Alternate at Temple, chances?

[JimmerN]

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So I got a letter stating that I am placed on "alternate." I take it this means a waitlist. I retook the DAT and got a higher score to improve my application but I was not sure if that score was included in the decision. Its around early June right now when do you think they will let me know if there are spots available?

 

[Gopherz]

With it being this late, it may be a bit of a long shot, but you never know....

I will admit that as an admin, I would question your commitment by retaking the DAT. Did you apply to dental school as well?

 

[JimmerN]

I took the MCAT but it was not a competitive score and I was nearing the end of the cycle so I figured to take the DAT since I already interviewed at Temple. I would have to wait a month for my MCAT which would be late June whereas I had the DAT last week because its instant. I really would like to go to Temple podiatry school so figured taking the DAT wouldn't hurt since Temple accepts it.

anybody know if the class is full or does this happen to other Temple applicants receiving an alternate letter around this time.

 

[heybrother]

The only people who know the answer to this question are the administrative staff at Temple. Be pro-active. Pick up the phone and call. Ask them if there's anything you can do to turn that maybe into a yes. Ask them when they'll have an answer. Ask them if that DAT is part of their consideration process.

On the other hand, *insert mean joke about Temple's admissions department here*.

 

[Sartorius P.O.D.]

I took the MCAT but it was not a competitive score and I was nearing the end of the cycle so I figured to take the DAT since I already interviewed at Temple. I would have to wait a month for my MCAT which would be late June whereas I had the DAT last week because its instant. I really would like to go to Temple podiatry school so figured taking the DAT wouldn't hurt since Temple accepts it.

anybody know if the class is full or does this happen to other Temple applicants receiving an alternate letter around this time.

Not really sure about your exact situation, but I can tell you that they were filling our class up until the week before classes started. And some of those students that I know in that situation were highly qualified

 

[JimmerN]

The only people who know the answer to this question are the administrative staff at Temple. Be pro-active. Pick up the phone and call. Ask them if there's anything you can do to turn that maybe into a yes. Ask them when they'll have an answer. Ask them if that DAT is part of their consideration process.

On the other hand, *insert mean joke about Temple's admissions department here*.

thanks for the advice, I will definitely ask the couselor what I should do for now. I am not going to lie, I feel like I am gaming the system by taking the DAT but I got the score they were asking for (my GPA is very high but my standardized scores were on the lower end). I try to register for the MCAT but problem is when you register last minute or even last month, almost all seats are taken within a 5 hour drive of my place. at least with the DAT I can take on anyday when there is no MCAT date and get my scores a minute later instead of a month later.

admissions said they are 85% full, with interviews till early July, they have everything in my file so hopefully the updated score bumps me up. hoping for the best

 

[audilover]

abra kadabra

 

[itsallgood19]

yeah definitely call and speak to someone in their department and specifically ask if they have reconsidered/reevaluated AFTER seeing the new DAT score...maybe they put you on the alternate list right before the new score was given to them but who knows.

Another thing I can think of is sending an updated letter of interest to that school explaining new volunteer experiences, work, DAT scores, etc. if you have been continuing to do ECs after your app was sent in. I know these letters of interests are popular in the MD/DO app cycles but not sure how it is for POD.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Toadesque]

Show interest in the school by calling over and asking about your app, it can help if they are trying to decide between you and someone else

 

[LetsPlayTennis]

So I got a letter stating that I am placed on "alternate." I take it this means a waitlist. I retook the DAT and got a higher score to improve my application but I was not sure if that score was included in the decision. Its around early June right now when do you think they will let me know if there are spots available?

Hey JimmerN! Congrats on getting the score they want! Would you mind sharing the first score that got you on the alternate list?

 

[JimmerN]

on the alternate list, is there a ranking of people for alternate or is it just based on a random list? the counselor said my application is pretty complete so doing any additional extracurricular activities, community service hours, or shadowing will not improve my application. they did mention taking upper division courses to enhance my application but I think I can only fit one upper division class in the summer. the only problem is that the course would be done in late July.

 

[LetsPlayTennis]

If your second DAT hit the threshold they were looking for, then why exactly would they want you to take an upper-division class? Did he not say what you should expect next? Or are you just in limbo?

 

[itsallgood19]

Very surprised that doing "extra" things to enhance your app would not show increased interest in Temple. Are there any other pod schools you are accepted to?

 

[JimmerN]

Well I think its because I have so many community service and shadowing hours that it wont make a difference (the interviewer was impressed with my number of shadowing hours). My science scores are lower on the DAT than my reading and math scores so maybe that is why they asked for the upper division courses (a good number of my science courses are from community colleges so maybe they are concerned and rightfully so). I will know tomorrow if the decision was before or after the DAT score updated, I did fax the score early morning Pacific time so they probably received it around noon. I might consider trying to find another upper division science class but a lot of classes started.

I havent anything from Western ever since my interview. hoping for the best for either.

 

[LetsPlayTennis]

Well I think its because I have so many community service and shadowing hours that it wont make a difference (the interviewer was impressed with my number of shadowing hours). My science scores are lower on the DAT than my reading and math scores so maybe that is why they asked for the upper division courses (a good number of my science courses are from community colleges so maybe they are concerned and rightfully so). I will know tomorrow if the decision was before or after the DAT score updated, I did fax the score early morning Pacific time so they probably received it around noon. I might consider trying to find another upper division science class but a lot of classes started.

I havent anything from Western ever since my interview. hoping for the best for either.

Did Western accept your DAT or just an MCAT?

 

[JimmerN]

Did Western accept your DAT or just an MCAT?

MCAT, pretty sure temple is only one that accepts DAT. I think Western is full now.

 

[LetsPlayTennis]

I see. Any updates on your situation from Temple today?

 

[JimmerN]

just a simple "wait for the next update" by the admissions officer, I am just hoping an alternate in June can somehow land me a spot.

 

[LetsPlayTennis]

How high is your gpa?

 

[DocTroy]

.

 

[JimmerN]

so I was told today that the class is currently full. Do you think spots open up or should I start preparing for next year's cycle.

 

[future_hopeful_doc]

JimmerN, did Temple specify what level of an alternate you were? I'm in the same boat as you and on mine they specified that I am a "high" alternate. I know in the past they have accepted people off of the waitlist. When did you interview?