Apply to only 1 school??!!

[doctordent]

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I am moving to AZ with my husband for his job and I pretty much know that it's a permanent move. I basically have no choice but to apply to only one school -ASDOH....I have been told by some people though, that it may look bad to apply to only one school--like I'm not really serious about becoming a dentist. Even if I applied to a bunch of schools in other states and got in, I wouldn't be able to attend--it would be a waste of time and money! So what should I do---just apply to the only one that I would be able to attend, or should I apply to more so as to make it appear as though I am truly interested in becoming a dentist??!!

 

[mymouthsmells]

Schools won't know which other schools you've applied to.

Let's begin with your stats...

 

[dmd2011]

I am moving to AZ with my husband for his job and I pretty much know that it's a permanent move. I basically have no choice but to apply to only one school -ASDOH....I have been told by some people though, that it may look bad to apply to only one school--like I'm not really serious about becoming a dentist. Even if I applied to a bunch of schools in other states and got in, I wouldn't be able to attend--it would be a waste of time and money! So what should I do---just apply to the only one that I would be able to attend, or should I apply to more so as to make it appear as though I am truly interested in becoming a dentist??!!

there is another d-school planned to open for fall 08 in arizona. other than that i dont really know what to tell you. most ppl apply to more schools because it gives them a better chance of getting accepted. even the most competitive applicants apply to multiple schools because you never know what the school will think of your application.

 

[Chrono1984]

I am moving to AZ with my husband for his job and I pretty much know that it's a permanent move. I basically have no choice but to apply to only one school -ASDOH....I have been told by some people though, that it may look bad to apply to only one school--like I'm not really serious about becoming a dentist. Even if I applied to a bunch of schools in other states and got in, I wouldn't be able to attend--it would be a waste of time and money! So what should I do---just apply to the only one that I would be able to attend, or should I apply to more so as to make it appear as though I am truly interested in becoming a dentist??!!

School's do not know how many school's you applied too. That being said, I would look into some serious back-up careers because applying to 1 school is pretty much application suicide.

Not that you won't get in; but even if you have a 4.0 and perfect DAT, I would tell you to apply to at least 5. There is an element of luck that no amount of application prowess will ever overcome.

But don't apply if you won't go. If you aren't in any immediate rush, do what you have to do; but be prepared to have to reapply, perhaps multiple times.

Good luck.

 

[Ex_EE]

I applied to one school and it worked out for me. I think that it shows thay you are fully committed to that school. I have talked with several other people who applied to one school and got in.

 

[SugarNaCl]

I applied to one school and it worked out for me. I think that it shows thay you are fully committed to that school. I have talked with several other people who applied to one school and got in.

I agree with this. I think maybe you should let ASDOH know that they are your first/top and only. Though I applied to about 10 schools, I let VCU know that they were the one I truly wanted to attend even above my local school because of job opportunity for my husband and impression of the school (I put that one first). I also asked what I should do to improve my chances of getting accepted. They told me "nothing" I was accepted there Dec 1 and pulled the rest of my apps, whether I interviewed or not. Good luck. I'd meet up or email ASDOH to see what I would need to do to get accepted to their program if I were in your spot...before the application cycle opens up.

 

[jackbauer!]

if you're only applying to ASDOH i would try to get in contact with the dean of admissions this summer and let her know your intentions/situation. IT CAN ONLY HELP. trust me. especially at the more "friendly" dental schools such as pacific and asdoh. they want students that can cut the mustard as far as academics and that truely want to be at their school.

through this whole process, i've learned it's very important to market yourself to schools. i really regret not being more proactive early on in the process.

best of luck,
jb!🙂

 

[dmd2011]

I think that it shows thay you are fully committed to that school.

what happens if the school isnt committed to you?

 

[USCbiograd]

I would not apply to just one school. That is what I did this cycle and was not accepted. I thought that my DAT/GPA were good enough to get in, but I was wrong. (20AA/21TS/18PAT, and 3.6 Overall 3.6 Science GPA) There is no telling what a particular admissions board will think of you, so to increase the likelyhood of being accepted it is definetely better to apply to more than one school.

 

[IcemanDDS]

So which 5 schools would you recommend to a low GPA applicant? I figure NYU and BU for sure, what about a couple others?

 

[NavyDDS]

In your situation, since you would not attend any another school but ASDO even if accepted, save your money and focus all of your energy on that school. You know what you want, now go get it! It might help to tour the school this summer and meet with someone in admissions one on one... Put a face with the name kinda thing. And if you don't get in the first time, try again. Btw, I applied to only one school and I didn't even go thru aadsas. Hows that for a nail bitter!😱

 

[dentstd]

Gear your personal statement to ASDOH. Mention their name directly.

 

[seansk]

I am moving to AZ with my husband for his job and I pretty much know that it's a permanent move. I basically have no choice but to apply to only one school -ASDOH....I have been told by some people though, that it may look bad to apply to only one school--like I'm not really serious about becoming a dentist. Even if I applied to a bunch of schools in other states and got in, I wouldn't be able to attend--it would be a waste of time and money! So what should I do---just apply to the only one that I would be able to attend, or should I apply to more so as to make it appear as though I am truly interested in becoming a dentist??!!

I would talk to the school get to know the adcom and really let them know that this is the only school for you and your 110% committed to going here. Don't be scared getting to know the people in adcom. you can ask them for advice let them know of your situation. Ask them to evaluated you and also ask to see if they can let you know what your chances are good. You'd be surprised how cooperative they are once you get to know them. And they will help you achieve your goal if they feel like you are really dedicated.

good luck

 

[DMdraws]

I only applied to my state school and was accepted. Same goes for a friend of mine who will be starting with me. I mentioned my dedication to only this school in my personal statement to them.

When asked about this during my interview (didn't go through AADSAS), I took the opportunity to mention all of the aspects of their program that appealed to me. Since I was a non-traditional applicant (mid 30's, married, 2 kids, homeowner), I also mentioned that going elsewhere would put a great deal of additional hardship on my family, financially as well as personally (the program will be hard enough on my family as it is). They understood that staying in state made sense for me.

When asked about my back-up plan, I told them I'd see them next year and restated my dedication to their program. Thankfully, I won't need to do that.

Good luck to you.

 

[Procrastinate]

I applied to only one of the schools here in Texas because my wife is in residency in San Antonio, and I got in. I agree with the others here that said it shows your commitment to that school.

 

[Ex_EE]

I only applied to my state school and was accepted. Same goes for a friend of mine who will be starting with me. I mentioned my dedication to only this school in my personal statement to them.

When asked about this during my interview (didn't go through AADSAS), I took the opportunity to mention all of the aspects of their program that appealed to me. Since I was a non-traditional applicant (mid 30's, married, 2 kids, homeowner), I also mentioned that going elsewhere would put a great deal of additional hardship on my family, financially as well as personally (the program will be hard enough on my family as it is). They understood that staying in state made sense for me.

When asked about my back-up plan, I told them I'd see them next year and restated my dedication to their program. Thankfully, I won't need to do that.

Good luck to you.

I didn't mention it above but I am in basically the same situation (just a little younger). I tailored my personal statement around staying in Houston and family issues.

 

[xdianaax]

Just do it, if there isn't even another option then you pretty much answered your own question

 

[DentalKitty]

I would not apply to just one school. That is what I did this cycle and was not accepted. I thought that my DAT/GPA were good enough to get in, but I was wrong. (20AA/21TS/18PAT, and 3.6 Overall 3.6 Science GPA) There is no telling what a particular admissions board will think of you, so to increase the likelyhood of being accepted it is definetely better to apply to more than one school.

Just to play devil's advocate though, she doesn't want to just get accepted to any school like many other applicants do. If she gets accepted to a different school she won't be able to go anyway (or that is the decision she has made). So in this case I agree with the others that say to go full force with the one she wants and consider reapplying the following year if she doesn't get in. Why waste the time/money on the others if she truly wouldn't go there? Sure, there are no guarantees, but it seems to be the best option in this case.

For reference, I am in a similar situation where there is only one school in my chosen city. I am applying to others as well because my husband may be able to transfer offices if absolutely necessary. However, I plan on letting that one school know why I want to go there above any other and would withdraw applications from all others if I get in there.

 

[leedizzal]

School's do not know how many school's you applied too. That being said, I would look into some serious back-up careers because applying to 1 school is pretty much application suicide.

Not that you won't get in; but even if you have a 4.0 and perfect DAT, I would tell you to apply to at least 5. There is an element of luck that no amount of application prowess will ever overcome.

But don't apply if you won't go. If you aren't in any immediate rush, do what you have to do; but be prepared to have to reapply, perhaps multiple times.

Good luck.

Id have to agree with this statment Id apply to at least some others that are near arizona, such as UNLV, LLU, USC, UCLA. I know lot of cali schools but hey its better than all the way across the country right...

 

[diane07]

On the ASDOH threads, a couple SDN'ers indicated that the school received 3200 applicants this past year and interviews around 10%. It's a popular school and competitive to get into. I think it's fine to tell them that they are you're top choice, but keep in mind that they have plenty of other applicants telling them they're the #1. choice for them too. That alone won't be the criterion for an offer of acceptance.

My recommendation: research the school and find out what kind of applicants they prefer and then make yourself competitive for that school. Making yourself a good fit for the school probably does a lot more to increase your chances than just telling them how much you want to be accepted.

For example: check out the threads on the school and go to their website. In my search, it seemed to me that this particular school is less focused on stats. They seem to care about undeserved populations, and like applicants who they think may go into public health. They also focus on community service on the application.

But hey, do your own research because your impressions may be different.

Another tip: make sure you meet their science pre-requisites. They require Biochemistry, physiology, physics ect (per their website)

 

[scottyhoop]

I agree with this. I think maybe you should let ASDOH know that they are your first/top and only. Though I applied to about 10 schools, I let VCU know that they were the one I truly wanted to attend even above my local school because of job opportunity for my husband and impression of the school (I put that one first). I also asked what I should do to improve my chances of getting accepted. They told me "nothing" I was accepted there Dec 1 and pulled the rest of my apps, whether I interviewed or not. Good luck. I'd meet up or email ASDOH to see what I would need to do to get accepted to their program if I were in your spot...before the application cycle opens up.

Hey Sugar...how did you let VCU know they were you're #1 choice? Did you talk to Dr. Healy? Just curious as I'm in the same boat as you, but for the upcoming cycle. Thanks!
Scott

 

[prplmnkydshwshr]

iceman, 14 qr?!? can you even count to ten?!?!?