Having second thougts...advice please?

[dents19]

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So i just wanted to get some of your input. I just started my senior year and I had this whole application process planned out. My application has been ready, decent cumul. gpa 3.56 sci gpa 3.4, and plenty of shadowing and extracurricular activities. The only thing pending was my DAT score. I was planning on getting a solid score and send everything out all at once. I took the DAT this past week.Unfortunately, ive learned things dont always turn out as planned. I am very disappointed with my scores and I am now in between still applying this cycle or apply next cycle and make sure (which I WILL) have my nice solid scores (def. planning on re taking it in dec.). So this is the breakdown of my scores:

PA 16
QR 14
RC 19
BIO 16
GC 16
OC 18
TS 17
AA 17

So yes, i totally blew it very embarassing, Idk what happened i guess it was the anxiety kicking in and being foolish, changed a couple of answers in the science section after having some extra time. I prepared well: used destroyer, some kaplan, topscore. I really do feel though that i shouldve taken a lot more timed practice tests. I procrastinated so much, I feel horrible.and yes, i am going to re take it. I am just getting so much pressure since all of my friends are getting interviews now and now im lagging behind. I feel like everything fell apart. My main concern however is that if i do still apply right now and get great scores in dec. my chances of getting in slim down. By that time, (as an admissions counselor told me) yes there are spots left by that time and they review everybodys application once again post dec.( rolling admissions) but i feel like its so risky. time will be tight- u known by the time they receive my scores and all of that.i feel like im gonna be hangin on by a thread.
And sure, the smartest thing (which im leaning more towards) is applying next cycle as soon as application opens and send off all my things. I think ill have a better chance of getting in. Plus, im not sure if i should be in such a hurry. Im only 20. What do u think?
Ive jsut been battling with these two ideas because since im a senior now id be graduating in april/may of next yr hence ill have a whole yr off before i actually enter dental school. that time frame really freaks me out. I need some advice please!! : / What do u think is the best thing i should do?

 

[americanpierg]

So i just wanted to get some of your input. I just started my senior year and I had this whole application process planned out. My application has been ready, decent cumul. gpa 3.56 sci gpa 3.4, and plenty of shadowing and extracurricular activities. The only thing pending was my DAT score. I was planning on getting a solid score and send everything out all at once. I took the DAT this past week.Unfortunately, ive learned things dont always turn out as planned. I am very disappointed with my scores and I am now in between still applying this cycle or apply next cycle and make sure (which I WILL) have my nice solid scores (def. planning on re taking it in dec.). So this is the breakdown of my scores:

PA 16
QR 14
RC 19
BIO 16
GC 16
OC 18
TS 17
AA 17

So yes, i totally blew it very embarassing, Idk what happened i guess it was the anxiety kicking in and being foolish, changed a couple of answers in the science section after having some extra time. I prepared well: used destroyer, some kaplan, topscore. I really do feel though that i shouldve taken a lot more timed practice tests. I procrastinated so much, I feel horrible.and yes, i am going to re take it. I am just getting so much pressure since all of my friends are getting interviews now and now im lagging behind. I feel like everything fell apart. My main concern however is that if i do still apply right now and get great scores in dec. my chances of getting in slim down. By that time, (as an admissions counselor told me) yes there are spots left by that time and they review everybodys application once again post dec.( rolling admissions) but i feel like its so risky. time will be tight- u known by the time they receive my scores and all of that.i feel like im gonna be hangin on by a thread.
And sure, the smartest thing (which im leaning more towards) is applying next cycle as soon as application opens and send off all my things. I think ill have a better chance of getting in. Plus, im not sure if i should be in such a hurry. Im only 20. What do u think?
Ive jsut been battling with these two ideas because since im a senior now id be graduating in april/may of next yr hence ill have a whole yr off before i actually enter dental school. that time frame really freaks me out. I need some advice please!! : / What do u think is the best thing i should do?

If you're not a minority, then I would say you have around a 1% chance of getting in. I would compare your DAT to having a 2.5 GPA. Sad, but its probably true. Best choice would be to retake and apply next year, unless you have the money to apply this year.

 

[solstice]

Only because your GPA is decent:
If you have 2K to apply to 12-15 schools at least apply and then study reeeaaly hard and take your DAT. If you are concern being out of school more than a year then do the investment in money and TIME and go for it.






Hummm hold on. I wrote the above then I came to think that if you took your DAT past week, then you can not retake till mid December. For Most of the schools (I say most b/c I only know about schoosl I applied to) you need to submit your DAT prior to DEC1st of a year prior to matriculation.

 

[dents19]

submit the dat or your application?

 

[autwsu]

Your GPA is fine, but your DAT is way too low. I would agree with one of the previous posters, that if you are not a minority you probalby won't get in.

 

[katiyalooca]

Really? this is the first time I heard that being a minority is a plus in terms of getting into dentistry. from what i read in the past, schools tend to NOT accept minorities as much...?

I am chinese, and will be applying pretty much just before the deadline. You guys are saying it will help me in my application???!!!

 

[hausee]

I remember I saw somewhere on 2008 only 5 chinese got accepted...4 of them in UCSF, even bunch were trying to apply. Now we see why they call it MINORITY!

 

[bhind]

Really? this is the first time I heard that being a minority is a plus in terms of getting into dentistry. from what i read in the past, schools tend to NOT accept minorities as much...?

I am chinese, and will be applying pretty much just before the deadline. You guys are saying it will help me in my application???!!!

You would need to be a URM (under represented minority) that which I do not think chinese or most other asians are categorized under.

 

[Dental Mom]

If you're not a minority, then I would say you have around a 1% chance of getting in. I would compare your DAT to having a 2.5 GPA. Sad, but its probably true. Best choice would be to retake and apply next year, unless you have the money to apply this year.

At the present time URM (minorities) are Indian Americans, Blacks and Hispanics only....and just because I'm a Hispanic female doesn't mean I don't have to work as hard...I'm planning for a 22+ on the DAT and I'm doing a science masters program as well--not only to prepare even more, but to be more competitive. I'm applying to a top school 🙂