Chances of acceptance (TX & AZ)

[Jalkali]

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I am a 25 year old resident of Texas and applying to all 3 here and Midwestern, AZ. My oGPA is 3.5 and sGPA 3.4. DAT AA 20 TS 22 PAT 23. My LOR's are from my Biochemistry prof, Calc-based Physics prof, and my general dentist, who I have 100+ hours of shadowing and checks my work from my typodont waxing kit (manual dexterity).

I graduated with a Biology B.S. from University of Texas, and have worked as a pharmacy technician since senior year. Some of my accomplishments include teaching assistant apprenticeship for Genetics and TA appre Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory. I am a member of Academic Honor Society DEI and founded and former president of a sports club that is still active since I graduated two years ago. Also, my parents are military, and I interviewed for a 4 year HPSP Air Force scholarship this past February.

Since graduation, I have spent time with my father who has Parkinson's disease and traveled outside of the country to Japan where my mother and stepfather are stationed. In addition, I have worked as a science tutor, volunteered in my community, continue to work as a pharmacy technician, and assistant instruct Brazilian Jiujitsu (purple belt one stripe) where I have been training for the past 5 years. Thanks in advance to whoever reads this.

 

[gn4]

Your best chances are always your state schools. However, I have seen TX residents with better stats than you not get accepted. Just make sure to apply early. As for Midwestern, I think you are pretty good there.

 

[aznboi89x]

Texas resident here, apply to more private schools since you are doing HPSP route.

 

[Jalkali]

My application was submitted within the first week TMDSAS opened, as well as Baylor's secondary online application. I received an email on 6/18 from UT Houston stating they are now reviewing my application. Two friends who graduated with me had much lower than average DAT and GPA and are currently at Baylor.

 

[SicEm]

I think you'll be fine. Sounds like you'll have plenty to talk about at interviews, good luck!

 

[Jalkali]

Texas resident here, apply to more private schools since you are doing HPSP route.

Which private schools would you recommend?

 

[aznboi89x]

Which private schools would you recommend?

any private. keyword is "private"

choose to your liking but do not be so picky about it

 

[aznnytezx]

You will land an interview in Texas. Most my friends land an interview too, and most got accepted. They all are from UT. ~50% of people at UT gets accepted to dental school in Texas. Goodluck ! I will be applying this cycle too, so hope to see you at interviews !

 

[azimmer]

You will land an interview in Texas. Most my friends land an interview too, and most got accepted. They all are from UT. ~50% of people at UT gets accepted to dental school in Texas. Goodluck ! I will be applying this cycle too, so hope to see you at interviews !

I'm not sure if you WILL land an interview, you have a chance to land an interview (like everyone else) but I know people with similar stats that did not even land TX interviews and they applied in the first week of TMDSAS as well (oh and they were from UT). And I would not go as far as saying MOST people at UT get accepted to dental school in TX because I know plenty of UT people that did not get accepted in TX (being a UT alumni myself). I think what aznboi was saying is correct in that you shouldn't just bank on TX, dental school is very hard to get into, especially TX.

 

[Jalkali]

I'm not sure if you WILL land an interview, you have a chance to land an interview (like everyone else) but I know people with similar stats that did not even land TX interviews and they applied in the first week of TMDSAS as well (oh and they were from UT). And I would not go as far as saying MOST people at UT get accepted to dental school in TX because I know plenty of UT people that did not get accepted in TX (being a UT alumni myself). I think what aznboi was saying is correct in that you shouldn't just bank on TX, dental school is very hard to get into, especially TX.

Do you have any suggestions on improving my chances? Retaking DAT or course to improve oGPA/sGPA? Thank you for your honesty

 

[aznnytezx]

Hm, I didn't mean it like that. Not saying almost everyone would land am interview. Just gotta work hard ! It is hard to get into Texas school, but there are quite few things that you can improve yourself. Such as volunteering, having leadership roles that are meaningful.

 

[aznnytezx]

I'm not sure if you WILL land an interview, you have a chance to land an interview (like everyone else) but I know people with similar stats that did not even land TX interviews and they applied in the first week of TMDSAS as well (oh and they were from UT). And I would not go as far as saying MOST people at UT get accepted to dental school in TX because I know plenty of UT people that did not get accepted in TX (being a UT alumni myself). I think what aznboi was saying is correct in that you shouldn't just bank on TX, dental school is very hard to get into, especially TX.

Hey azimmer, do you know anyone that received an interview and acceptance (eventually) from Texas when they applied around before September. I know that is kinda late, but I feel that I am going to be in that situation. I am also doing this just in case I am a reapplicant. Thanks !

 

[Jalkali]

Hm, I didn't mean it like that. Not saying almost everyone would land am interview. Just gotta work hard ! It is hard to get into Texas school, but there are quite few things that you can improve yourself. Such as volunteering, having leadership roles that are meaningful.

Out of 150 students in my Genetics course, I was selected to be one of 2 undergraduate teaching assistant's by my Genetics prof for the following semester. This happened for my Molecular Cell Biology Lab course also. I think the fact that I had a job working pharmacy technician, founded a sports club (I was responsible for teaching and school events) while going to school full time and making the dean's list looks pretty good? Maybe?

 

[azimmer]

my friend who applied in august, got an acceptance this week haha. Um I know of a couple of people that applied in September but they both got accepted out of state.

Jalkali --> I know most people would tell you to not retake the DAT because your dat is good - I'm not saying it isn't. The only problem I see in your application is that your stats are average for TX schools. I know that San Antonio's average accepted stats were a 20AA and 3.68 gpa (they gave us this info at the interview). In other words, your scores do not really stand out that much. In my case I had a higher gpa, which I guess was a plus for my application. Since I do not think that taking anymore classes at this point will raise your gpa like .18 (which is really hard to do), I'd advice to retake if you have time. If you got that 22AA then it would set your application apart from the other texas applicants.
Also, I'm not saying this is a must, your dat scores and gpa aren't bad and you always have a chance. I don't know if my friends that didn't get interviews had other weak points in their applications. Like aznnytezx said, stats aren't everything. But keep in mind that it makes your application a lot stronger if your DAT or gpa sticks out past the rest of the bunch.
Good luck I hope you get into the school you want to. Also, I got accepted at MWU AZ as well and would have so loved to go there if it wasn't for the price differentials. It's an awesome program so don't feel bummed if you don't get into TX.

 

[coolslugs]

Your chances are good to get an interview. Working as a pharmacy tech?

 

[Jalkali]

Your chances are good to get an interview. Working as a pharmacy tech?

When I originally began working as a pharmacy technician, I was considering going to pharmacy school. After exploring other health professions, while working in a pharmacy, and learning the drugs, I met and shadowed almost every health professional you can think of. Using pharmacy as my foundation, it helped me compare and contrast health professions (working environment, lifestyle, etc.). I recently had lunch with a prof at a dental school who told me that working at a pharmacy only helps me simply because shows that I am not compelely fixated on becoming a dentist and makes me a more diverse applicant. So, basically I learned a lot of pharmacology and experience working in high stress situations (ie interacted with thousands of patients who were sick and p'd off for things I was not in control of lol) (some of which are health professionals who have helped me in making my career choice).

 

[coolslugs]

When I originally began working as a pharmacy technician, I was considering going to pharmacy school. After exploring other health professions, while working in a pharmacy, and learning the drugs, I met and shadowed almost every health professional you can think of. Using pharmacy as my foundation, it helped me compare and contrast health professions (working environment, lifestyle, etc.). I recently had lunch with a prof at a dental school who told me that working at a pharmacy only helps me simply because shows that I am not compelely fixated on becoming a dentist and makes me a more diverse applicant. So, basically I learned a lot of pharmacology and experience working in high stress situations (ie interacted with thousands of patients who were sick and p'd off for things I was not in control of lol) (some of which are health professionals who have helped me in making my career choice).

Good answer

 

[aznboi89x]

You will land an interview in Texas. Most my friends land an interview too, and most got accepted. They all are from UT. ~50% of people at UT gets accepted to dental school in Texas. Goodluck ! I will be applying this cycle too, so hope to see you at interviews !

that number of 50% is outright wrong. it just happens half of the people you talk to is accepted. they inteview at least 250

 

[Jalkali]

Other than MWU, I added University of Michigan, Marquette University, and Boston University today. Thank you all for your comments.

 

[diene]

Other than MWU, I added University of Michigan, Marquette University, and Boston University today. Thank you all for your comments.

Might as well add NYU, since you will be doing the army route!

And I have to agree with the other 2013 cycle applicants on Texas. You cannot count it. Your stats are average, so you are definitely in the running, but apply OOS, especially since tuition will not be an issue for you! If money is not tight, I would add more schools just so you don't have to apply again.

 

[Jalkali]

Might as well add NYU, since you will be doing the army route!

And I have to agree with the other 2013 cycle applicants on Texas. You cannot count it. Your stats are average, so you are definitely in the running, but apply OOS, especially since tuition will not be an issue for you! If money is not tight, I would add more schools just so you don't have to apply again.

11 OOS
Midwestern
Marquette
USC
Western
NYU
Temple
BU
Nova
Tufts
Michigan
Creighton