Don't Give Up

[sunofabeach]

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I just wanted to tell those people out there that are either still interviewing or waiting not to give up hope. As helpful as this forum is, it can be just as intimidating. It seems everyone applied early and has phenomenal scores. I turned in my application in November, secondaries out in February, interviewed in March. In the past 2 weeks, I have received acceptances as an out-of-stater to USC, UCLA, and UF. Most people told me I didn't have a chance and to be prepared to reapply again. I'm glad to have proven them wrong. Just believe in yourself and DON'T GIVE UP!!!

 

[ladentist]

I second that!! I also applied in november (batch 17!) and my aadsas number was close to 4800. I sent out secondaries in january....retook my dat's the middle of february and was recently accepted to three schools and offered interviews at two others. EVERYONE including myself thought that it was a lost cause.....but I guess it goes to show that you should always have hope🙂.....so to everyone that's still waiting......don't give up just yet🙂

 

[thedentist555]

sunofabeach,

can you tell me what your stats are?

i had pretty much ruled out applying to UCLA, Oregon, and Univ of Washington because i'm from out of state, and all the dental students told me it would be a waste of a plane ticket to apply to those schools because i would have no chance of getting in.

i'm surprised to hear you got into UCLA from out of state, but i'm ecstatic for you! i know people who have had 3.7-3.9 GPA's from out of state who couldnt get in there.

do you have any tips? can i compare stats with you?

i'm 3.85/4.00 GPA in engineering, with several years work experience, and taking post-bach classes right now. i do not have any research or publications.

thanks!

 

[sunofabeach]

thedentist555---

Here's a tip...don't listen to those people who say that you'd be wasting your time. What's worse...trying and not getting in or not trying, not getting in, and never knowing if you could have gotten in?

Honestly, I was just as surprised to see that I was granted an interview and even more surprised when I got my acceptance letter. Just like you, I had people telling me how difficult it would be to gain admission. My stats are not amazing at all and actually are under their average stats. My GPA was a little over 3.5, I got a 22 on the academic portion with a 20 in the sciences. The only "outstanding" stat was a 24 on Perceptual Ability. I have had no research experience but I did have substantial shadowing/assisting experience. The only thing besides my stats was that I wrote a kick-ass personal essay. OK, so it wasn't that kick-ass but it said everything I wanted it to say. I think what is important about your personal essay is that it's just that...personal. Show some personality and DO NOT WRITE a "I've always wanted to be a dentist since I was 5 when my brother chipped his tooth" story. Be real, be fun, be yourself.

Another factor is recommendations. Like you, I had been out of school for some time before I decided to apply to dental school. I felt like this would be my downfall since I had not taken the time to have gotten to know any of my teachers while at school. I wrote letters and sent pictures to remind them of who I was and fortunately was able to score 3 letters. I read one of them and I almost cried because it was so nice.

In the end, I think UCLA and the other schools liked me for being a well-rounded individual rather than a book-worm with perfect stats. I forgot to add that I had a ton of extracurriculars in college and also alot of volunteer work that had nothing to do with dentistry.

If you have any more questions I'll be happy to help. Remember that applying to dental school is for you and no one else, so don't listen to the negative things others may say. If you want it bad enough, you'll get it. Good luck, I hope this helped!😛

 

[Blackstars]

Dude, what are you taking about, The numbers are more than impressive. A 3.5 with a 22 on the DAT. I hope by the time I get ready to apply, I have stats similar to yours. Congratulations for getting in.

 

[Blackstars]

IF you don't mind me asking how to you prepare for the DAT. books used, hows spent each day studying, how long you studied before taking the real thing.

 

[sunofabeach]

Why would I mind giving out advice? The DAT...you can totally do well on this test if you're prepared. I could have done more, I chose not to but what I did was enough for me. I took Kaplan. Although I did not go to class, I studied the material and kept taking the practice tests over and over and over. The key is in anticipating questions. If you master that, you'll get the scores you want.

For anyone who is interested, I'm selling my Kaplan books as well with some bootleg practice tests...

 

[kyasia07305]

what was your GPA and DAT?...if u dont mind

 

[Ranelar]

what was your GPA and DAT?...if u dont mind

Not big into reading are you? 😛 Post #4

 

[Blarelli]

2003? That's got to be a record for oldest thread brought back to life, right?
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