Have I improved my application?

[imn0tokei]

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Hi all!

I'll be applying next cycle and I'm just wondering if I have improved my application. I also applied this cycle, but due to my below average DAT score (17AA), and probably my weak extracurricular activities, I did not hear from any schools I applied to.

For my application this cycle, I have:
-100 hours volunteering/shadowing a dentist
-100 hours volunteering at a hospital's flower shop
-GPA >3.6

Now, I am working at my dad's ortho dental laboratory. I will also retake the DAT. Will these be enough to make me a better candidate?

I can definitely do more volunteering and find a dental office job, but that won't be until I finished taking the DAT, which will probably around July or beginning of August :/

 

[derbear]

I'm going to be blunt, but it is what you want to hear.

1. 17AA won't get you in anywhere and that probably was the sole reason you didn't get any interviews. Not sure how someone with a GPA > 3.6 got a 17AA...no offence, but I think you need to adjust your study habits and get the right resources.

2. Your shadowing of 100 hours is fine but keep it up and get as many hours as you can.

3. Volunteering in the hospital's flower shop is a nice thing to do, but doesn't mean anything to the adcoms. If you want to beef up your volunteer hours, do something geared towards health/medicine/humanitarian efforts...for example I volunteered as a medical first responder.

4. Why are you taking your DAT in July/August? That is cutting it SUPER close. If you want to have a shot for next cycle, I would strongly suggest you write it a few months earlier...just in case you require another re-write or something goes wrong.

I would suggest you browse through the SDN forum as there are a lot of useful tips on what makes a strong application and also tips on how to study for the DAT in the DAT Discussion. All in all, you have a great GPA but you are lacking on parts of your application that are fairly easy to improve, which is the opposite of most people. Goodluck!

 

[2THDDS]

kill the DAT . that is one of the easiest and quickest way to make you stand out.!

 

[Faux]

i'd shadow maybe an extra 20 hours but i just think that time could be put else where. 20 hours in general, 20 hours in two specialties and call it a day. I disagree with derbear regarding the hospital gig. Its fine. You're dealing mostly with people at their worst. I'd change it up though now. Do a food bank or something.

good luck with your dat, i think theres a few changes so do your research. other than that, study hard and try and take it a bit sooner.