depressed

[Gail Cohen]

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I am so sad and depressed. I have only had one interview and it was at my instate school. The interview was in november. i didn't get in on dec 1 or jan 15. i saw on predents that last year a few people who were interviewed pre dec 1st still got in, but just a few. i didnt submit my aadsas ap until mid august and didnt take the dat till sept 30. my scores are just average aa 18
ts 19 pat 21. science gpa3.5 gpa 3.3 post bac 4.0. did i mention that im 26?

 

[Vicviper]

I've got two friends in my first year class who are 32, so keep your chin up. You got an interview, so clearly you're competitive - if you don't get in this year, I think you'd stand a VERY good shot for next year if you apply early.

Take this year off and do something meaningful with your life, because you really won't get any significant amount of time to do anything after you start dental school - so make the most of what you have, and keep positive. If life gives you lemons, hey, free lemons! 🙂

 

[H Potter DMD]

is this your first time applying? make contact with the school/schools you want to go to and talk to the admissions dept. find out what you need to do and talk with them. let them know you really want to do this. if you don't get in, try again. you could still get in tho...

 

[Gail Cohen]

is this your first time applying? make contact with the school/schools you want to go to and talk to the admissions dept. find out what you need to do and talk with them. let them know you really want to do this. if you don't get in, try again. you could still get in tho...

This is my first time applying. so you think i should call all the schools or just the one i interviewed at. you really think i could still get in? thanks so much for the feedback.

 

[Svart Aske]

If you don't get in this time, you should think about improving your DAT score. Focus on your weak points and work hard. Also apply more broadly next time.Good luck!

 

[Gail Cohen]

If you don't get in this time, you should think about improving your DAT score. Focus on your weak points and work hard. Also apply more broadly next time.Good luck!

i've taken the dats twice, and (ugh) well i guess if i bust ass again i can improve my scores. what do you mean svart, by apply more broadly? also i have tried getting jobs in dental offices but everyone requires that i have experience. i pray to get in this cycle.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

I am so sad and depressed. I have only had one interview and it was at my instate school. The interview was in november. i didn't get in on dec 1 or jan 15. i saw on predents that last year a few people who were interviewed pre dec 1st still got in, but just a few. i didnt submit my aadsas ap until mid august and didnt take the dat till sept 30. my scores are just average aa 18
ts 19 pat 21. science gpa3.5 gpa 3.3 post bac 4.0. did i mention that im 26?

You made 2 mistakes and you got a pre dec interview. That's really not bad. The cycle isn't over yet.

I would study and re-take the DAT. If you manage to do it this cycle, you can send the scores to the school you interviewed at and maybe still salvage something this cycle.

Otherwise, mistake 1: Apply EARLY!!
mistake 2: you took the DAT late!

I would def retake the DAT, as your GPA is good and looks even better with that postbac.

Retake the DAT asap, apply EARLY (June) and I am sure you will get in next cycle

 

[Gail Cohen]

You made 2 mistakes and you got a pre dec interview. That's really not bad. The cycle isn't over yet.

I would study and re-take the DAT. If you manage to do it this cycle, you can send the scores to the school you interviewed at and maybe still salvage something this cycle.

Otherwise, mistake 1: Apply EARLY!!
mistake 2: you took the DAT late!

I would def retake the DAT, as your GPA is good and looks even better with that postbac.

Retake the DAT asap, apply EARLY (June) and I am sure you will get in next cycle

i dont think i have the strength to retake the dat again, this cycle any way isnt it too late? but i guess your right i need to take them again before the 2011 cycle begins so i can be ahead of the game. do i need new lors too for next cycle?

 

[NCarolinaDent]

The thing I would recommend to you most is if you do not get in the school you interviewed at this cycle, then set up a meeting with someone in admissions, preferably the dean of admissions. Review your application with them, and show them your passion for and make them believe that you are going to be a dentist no matter what.

I also would advise your picking two other schools you would like to attend and do the same thing. It worked for me when I applied the second time, as I got interviews at all the schools I met with someone in admissions. I was a post-bacc student with a low undergraduate GPA, but I pulled off a 20 AA and a 22 TS on the DAT.

If I can do it you can too, as I recently just got my first acceptance.

 

[NCarolinaDent]

PS: I am 26 also and whether you believe it or not many schools like to bring in people of all ages.

 

[gorrillaunit18]

Keep you chin up, man. Good things come to those who wait. You'll get what you want if you want it bad enough. 😀

 

[Gail Cohen]

PS: I am 26 also and whether you believe it or not many schools like to bring in people of all ages.

thanks dude for the kindness. i really hope there is still a chance for me, but if i dont here soon i guess its back to the books for me. 👎

 

[vlct0ria]

Like an above poster said, I would get in touch with your schools. Try emailing the dean personally and letting them know how badly you want to attend their school...mention what you loved about it, and essentially make them believe they are your TOP choice. If you took classes this past semester and did well, mention how hard you have been working to get into dental school...if you've gotten more dental experience/volunteering/etc, then let them know how passionate you are about the field and about helping others. Other than that, I am afraid there is not much else you can do for this cycle. If that does not work, you may need to retake the DAT (definitely BEFORE the cycle even opens), and be ready to submit as soon as it opens. So, contact the schools, and while waiting for any responses, its a good idea to start thinking about preparing for next cycle. I wish you the best of luck! 👍

 

[yuppers]

Like an above poster said, I would get in touch with your schools. Try emailing the dean personally and letting them know how badly you want to attend their school...mention what you loved about it, and essentially make them believe they are your TOP choice. If you took classes this past semester and did well, mention how hard you have been working to get into dental school...if you've gotten more dental experience/volunteering/etc, then let them know how passionate you are about the field and about helping others.

This could be good advice, but it might seem like you are trying to suck up.
I would probably stick to asking how you could improve your application and what the school looks for in an applicant.


Also, victoria welcome to NSU CDM class of 2014.

 

[vlct0ria]

This could be good advice, but it might seem like you are trying to suck up.
I would probably stick to asking how you could improve your application and what the school looks for in an applicant.


Also, victoria welcome to NSU CDM class of 2014.

Haha, thanks! And I am just advocating the keeping in touch thing, since I know from personal experience how important an applicant's interest in the school can be. Also, I agree it probably is a good idea to mention the whole "I just wanted to check the status of my application" thing first, and THEN let them know why you are looking forward to hearing from that particular school. 😀

 

[lphiewok]

also what you should do about getting experience at the office is, when you call don't just ask them if you can work for them.
ask them that you'll do anything from shadowing to volunteering to anything to be involved with dentistry. I called literally about 80 places which I made list of around my city within 25 mi radius and after calling about 60 places, I found about 5 places which will let me shadow and 1 place which took me in and trained me to become a dental assistant (paid for my exam too).

dental office is a business therefore they will of course want someone who can help them with business. if you have no prior dental experience, ask them if you can just shadow instead of working

best of luck! (and yes, DAT retake and early app. are must!!)

 

[doc toothache]

i've taken the dats twice, and (ugh) well i guess if i bust ass again i can improve my scores. what do you mean svart, by apply more broadly? also i have tried getting jobs in dental offices but everyone requires that i have experience. i pray to get in this cycle.

"Getting jobs in dental offices" is not going to make your application look more attractive.

 

[Predoctalk]

"Getting jobs in dental offices" is not going to make your application look any better.

How do you figure that? Not only is it work experience in general, it is experience in the field...

 

[doc toothache]

How do you figure that? Not only is it work experience in general, it is experience in the field...

Can you think of any ds that recommends "experience in the field"?

 

[Montserrat]

The 'getting more experience part' is pretty broad - if I were you, get the best possible job you can, save as much money as you can, and reapply if this is what you want to do. Real world experience and some cash in the bank might mean more in terms of job appreciation and maturity when it comes time to reapply (if it comes to that), and those intangibles may help you come decision time.

 

[Predoctalk]

Absolutely.. Almost every competetive applicant has shadowing/assisting experience "in the field". As you well know, some programs even have requirements for these hours. So, getting compensated for one's exposure is definitely a plus (not necessarily to the committee, but certainly to the employee)

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

i dont think i have the strength to retake the dat again, this cycle any way isnt it too late? but i guess your right i need to take them again before the 2011 cycle begins so i can be ahead of the game. do i need new lors too for next cycle?

All good advice so far from everyone. You are going to have to retake the DAT, it sucks, but its just the reality. It is only too late to send DAT scores to new schools,

BUT if you already interviewed with a school (like you did), they love to get updated information on you as the cycle progresses (new grades, DAT scores etc)

The only time its too late to send new scores is when they send you a rejection letter.

edit: I don't know about the LOR, I would say it couldn't hurt to get new ones, but if its too much of a headache don't bother

 

[doc toothache]

Absolutely.. Almost every competetive applicant has shadowing/assisting experience "in the field". As you well know, some programs even have requirements for these hours. So, getting compensated for one's exposure is definitely a plus (not necessarily to the committee, but certainly to the employee)

If you say so. There is a world of difference between requiring/recommending shadowing hours and requiring/recommending working experience in a dental office.

 

[Predoctalk]

If you say so. There is a world of difference between requiring/recommending shadowing hours and requiring/recommending working experience in a dental office.

I agree. I was just suggesting it as a way to make money while fulfilling those suggestions/requirements. I was saying it makes an app look better that is lacking any dental experience. But, obviously if one has shadowing/volunteering that will suffice.

 

[yuppers]

If you say so. There is a world of difference between requiring/recommending shadowing hours and requiring/recommending working experience in a dental office.

I think predoctalk was just trying to say that working/assisting in a dental office could count towards the dental experience part of the application.

EDIT: he beat me to it.

 

[doc toofache]

nm

 

[xplayer2885]

You might want to consider research...I never thought I would end up doing research...I now have two projects going at once. Im also attending a masters in the fall to boost my GPA. My DAT was fine, as was my EC, an volunteer work.

 

[doc toothache]

I agree. I was just suggesting it as a way to make money while fulfilling those suggestions/requirements. I was saying it makes an app look better that is lacking any dental experience. But, obviously if one has shadowing/volunteering that will suffice.

It is hard to get excited landing a position which one can do with or without a high school education. You get the drift?

 

[doc toothache]

I agree. I was just suggesting it as a way to make money while fulfilling those suggestions/requirements. I was saying it makes an app look better that is lacking any dental experience. But, obviously if one has shadowing/volunteering that will suffice.

.

 

[Predoctalk]

It is hard to get excited about landing a position which one can do with or without a high school education. You get the drift?

I am currently a tech at an edodontics office, I know it isn't that exciting. The fact is that having a job in the dental field (however miniscule) may demostrate interest to an adcom. In addiition, if they know that "It is hard to get excited about landing a position which one can do with or without a high school education" then they will understand one is willing to do whatever it takes to gain acceptance. Also, it is great for networking. There is no right or wrong answer here, only opinions subjective to the applicant in question and the various adcoms...

 

[doc toothache]

I am currently a tech at an edodontics office, I know it isn't that exciting. The fact is that having a job in the dental field (however miniscule) may demostrate interest to an adcom. In addiition, if they know that "It is hard to get excited about landing a position which one can do with or without a high school education" then they will understand one is willing to do whatever it takes to gain acceptance. Also, it is great for networking. There is no right or wrong answer here, only opinions subjective to the applicant in question and the various adcoms...

The problem is that we already know what it take to gain acceptance, but 'nuff said.

 

[Predoctalk]

The problem is that we already know what it take to gain acceptance, but 'nuff said.

Are you a member of an admissions committee? I obviously do not understand your argument, and that may be my fault. All i know is, most predents would jump at the chance to get paid for the experience they would be obtaining anyway. I bet you would be hard pressed to show me an app that is highly considered with no dental experience. Call it desperation if you will doc, but the application cycle is very competetive.

 

[doc toothache]

Are you a member of an admissions committee? I obviously do not understand your argument, and that may be my fault. All i know is, most predents would jump at the chance to get paid for the experience they would be obtaining anyway. I bet you would be hard pressed to show me an app that is highly considered with no dental experience. Call it desperation if you will doc, but the application cycle is very competetive.

Maybe. On the other hand perhaps you can show us an applicant whose only claim to fame is that he/she has "dental experience" and that was used as the sole basis for admission.

 

[Predoctalk]

Maybe. On the other hand perhaps you can show us an applicant whose only claim to fame is that he/she has "dental experience" and that used as the sole basis for admission.

haha of course I can't. I never said that dental experience is enough to get an applicant into school. Obviously gpa and DAT are the most important factors, but dental experience is very helpful! 👍

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

If you took two applicants, A and B.

Applicant A has the same (or very close) GPA and DAT score to applicant B.

Both applicant A and B did well during the interview, and had good LOR and personal statements.

If applicant A had alot of shadowing and/or dentistry work related experience, and applicant B had none, than I would think that the offer would be made to applicant A.

Now obviously this is a hypothetical example, but given the amount of applicants each cycle, I think it is possible to have this situation come up quite often.

The more dental experience (work related or not) you get, the better off you are.

 

[Gail Cohen]

If you took two applicants, A and B.

Applicant A has the same (or very close) GPA and DAT score to applicant B.

Both applicant A and B did well during the interview, and had good LOR and personal statements.

If applicant A had alot of shadowing and/or dentistry work related experience, and applicant B had none, than I would think that the offer would be made to applicant A.

Now obviously this is a hypothetical example, but given the amount of applicants each cycle, I think it is possible to have this situation come up quite often.

The more dental experience (work related or not) you get, the better off you are.

I need a job in a dental office, doing anything, but no one will hire me because i have no experience. So, now what, how did you get the job?😕

 

[doc toothache]

haha of course I can't. I never said that dental experience is enough to get an applicant into school. Obviously gpa and DAT are the most important factors, but dental experience is very helpful! 👍

Let's simplify your task. Find a single sentence written in official documents by the ADA, ADEA or any of the ds recommending "working dental experience" to facilitate transition into ds.

If applicant A had alot of shadowing and/or dentistry work related experience, and applicant B had none, than I would think that the offer would be made to applicant A.

In your hypothetical example ds might prefer applicant B since it would obviate the need for intense deprogramming.

 

[Gail Cohen]

I love it, im so glad i started this thread. Great debate!

 

[Dentite99]

I love it, im so glad i started this thread. Great debate!

In my opinion I think bringing up your dat score is more important than going on a job hunt. Bring up your score to get your foot in the door, then if you want, find a job in a dental office as a BONUS. Just my 2

 

[dentstd]

If you took two applicants, A and B.

Applicant A has the same (or very close) GPA and DAT score to applicant B.

Both applicant A and B did well during the interview, and had good LOR and personal statements.

If applicant A had alot of shadowing and/or dentistry work related experience, and applicant B had none, than I would think that the offer would be made to applicant A.

Now obviously this is a hypothetical example, but given the amount of applicants each cycle, I think it is possible to have this situation come up quite often.

The more dental experience (work related or not) you get, the better off you are.

Schools use a formula to compute an applicant's score, using GPA, DAT, interview performance, ...etc. Then outside this formula, they consider intangibles like language abilities, cultural background, school attended, and various unique attributes the student can add to the class. These possitive intangibles can overcome a lower admissions score, while certain negative attributes can counter a high admissions score.

Dental background may or may not be in the list of intangibles. It varies from school to school. Having been a dental assistant is nice, but we'd rather have a Spanish speaker with no dental background whatsoever. If you're serious about getting into dental school, become fluent in Spanish. I guarantee you that you'll get in somewhere. As high as my GPA/DAT are, as impressive as my academic record is, as good as my interpersonal skills are, as good as my everything are...there's a gigantic body of patients I can't treat because I can't communicate with them.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

I need a job in a dental office, doing anything, but no one will hire me because i have no experience. So, now what, how did you get the job?😕

I guess keep shadowing until you can find a job. It depends what state you are in, I think here in Fla you need to have a certificate in dental assisting.

In your hypothetical example ds might prefer applicant B since it would obviate the need for intense deprogramming.

can you elaborate on what you mean by having to be "deprogrammed" ? Also are you on an adcom at any dental school?

All's I am saying is whether it is shadowing or work experience in the dental office, every bit helps.

Having been a dental assistant is nice, but we'd rather have a Spanish speaker with no dental background whatsoever. If you're serious about getting into dental school, become fluent in Spanish.

I am not attacking you, but can you tell me your source for that statement? Your profile says you are a just dental student...is that info outdated and you are now on an adcom?

 

[NCarolinaDent]

Getting a job in a dental office absolutely displays your desire to be a dentist and means a lot to an adcom. Chances are you are not making a lot of money as an assistant or front desk person. It shows not only your dedication to the field, but also how you are literally almost starving because you are working for little pay.

I know A LOT of people who didn't get in and worked in an office and then got accepted.

 

[NCarolinaDent]

Oh, and if you do not get in this cycle. DO NOT EMAIL, CALL THE SCHOOL and ask to set up a meeting with someone in admissions. While email might work, a PHONE CALL is so much more.

 

[dentstd]

I am not attacking you, but can you tell me your source for that statement? Your profile says you are a just dental student...is that info outdated and you are now on an adcom?

This isn't a research paper. I need not have a source.

But if you must know, I'm involved in admissions. But that's still somewhat irrelevant. Is it not totally obvious to you why speaking Spanish is more important than dental experience? Every dental graduate will have the basic skills required to practice dentistry, regardless of whether they had experience coming into the field. It's great that you knew how to take an impression or pour stone casts, but now you'll know the same thing...wow. I'm impressed. However, none will gain the ability to treat the latino population and communicate with them, and there's an increasing need for such dentists. I'll strongly consider taking a Spanish-speaking white kid with an 18AA over a 22AA who only speaks English.

The majority of advice given on here are cliches. Most of it's even naive or short sighted. There are numerous other qualities desired in a dental applicant that go beyond GPA/DAT.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

This isn't a research paper. I need not have a source. But if you must know, I'm involved in admissions. But that's still somewhat irrelevant. Is it not totally obvious to you why speaking Spanish is more important than dental experience? Every dental graduate will have the basic skills required to practice dentistry, regardless of whether they had experience coming into the field. None will gain the ability to treat the latino population and communicate with them, and there's an increasing need for such dentists.

hey I am not downplaying the benefit of speaking spanish in the admissions process or in private practice. I am just saying you seemed to dismiss the dental experience with an air of authority like you have a ear in the adcom meetings..so naturally I was curious..

 

[enamelo]

hey I am not downplaying the benefit of speaking spanish in the admissions process or in private practice. I am just saying you seemed to dismiss the dental experience with an air of authority like you have a ear in the adcom meetings..so naturally I was curious..

1. he's a dental student, not an adcom
2. his advice is terrible

The purpose of dental experience isn't so you come into school being ahead of the curve...it's so that you know you're choosing the right profession for you. Every school wants to see you've immersed yourself in the professional a little through shadowing or assisting. It doesn't even have to be anything drastic. A few schools such as dentstd's likes applicants with unique backgrounds, so maybe by being fluent in spanish, that one school out of 55 or whatever schools might be particularly fond of you. For generalizable advice, get some exposure to the field, get high GPA, do well on DATs, try to do some other ECs.

 

[dentstd]

And we return to the advice of retaking the DAT, increase your GPA, and everything else related to the same platitudes.

The question at hand is how to improve an existing application. It'd be a different question if this applicant didn't already have dental background. Yet, the advice is to gain more dental experience. Let's not be naive. More dental experience isn't going to add much to his existing dental experiences. If you want real meaningful advice, you'd have to move beyond this narrowmindedness. What useful skills do you have that others don't?

Let's not forget what Doc Toothache mentioned. Dental assisting requires no skills whatsoever. To get the job, you need no experience, no schooling, and practically speaking no real talent. He's absolutely right.

And btw, virtually every school wants students with unique backgrounds and skills. Not just one or two.

 

[dentstd]

hey I am not downplaying the benefit of speaking spanish in the admissions process or in private practice. I am just saying you seemed to dismiss the dental experience with an air of authority like you have a ear in the adcom meetings..so naturally I was curious..

I'm dismissing piling on dental experience over existing experience. I think there are other things better suited to helping the OP's cause.

But if I had the opportunity to consider someone with an 18AA (who speaks Spanish fluently but has no dental experience) with someone with a 22A (who only speaks English and has dental experience), I consider taking the 18AA. I chose my wording carefully here. I didn't say I'd do it. There's power in the ability to treat patients most your colleagues can't.

 

[alanan84]

Just my 2 cents.

I'm white, I speak spanish, live in Texas, have a 21AA, no dental experience (besides shadowing) and still haven't gotten in anywhere.

I also have a number of friends who are dental assistants with great stats that haven't gotten in anywhere either.

Getting into dental school is really hard. The only thing anyone can say with certainty is that increasing your GPA and DAT score will only help.

BTW dentstd, I wish you were on an admissions committee in Texas. I honestly plan on using my spanish to treat hispanics everyday in my practice (if I can ever get into dental school that is)

 

[dentstd]

Just my 2 cents.

I'm white, I speak spanish, live in Texas, have a 21AA, no dental experience (besides shadowing) and still haven't gotten in anywhere.

I also have a number of friends who are dental assistants with great stats that haven't gotten in anywhere either.

Getting into dental school is really hard. The only thing anyone can say with certainty is that increasing your GPA and DAT score will only help.

BTW dentstd, I wish you were on an admissions committee in Texas. I honestly plan on using my spanish to treat hispanics everyday in my practice (if I can ever get into dental school that is)

Do you speak fluently? Having taken classes in school doesn't count. Did you clearly indicate so on your app?

Try applying to more than 3 dental schools.