applying 20+ schools

[100dental]

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Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and have already read many many helpful posts. Thank you for all sharing all your knowledge!

As of right now, I'm in the process of picking out dental schools so that I can submit my AADSAS application (which I've already filled out, only lacking my choice of schools). I want to apply to many schools (like 25) so that I can have a better chance of getting in for fall 2008.

Has anyone gone through the interview/application process with 25 schools?

Some concerns I have are:

After I apply to so many schools, how will the interview process be like?
Do you think that the interviews would coincide with each other?
Would I be able to actually attend all these interviews?

I'm just worried that all the interviews will come at the same time or in the same week and traveling would be impossible.

Please share your experience. I really appreciate all your help. Thank you.

 

[IdahoDoc]

25 schools is a lot. I hope you have alot of money to go to the interviews. it can get expensive really quick.

 

[Brokenbus]

that many schools can make the interviewer think that you don't feel very competitive and so you are just applying all over. I would pick seven at the most.

 

[Daniel Schruth]

Nothing is more expensive than not getting in.

 

[Streetwolf]

that many schools can make the interviewer think that you don't feel very competitive and so you are just applying all over. I would pick seven at the most.

What on earth are you talking about?

You can apply to as many as you want but you should take a step back and examine your status as an applicant first. Applying to more schools could only increase your chances of getting in, but remember that the 'extra' schools you add on may still not bite at bad stats.

 

[haisha ni narou]

Having problems scheduling 25 interviews would be a problem I would love to have. I wouldn't worry about the interview part, If you haven't submitted your application as of yet, then you still have at least another month and a half for AADSAS to verify your transcripts and submit your application and letters. After your application is received by schools and secondaries are received/returned, this puts you into late Nov, early December where schools are starting to finalize their list of who they are going to accept. I would say if you have conflicting interview schedules that cannot be rearranged to fit your schedule, just rank the your designated schools and go to your highest priorities. Good luck.

 

[john9192]

I mean,
If u are confident enough to get 25/25 interviews, why would you apply to so many? Also, even if you have perfect stats, some schools will not invite you for an interview.
So I would say if you have decent stats (GPA 3.7+, DAT 21+) then applying to 25 schools is too many. Maybe decrease it to about ~10-12 or so. If you have average stats (GPA ~ 3.3, DAT~19) then I would say 25 is not that many. Just my thought.

 

[ExxonMobil]

...

 

[endoking]

I mean,
If u are confident enough to get 25/25 interviews, why would you apply to so many? Also, even if you have perfect stats, some schools will not invite you for an interview.
So I would say if you have decent stats (GPA 3.7+, DAT 21+) then applying to 25 schools is too many. Maybe decrease it to about ~10-12 or so. If you have average stats (GPA ~ 3.3, DAT~19) then I would say 25 is not that many. Just my thought.

Also, applying so late, some of your interviews may be into January/february, and you may start getting acceptances before some of your later interviews, so that may make it so you don't have to attend all your interviews.

 

[100dental]

Well, going along with what John9192 says, I would have to say I have average scores which are something like this:

DAT:

AA-19, QR-15, PA-18, RC-21
TS-19, BIO-17, GC-18, OC-24
​

GPA:

Overall: 3.68
Sci: 3.39
​

If anyone has similar scores in the previous years and has considered applying to 25 schools like I am, do you think I'm being realistic? or will the interview process be too absurd?

I'm willing to shell out the money for these schools thinking it will help me in the long run. Dannyd123 is right, nothing is more expensive than NOT getting in.

Sorry, ExxonMobil, I don't know why my message showed up under your name. ~weird~

 

[SuperC]

Applying to 20+ schools is NOT a good idea... why?

First, consider your grades, DAT, and EC's and state of residence. Many schools have a bias for students from there state. Certainly students not from California get in to Calif schools but they are incredible applicants. If you are a marginal applicant then you are wasting time and money applying. Again if you are a weak applicant, then applying to Penn, Harvard, ect will be a waste of time and money.

Your best bet is to look at school's stats and apply where you fit. (meaning stats ect) Look at private schools that do not have agreements with the state they are in to apply to. Also apply to all of the schools in your state.

As for ADCOMS I cannot see how applying to many schools makes a difference to them, I see that I means that you REALLY want to get in, however applying to many schools will just leave you broke and with a ton of secondary essays, forms ect to fill out.

-C

 

[z123]

to apply to 25 schools is quite high...but it all depends on your chances of getting in.. if you don't meet the standards (average GPA & DAT scores) of a school...then applying to them is a COMPLETE waste & applying to a school where averages are 15 or 16 on DAT or a 3.1 GPA seems like a silly thing to do...I mean...sure, most of us can get into one of those, but why would be want to go there (unless that was the last resort)...i mean these schools aren't any cheaper! Why not invest money going to a school w/ high standards if you are capable of it? Why sell yourself cheap?

if those 25 schools are places you would actually want to go, if you got in...& you can afford it...it's a free world...do what you think makes sense...but just be realistic...as you have (and I have) enter the battle field later than a lot of good candidates. maybe if it was earlier (JUNE) and i'd read your message my opinion would be different....but that fact that 25 is a lot would remain the same.

I don't mean to discourage you. I just am trying to say to be realistic w/ regards to the time frame, the standards of the school and where you stand.

Best of Luck.

 

[john9192]

Hey 100dental,

If you really want to get in this cycle, I would say go for 25 schools. Actually my stats are really similar to yours 19/19/18 with 3.56 gpa. At least your low score is QR (mine is RC). I applied to 18 schools and got 2 rejections so far. I might add more schools. Actually writing secondaries are not that bad (except for UCSF....). Some schools do not even have one. If you have the money to apply, go ahead. This is just my opinion. Good luck 100dental!!

 

[NewMexDent]

I think applying to 25 schools is ridiculous. Seriously, you could probably look at your list and take 10 schools off really easy - whether your stats don't match or they are state schools etc. My advice would be to pick two "dream schools", 5-7 schools where your stats are moderately competitive and 4-5 schools where you feel you would have the best chance.

Applying to 25 would be a waste of money, but also it would drive you crazy filling out secondaries and sending in application fees. It's alot to keep track of and after the 10th essay on why you want to go to a particular school you may feel like shooting yourself.

If you really feel like you need to apply to 25 schools to have a chance I would suggest waiting a year and improving your application, you're already pretty late in the application process.

Also, a 15 in QR might prevent you from applying to certain schools - take those off your list.

 

[100dental]

EndoKing, you're right, I didn't think about the fact that I might get accepted early on in the process. I mean, I did apply to the schools in my state. I think I have a decent shot for the in state schools, but it's just these darn out of state ones that I'm so confused with.

After reading everyone's comments, I better understand how best to narrow down my list of schools now. I really didn't know that there are schools who don't accept students who scored 15 or lower on certain DAT sections. Thanks NewMexDent. I'm going to look into that now.

John9192, thanks for sharing your scores and stats. It really gives me a better perspective and is leading me to think about all those supplementary applications. I just went to look at some and you're right. They don't seem too bad at all. Anyways, I like to read and write so it'll be fun.

 

[pine88]

Wow, doing 5 supplemental apps was bad enough for me. I had two that were about 12 pages long, mostly essay questions.

Some people last year applied to 15-20 schools and if they were lucky enough to get interviews to most of them, ended up declining interviews, maybe going to 8 or less. Interviews are time consuming and expensive, and if you are in school, you won't want to do too many because you will miss a ton of school.

I agree that it's better to cut it back before you apply. You don't seem to be worried about the money, but really it's just an unnecessary expense, both of your money and your time

 

[briansle]

Don't live with Regrets. Apply to 20+, better safe than sorry. The application process should be a one-time deal - so go all out.
Dental school costs a fortune, your application fees are nothing. If you don't know how to spend big money, you'll never make big money.

As for interviews they usually give you several option dates so scheduling is never a problem. Worst case senario, you'll have to do 2 interviews in the same week- but that's nothing.

I did interviews during finals week. Take the exam - catch the red eye - go directly to the interview - fly right back - take another exam the next day.

It sucked because I couldn't get decent food. It was always a airport McDonalds or power bar.

 

[pine88]

Don't live with Regrets. Apply to 20+, better safe than sorry. The application process should be a one-time deal - so go all out.
Dental school costs a fortune, your application fees are nothing. If you don't know how to spend big money, you'll never make big money.

As for interviews they usually give you several option dates so scheduling is never a problem. Worst case senario, you'll have to do 2 interviews in the same week- but that's nothing.

I did interviews during finals week. Take the exam - catch the red eye - go directly to the interview - fly right back - take another exam the next day.

It sucked because I couldn't get decent food. It was always a airport McDonalds or power bar.

How many interviews did you go to?

 

[briansle]

How many interviews did you go to?

alot.

it was cool though, I got to see different parts of the country.
even if it was only through the windows of taxis, shuttles, and rental cars.

 

[sm1nty]

I applied to 16, a good mix, in locations I'd be happy to live in. Better safe than sorry.
And I figured, if I get called up for interviews, it would only help me, the more schools I see in person. I'm going to go broke anyway, might as well spend the money now.

Although, that said, I will probably withdraw from a few.

 

[ejcivicdee]

if you have the money, apply to more, youll get to travel and really get the hang of interviews after a while.

 

[txcadman]

If you haven't already, it would be worth your time & money to buy the 2007 ADEA official guide to dental schools book... it has so much information in there about every school and it will help you narrow your school choices down.