Denied from every school, advice moving forward?

[DentalStudent8991]

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Hey Everyone,

I've made several posts on SDM throughout this year but just to quickly recap and update everyone. This past October I applied to 13 dental schools as a NC resident. It is now May and I have been denied from every single school and didnt get a single interview from anyone. Honestly, it was incredibly disheartening to not even get a chance to represent myself on more than just my application, but tis life I guess? Heres a quick recap of my stats as well

DAT: 19AA, 19TS, 24BIO, 19GC, 16OC, 22RC, 16QR, 16PAT

oGPA: 3.77 sGPA: 3.75

Shadowing: 80 hours

Volunteering: 20 hours

Research: 300+

Now that I have graduated and the next cycle is right around the corner, I am determined to improve on the faults in my application and get in this next cycle. In a previous post I addressed the faults in my app, and it seems evident that my DAT, volunteering, and shadowing are my weak points and need significant improvement.

I have a game plan in mind and would greatly appreciate if anyone can share their advice and if they think im making the right moves moving forward.
1. I have scheduled my DAT for mid-july, which I have already started prepping for and am aiming to improve all my sections (using DAT booster)
2. Theres a local food pantry that is always looking for volunteers, so I am planning on volunteering 8-10 hours a week, to get my total hours around 100.
3. Tbh, I find shadowing incredibly boring. There is nothing appealing to me about hovering over a dentists' shoulder, watching and not being able to do anything. But I want to try and get another 20-30 hours just to break the 100 mark.

I dont want to make the same mistake of applying very late again. But the next cycle literally starts in a few days. I am aiming to hopefully have everything submitted by late july or very early august.

Do you think if I do the three major things I listed above, I will have a better chance of getting in? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[PONS]

I'm going to be honest. I have not even applied to Dental School yet, but I'm pretty sure almost all schools require 100+ hours of shadowing and volunteering for them to even consider your application regardless of GPA and DAT. So if you meet those marks and do as you said, I think you'll be fine next cycle.

 

[bracketbuster68]

Retake the DAT, apply early, and get more shadowing w/ a general dentist (100 hrs). You will be good. You applied very late, but if you apply in the Summer (no later than August) and get at least a 20AA/TS, you are going to become a dentist. Good luck and try not to beat yourself up.

 

[Gustavo dos Santos]

Yes, those things are good. You may still have an issue with your volunteering. 20 hours and then a couple weeks to get you to 100 hours doesn’t look great. They want to see long term commitment to certain things. An hour or two a week or a couple hours a month over a year. Something like that. But at least you’ll have more than 20 hours this time.

aside from that, get your DAT sections higher. The 16s were red flags and probably got you autofiltered from some programs

 

[Carmencitas]

I agree the 16s may have been a red flag/auto reject the 24 in Bio majorly inflated your DAT score. I would aim for 20+ in all categories. That along with the low volunteering. If you applied to schools that are heavy on community service you would be autorejected (20 is too low for most if not all schools tho). Also, I would redo your personal statements as well.

Edit: Just from looking at your previous post, some of the schools you applied to were donations. Definitely, UPenn and Maryland (which autorejects below 17-18 I think).

 

[SuxDrugs&Rocuronium]

I'm going to be honest. I have not even applied to Dental School yet, but I'm pretty sure almost all schools require 100+ hours of shadowing and volunteering for them to even consider your application regardless of GPA and DAT. So if you meet those marks and do as you said, I think you'll be fine next cycle.

A decent amount don’t require 100+. I only had like 60, and it was never an issue. The big issue here is the 16 in ochem. That probably automatically rejected you from most schools. Improve that and you should have a much better shot.

 

[MLC45]

It's true that you applied late last cycle and your 16's are also a problem. I would especially focus on your personal statement. Make sure you have one that's really eye catching and unique.

 

[USC-Dentistry]

A decent amount don’t require 100+. I only had like 60, and it was never an issue. The big issue here is the 16 in ochem. That probably automatically rejected you from most schools. Improve that and you should have a much better shot.

Same here, I only had ~50 hours of shadowing and was still fine. I agree with everyone else - I think focusing on your DAT should be your priority and will significantly improve your chances.

 

[GoToHolmes]

You seem to have identified the issues in your application already. That's good. Means you're willing to critique yourself honestly and continue the fight.

Obviously, the DAT score is a big red flag. 3.75sGPA but not even a 20TS? That's a problem. It's much better to have a lower sGPA but a higher science score because it shows you understood the material even if you didn't have the curve in your favor. A 4.0 sGPA is pretty suspect if the applicant scores straight 15s on every science section.

Screw shadowing and volunteering, ask around for dental assistant positions. Get one and get to work. Shadow if you must, but I agree, shadowing is really boring and I would much rather be involved in the nitty gritty of dentistry than just observe/ask questions and then go home. The realities of dentistry are much more apparent when you are a part of the office. Also, nothing beats a letter from the dentist you worked under.

APPLY EARLY. You should have everything in your application more or less ready to go for when the application opens. Data has shown that those who apply early get the vast majority of interview offers.

Take stock of your personal statement. This is probably going to be the next biggest thing after your DAT. Does it really answer the questions dental schools want answered? Why would a school want to pick you over someone else?

It seems like you have a good head on your shoulders and are dedicated to entering the profession. Good luck

 

[setdoc7]

Once again I will point out that there are no ADCOMS on this site, and all of the advice you receive is not conclusive. Reviewing your prior app with the schools that rejected you, asking what improvement they are looking for, and moving forward with a plan will work out better. Good luck.