Chances Please (Low Stats)

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jackjackson1121

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I'm open to everyone's advice. I want to know if I actually stand a chance at some of these schools or not. I'm greatly appreciative of everyone's help. Thank you!


Residency - Nebraska
GPA
oGPA - 3.2
sGPA - 3.1
Past two years - oGPA - 3.65 sGPA - 3.4
DAT - 19AA
Re-Applicant
Really good on shadowing hours and volunteer hours

School List
Nebraska
Creighton
Minnesota
Midwestern - AZ
LECOM
Midwestern - IL
U of New England
Missouri (MOSDOH)
UMKC
 
Yes you have a chance.

Is there anything that makes you stand out from the crowd? Like A lot of people have good shadowing and volunteering, and they have better stats. Is there something you did during undergrad? Work experience, military experience, or research experience?
 
8th said:
Yes you have a chance.

Is there anything that makes you stand out from the crowd? Like A lot of people have good shadowing and volunteering, and they have better stats. Is there something you did during undergrad? Work experience, military experience, or research experience?
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I did SMDEP at Nebraska. Other than that not really. I've held a part-time job throughout college but nothing to set me apart from anyone else. Thanks for the input. Do you think the choices of schools is good?
 
jackjackson1121 said:
I did SMDEP at Nebraska. Other than that not really. I've held a part-time job throughout college but nothing to set me apart from anyone else. Thanks for the input. Do you think the choices of schools is good?
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Yeh they look good to me, with your stats I might apply more broadly. But you know, as a re applicant, how many schools you should apply to with your given situation.
 
Add one or two more private schools, maybe. Minnesota isn't terribly OOS-friendly... same for New England. Do you have an upward trend GPA-wise? Your GPA is lower than it should be and your DAT is average for accepted students (although that stat is moving more toward 20 now). They might consider your work, but I'd apply more broadly since you don't have experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Although the shadowing and volunteering hours should help you out, I'm sure!
 
8th said:
Yeh they look good to me, with your stats I might apply more broadly. But you know, as a re applicant, how many schools you should apply to with your given situation.
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Im a re-applicant but last year I only applied to state schools because of my GPA. This is my first time applying to more so I'm kinda clueless ha.
 
pulltheleverkronk said:
Add one or two more private schools, maybe. Minnesota isn't terribly OOS-friendly... same for New England. Do you have an upward trend GPA-wise? Your GPA is lower than it should be and your DAT is average for accepted students (although that stat is moving more toward 20 now). They might consider your work, but I'd apply more broadly since you don't have experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Although the shadowing and volunteering hours should help you out, I'm sure!
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Thank you, do you think should swap a school with any of the ones I have selected? I can't really afford to add anymore schools!
 
Bucks783 said:
What was your TS and PAT?
Click to expand...

AA - 19
TS - 18
PAT - 19
QR - 16
RC - 22

I know I will have to retake it if I don't get in this time again. I just wanted to try one more time and fill this summer with classes to boost GPA instead of DAT. Added an A in biochem and microbiology instead of retaking it so I hope it pays off.
 
Prep for interviews man. Your upward trend looks good. Get a suit, get a nice hair cut, get some knowledge. An interview is the time to impress upon ADCOMS that they're making the right decision allowing you as opposed to another candidate into their school. Dont be afraid to invest in interview books and brush up on your answers to any of the questions they throw at you. Also, please dont forget to do mock interviews with family, work managers, dentist mentors, students,etc. so you get used to being in the hot seat.
 
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superluminal said:
Prep for interviews man. Your upward trend looks good. Get a suit, get a nice hair cut, get some knowledge. An interview is the time to impress upon ADCOMS that they're making the right decision allowing you as opposed to another candidate into their school. Dont be afraid to invest in interview books and brush up on your answers to any of the questoons they throw at you. Also, please dont forget to do mock interviews with family, work managers, dentist mentors, students,etc. so you get used to being in the hot seat.
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Will do. Thanks for the advice!
 
Why didn't you retake the DAT already after the first time you applied?
 
My DAT scores are very similar to yours and I was considering retaking it....im a reapplicant too and also an a non-traditional...but i didnt apply til october last year so it was a longshot! From what I am hearing, just apply broadly....if it is another $1000 for 10 more schools it would be worth it spending as opposed to waiting an entire year
 
jackjackson1121 said:
I wanted to take classes this summer. And I think 19AA should be good enough.
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You think it should be, but it's below the matriculant average (20 AA). When your GPA is below average, you don't exactly have the wiggle room to have a below average DAT too. You should know this, especially as a reapplicant.
 
PlasmaMembrane said:
You think it should be, but it's below the matriculant average (20 AA). When your GPA is below average, you don't exactly have the wiggle room to have a below average DAT too. You should know this, especially as a reapplicant.
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Im a finance major so I took this summer to take 9 credits of upper level science and got A's. Thats more important that getting one point higher on the DAT. Plus last two years are 3.65 GPA. Thats not to bad in my opinion and i bet most of the schools I'm applying to would agree. All i need is more interviews which taking those classes will give me.
 
jackjackson1121 said:
Im a finance major so I took this summer to take 9 credits of upper level science and got A's. Thats more important that getting one point higher on the DAT. Plus last two years are 3.65 GPA. Thats not to bad in my opinion and i bet most of the schools I'm applying to would agree. All i need is more interviews which taking those classes will give me.
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You have a very solid app. However, if you are dealing with your future career, shouldn't you have called up the dental schools and ask them what they thought? Not trying to be rude or anything because getting As in those classes was awesome!
 
19AA is good enough anywhere. It's my lack of sciences classes that doesn't qualify me for interview at a lot of school. I don't need to call them to know that because the requirements are on their site. 19aa is a great score for most schools. Standards on this website is crazy sometimes
 
jackjackson1121 said:
19AA is good enough anywhere. It's my lack of sciences classes that doesn't qualify me for interview at a lot of school. I don't need to call them to know that because the requirements are on their site. 19aa is a great score for most schools. Standards on this website is crazy sometimes
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20AA is the average matriculated DAT score, regardless of what the scores here on SDN are... With that in mind, your GPA and DAT are both below average, and that 16 QR isn't very pretty either. Your upward trend is good, but I wonder if it's enough to pull up the rest of your subpar stats.

I think you have a chance, but you need to temper your expectations a bit. This is by no means a sure thing... Definitely apply to more private schools.
 
jackjackson1121 said:
19AA is good enough anywhere. It's my lack of sciences classes that doesn't qualify me for interview at a lot of school. I don't need to call them to know that because the requirements are on their site. 19aa is a great score for most schools. Standards on this website is crazy sometimes
Click to expand...

1st of all, the "standards" you are referring to are what past students have done and are now dentists. Its probably a good idea to follow it while changing it a bit to fit your situation.

2nd, did the 16 on the QR not stand out? I know QR is looked at the least but many schools have a cutoff at 17. 19AA is good, yes. But depending on other aspects of your app that is debatable.

3rd, I didn't ask you to call regarding the requirements. That's self explanatory. As a reapplicant, you want to do EVERYTHING you can possibly do to better your chance, and that includes calling the dental schools to ask them what more can you do. I'll be reaplying next cycle and adcoms from all three TX schools and many more have told me the same thing.
 
DentalLonghorn2014 said:
1st of all, the "standards" you are referring to are what past students have done and are now dentists. Its probably a good idea to follow it while changing it a bit to fit your situation.

2nd, did the 16 on the QR not stand out? I know QR is looked at the least but many schools have a cutoff at 17. 19AA is good, yes. But depending on other aspects of your app that is debatable.

3rd, I didn't ask you to call regarding the requirements. That's self explanatory. As a reapplicant, you want to do EVERYTHING you can possibly do to better your chance, and that includes calling the dental schools to ask them what more can you do. I'll be reaplying next cycle and adcoms from all three TX schools and many more have told me the same thing.
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Past dental student on here have high standards so if that's what your looking at to compare applications its inflated. I appreciate the advice but if you would have read the posts before your original you would have known that I chose to take classes instead of the DAT. I know I need to improve the DAT but I think my lack of science courses is hurting me most. Thanks for the input though.
 
Thanhn said:
If you already thought your scores were great for most schools, why did you post a chance me thread? The advice here on SDN is on point and invaluable so rather than sitting on your high horse, take some of it.
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Because I wanted to see if people had input on whether they were good enough for the schools im applying to. Isnt that what a "chance me" thread is? No high horse here, people need to read the comments above before they post. I made a conscious decision not to re-take the DAT. Thanks for your input though.
 
BrazilianRider said:
20AA is the average matriculated DAT score, regardless of what the scores here on SDN are... With that in mind, your GPA and DAT are both below average, and that 16 QR isn't very pretty either. Your upward trend is good, but I wonder if it's enough to pull up the rest of your subpar stats.

I think you have a chance, but you need to temper your expectations a bit. This is by no means a sure thing... Definitely apply to more private schools.
Click to expand...

Will do! Ill retake DAT next year if this year doesn't pan out and apply more broadly. Thanks for the advice!
 
jackjackson1121 said:
Past dental student on here have high standards so if that's what your looking at to compare applications its inflated. I appreciate the advice but if you would have read the posts before your original you would have known that I chose to take classes instead of the DAT. I know I need to improve the DAT but I think my lack of science courses is hurting me most. Thanks for the input though.
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I did...that's why I commended you on those As!

It's whatever you decide. Good luck.
 
jackjackson1121 said:
Im a finance major so I took this summer to take 9 credits of upper level science and got A's. Thats more important that getting one point higher on the DAT. Plus last two years are 3.65 GPA. Thats not to bad in my opinion and i bet most of the schools I'm applying to would agree. All i need is more interviews which taking those classes will give me.
Click to expand...

You are overall a weak applicant in terms of academic stats, which is what you needed to address to become more competitive this cycle. As others have pointed out: you do EVERYTHING you can to strengthen your application as a reapplicant. You don't just pick one thing on the basis of your personal opinion and hope for the best. Adcoms are going to see that your DAT is below the accepted average and you didn't retake it. Instead, all you've done academically to strengthen your application is...taken 9 credits of science classes. That is not going to make the magical difference that tips you to get more interviews.

jackjackson1121 said:
19AA is good enough anywhere. It's my lack of sciences classes that doesn't qualify me for interview at a lot of school. I don't need to call them to know that because the requirements are on their site. 19aa is a great score for most schools.
Click to expand...

Telling yourself a 19 AA is "a great score for most schools" is objectively false. You can repeat this as many times as you'd like but it doesn't make it true. 20 AA is the average of matriculating dental students. 19 AA is below that average and coupled with your low GPA you end up presenting as a student that is on the weaker side academically. Not fun to hear I'm sure, but there it is. Adcoms will ask themselves: can this student handle the challenging curriculum of dental school? The answer your first time applying was no, and I don't think expecting "well he took three science classes and got an A he's clearly ready now" is prudent.

jackjackson1121 said:
Past dental student on here have high standards so if that's what your looking at to compare applications its inflated.
Click to expand...

Everyone here has been using numbers on the basis of accepted average, not SDN average. It has nothing to do with the standards of this site.

I sincerely hope you call adcoms and hear this information for yourself or pick up a copy of the ADEA Guide to Dental Schools, rather than estimating the strength of your application on the basis of your personal opinions. Best of luck.
 
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PlasmaMembrane said:
You are overall a weak applicant in terms of academic stats, which is what you needed to address to become more competitive this cycle. As others have pointed out: you do EVERYTHING you can to strengthen your application as a reapplicant. You don't just pick one thing on the basis of your personal opinion and hope for the best. Adcoms are going to see that your DAT is below the accepted average and you didn't retake it. Instead, all you've done academically to strengthen your application is...taken 9 credits of science classes. That is not going to make the magical difference that tips you to get more interviews.



Telling yourself a 19 AA is "a great score for most schools" is objectively false. You can repeat this as many times as you'd like but it doesn't make it true. 20 AA is the average of matriculating dental students. 19 AA is below that average and coupled with your low GPA you end up presenting as a student that is on the weaker side academically. Not fun to hear I'm sure, but there it is. Adcoms will ask themselves: can this student handle the challenging curriculum of dental school? The answer your first time applying was no, and I don't think expecting "well he took three science classes and got an A he's clearly ready now" is prudent.



Everyone here has been using numbers on the basis of accepted average, not SDN average. It has nothing to do with the standards of this site.

I sincerely hope you call adcoms and hear this information for yourself or pick up a copy of the ADEA Guide to Dental Schools, rather than estimating the strength of your application on the basis of your personal opinions. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Aight homie. Its all good. Best of luck to you.
 
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