Applying to only 2-3 schools...crazy?

[dieseldent]

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I have this gut feeling that there are only 2-3 dental schools where I would really like to be - based on a number of reasons, including but not limited to: school atmosphere, location, wife's ability to work and/or start a family, etc. I understand I run the risk of not getting in, and that the general consensus on this forum and to others I have talked to is that "you go anywhere that you get in". Would I be totally crazy to only apply to 2-3 schools? Clearly, applying to 10-15 schools is the safer option. But I'm not convinced I want to be safe in this instance - I'm not convinced that I couldn't wait a year and apply again if I don't get in to the few places where I know I really would like to be. Has anyone experienced this dilemma? Others care to weigh in?

Some background: I am a post-bacc student with a 3.3 overall GPA from a previous BA in business. I have a 3.9 in my post-bacc science classes, which probably brings my science GP up to about 3.5 or 3.6. I worked in business consulting at fortune 500 companies between my first undergrad and my post-bacc. I am applying in June and take my DAT the first week of July.

 

[bing12]

Not crazy, just very very dumb. If you are willing to take the risk of not getting in for a few cycles or not going to denntal school at all, then go ahead and apply to 2 tp 3 schools. If you want to get in, apply to far more schools. Beggers can't be choosers.

 

[dantemac]

I agree with the above comment. If dental school is something you really want, don't play games. Admissions are more competitive than ever. Plus, you REALLY don't know how good of a fit a school is until you've seen it in front of your own eyes.

 

[nap5035]

I have this gut feeling that there are only 2-3 dental schools where I would really like to be - based on a number of reasons, including but not limited to: school atmosphere, location, wife's ability to work and/or start a family, etc. I understand I run the risk of not getting in, and that the general consensus on this forum and to others I have talked to is that "you go anywhere that you get in". Would I be totally crazy to only apply to 2-3 schools? Clearly, applying to 10-15 schools is the safer option. But I'm not convinced I want to be safe in this instance - I'm not convinced that I couldn't wait a year and apply again if I don't get in to the few places where I know I really would like to be. Has anyone experienced this dilemma? Others care to weigh in?

Some background: I am a post-bacc student with a 3.3 overall GPA from a previous BA in business. I have a 3.9 in my post-bacc science classes, which probably brings my science GP up to about 3.5 or 3.6. I worked in business consulting at fortune 500 companies between my first undergrad and my post-bacc. I am applying in June and take my DAT the first week of July.

sound's like you have a wife. definitely a game changer. can't expect her to move to ann arbor if she has a great job in a city.

When people apply to 15-20 schools and would go wherever, it is usually because they are a young 20-something with no responsibilities and just a thirst to become a dentist. They have the freedom to be able to move to a random location for 4 years of their life. An older applicant who was a family may be restricted to 5 schools.

I don't really know what you're asking. You obviously realize that you're reducing your chances of getting in since you're only applying to two schools. In my opinion if you are financially capable, apply to a bunch of schools. If you get an acceptance December 1st, (first acceptances) you'd have literally until May for you and your spouse to decide. She might find a job/be ok with a long distance marriage for a few years. I am currently doing a post-bacc myself, and because of it I'm in the hole financially ~20K. You put a lot of time/money/effort into the post-bacc I think it's silly to apply to 2-3 schools.

You also say you would apply the next year if you don't get in. So for argument's sake you're gonna apply to BU/NYU this year. If you don't get in you'll apply to a bunch of different schools next year? Or the same schools?

To be honest, you seem like you have a little savings. I'd spend the 3K on applying to a bunch of schools. Worst case scenario you dont get into those 2 schools you "really see yourself at." Maybe you'll get into a school that wasnt you dream school, but you'll realize that roughing it for 4 years is worth it to become a dentist. Or, you'll realize you don't want/need dentistry bad enough and continue on with your life. Either way, you'll have peace of mind.

 

[dantemac]

I agree with the above comment even more!

 

[nap5035]

I agree with the above comment even more!

👍

 

[vtizzy]

There is a pharmacist in my town who has decided to go into dentistry now. He took the DAT and got a 21 AA and only applied to 2 schools. He didn't get in.

But if your okay with applying again another year if you don't get in, then do it. I think >98% of people on SDN will tell you to apply to as many schools as you can afford. You may feel that those 2-3 schools are a good fit for you, but will they feel that you are a good fit for them?

 

[dantemac]

You may feel that those 2-3 schools are a good fit for you, but will they feel that you are a good fit for them?

Very good point. The chances are unlikely they will, even though you seem like a perfectly competitive candidate.

 

[Mike10]

I felt that I was pretty competitive in my home state, so applied to there and Nova... So only 2 schools, call me crazy but got in my home state, just felt that was where i needed to go. Do whatever you feel that is right for you.

 

[jeffity]

Pretty great comments so far on here.

Are there even a couple alternatives that you were iffy on that you can use as 'safety' schools to increase your odds? I'm a post-bacc business guy too. So I'm kind of in your same boat (just a higher GPA w/ DAT done). Before I even took the career-change plunge I talked with my wife about the possibility of moving because I absolutely don't want to wait another cycle. So she knows that's what could happen. She probably won't work (have a baby now), but she's flexible to any location as a teacher.

 

[dstu2011]

Look on predents and you'll see many people with like 3.9 and 24AA not get interviews at some of the schools they apply to. Theres some luck involved and its not just about stats. 3 schools? Good luck...

 

[BombayBDS]

2-3 schools is way too few.

You need to cast a wider net.
worse case, ur 'non-favoured' schools might turn out to be mock - interviews for your 'favoured' schools. thats not a bad deal.

 

[tayloreve]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

 

[FutureDentalSt1]

DEFINITELY do not apply to 2-3...you put in all that hard work taking the DAT....the courses etc...just apply to several so that it gives you more of a chance to get accepted...you'll regret not having applied to more...and you never really know exactly how much you like a school until you've visited it and got more of a sense for the campus feel (my opinion)

 

[321931]

I have this gut feeling that there are only 2-3 dental schools where I would really like to be - based on a number of reasons, including but not limited to: school atmosphere, location, wife's ability to work and/or start a family, etc. I understand I run the risk of not getting in, and that the general consensus on this forum and to others I have talked to is that "you go anywhere that you get in". Would I be totally crazy to only apply to 2-3 schools? Clearly, applying to 10-15 schools is the safer option. But I'm not convinced I want to be safe in this instance - I'm not convinced that I couldn't wait a year and apply again if I don't get in to the few places where I know I really would like to be. Has anyone experienced this dilemma? Others care to weigh in?

Some background: I am a post-bacc student with a 3.3 overall GPA from a previous BA in business. I have a 3.9 in my post-bacc science classes, which probably brings my science GP up to about 3.5 or 3.6. I worked in business consulting at fortune 500 companies between my first undergrad and my post-bacc. I am applying in June and take my DAT the first week of July.

To someone that doesn't have attachments/obligations, you are crazy. But to a person that does have attachments/obligations, then you are not. If what you have now is something that really cannot be uprooted, then I say apply to 2-3 schools and hope for the best. However, the chance of you getting in is greatly diminished (obviously).

It's all a matter of perception, and what your priorities are.

 

[dentalWorks]

I have this gut feeling that there are only 2-3 dental schools where I would really like to be - based on a number of reasons, including but not limited to: school atmosphere, location, wife's ability to work and/or start a family, etc. I understand I run the risk of not getting in, and that the general consensus on this forum and to others I have talked to is that "you go anywhere that you get in". Would I be totally crazy to only apply to 2-3 schools? Clearly, applying to 10-15 schools is the safer option. But I'm not convinced I want to be safe in this instance - I'm not convinced that I couldn't wait a year and apply again if I don't get in to the few places where I know I really would like to be. Has anyone experienced this dilemma? Others care to weigh in?

Some background: I am a post-bacc student with a 3.3 overall GPA from a previous BA in business. I have a 3.9 in my post-bacc science classes, which probably brings my science GP up to about 3.5 or 3.6. I worked in business consulting at fortune 500 companies between my first undergrad and my post-bacc. I am applying in June and take my DAT the first week of July.

Translation: "I only wanna be a dentist if one of those 2-3 accept met... otherwise, forget it"

Well, since your circumstances are forcing you to apply to 2-3 schools, whats your state of residency? Someone mentioned ann arbor earlier, are you a Michigander?

 

[PreDent100]

There are only 2 circumstances in which I would apply to only 2-3 schools. One circumstance would be if you had very exceptional stats so that you could be somewhat confident of getting into one of the 2-3 schools. The other circumstance would be if you are sure you would reject an offer of admission to all the other schools even if it was your only offer. If neither of these circumstances apply to you then I would apply to 10-15 schools.

 

[slm266]

As a texas resident I only applied to the 3 Texas schools with 3.29 sGPA 3.48 cGPA 21AA 22PA 22TS. Only got 1 interview/1 acceptance.

If I were to do it again I would apply to more private "safe" schools. Those 6 months killed me.

 

[cougarpride]

also a texas resident here. applied to the three state schools and 3 out of state schools (Nova, LSU, western)

nova - waitlisted
lsu - rejected without interview
western - pretty sure i'll get a rejection soon they haven't update me on ANYTHING since I had everything turned in since last july.......weird

texas schools:
baylor - interviewed accepted
houston - interviewed and waitlisted
San antonio - interviewed and probably wait listed

so you can see....I only received one acceptance and that was from a state school....I would definitely apply to more than 2-3 schools just to increase your chances. you don't wanna feel like your putting all of your eggs in one basket and end up with nothing in the end

 

[John Durian]

I think that's crazy. Apply to 5-7 at the least. Also, remember that the DAT is only good for 3 years... so if you don't get in by the third time, you're gonna have to fork over more money, re-study, and re-take 🙁

 

[dentalWorks]

I think that's crazy. Apply to 5-7 at the least. Also, remember that the DAT is only good for 3 years... so if you don't get in by the third time, you're gonna have to fork over more money, re-study, and re-take 🙁

for many schools, its only 2 years

 

[dieseldent]

Thank you to everyone for the feedback and insight!