlusted at. They did nit even.bother interviewing me again, even thiugh i was high on there waitlisr, and almost accepted.

 

[ethylalcohol]

has your Sgpa been consistently around 3.1? with your high dat score i think u should have T least got into one school 🙁

 

[dantemac]

Talk to admissions staff and find out why you were waitlisted/rejected at certain schools. For next cycle, maybe add a masters/post-bacc or improve your application somehow, and apply to more than 12 schools.