Applying to the Dental School your Parents attended.

[jaro]

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I think this might be a unique situation. I am a little embarrassed about my situation and was hoping for feedback.

Let me start with a little background about myself. I am a nontrad student who graduated with a dual degree from Upenn. My father graduated from Penn Dental and I applied to 5 schools in late July. Of the 5 schools I applied to, I have 3 interviews and have yet to hear back from Penn or Temple. I currently live in Philadelphia and want to stay in Philadelphia if possible. I guess my question is....Would it be prudent to email the adcom and indicate that a particular school is my number one choice or just be patient? My main concern is I have been reading that the pre dec interview slots are taken and only post dec are available at Penn and am sort of bummed. Penn is my first choice and my stats are on par with the school. I have received interviews at other schools and the interviews have gone well so far so I dont think there are any red flags on my app that I know of.

I knew having a parent would not make me a shoo in but I was hoping to have a chance to interview.

Best of luck to everyone out there going through the interview process.....its stressful for everyone and wish you future dentists the best!

 

[sgv]

ton of people get interviewed post dec anyways...i don't think a call would hurt if they didn't ask you to not call them

 

[stomatology]

I don't think anyone can tell you much about why you haven't received an interview invite yet. However, you already have had 3 interviews, and I think you should be very grateful for that, because there are some people who have yet to land one interview!

Just a thought--if your father graduated from Penn Dental and your family lives in Philly, could there be a chance your father knows someone who is on the admissions committee? I don't think it would hurt to pull some small strings if possible. IMO that's the only way having a connection like a parent graduating from X dental school is useful.

I don't mean pull out any big guns, but rather someone he knows well and has kept in touch with and could casually say something along the lines of this to: "Hey Joe, my son/daughter applied to UPenn dental and doesn't have an interview yet--what would you suggest he/she do at this point to increase his/her chances of getting an interview?" Then, if your father has a good relationship with this adcom member, perhaps that adcom member will pay special attention to your file. Obviously your dad would have to know the person pretty well to do this, otherwise it wouldn't work.

What I'm particularly surprised by is that this is your alma mater and you don't have an interview yet--I would think that they would be the ones most easily impressed (or not) by your application because it's the same university and I am sure that they know more than anyone how rigorous the undergrad coursework is and the caliber of students they get from the undergrad.

Anyway, at this point there is no use in driving yourself crazy. Be thankful for the interviews you have, do your best, and sit tight.

Good luck!

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

I think this might be a unique situation. I am a little embarrassed about my situation and was hoping for feedback.

Let me start with a little background about myself. I am a nontrad student who graduated with a dual degree from Upenn. My father graduated from Penn Dental and I applied to 5 schools in late July. Of the 5 schools I applied to, I have 3 interviews and have yet to hear back from Penn or Temple. I currently live in Philadelphia and want to stay in Philadelphia if possible. I guess my question is....Would it be prudent to email the adcom and indicate that a particular school is my number one choice or just be patient? My main concern is I have been reading that the pre dec interview slots are taken and only post dec are available at Penn and am sort of bummed. Penn is my first choice and my stats are on par with the school. I have received interviews at other schools and the interviews have gone well so far so I dont think there are any red flags on my app that I know of.

I knew having a parent would not make me a shoo in but I was hoping to have a chance to interview.

Best of luck to everyone out there going through the interview process.....its stressful for everyone and wish you future dentists the best!

When I went to my interview with them, they said that they WANT their applicants to contact them and show an interest. I know that they said that they are also looking for an outstanding quality in one area be it research, community service, military service, exceptional leadership experience, athletics, etc. You might somehow mention something to them that really makes you stand out from the crowd as an applicant.

 

[jaro]

First, thankyou for the replies. I am extremely thankful for the interviews I have received. I would be grateful to go to any of the schools that have given me a chance.

I think I am going to give them a week and then maybe go to the school or send them an email saying that they are my first choice. Might also inquire if they received everything necessary for my app. On one hand, I want to show my interest and on the other, I dont want to come off as harassing the school. There is a fine line given the crazy predents out there!

Again, thanks so much for the replies. ToothBrushBuddy, did you contact them or did they just give you an interview without showing interest?

 

[ToothbrushBuddy]

First, thankyou for the replies. I am extremely thankful for the interviews I have received. I would be grateful to go to any of the schools that have given me a chance.

I think I am going to give them a week and then maybe go to the school or send them an email saying that they are my first choice. Might also inquire if they received everything necessary for my app. On one hand, I want to show my interest and on the other, I dont want to come off as harassing the school. There is a fine line given the crazy predents out there!

Again, thanks so much for the replies. ToothBrushBuddy, did you contact them or did they just give you an interview without showing interest?

They gave me an interview after I filled out the secondary application. I did not contact them directly before the invite.