Another advice thread for a re-applicant...

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AlexWin94

AlexWin94

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Hi all
So it looks like I am going to need to re-apply next cycle... Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am a California resident. I graduated last year with an overall GPA of 3.54 and science of 3.51. AA = 23, TS = 24, PAT = 20, RC=22, QR =19. I received a dental assisting license and x-ray license through my high school's career program. Have over 500 hours shadowing and working at a pediatric office and 50 in a general practice. I was part of my university's marching band for all 4 years. Also part of a co-ed music service sorority for all 4 years and was treasurer my last year. I don't have any research which I regret. Another worry is that I sent in my application kinda late because I spent the summer studying for the DAT. I thought it would be better to take the DAT first before I sent in my application... I submitted early August and most schools received my application around early September. I am also worried about my LORs. I wasn't super close to my professors but I did well in their classes and they readily agreed to write them. Maybe they wrote a bad LOR?

I have been rejected from NYU, Washington, Michigan, and Western without an interview. I just received a rejection from MW-AZ after interviewing in January. I haven't heard back (but unlikely I will) from UCSF, UCLA, UoP, Oregon, Maryland, and Colorado. I also had interviews at Roseman and USC but I haven't heard back yet.

I guess my question is what should I be doing these next few months before I apply again? I am currently taking some CC classes to finish up some prereqs, working with my parents at their sandwich shop, and helping out at the pediatric office. I am enrolled in a coronal polishing class so I can do more in the office. Also looking into a job as a dental assistant for a general practice, a dental lab position, or volunteering at a dental clinic or homeless shelter. Should I also look for a research lab to volunteer? I just wouldn't know where to start as I am out of school. If I have bad LORs, how should I go about getting new ones since I am not in school? I doubt LORs from CC professors would be satisfactory. I am going to change which schools I apply to next cycle, more private and not just on the west coast

Thank you for any advice. Just feeling super depressed right now...
Also sorry for the wall of text =/
 
I don't have too much advice, but here's some:

- You mentioned the licensing in high school, as far as I know/remember, they don't consider any experience/activities pre-college.
- Apply as EARLY as possible, try to get EVERYTHING completed by the end of June.
 
1070752 said:
I don't have too much advice, but here's some:

- You mentioned the licensing in high school, as far as I know/remember, they don't consider any experience/activities pre-college.
- Apply as EARLY as possible, try to get EVERYTHING completed by the end of June.
Click to expand...
Okay I guess I won't put it in my application. I already mentioned it in my PS. Thank you
 
You applied during the second batch, which is okay since you still got interviews. I have a feeling it has to do with your personal statement or LORs.

I would email Roseman and USC about your interest and explain the changes since your application was received. For example, academic grades and the dental assistant license.
 
Don't give up. How was your Personal statement btw? Have you tried contacting the schools and asking why you got rejected?
 
predental21250 said:
Don't give up. How was your Personal statement btw? Have you tried contacting the schools and asking why you got rejected?
Click to expand...
I had two career counselors look at it and they said it was good. I've contacted midwestern because they said to talk to the director of admissions so see what I need to improve. Western said they wouldn't give me any specific advice. Haven't contacted other schools yet.
 
AlexWin94 said:
I had two career counselors look at it and they said it was good. I've contacted midwestern because they said to talk to the director of admissions so see what I need to improve. Western said they wouldn't give me any specific advice. Haven't contacted other schools yet.
Click to expand...
I hope you had at least 5 different people read your personal statement. I had multiple friends and pre-health advisors read my personal statement. Ultimately, you should have revised it at least 10 times until you feel it is authentic.

ADCOMS are not supposed to tell you specifically what was wrong with your application. Sometimes it is just an excuse because they were too many competitive applicants this cycle. Average DAT scores have been increasing at a steady rate every year. If you wait until the class is full, then they will tell you specifically what you can do to improve your application.
 
DOC YANKEM said:
I hope you had at least 5 different people read your personal statement. I had multiple friends and pre-health advisors read my personal statement. Ultimately, you should have revised it at least 10 times until you feel it is authentic.

ADCOMS are not supposed to tell you specifically what was wrong with your application. Sometimes it is just an excuse because they were too many competitive applicants this cycle. Average DAT scores have been increasing at a steady rate every year. If you wait until the class is full, then they will tell you specifically what you can do to improve your application.
Click to expand...
Yeah I also had my girlfriend and family look over it.
I will contact admissions at the end of the cycle. Hopefully they will let me know.
Thank you!
 
You have great stats. As long as you don't have a huge red flag on your application you'll get several pre-dec interviews. I'm honestly surprised you didn't get more interviews even with your application date
 
klownzo said:
You have great stats. As long as you don't have a huge red flag on your application you'll get several pre-dec interviews. I'm honestly surprised you didn't get more interviews even with your application date
Click to expand...
Thanks!
Yeah, I'm worried there is a red flag somewhere =( I thought my stats were competitive but I know it's not all about the stats.
 
wengerin said:
I would bet it was your LOR's, and applying late didn't help either.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...
Any suggestions on how to get better science lors? I'm not comfortable enough to ask previous professors. I could possibly take a science class spring quarter at a nearby university. Should I even ask schools if I could replace a science lor with something else even though I'm only a year out? That might look bad =(
 
AlexWin94 said:
Any suggestions on how to get better science lors? I'm not comfortable enough to ask previous professors. I could possibly take a science class spring quarter at a nearby university. Should I even ask schools if I could replace a science lor with something else even though I'm only a year out? That might look bad =(
Click to expand...

Who are your current LOR writers and what was your relationship with them?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
If you do re-apply next cycle, apply to Temple. They have an awesome post-bacc there that I am currently in and pretty much guarantees acceptance if you meet requirements (that is if you don't get into a school next year you can do the post-bacc, I am sure you will get in next year if you don't this year, but you will at least have a back up). There is a thread about it on SDN but if you have any questions PM me 🙂
 
SaeWat said:
If you do re-apply next cycle, apply to Temple. They have an awesome post-bacc there that I am currently in and pretty much guarantees acceptance if you meet requirements (that is if you don't get into a school next year you can do the post-bacc, I am sure you will get in next year if you don't this year, but you will at least have a back up). There is a thread about it on SDN but if you have any questions PM me 🙂
Click to expand...
I really wouldn't advise him to spend 40k on that post-bacc considering his stats are great.
 
Rekker said:
I really wouldn't advise him to spend 40k on that post-bacc considering his stats are great.
Click to expand...
Just giving him some options, not many people know about this program. Sure it's immensely expensive, but the experience is worth it.
 
brittlenise said:
Who are your current LOR writers and what was your relationship with them?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...
They were my micro bio and biochem professors. I only talked to them a few times in office hours and I got an A and A+ in their classes. One of them asked me a few questions along with a PS and resume before she agreed to write one. The other said he would and also asked for my PS and resume. Honestly, this could be the red flag in my application. My last Lor is from a pediatric dentist I've known for 5 years. Shadowed and worked at his office.
 
SaeWat said:
If you do re-apply next cycle, apply to Temple. They have an awesome post-bacc there that I am currently in and pretty much guarantees acceptance if you meet requirements (that is if you don't get into a school next year you can do the post-bacc, I am sure you will get in next year if you don't this year, but you will at least have a back up). There is a thread about it on SDN but if you have any questions PM me 🙂
Click to expand...
I thought about doing a masters at Western since it's close to home. I'll look into temple though. Thanks!
 
Honestly did you volunteer anywhere? I didn't see that listed.
I think it's a big red flag to me if you want to help others but don't go out of your way to do so. If there was then I'm sorry I'm eating cereal and skimming through 🤣
I would volunteer a lot. Doesn't have to be dental!

Also, leadership. If it's something you can do I'd try to find a position to show leadership.
Doing these things would at least give you something to talk about!
 
Polkadotfan said:
Honestly did you volunteer anywhere? I didn't see that listed.
I think it's a big red flag to me if you want to help others but don't go out of your way to do so. If there was then I'm sorry I'm eating cereal and skimming through 🤣
I would volunteer a lot. Doesn't have to be dental!

Also, leadership. If it's something you can do I'd try to find a position to show leadership.
Doing these things would at least give you something to talk about!
Click to expand...
Haha sorry! It's somewhere in the block of text. I was part of a music service co-ed sorority. Helped out at underprivileged elementary and high schools to help improve their music program. Volunteered with girl scouts to get their music badge and also performed and volunteered at local hospitals, retirement homes, and fire departments. I was treasurer my senior year.
Righ now I am looking to volunteer at a dental clinic or a homeless shelter. Just waiting to hear back.
 
All the right things are there. GPA, DAT, volunteer hours, and clinical experience. Only thing I can think of would your LOR's or PS.
 
DC206R said:
All the right things are there. GPA, DAT, volunteer hours, and clinical experience. Only thing I can think of would your LOR's or PS.
Click to expand...
I will be going over my PS again before next cycle but any suggestions for lors?
 
AlexWin94 said:
I will be going over my PS again before next cycle but any suggestions for lors?
Click to expand...
How many did you send in total and who were they from? Micro, Biochem, and dentist? That's it?
 
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