Apply to <10 schools?

[dentsyl]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm new to SDN so please bear with me ;p

I know average applicants apply to 10 schools. I'm just curious if there are ppl who applied to <10 and if they are happy with their decision.

Thanks!

EDIT:
I finally took my DAT and it went well!

Now I have submitted my application to 5 schools.

Still not sure if I want to add more... given I'm definitely older than a traditional applicant

 

[MahiMahi]

1) Are your stats and application competitive, and
2) Do you feel you fit the schools mission statements and aims?
e.g. 1) Do you have above a 3.4 and 20, and how is the rest of your application?
2) Have you applied to your state school plus schools that fit your stats/profile. e.g. avoiding research-heavy schools if you have zero research background, and applying to schools heavy on community service if you've been heavily involved in that. And are you applying to schools that have accepted applicant statistics similar to yours?

 

[Stanelz]

Depends largely on your stats and background.

Obviously if you have a 25AA and 3.85GPA you need not apply to 10 or more schools whereas if you had an 18AA and 3.4GPA you would probably be wise to do so. It also depends on your EC's, Volunteering, shadowing, etc.

Personally this cycle I will be applying to 15 schools because although I am confident, I want to cast a wide net because I honestly can't bear to go another year without being in school.

 

[caloc]

1) Are your stats and application competitive, and
2) do you feel you fit the schools'
e.g. 1) Do you have above a 3.4 and 20, and how is the rest of your application
2) have you applied to your state school as well as schools that fit your stats/profile (e.g. avoiding research-heavy schools if you have zero research background, and doing schools heavy on community service if you've been heavily involved in that, and schools that have accepted applicant statistics similar to yours)

Do you have a better chance of getting into your state schools? What if my state schools includ UCLA and UCSF?

 

[Namelessking]

Having just finished the 2016 cycle, I would advise you to apply to as many schools as you CAN. Don't break the bank but what I did was fairly cocky and I assumed I would get into my state schools since I had a fairly high set of scores (GPA and DAT). I didn't get a single one of my preferred schools and am facing the price tag on an overpriced private school. Do your research and figure out which schools are cheapest and apply to them. Throw in some of your in-state schools as well.

 

[dentsyl]

.

 

[dentsyl]

Depends largely on your stats and background.

Obviously if you have a 25AA and 3.85GPA you need not apply to 10 or more schools whereas if you had an 18AA and 3.4GPA you would probably be wise to do so. It also depends on your EC's, Volunteering, shadowing, etc.

Personally this cycle I will be applying to 15 schools because although I am confident, I want to cast a wide net because I honestly can't bear to go another year without being in school.

Yes, that's what most people tell me as well. I just want to see if anyone got in this cycle would have a different opinion.

 

[periopocket]

I always Over-apply, it feels good to get extra interviews if that should be the case.

 

[dentsyl]

Having just finished the 2016 cycle, I would advise you to apply to as many schools as you CAN. Don't break the bank but what I did was fairly cocky and I assumed I would get into my state schools since I had a fairly high set of scores (GPA and DAT). I didn't get a single one of my preferred schools and am facing the price tag on an overpriced private school. Do your research and figure out which schools are cheapest and apply to them. Throw in some of your in-state schools as well.

Good luck in your application!

I have a strong preference with school in NY and NJ area because my husband works here. So if I didn't get in these two states, basically anywhere else would make no difference. I'm also a Washington state resident and there's only one school there.

 

[MahiMahi]

Thank you for the reply. I'm taking the DAT in June so I don't have that yet, but here's my background:
I worked as a dental assistant for 2.5 years and as a dental lab tech for another 2.5 years. My undergrad oGPA is 3.5 (8 years old) but I'm finishing my post-bac now with sGPA 4.0 (my school does A+ but I'm not counting on that).
I have a strong preference with school in NY and NJ area because my husband works here. So if I didn't get in these two states, basically anywhere else would make no difference. I'm also a Washington state resident.

If your husband lives in AND pays taxes in NY or NJ, AND he is the one solely providing your financial support while you're in school, you may actually be a resident of one of those states. Unless you on your own live and support yourself and pay taxes in WA? I would recommend you do some research on your actual residency status with all these states.

I would suggest you not do less than 5 schools. Make sure you also include private schools in nearby states. If you do well on the DAT and have strong letters of rec, you have a good change of getting in with a 3.5 undergrad GPA and 4.0 postbac.

 

[bayliegh1]

I am happy with my decision to apply to 7 schools. 2 (UCSF and OHSU) were schools that I felt I had almost zero chance of getting an interview at as an out of stater. I received interviews at the other 5, got into 4, and am waitlisted at 1. However, I also have a 3.8 and a 24 DAT, with no "red flags" in my application. Hell, now I wish I had only applied to 5 schools. But things could have gone the other way... and I would have sorely regretted my decision. I've also heard of people who interviewed at 4 schools this round and haven't received any acceptances. So if you're unsure on your interview skills it is definitely important to have as many interviews as possible. Hope this helps..

 

[bayliegh1]

It also totally depends on which schools you apply to. All 5 schools that I got interviews at are private schools, and, with the exception of UoP, are equally open to applicants from any state. So you definitely need to keep that in mind when deciding how many schools to apply to.

 

[dentsyl]

If your husband lives in AND pays taxes in NY or NJ, AND he is the one solely providing your financial support while you're in school, you may actually be a resident of one of those states. Unless you on your own live and support yourself and pay taxes in WA?

I would suggest you not do less than 5 schools. Make sure you also include private schools in nearby states. If you do well on the DAT and have strong letters of rec, you have a good change of getting in with a 3.5 undergrad GPA and 4.0 postbac.

Thank you for the advice! I am planning to apply to all NY, NJ and maybe WA schools so that will be around 7 schools.

 

[dentsyl]

I am happy with my decision to apply to 7 schools. 2 (UCSF and OHSU) were schools that I felt I had almost zero chance of getting an interview at as an out of stater. I received interviews at the other 5, got into 4, and am waitlisted at 1. However, I also have a 3.8 and a 24 DAT, with no "red flags" in my application. Hell, now I wish I had only applied to 5 schools. But things could have gone the other way... and I would have sorely regretted my decision. I've also heard of people who interviewed at 4 schools this round and haven't received any acceptances. So if you're unsure on your interview skills it is definitely important to have as many interviews as possible. Hope this helps..

Congrats! I don't really have a preference to private or public school but now you said it, perhaps applying to Stony Brook might not be the smartest choice.

Thank you for the advice. My school has committee interview and they said my presentation was good enough. Fingercrossed they are right and I may still need some practice.

 

[deleted696582]

I applied to 11 and wish I applied to 7 or 8. I could have saved $600 that way.

 

[dentsyl]

I applied to 11 and wish I applied to 7 or 8. I could have saved $600 that way.

Which schools would you remove from your list if you could do this again?
Congrats on getting accepted!

 

[deleted696582]

Which schools would you remove from your list if you could do this again?
Congrats on getting accepted!

I applied to UIC, SIU, Marquette, Minnesota, Michigan, Pacific, Columbia, Maryland, Louisville, Colorado, and Tufts.

I would have removed Louisville, Colorado, and Tufts if I could go back in time. Colorado was a waste because they prefer WICHE state applicants. School selection depends on the applicant though.

It's up to the applicant whether they want to spend extra to feel more secure about their chances. You just have to be realistic when looking at your stats. I applied to extra schools knowing that it probably wasn't necessary, but I paid for that feeling of security. I wish I didn't, because $600 can go a long way, but then I probably would have felt anxious throughout the cycle. Oh well.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

I'm new to SDN so please bear with me ;p

I know average applicants apply to 10 schools. I'm just curious if there are ppl who applied to <10 and if they are happy with their decision.

Thanks!

I applied to 3, I got into all 3.

The only reason I wish I would have applied to more was because the interviews were enjoyable.

If you are a variable interviewer, only apply to schools you WANT to go to in my opinion. Not schools you WOULD, but the ones you want.

I had a 3.81 and 21AA 24PAT. So it isn't like I had absolutely crazy stats

 

[super frank]

3.5/24
Applied 10, invited to interview at 7.

 

[dentsyl]

I applied to 3, I got into all 3.

The only reason I wish I would have applied to more was because the interviews were enjoyable.

If you are a variable interviewer, only apply to schools you WANT to go to in my opinion. Not schools you WOULD, but the ones you want.

I had a 3.81 and 21AA 24PAT. So it isn't like I had absolutely crazy stats

Congrats!! Did you apply to private schools or state school? You must be really good at interviewing!

 

[dentsyl]

3.5/24
Applied 10, invited to interview at 7.

Wow that's impressive! Congrats!! How did you slim down your list?

 

[super frank]

Wow that's impressive! Congrats!! How did you slim down your list?

I'm from the northeast so I just applied to all the schools in the area that I would actually consider going to/that were friendly to OOS. It happened to come down to 10, lol.

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

Congrats!! Did you apply to private schools or state school? You must be really good at interviewing!

I applied to my 3 state schools. Which does change things

 

[coramac1331]

I applied to 6 schools, interviewed at 4, declined an interview at 1, and received acceptances from all 4 schools I interviewed with. I almost wish I had only applied to less schools though. I think you have to be very realistic about the likelihood of actually attending the schools you are looking at. I had a 3.9 GPA and 23 AA, but I was also a very young applicant and had that working against me. I think it is great to be on the safe side and cast your net wide, but don't get carried away with that. The application process can be very expensive, and then you have to turn around and make a large deposit only a couple of months later, so keep that in mind, especially when it only comes down to needing that one acceptance.

 

[dentsyl]

3.4GPA/19AA

Applied to 8 schools
Invited to interview at 4 (declined 1)
Accepted at 3

Numbers are a big thing, but they aren't everything. If the rest of your app (volunteer hours, shadowing, PS, interview skills, etc) are strong, you should be fine applying to less than 10.

Thank you for the encouragement! Congrats on getting 3 acceptance! Do you mind sharing if the schools you interviewed with were state or private school?

I applied to 6 schools, interviewed at 4, declined an interview at 1, and received acceptances from all 4 schools I interviewed with. I almost wish I had only applied to less schools though. I think you have to be very realistic about the likelihood of actually attending the schools you are looking at. I had a 3.9 GPA and 23 AA, but I was also a very young applicant and had that working against me. I think it is great to be on the safe side and cast your net wide, but don't get carried away with that. The application process can be very expensive, and then you have to turn around and make a large deposit only a couple of months later, so keep that in mind, especially when it only comes down to needing that one acceptance.

Congrats!! That is amazing! You have great stats and I really don't know about my DAT (taking it in June). Also, were the schools in state or private? Thank you for the reply!

 

[StudentDentistsRock]

I'm only applying to 4 schools. I think you should be okay applying to ten no matter your stats.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[perseus2270]

I applied to 7 with 3.2/23 and was accepted to one. I think applying to ten schools is smart but not necessary. I'd also recommend looking at the cost of the schools you want to apply to and ask yourself if you would really attend if that was the only school that accepted you. You don't want to get a lone acceptance to an expensive school such as NYU only to later realize that you don't want to take on the debt!

 

[DentalNucleicAcid]

I applied to 7 with 3.2/23 and was accepted to one. I think applying to ten schools is smart but not necessary. I'd also recommend looking at the cost of the schools you want to apply to and ask yourself if you would really attend if that was the only school that accepted you. You don't want to get a lone acceptance to an expensive school such as NYU only to later realize that you don't want to take on the debt!

Mind sharing which one?

 

[Craig_Sherwood234]

after my first acceptance, i went to some of the interviews for fun. just talking to other neurotic pre-dents, fun times. plus i got to wear a suit, man.

 

[perseus2270]

Mind sharing which one?

Rutgers, was also waitlisted at NYU

 

[DentalNucleicAcid]

Rutgers, was also waitlisted at NYU

Whoa, that's awesome 🙂 Are you instate? I know they have an average matriculating GPA of like 3.7 so it's cool you made it in with 3.2.

 

[Faefly]

I would suggest adding more schools on the east coast. Maryland, Philadelphia (UPenn is awesome) & Virginia (6 hours in the car)

This your dream, at least apply to Philly, 2 hours by bus. You can see each other every weekend.

 

[OntheCusp2016]

Thank you for the reply. I'm taking the DAT in June so I don't have that yet, but here's my background:
I worked as a dental assistant for 2.5 years and as a dental lab tech for another 2.5 years. My undergrad oGPA is 3.5 (8 years old) but I'm finishing my post-bac now with sGPA 4.0 (my school does A+ but I'm not counting on that).
I have a strong preference with school in NY and NJ area because my husband works here. So if I didn't get in these two states, basically anywhere else would make no difference. I'm also a Washington state resident.

We have similar stories, I too took the DAT eight years after undergrad, we also have the same undergrad gpa and same post bac gpa. We are also both Washington residents. I applied to 14, received 11 invites, went to seven, and was accepted at all seven. You have the added bonus of lab and assisting experience which will really propel you. I decided on the UW RIDE program and start in a few months. My DAT was 22 AA, 22TS. I think with above 21+, you should be fine with ~8 schools. But going on interviews is so much fun, you might want to apply to a few more 🙂

 

[super frank]

Are you URM?

 

[Rand627]

Just for reference..I applied to 8, interviewed at 4, accepted at 1. 3.65 and a 22.

 

[LittleMer]

I had pretty average stats, but a master's degree.

applied to 5 schools
interviewed at 2
accepted at both

couldn't be happier.

 

[dentsyl]

We have similar stories, I too took the DAT eight years after undergrad, we also have the same undergrad gpa and same post bac gpa. We are also both Washington residents. I applied to 14, received 11 invites, went to seven, and was accepted at all seven. You have the added bonus of lab and assisting experience which will really propel you. I decided on the UW RIDE program and start in a few months. My DAT was 22 AA, 22TS. I think with above 21+, you should be fine with ~8 schools. But going on interviews is so much fun, you might want to apply to a few more 🙂

Congrats! That is awesome that you got all 7 acceptance and UW is one hard school to get in! Mind sharing some tips on interview / interview prep?

Are you URM?

No, I am not...

Just for reference..I applied to 8, interviewed at 4, accepted at 1. 3.65 and a 22.

Congrats! One acceptance is really all you need!

I had pretty average stats, but a master's degree.

applied to 5 schools
interviewed at 2
accepted at both

couldn't be happier.

Congrats! Are you in state of the schools you get accepted?

 

[LittleMer]

Congrats! That is awesome that you got all 7 acceptance and UW is one hard school to get in! Mind sharing some tips on interview / interview prep?



No, I am not...



Congrats! One acceptance is really all you need!



Congrats! Are you in state of the schools you get accepted?

One was in state and one was out of state.

 

[coramac1331]

Congrats!! That is amazing! You have great stats and I really don't know about my DAT (taking it in June). Also, were the schools in state or private? Thank you for the reply![/QUOTE]

I applied to my state school (that's where I will be attending), but I also applied to other state schools and a private school. For me, geographical location was one of the biggest factors because I knew I wanted to stay close to home, I ended up applying to the closest schools + my "safety" school.

 

[dentsyl]

I finally took my DAT and it went well!

Now I have submitted my application to 5 schools.

Still not sure if I want to add more...

 

[dentalstar100]

3.7 oGPA 3.54 sGPA 3.45 BCP 20AA 21TS 19 PAT
I'm applying to 17 or 18 schools. I guess I don't want to risk a year of no school. The money does add up though. After paying all the supp fees, I'm like **** thats a lot of money in the drain if I don't get accepted anywhere LOL

 

[Typical Average Student]

If you're applying to Buffalo to be "closer" to your husband, you might as well apply to UCONN, Temple, and Pitt.... Maybe even Maryland.
Why not take a shot at Stony Brook? I wouldn't apply to more than 6-7 schools with your stats, I feel you have a good shot at NYU and Touro.

 

[dentsyl]

If you're applying to Buffalo to be "closer" to your husband, you might as well apply to UCONN, Temple, and Pitt.... Maybe even Maryland.
Why not take a shot at Stony Brook? I wouldn't apply to more than 6-7 schools with your stats, I feel you have a good shot at NYU and Touro.

Stony brook needs biochem before application and I am taking in next Fall. Thank you for the suggestions I'm thinking to add more schools as well!