Chances and Apply Now or Later?

[finchy86]

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Hello everyone. I know there are many topics such as this one but I would appreciate any feedback.

So my first question is regarding when should I apply? I took the DAT in July 2010 and then applied to about 17 dental schools that September. I got an invitation for 1 interview at UW (I'm a Washington resident). I believe there were a couple of reasons I didn't get more interviews, e.g., I applied quite late, DAT scores weren't stellar (had a new baby girl and only had time to study for 2 weeks), and my EC was weak. I plan on taking that DAT again this July. Since that time I have graduated B.S. in Biology. I have also had about 6 months full-time experience in research at Washington State University. I have much more in EC and other areas in my application than I had the first time I applied.

Should I submit my application now or wait until I take the DAT? I just don't want schools to be turned off by the weak points on my application. I just started studying for the DAT this week (I will be taking it in about 6 weeks)

My second question is what are my chances of getting in? I believe they are decent and that my application is more or less average and so that is why I believe I should submit my application ASAP. This time around I am applying to nearly all private schools besides a couple of state schools (UW and some others purely based on location). My current list is about 20 schools.

Here are my stats:

GPA stats
BCP GPA - 3.58
sGPA - 3.42
non-sGPA - 3.40
Total GPA - 3.42

DAT stats
Science - 17 (science expanded 16 BIO, 22 gChem, 15 oChem)
RC - 20
PAT - 19
QR - 18
AA - 18

 

[finchy86]

So I just read under the sticky New Applicants and it says

If you list on your AADSAS application that you are writing a future DAT, the schools won't review your application or consider your application complete until they receive your latest scores. This means your application from AADSAS will still occur, the hold up will be at the schools.

Is this information correct for this years applications? That thread was posted in 2006 and I just want to make sure that information is still current. Thanks in advance.

 

[finchy86]

bump

 

[NguyenDDS]

Apply & submit now. Retake the DAT ASAP (but whenever you are prepared) 🙂 Decent sGPA/cGPA. Competitive BCP. Do well on your DAT retake and you're set! Good luck!

 

[GoBlue24]

^agreed. Just curious, when did you submit your app the first time around?

 

[omnipoDent]

Apply & submit now. Retake the DAT ASAP (but whenever you are prepared) 🙂 Decent sGPA/cGPA. Competitive BCP. Do well on your DAT retake and you're set! Good luck!

👍

 

[finchy86]

^agreed. Just curious, when did you submit your app the first time around?

late August...so it got to most schools end of September? Seems fairly late. Thanks for the advice guys. I'll be submitting now then.