Doubting my chances of getting interviews!

[Dentistry's lover]

---

Members don't see this ad.

-Hi Guys,

So far I have received 2 rejections from LLU and Roseman, which has made me a little worried.
I submitted my application on 07/21/2017 and it was verified on 8/07/17.
Here is my GPA and DAT scores:

1st time DAT score (2016): Bio 19/ GC 16/ OC 15/RC 15/ QR 15/ TS 17/ AA 16/ PAT 15
2nd time DAT score (2017):Bio 22/ GC 20/ OC 24/RC 18/QR 17/ TS 22/ AA 20/ PAT 19

B.S. in Biology: Overall GPA 3.2, Science 3.0
Freshman: 3.19
Sophomore:3.49
Junior: 3.30
Senior: 2.96 (went through housing crisis, family member loss, and depression during the first semester ; however, I was able work everything out and receive 2 B+ and 1A+ second semester while working full time at a dental office.)

I have strong extracurricular and recommendation letters (all from upper division science teachers and managers) as well.

URM and California resident

I applied to 22 programs:
UCSF, UOP, LLU, WUHS, USC, PENN, PITT, CRE, NYU, LECOM, TEMP, UDM, CASE, MQT, TUF, UL, MYD, BU, USN, COL, MICH

In terms of personal statement, I have purchased a personal statement editing service. I can't deny that they improved the flow of my essay drastically; however, when I reread my personal statement last week, I found two grammar errors and a minor typo on it. FREAKING OUT!!!

Overall, there are three major red flags on my application including, low GPA followed by down ward trend, average DAT, and grammar error on my P.S.
There are a couple of strong points on my application too: I was student mentor for 1.5 year/was vise president of dental club/ worked at a dental office for 7 month/ Improved my DAT score/ currently working two jobs:cashier and math, english, bio, and chemistry teacher (average of 75 hrs a week)/ supported a family member financially throughout undergrad/ and lots of other extracurriculars.

Should I be worried and start thinking about improving my application for the next cycle or just wait and see what comes my way. LLU rejection slapped me in the face so hard this morning.

 

[testtest123]

So this is going to be a broad response. I hope others in your position read it as well.

Only 3 things matter: GPA, DAT, relevant extracurriculars.

GPA - Must be strong. If weak, must have a strong upward trend or SMP/normal Masters with solid grades to show that you are PRESENTLY a good student.

DAT - Must be good relative to your GPA. If you have a weak GPA, you must have high DAT to offset. If you have a strong GPA, you have some wiggle room for DAT. Ideally you have a high DAT(21+) and high GPA combo.

EC - Substantial hours invested in dental related volunteering and/or working in a similar field.

Cut all the extra bull****.

For YOU (dentistry lover) specifically, 2 jobs and other extracurriculars you mentioned is pretty useless. The point here is that if doing that ate up so much time that it started cutting into your academics, then its 5 steps back for 0 steps forward. The admissions committee will look at this application and look pretty much at the 3 things I mentioned above.

 

[Its_Me_G]

Hi Guys,

So far I have received 2 rejections from LLU and Roseman, which has made me a little worried.
I submitted my application on 07/21/2017 and it was verified on 8/07/17.
Here is my GPA and DAT scores:

1st time DAT score (2016): Bio 19/ GC 16/ OC 15/RC 15/ QR 15/ TS 17/ AA 16/ PAT 15
2nd time DAT score (2017):Bio 22/ GC 20/ OC 24/RC 18/QR 17/ TS 22/ AA 20/ PAT 19

B.S. in Biology: Overall GPA 3.2, Science 3.0
Freshman: 3.19
Sophomore:3.49
Junior: 3.30
Senior: 2.96 (went through housing crisis, family member loss, and depression during the first semester ; however, I was able work everything out and receive 2 B+ and 1A+ second semester while working full time at a dental office.)

I have strong extracurricular and recommendation letters (all from upper division science teachers and managers) as well.

URM and California resident

I applied to 22 programs:
UCSF, UOP, LLU, WUHS, USC, PENN, PITT, CRE, NYU, LECOM, TEMP, UDM, CASE, MQT, TUF, UL, MYD, BU, USN, COL, MICH

In terms of personal statement, I have purchased a personal statement editing service. I can't deny that they improved the flow of my essay drastically; however, when I reread my personal statement last week, I found two grammar errors and a minor typo on it. FREAKING OUT!!!

Overall, there are three major red flags on my application including, low GPA followed by down ward trend, average DAT, and grammar error on my P.S.
There are a couple of strong points on my application too: I was student mentor for 1.5 year/was vise president of dental club/ worked at a dental office for 7 month/ Improved my DAT score/ currently working two jobs:cashier and math, english, bio, and chemistry teacher (average of 75 hrs a week)/ supported a family member financially throughout undergrad/ and lots of other extracurriculars.

Should I be worried and start thinking about improving my application for the next cycle or just wait and see what comes my way. LLU rejection slapped me in the face so hard this morning.

I don’t think it would hurt to look at some post-bac/masters programs. The downward trend in your GPA is especially concerning because your overall GPA is well below the average admitted for these schools

 

[doktorinprogres]

So this is going to be a broad response. I hope others in your position read it as well.

Only 3 things matter: GPA, DAT, relevant extracurriculars.

For YOU (dentistry lover) specifically, 2 jobs and other extracurriculars you mentioned is pretty useless. The point here is that if doing that ate up so much time that it started cutting into your academics, then its 5 steps back for 0 steps forward. The admissions committee will look at this application and look pretty much at the 3 things I mentioned above.

I think there are 2 other factors that make a big difference. URM for one as well as supporting a family member during undergrad. Schools aleast claim that they take these things into account.

@Dentistry's lover if you're worried and are wanting to hedge some bets add in Howard and Meharry, no guarantees but they do favor URM even more so than other schools.

 

[testtest123]

I think there are 2 other factors that make a big difference. URM for one as well as supporting a family member during undergrad. Schools aleast claim that they take these things into account.

@Dentistry's lover if you're worried and are wanting to hedge some bets add in Howard and Meharry, no guarantees but they do favor URM even more so than other schools.

Maybe. But there are many many applicants who work to support their family and do well in school. Working to support your family doesn't excuse poor grades esp when they see that others have done it better.

 

[ChewyDrop]

So this is going to be a broad response. I hope others in your position read it as well.

Only 3 things matter: GPA, DAT, relevant extracurriculars.

GPA - Must be strong. If weak, must have a strong upward trend or SMP/normal Masters with solid grades to show that you are PRESENTLY a good student.

DAT - Must be good relative to your GPA. If you have a weak GPA, you must have high DAT to offset. If you have a strong GPA, you have some wiggle room for DAT. Ideally you have a high DAT(21+) and high GPA combo.

EC - Substantial hours invested in dental related volunteering and/or working in a similar field.

Cut all the extra bull****.

For YOU (dentistry lover) specifically, 2 jobs and other extracurriculars you mentioned is pretty useless. The point here is that if doing that ate up so much time that it started cutting into your academics, then its 5 steps back for 0 steps forward. The admissions committee will look at this application and look pretty much at the 3 things I mentioned above.

Savage like my eyes, but it's true. It's all about the metrics and stats.

 

[DocDoom]

.

 

[Faefly]

I don't think what he did during undergrad is meaningless or useless!

The only thing bringing him/her down is that GPA

Please take more courses and try to increase your gpa!

Also, if you haven't shadowed dentists yet, please start now and update schools.

and yeah. Don't lose hope!

Best of luck.