First Rejection...Looking at new options. Please advise!

[tranv117]

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So, I finally got my first letter of rejection the other day from NYU. This was the first thing I heard from any of the schools I applied to in mid Oct. Pretty bummed out. Now im looking at new options to kind of increase my chances for next cycle. It just seems late now to apply for anything as most deadlines have ended for post bacs, etc. Even if i start now, the new cycle for dental apps begin in a few months, so nothing in my application will have changed really (been working fulltime as a dental assistant). Would I really have to wait and apply in 2010? Any help/opinions would be appreciated.

Stats can be seen in my predent profile. It just seems like my GPA is what's holding me back... Either that or it's because I applied late. Not too sure. Is it ok to call the school that rejects me for advising? As in, what was the major problem in my app and what may help my app for next time? Thanks

 

[rewJW]

It is acceptable and certainly advisable to call schools after they have rejected you and ask them what you could do to improve your application for next year. I did this last year, all of the schools told me it was my DAT holding me back, so I retook the DAT and have gotten accepted this year. I agree with you, likely it's your lower GPA that is hurting you - but also your application was submitted very late. When you reapply next cycle, do it as EARLY as possible. I don't think you'll have to end up retaking the DAT, although the 16, even though it is in QR, might also hurt you so it's possible that some schools may suggest you retake it. Good luck, stay positive.

 

[tranv117]

my QR is a 19, not 16. =)

I was really shooting to get in this year because I was hoping theyd see an upward trend in my GPA.

1st and 2nd year combined, I had a 2.2 GPA. 3rd and 4th year was a 3.7. I really don't know what else to do. I basically bombed the prereqs (pretty much straight Cs) and was hoping that the DAT would offset those. I did very well in upper div courses. Not too sure if I should retake the prereqs or continue taking upper div science courses.

 

[Ranelar]

I think applying late is what did you in. You also limited yourself with only 7 schools. Definitely ask what you need to improve for next cycle. They'll probably say GPA, but people with your GPA have gotten in, which is why I think applying late was the real issue. Next cycle you can probably say you are published, rather they soon to be published, so that helps.

 

[PreDent08]

i don't think it's over yet. i think u'll get into tufts at least. u have a really good DAT score and graduating from berkeley will give u an edge on that low gpa.

but u should have applied to a lot more schools when u first submitted.

 

[tranv117]

money was a big problem when applying so i had to really limit myself to which schools I applied to. If I do reapply this year, I will definately add more schools

 

[Hawkeye7685]

So I looked over your grades and you and me are basically pretty close in GPA's, but your DAT scores are much better. I won't get into the date of submission of your app because you already know about that. What I can say is that you have two major options from this point. You can always take graduate school courses on the side. At many state colleges you can take a certain amount of advanced biology courses without actually being enrolled in the degree program. You can also do what I did. I worked in a research lab for a year. The pay sucked at the job and it was hard as hell but when I applied every school that interviewed me asked a ton of questions about my work and I actually think that was one of the biggest things I did that got me an acceptance. Also I did research at a major hospital, and they offered to pay for classes while working there. So you could bulk up your score a lot by next application cycle.

 

[Danny289]

Game is still on for you till you get rejection from any school which you already have applied. But I think it is a good idea having plan B in mind. your GPA is low no doubt but not terible low.IMO, there is some another reasons in addition to the late application that holding you back, try to find those like PS. EX.. LOR, and..... I think you will be okay. good luck 👍

 

[peterngu]

Tran, I'd suggest taking some extension courses at a good 4-year right now, like UCLA or the like that's in your area, to show you're committed to academics. Also, think about enrolling in a post-bacc program in CA IF you have to apply again this year. I got in with lower GPAs than yours but I had to take 3 extra semesters to pull my GPAs to 3.0 at a post-bacc program.

 

[Simiam]

The 3.1 probably isn't hurting you as much as when you applied. I would call programs now and display interest. Worst Case scenario: Get into a 1 yr master for next year and get your application in on May 15 instead. That will make the biggest difference

 

[xtractime]

i know you said money was an issue....but you have got to give yourself the best possible shot the first time around. especially since you knew you were already applying late. taking a year off, paying for additional school/housing, finishing dental school a year later than expected (no income)....all contribute to costing MORE than the few hundred more dollars it would have taken to give yourself a better chance.

aside from that...i'd have to say that its not so much your overall GPA that is the horrible, especially with those DAT scores. its the BCP GPA that is probably below 3.0 (since you said you had straight C's in pre-reqs). might have to retake some of those courses or enroll in many upper level BCP courses to offset the BCP GPA.

 

[UCSF2012]

With a 26 PAT, I'd say send an application our way next cycle. We love ultra high PAT's. I don't know if the 3.1'll be a deal-breaker for SF, but a 21/26 from Berkeley may lead the adcom to overlook the 3.1.

 

[tranv117]

thanks everyone for the input. Ill continue to wait out this cycle as I look into some post bacc. My BCP is is a 2.97. So yeah, its below a 3.

But Im still crossing my fingers for this cycle. Any more inputs? I was wondering, would you guys think Ill benefit more by doing a masters/graduate work or should I just continue taking classes to boost the undergrad gpa to say 3.3/3.4?