Don't really know what to do?

[Joey333]

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Hey everyone, this is my first post on here. Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted, I can only imagine how awesome it feels.

I've had no luck this cycle so far. I've applied to 16 schools, mostly private schools and my state school (Buffalo). My application was mailed out 9/4 and so far I've gotten hold for comparison from Kentucky, waitlist for interview from MWU-AZ, continuing review from Buffalo and Hold at Marquette (all without interview). I still have 12 silent schools that I hope wake up and contact me.

I have a 3.6 overall gpa, 3.4 science gpa and a 19AA, 19TS, 20 PAT (nothing below 18). 200 hours of shadowing, 400 hours of volunteer work, i'm a college athlete and I have leadership experience. From what I gather there is still hope for Post-december interviews?

If I have to apply again i'm not really sure what i'd do. I'm scared to take the DAT again as I don't want to do worse, I worked pretty hard studying and i've seen the statistics that a retake is risky business. My GPA is going to go up this semester and next semester when I graduate, and I believe that will be a positive aspect to my application. I also don't have many ideas as to what I would do with my time with a year off. I've been looking into some volunteer work as a camp counselor while continuing to shadow, or trying to get some research experience. I'd love to hear everyones take on this, and good luck with the rest of the cycle!

 

[darknightzzz]

retake DAT.

a retake of a 19 isnt a risky business. a risky business is a retake of a 21+.

take more upper div bio to pull ur science up. 3.4 is a bit low.

 

[Joey333]

retake DAT.

a retake of a 19 isnt a risky business. a risky business is a retake of a 21+.

take more upper div bio to pull ur science up. 3.4 is a bit low.

Thanks for the reply, I guess if nothing good comes from this cycle I'll take it again. I'm already dreading it haha

 

[darknightzzz]

Thanks for the reply, I guess if nothing good comes from this cycle I'll take it again. I'm already dreading it haha

it is up to you but if you really plan ahead, you should hit the books now to keep some oil in the engine in case things take the bad turn and you end up reapplying. At least u wont rush things

 

[Joey333]

it is up to you but if you really plan ahead, you should hit the books now to keep some oil in the engine in case things take the bad turn and you end up reapplying. At least u wont rush things

Yeah definitely. I'm going to TA for Orgo II next semester so that'll help me some, thinking about purchasing DAT destroyer if I don't here anything in the next month. Its finals time right now so I don't have much time to think about the DAT (I hate Histology haha)

 

[DC206R]

I think you should consider retaking the DAT.

 

[pinetree305]

Yeah definitely. I'm going to TA for Orgo II next semester so that'll help me some, thinking about purchasing DAT destroyer if I don't here anything in the next month. Its finals time right now so I don't have much time to think about the DAT (I hate Histology haha)

From my experience, TA for orgo I helped me 10x more than orgo II. I felt like majority of orgo in DAT is from orgo I. Try to switch to orgo I if possible.

I found DAT destroyer, bootcamp, Chads video, and feralis' notes helped me the most in preparing for the exam.

Good luck!

 

[MolarBear11]

I agree you should try retaking the DAT. Also if you don't hear back this cycle, make sure you apply much earlier next cycle.

 

[Joey333]

From my experience, TA for orgo I helped me 10x more than orgo II. I felt like majority of orgo in DAT is from orgo I. Try to switch to orgo I if possible.

I found DAT destroyer, bootcamp, Chads video, and feralis' notes helped me the most in preparing for the exam.

Good luck!

Yeah I just bought Chad's quizzes last year, I'll definitely get the videos and quizzes if I have to take it again. I did fine in Bio, I used Feralis as well. I'm going to get destroyer for sure, that seems to be the hot ticket. I'll look into being a TA for orgo I, thanks for the heads up!

 

[Joey333]

I agree you should try retaking the DAT. Also if you don't hear back this cycle, make sure you apply much earlier next cycle.

Yeah, I'll most likely take the DAT again. I'll probably take it the end of June but submit my application the first day the cycle opens up so my GPA can get verified and everything. I'm amazed at how long it takes for everything to get processed and calculated. You and live and you learn I guess.

 

[doktorinprogres]

I'm scared to take the DAT again as I don't want to do worse, I worked pretty hard studying and i've seen the statistics that a retake is risky business.

People will attack the DAT in various fashions and come out successful but for most I'd say DAT Destroyer is extremely high yield. If you didn't use it you didn't work as hard as you could have (material in it is harder than all the practice material I've come across).

Keep your head up though I'm pretty sure the DAT being acceptable/good but not great and submitting a little later in the cycle is what's holding you back. There's so many applicants that you're likely just being lost in the mix for now. Very possible you'll get in as the cycle progresses.

Do not be afraid to retake the DAT. Also agree that there was more nuanced orgo 1 and only a little basic orgo II. Good luck man.

 

[ajj70]

Yeah, I'll most likely take the DAT again. I'll probably take it the end of June but submit my application the first day the cycle opens up so my GPA can get verified and everything. I'm amazed at how long it takes for everything to get processed and calculated. You and live and you learn I guess.

I would plan to take the DAT in May so it is ready to go in June. I would venture a guess that while your application wasn't "late" it was on the later end and that is probably why the slow start. Plan to take the DAT late May, apply in June, providing you don't hear something before then. I wouldn't put time and effort into studying for the DAT until at least April when the final acceptances are due. See how things go Jan-March and reassess. Your application stats and such, is in line with the averages for accepted students, just a click below average but nothing glaring.

 

[Joey333]

People will attack the DAT in various fashions and come out successful but for most I'd say DAT Destroyer is extremely high yield. If you didn't use it you didn't work as hard as you could have (material in it is harder than all the practice material I've come across).

Keep your head up though I'm pretty sure the DAT being acceptable/good but not great and submitting a little later in the cycle is what's holding you back. There's so many applicants that you're likely just being lost in the mix for now. Very possible you'll get in as the cycle progresses.

Do not be afraid to retake the DAT. Also agree that there was more nuanced orgo 1 and only a little basic orgo II. Good luck man.

Thanks for the reply. I didn't use Destroyer, and if I don't get in this cycle i'll definitely be using it. Fingers crossed for this cycle, but always good to plan ahead!

 

[Joey333]

I would plan to take the DAT in May so it is ready to go in June. I would venture a guess that while your application wasn't "late" it was on the later end and that is probably why the slow start. Plan to take the DAT late May, apply in June, providing you don't hear something before then. I wouldn't put time and effort into studying for the DAT until at least April when the final acceptances are due. See how things go Jan-March and reassess. Your application stats and such, is in line with the averages for accepted students, just a click below average but nothing glaring.

If I don't hear anything this this cycle I'll begin studying in May. Finals are in May so I didn't really start studying until the end of May, however, it's my second time around and my course load next semester won't be killer like it usually is so i'll know what i'm doing. Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate you taking the time to give your input.

 

[beachbum627]

Hey everyone, this is my first post on here. Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted, I can only imagine how awesome it feels.

I've had no luck this cycle so far. I've applied to 16 schools, mostly private schools and my state school (Buffalo). My application was mailed out 9/4 and so far I've gotten hold for comparison from Kentucky, waitlist for interview from MWU-AZ, continuing review from Buffalo and Hold at Marquette (all without interview). I still have 12 silent schools that I hope wake up and contact me.

I have a 3.6 overall gpa, 3.4 science gpa and a 19AA, 19TS, 20 PAT (nothing below 18). 200 hours of shadowing, 400 hours of volunteer work, i'm a college athlete and I have leadership experience. From what I gather there is still hope for Post-december interviews?

If I have to apply again i'm not really sure what i'd do. I'm scared to take the DAT again as I don't want to do worse, I worked pretty hard studying and i've seen the statistics that a retake is risky business. My GPA is going to go up this semester and next semester when I graduate, and I believe that will be a positive aspect to my application. I also don't have many ideas as to what I would do with my time with a year off. I've been looking into some volunteer work as a camp counselor while continuing to shadow, or trying to get some research experience. I'd love to hear everyones take on this, and good luck with the rest of the cycle!

I agree with what everyone is saying, HOWEVER, I think theres still a chance for you!!!!
I applied last cycle to 10 schools (University of Florida, Nova, Lecom, Ohio State, Alabama, NYU, Tufts, BU, Tennessee, and UNC Chapel Hill) and I had the following results:

Interviews Offered: 7
Interview Attended: 6 (BU, Tufts, University of Florida, Nova, NYU, Alabama)
Accepted (on Dec 1st) : BU, Tufts, University of Florida, Nova

I was contacted by both Alabama and NYU a month after December 1st asking if I would like to remain under consideration and I said no, because my in-state school was the best option for me.

Stats:
19 AA, 20 TS (16 on QR)
oGPA: 3.79
sGPA: 3.68

I only write this post because I think you should remain hopeful!!!! It is absolutely not over yet. Don't Give up!!!! 🙂

 

[Joey333]

I agree with what everyone is saying, HOWEVER, I think theres still a chance for you!!!!
I applied last cycle to 10 schools (University of Florida, Nova, Lecom, Ohio State, Alabama, NYU, Tufts, BU, Tennessee, and UNC Chapel Hill) and I had the following results:

Interviews Offered: 7
Interview Attended: 6 (BU, Tufts, University of Florida, Nova, NYU, Alabama)
Accepted (on Dec 1st) : BU, Tufts, University of Florida, Nova

I was contacted by both Alabama and NYU a month after December 1st asking if I would like to remain under consideration and I said no, because my in-state school was the best option for me.

Stats:
19 AA, 20 TS (16 on QR)
oGPA: 3.79
sGPA: 3.68

I only write this post because I think you should remain hopeful!!!! It is absolutely not over yet. Don't Give up!!!! 🙂

Hey, thanks for responding. You did have a really good GPA though, better than mine. I'm not losing hope yet, just starting to think of possible back-up plans. You did well though, good luck to you and thanks for taking the time to chime in! I'll keep you updated 🙂