Applied 3x's.. don't know what to do..

[jthun7]

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Hi everyone,

I wanted to get some advice from those who are more knowledgeable about the dental application process than I may be. I am a Texas resident, and have applied 3x's. My undergraduate stats are low 3's, I've taken the DAT's enough times with the highest score of 19, and I'm about to earn my MPH degree. I feel very hopeless, and don't know what I should do at this point. I am still very passionate about dentistry, but I feel like it may not be in the cards for me. Any suggestions and pointers are greatly appreciated.

 

[Destiny11]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get some advice from those who are more knowledgeable about the dental application process than I may be. I am a Texas resident, and have applied 3x's. My undergraduate stats are low 3's, I've taken the DAT's enough times with the highest score of 19, and I'm about to earn my MPH degree. I feel very hopeless, and don't know what I should do at this point. I am still very passionate about dentistry, but I feel like it may not be in the cards for me. Any suggestions and pointers are greatly appreciated.

Same here...

 

[jmt1984]

Same here...

Same here as well, my advice would be to start thinking of a backup plan, something that you like about dentistry or science that you can 'do' either until you improve your application, or something else that you find interesting that has some potential as a career.

Its difficult, a person invests a lot of time and energy into the application process and then finds themselves trying to decide 'what else' they can do.

What aspect do you like the best about dentistry?

 

[Regmata]

If you haven't gotten in after 3 times and you have completed a masters program shortly, then maybe it is time to move on. There must be some aspect of your application or interview that programs do not like. Unfortunately, you may never know what it is and even if you did, you may not be able to correct it.

It is unfortunate to hear I am sure, but after 3 tries with no luck even after working to improve your application...it is time to put your time, effort and money into something that offers a better return on investment.

 

[John Durian]

Honestly, I wouldn't give up on my dreams. But, with a GPA in the low 3's, I wouldn't apply unless I had a 21+ on the DAT in order to maximize my chances. Study for 3 months straight and use tips by others on SDN (ie, get destroyer, crack, etc) to aim for a 21+.

Next, apply very broadly. I would say 15+ schools especially the schools with larger classes (ie, BU, Tufts, NYU, etc). Then sit back and cross your fingers. In the mean time, work full-time and build up a cushy reserve for all that debt you'll accumulate throughout 4 years in d-school. Good luck!

 

[Mudfever]

Go visit all three schools in TX (Houston, San An, Baylor). Contact the dean of admissions (possibly through a secretary) and ask for a meeting to discuss your prior applications and desire for attending dental school. Dress professional (suit) and bring copies of DAT scores, resume, transcripts, etc.

Express to them your desire and ask them what you can do to make yourself a better applicant. Ask for specifics (not just keep trying) but retake X or take Y or more shadowing, etc.

Discuss (be ready to discuss) your low points (grades, DAT, academic misconduct, whatever). Depending on the answers, you may have to visit some OOS Schools (Tufts, Midwestern, etc ).

Good Luck,

Mud

 

[aelian]

Wait, so what is your undergrad GPA? You say it's in the three's and I know a few low 3.0's that have gotten into Texas (I've gotten into a couple of Texas schools with a pretty low GPA, as well). There has to be something that you could have improved on your application in the last two cycles (weak LOR's, or community service, or shadowing). They will usually tell you what to work on. The best I can tell you to do if you are really serious about dentistry is to appeal to retake your DAT, take some post-bacc to boost up your uGPA, and improve those things I listed above.

 

[amali]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get some advice from those who are more knowledgeable about the dental application process than I may be. I am a Texas resident, and have applied 3x's. My undergraduate stats are low 3's, I've taken the DAT's enough times with the highest score of 19, and I'm about to earn my MPH degree. I feel very hopeless, and don't know what I should do at this point. I am still very passionate about dentistry, but I feel like it may not be in the cards for me. Any suggestions and pointers are greatly appreciated.

Have you had any interviews in any of the three cycles?

 

[MrWilson]

Go visit all three schools in TX (Houston, San An, Baylor). Contact the dean of admissions (possibly through a secretary) and ask for a meeting to discuss your prior applications and desire for attending dental school. Dress professional (suit) and bring copies of DAT scores, resume, transcripts, etc.

Express to them your desire and ask them what you can do to make yourself a better applicant. Ask for specifics (not just keep trying) but retake X or take Y or more shadowing, etc.

Discuss (be ready to discuss) your low points (grades, DAT, academic misconduct, whatever). Depending on the answers, you may have to visit some OOS Schools (Tufts, Midwestern, etc ).

Good Luck,

Mud

^what he said. By you taking the time to visit and sit with them face-to-face really shows your desire to enter into the field of dentistry. You might be surprised how helpful this truly is. If you don't live too far from a dental school, look for somebody to shadow at a dental school. You have to really do your research on schools. Applying to professional school is not necessarily like applying to undergrad, where you just feel out an application and turn it in. The more they see your face, they'll remember you when looking over your application, and the better your chances. It's like a wise man once tol.d me, "it's not the grades you make, it's the hands you shake." He was right.

 

[sfoksn]

I am sorry to hear that.. But I honestly think you need to study harder and put more energy into this if you want to become a dentist.

19 highest? Come on.. 19 is approximately missing 1/3 of the questions in each section... If you had studied the foundation more solidly, you should not have any problem like this...

GPA, I understand.. It's so hard to control and it really depends on your classmates and how you stand in relationship to their performance.

I think that's why DAT is there, so you can display your knowledge among all the applicants.

Plus, with your MPH, you should have some publications, so I guess that is definite plus

I am not trying to provoke you or anything like that, I honestly think you have capacity to do much better than that if you really put yourself to it.

Good luck!

 

[Aggie3580]

jthun7, where did you do your undergrad and where are you getting an MPH from?

 

[UBDent19]

Don't give up OP. Just hit the books and try again!

 

[bballrules]

don't let your dreams slip away. i got rejected twice and finally got in my third year. i contacted the schools i was interested in and i explained to them my situation. beefed up my stats and showed them that i can handle and succeed. your masters will look impressive and may outweigh what you did in undergrad. after 3 times, you must be getting closer so there are only small things to change. contact the schools that are rejecting you and ask them what you need to do. the admissions are usually nice and try to help you. i don't know if this helps but i had under a 3.0 gpa and 18 dats. no MS, just retook classes and raised my dats to 21 while continue to help the church, doing volunteer and dental assisting. it doesn't matter how many times you get rejected, we will all end up in the same place in the end.

 

[camshaft]

You need to get above a 19 on the dat. You are far from hopeless though.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I'm with the "dont give up yet!" group on here lol.

Seriously, just lock down and study the DAT. Get 21+ and keep shadowing/volunteering/assisting/whatever. Put all your energy into the next application and then pray every night. Also talk to them and visit the schools. (luckily all the TX schools are within driving distance and not in Lubbock/el paso/etc) Tell them your situation and what you can do to improve. It wouldn't hurt you at all. Good luck!

 

[Darce101]

I'm 29yrs old and this is my second cycle and applied to 15 schools with a 3.1ogpa and 2.92sgpa. Just completed a masters in Biotechnology at UC Irvine 3.7GPA and received 0 interviews. So I definitely feel your pain.

DAT scores are 23/24/20. I don't know what else to do to change my app. . .😳

It really sucks to be in this position and I know how you feel.

 

[longhornpride]

Go visit all three schools in TX (Houston, San An, Baylor). Contact the dean of admissions (possibly through a secretary) and ask for a meeting to discuss your prior applications and desire for attending dental school. Dress professional (suit) and bring copies of DAT scores, resume, transcripts, etc.

Express to them your desire and ask them what you can do to make yourself a better applicant. Ask for specifics (not just keep trying) but retake X or take Y or more shadowing, etc.

Discuss (be ready to discuss) your low points (grades, DAT, academic misconduct, whatever). Depending on the answers, you may have to visit some OOS Schools (Tufts, Midwestern, etc ).

Good Luck,

Mud

You need to listen to this guy. Try to get a job as a research assistant at a dental school... etc. Do whatever you can to make them see that you're not going to quit until you get in. Email them with your progress throughout the year so they know you're doing what they've asked you to do. At this point... you just need to talk to them face to face and say, "here are my stats, scores etc.... tell me what I need to do to get in."

 

[lmaozedong1]

I am sorry to hear that.. But I honestly think you need to study harder and put more energy into this if you want to become a dentist.

19 highest? Come on.. 19 is approximately missing 1/3 of the questions in each section... If you had studied the foundation more solidly, you should not have any problem like this...

GPA, I understand.. It's so hard to control and it really depends on your classmates and how you stand in relationship to their performance.

I think that's why DAT is there, so you can display your knowledge among all the applicants.

Plus, with your MPH, you should have some publications, so I guess that is definite plus

I am not trying to provoke you or anything like that, I honestly think you have capacity to do much better than that if you really put yourself to it.

Good luck!

Dude, you are the BIGGEST TOOL ON SDN!!! You act as if everyone can just achieve a 23+ on the DAT b/c you did. I don't mind when people are very intelligent, but I do mind when they're very intelligent and very arrogant. I've seen your posts before and you're very condescending towards people. Don't be that way b/c it's very unattractive.

Don't ever listen to sfoksn. He's just a guy who likes to wallow in his own glory.

 

[dstu2011]

Dude, you are the BIGGEST TOOL ON SDN!!! You act as if everyone can just achieve a 23+ on the DAT b/c you did. I don't mind when people are very intelligent, but I do mind when they're very intelligent and very arrogant. I've seen your posts before and you're very condescending towards people. Don't be that way b/c it's very unattractive.

Don't ever listen to sfoksn. He's just a guy who likes to wallow in his own glory.

lmao @ zedong1

 

[sfoksn]

Dude, you are the BIGGEST TOOL ON SDN!!! You act as if everyone can just achieve a 23+ on the DAT b/c you did. I don't mind when people are very intelligent, but I do mind when they're very intelligent and very arrogant. I've seen your posts before and you're very condescending towards people. Don't be that way b/c it's very unattractive.

Don't ever listen to sfoksn. He's just a guy who likes to wallow in his own glory.

Hey OP, sorry if I came out like that, I didn't mean it to be condescending at all.. I just thought highly of your potential.

And lmaozedong1, sorry I am seen like to tool to you.. I don't intentionally act arrogant towards people. We are just all pre-dents anyways. I really don't think I am in any position to be condescending towards any other pre-dents just like me.

All in all, we are all going to become dentists and I think we are all equals.

 

[promolion]

I'm 29yrs old and this is my second cycle and applied to 15 schools with a 3.1ogpa and 2.92sgpa. Just completed a masters in Biotechnology at UC Irvine 3.7GPA and received 0 interviews. So I definitely feel your pain.

DAT scores are 23/24/20. I don't know what else to do to change my app. . .😳

It really sucks to be in this position and I know how you feel.

that's a surprise to me.

 

[AlexOdentchkin8]

Dude, you are the BIGGEST TOOL ON SDN!!! You act as if everyone can just achieve a 23+ on the DAT b/c you did. I don't mind when people are very intelligent, but I do mind when they're very intelligent and very arrogant. I've seen your posts before and you're very condescending towards people. Don't be that way b/c it's very unattractive.

Don't ever listen to sfoksn. He's just a guy who likes to wallow in his own glory.

I disagree. Be very careful how you interpert what is said on an online forum since it is impossible to really know the tone with which it is said. I think that sfoksn is merely saying that OP needs to work a little hard to reach their goal. 21+ DAT is achievable especially if you study for it like you future depended on it. If OP wants to get into dental school, any GPA hovering around 3.0 should come with a 21+ DAT. Also, contact the schools of your choice. There is absolutely nothing to be lost from this and can only serve to help you. They will tell you exactly what is wrong with your application and their advice is something you can work with. My guess, along with others, is that they will tell you to improve your DAT. Good luck

 

[PreDent100]

i disagree. I think that sfoksn is merely saying that op needs to work a little hard to reach their goal. 21+ dat is achievable especially if you study for it like you future depended on it. If op wants to get into dental school, any gpa hovering around 3.0 should come with a 21+ dat. Good luck

+1
I think that if you retake the dat and get even a slightly higher score it will be able to offset the gpa more and you will be able to get in. Good luck

 

[lnngu]

Dude, you are the BIGGEST TOOL ON SDN!!! You act as if everyone can just achieve a 23+ on the DAT b/c you did. I don't mind when people are very intelligent, but I do mind when they're very intelligent and very arrogant. I've seen your posts before and you're very condescending towards people. Don't be that way b/c it's very unattractive.

Don't ever listen to sfoksn. He's just a guy who likes to wallow in his own glory.

Pot meet kettle?

PS: actually, I can't remember sfoksn coming off as a tool...

 

[dentalWorks]

I am sorry to hear that.. But I honestly think you need to study harder and put more energy into this if you want to become a dentist.

19 highest? Come on.. 19 is approximately missing 1/3 of the questions in each section... If you had studied the foundation more solidly, you should not have any problem like this...

GPA, I understand.. It's so hard to control and it really depends on your classmates and how you stand in relationship to their performance.

I think that's why DAT is there, so you can display your knowledge among all the applicants.

Plus, with your MPH, you should have some publications, so I guess that is definite plus

I am not trying to provoke you or anything like that, I honestly think you have capacity to do much better than that if you really put yourself to it.

Good luck!

This is not correct. Out of the 40 biology questions, missing 5-7 leads you to a score of 19-20

Out of the 30 orgo and GC questions, missing about 5 drops you to a 19, and 1 or 2 more and your in the 18-19 range.

The think you said about "missing 1/3 of the questions" might be true for math and PAT, and reading, but definitely not the sciences

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get some advice from those who are more knowledgeable about the dental application process than I may be. I am a Texas resident, and have applied 3x's. My undergraduate stats are low 3's, I've taken the DAT's enough times with the highest score of 19, and I'm about to earn my MPH degree. I feel very hopeless, and don't know what I should do at this point. I am still very passionate about dentistry, but I feel like it may not be in the cards for me. Any suggestions and pointers are greatly appreciated.

Tell us more about your application... how many schools you applied to? what is your GPA? science GPA? whats your individual DAT scores?

Generally speaking, if you've applied 3 times and never got in, its time to STOP applying (your wasting all that money) and time to put your $$$ into good use like fixing your application.

 

[John Durian]

Yeah, I thought sfoksn was being sincere and honest. The OP needs to get at least a 21+ to have a good chance of being considered. It may be difficult, but it's certainly doable with enough time and effort.

Maybe have a friend or two read over your personal statement, contact the schools for tips, improve your DAT, do more extracurricular to make you stand out (ie, not just dental related), maybe get some research in, work full-time, and never give up on your dreams.

I disagree. Be very careful how you interpert what is said on an online forum since it is impossible to really know the tone with which it is said. I think that sfoksn is merely saying that OP needs to work a little hard to reach their goal. 21+ DAT is achievable especially if you study for it like you future depended on it. If OP wants to get into dental school, any GPA hovering around 3.0 should come with a 21+ DAT. Also, contact the schools of your choice. There is absolutely nothing to be lost from this and can only serve to help you. They will tell you exactly what is wrong with your application and their advice is something you can work with. My guess, along with others, is that they will tell you to improve your DAT. Good luck

 

[aelian]

Tell us more about your application... how many schools you applied to? what is your GPA? science GPA? whats your individual DAT scores?

Generally speaking, if you've applied 3 times and never got in, its time to STOP applying (your wasting all that money) and time to put your $$$ into good use like fixing your application.

I don't know where this Jthun (Jason?) person is...maybe he/she got intimidated and fled like Frodo...or maybe they felt so inspired reading these posts that they decided to put forth every effort towards dental school. Whatever it is, I don't think they are going to answer many questions. Jthun! Come back to us! 🙁