HELP for Students Applying!

[rolltide15]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Okay so I am starting to freak out more and more. I haven't heard anything back from the 2 schools I interviewed at. I also haven't heard a peep from 6 of the schools I applied to. I am starting to get nervous that I won't get accepted even though I think I interviewed well. I wanted to know what you guys thought and if I should start possibly studying for the DAT again. I wish I could take a post bacc or a masters I just don't think I can afford such a large sum if I am trying to go to dental school which will make me broke enough.

Stats:
-3.59 oGPA, 3.56 sGPA
-19 AA/18 TS/ 17 BIO/ 19 GC/ 20 OC/ 2o PAT/ 21 RC/ 20 QR
-I have a ton of shadowing experience (I work at an Orthodontic practice)
-I have over 600 hours of community service
-I did research in electrochemistry in college
-PS that my interviewer said was very well written
-Submitted in August

Any help on what I should do would be helpful, even if its just telling me to calm down lmao I'm so nervous its crazy.

Edit: I made the title HELP and it automatically changed based on a thread I made before sorry!

 

[DC206R]

I think your app is well rounded. Although a 19 is decent, a 17 in BIO doesn't look too great. I honestly would shoot for a 21AA and that will make your application that much more competitive. However, don't lose hope yet. After February, then start preparing for next cycle. Until then, remain positive! I'm in the same boat.

 

[eldmd_32]

I agree. Consider retaking the DAT to raise your TS score. Also, apply more broadly (like double the number) but only to schools that you feel you'd have a good shot at receiving interviews from.

 

[ElephCement]

Okay so I am starting to freak out more and more. I haven't heard anything back from the 2 schools I interviewed at. I also haven't heard a peep from 6 of the schools I applied to. I am starting to get nervous that I won't get accepted even though I think I interviewed well. I wanted to know what you guys thought and if I should start possibly studying for the DAT again. I wish I could take a post bacc or a masters I just don't think I can afford such a large sum if I am trying to go to dental school which will make me broke enough.

Stats:
-3.59 oGPA, 3.56 sGPA
-19 AA/18 TS/ 17 BIO/ 19 GC/ 20 OC/ 2o PAT/ 21 RC/ 20 QR
-I have a ton of shadowing experience (I work at an Orthodontic practice)
-I have over 600 hours of community service
-I did research in electrochemistry in college
-PS that my interviewer said was very well written

Any help on what I should do would be helpful, even if its just telling me to calm down lmao I'm so nervous its crazy.

Edit: I made the title HELP and it automatically changed based on a thread I made before sorry!

Hey there, I applied in August right after I took my DAT in July with similar GPA to you and a 22 DAT. I only received one interview (in-state) and have not heard back yet.

You got a few things going for you. Obviously, you're still waiting to hear back from 2 schools. In addition, everything looks good on your stats, besides maybe your DAT score. If you don't hear back this cycle, at least you have many months to re-take the DAT and still be able to apply real early for next cycle. If we were to apply earlier I am sure we would have heard back from more schools. Good luck!!

 

[rolltide15]

I think your app is well rounded. Although a 19 is decent, a 17 in BIO doesn't look too great. I honestly would shoot for a 21AA and that will make your application that much more competitive. However, don't lose hope yet. After February, then start preparing for next cycle. Until then, remain positive! I'm in the same boat.

I agree. Consider retaking the DAT to raise your TS score. Also, apply more broadly (like double the number) but only to schools that you feel you'd have a good shot at receiving interviews from.

So should I start studying now or should I wait to hear back from the 2 schools I interviewed at? (Touro and BU)
Also do you guys think I should take more science classes to bring my gpa up a little? I can manage that financially I just didn't want to do a masters for $40,000 and then get hit with all the dental school costs.

 

[rolltide15]

Hey there, I applied in August right after I took my DAT in July with similar GPA to you and a 22 DAT. I only received one interview (in-state) and have not heard back yet.

You got a few things going for you. Obviously, you're still waiting to hear back from 2 schools. In addition, everything looks good on your stats, besides maybe your DAT score. If you don't hear back this cycle, at least you have many months to re-take the DAT and still be able to apply real early for next cycle. If we were to apply earlier I am sure we would have heard back from more schools. Good luck!!

Thank you! I know the Biology score killed me I think I was just so nervous to finally be taking the real exam that I freaked out. But as I got into the exam I started to feel more comfortable. I took Anatomy and Physiology last semester to try and show the schools that I am capable of doing well in Biology and I ended up doing really well in the class. I just hope it all works out for us, its crazy how random this process is. Goodluck to you as well!!

 

[ElephCement]

So should I start studying now or should I wait to hear back from the 2 schools I interviewed at? (Touro and BU)
Also do you guys think I should take more science classes to bring my gpa up a little? I can manage that financially I just didn't want to do a masters for $40,000 and then get hit with all the dental school costs.

GPA is fine. If you can get a 21+ DAT , which is also a much, much more economical option, you will have average GPA for a matriculated dental student and an above average DAT score.

 

[Endeross]

Im not far off from you,
Applied to 10 schools,
3.4 sGPA, 3.44 oGPA
averaged 20 credits/term (quarterly) for last 3 years, and 3.7+gpa last year and a half with an average 23 credits/term
DAT: 20TS/25PAT/21QR/20RC
Zero interviews,
Rejected from all but 2 schools so far, (one of the remaining is my in-state, so im hoping!)
have literally thousands of hours community service,
trilingual (2 learned on mission),
born USA white male, Currently age 31 and have good work experience leading up till I decided to become a dentist and went to college,
hundreds of hours shadowing (dental assistant/office),
research in molecular biology,
LOR's from head of bio department (my favorite teacher) and my research professor (who is continuing my research in his molecular bio main curriculum this year),
LOR from dentist (was a dental board examiner that I shadowed more than 40 hours with),
PS was well written, edited by 7 people, one of which is a professional author,
Eagle scout

TBH, No idea whats turning schools off to my app. I literally have everything going for my app except my GPA is JUST .1 under the average accepted for most schools, which I think would put me within the average TBH, esp. considering how many credits I took on average.
Best of luck to both of us, I know that some schools interview late into the cycle (march, april etc) so I have a little hope, It just sucks that we're in limbo right now and cannot plan for the future when our goals have reached to a certain point and cannot go further.

 

[BowlingDoctor]

Im not far off from you,
Applied to 10 schools,
3.4 sGPA, 3.44 oGPA
averaged 20 credits/term (quarterly) for last 3 years, and 3.7+gpa last year and a half with an average 23 credits/term
DAT: 20TS/25PAT/21QR/20RC
Zero interviews,
Rejected from all but 2 schools so far, (one of the remaining is my in-state, so im hoping!)
have literally thousands of hours community service,
trilingual (2 learned on mission),
born USA white male, Currently age 31 and have good work experience leading up till I decided to become a dentist and went to college,
hundreds of hours shadowing (dental assistant/office),
research in molecular biology,
LOR's from head of bio department and my research professor,
LOR from dentist was a dental board examiner that I shadowed,
PS was well written, edited by 7 people, one of which is a professional author,
Eagle scout

TBH, No idea whats turning schools off to my app. I literally have everything going for my app except my GPA is JUST .1 under the average accepted for most schools, which I think would put me within the average TBH, esp. considering how many credits I took on average.
Best of luck to both of us, I know that some schools interview late into the cycle (march, april etc) so I have a little hope, It just sucks that we're in limbo right now and cannot plan for the future when our goals have reached to a certain point and cannot go further.

Dang. Depending on where you apply I feel like some schools don't extend offers to the 30AA and 4.0 GPA because they feel like they should be going to Harvard and do not want to waste time extending an invite out to someone who will not go to their school. lol. Best of luck though!!!!!

 

[rolltide15]

Im not far off from you,
Applied to 10 schools,
3.4 sGPA, 3.44 oGPA
averaged 20 credits/term (quarterly) for last 3 years, and 3.7+gpa last year and a half with an average 23 credits/term
DAT: 20TS/25PAT/21QR/20RC
Zero interviews,
Rejected from all but 2 schools so far, (one of the remaining is my in-state, so im hoping!)
have literally thousands of hours community service,
trilingual (2 learned on mission),
born USA white male, Currently age 31 and have good work experience leading up till I decided to become a dentist and went to college,
hundreds of hours shadowing (dental assistant/office),
research in molecular biology,
LOR's from head of bio department and my research professor,
LOR from dentist was a dental board examiner that I shadowed,
PS was well written, edited by 7 people, one of which is a professional author,
Eagle scout

TBH, No idea whats turning schools off to my app. I literally have everything going for my app except my GPA is JUST .1 under the average accepted for most schools, which I think would put me within the average TBH, esp. considering how many credits I took on average.
Best of luck to both of us, I know that some schools interview late into the cycle (march, april etc) so I have a little hope, It just sucks that we're in limbo right now and cannot plan for the future when our goals have reached to a certain point and cannot go further.

Where did you end up applying to if you don't mind sharing? I think your a very competitive applicant.

 

[DC206R]

So should I start studying now or should I wait to hear back from the 2 schools I interviewed at? (Touro and BU)
Also do you guys think I should take more science classes to bring my gpa up a little? I can manage that financially I just didn't want to do a masters for $40,000 and then get hit with all the dental school costs.

Your GPA now is absolutely fine. Kill the DAT and you're set my friend.

 

[Endeross]

Dang. Depending on where you apply I feel like some schools don't extend offers to the 30AA and 4.0 GPA because they feel like they should be going to Harvard and do not want to waste time extending an invite out to someone who will not go to their school. lol. Best of luck though!!!!!

Yeah, I didnt apply to harvard or penn or anything though, just most of the schools on the west-midwest coast that were friendly to OOS and my state school. I doubt I'd get accepted to Harvard anyway cuz of my GPA, but I figured I'd at least get a couple of interviews, which I'd nail since I'm a very comfortable extroverted interviewee. In retrospect I should have applied to more schools (hindsight = 20/20) but didnt think I'd need to and was more strapped for cash when I applied (mid July) Bummed about all the rejections and since im already 31, I dont particularly want to keep waiting a few extra years to get in! If by the time spring rolls around and I havent gotten in, I plan to take a 1 year Computer science degree at a nearby university. I'll still re-apply but I need to think about my finances as well and theres currently a lot going for people with a CS degree doing software engineering, and I could apply it to dentistry in the future a bit. It's not what I prefer to do, and I'd researched and really thought I'd get into dental school without much issue, but you gotta have a backup-plan and that's mine.

Where did you end up applying to if you don't mind sharing? I think your a very competitive applicant.

I don't want to be too specific, but as I said above, most places in the west/midwest that accepted a good chunk of OOS applicants, and am still being considered at my IS school. I applied to none of the east coast places as it would be a lot harder with my wife's business (she's the current bread winner) but I'm currently re-thinking that decision for next year if I don't get in...

 

[rolltide15]

If I interviewed at one school and come tuesday it will mark two weeks is that too early to call them to inquire about my app?

 

[DOC YANKEM]

If I interviewed at one school and come tuesday it will mark two weeks is that too early to call them to inquire about my app?

What did they say during the interview? Almost all of the interviews I had, at least one board admissions member told the group of interviewees when to expect an email.

 

[rolltide15]

What did they say during the interview? Almost all of the interviews I had, at least one board admissions member told the group of interviewees when to expect an email.

I didn't ask when I was to hear back. Some people came back from their interviews and said 1-2 weeks and one person said a month but there are 3 people that have already heard back that interviewed with me.

 

[DOC YANKEM]

I didn't ask when I was to hear back. Some people came back from their interviews and said 1-2 weeks and one person said a month but there are 3 people that have already heard back that interviewed with me.

I feel like the people who heard back in 1-7 days had great stats and their interview went very well. All of my interviews went great, but my stats are slightly higher than yours in all categories except I didn't have research. Let's be honest, our gpa is pretty much slightly above average. I'm still staying positive to hear back from two other schools in New York even though it felt like time slowed down dramatically the past few months.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Im not far off from you,
Applied to 10 schools,
3.4 sGPA, 3.44 oGPA
averaged 20 credits/term (quarterly) for last 3 years, and 3.7+gpa last year and a half with an average 23 credits/term
DAT: 20TS/25PAT/21QR/20RC
Zero interviews,
Rejected from all but 2 schools so far, (one of the remaining is my in-state, so im hoping!)
have literally thousands of hours community service,
trilingual (2 learned on mission),
born USA white male, Currently age 31 and have good work experience leading up till I decided to become a dentist and went to college,
hundreds of hours shadowing (dental assistant/office),
research in molecular biology,
LOR's from head of bio department (my favorite teacher) and my research professor (who is continuing my research in his molecular bio main curriculum this year),
LOR from dentist (was a dental board examiner that I shadowed more than 40 hours with),
PS was well written, edited by 7 people, one of which is a professional author,
Eagle scout

TBH, No idea whats turning schools off to my app. I literally have everything going for my app except my GPA is JUST .1 under the average accepted for most schools, which I think would put me within the average TBH, esp. considering how many credits I took on average.
Best of luck to both of us, I know that some schools interview late into the cycle (march, april etc) so I have a little hope, It just sucks that we're in limbo right now and cannot plan for the future when our goals have reached to a certain point and cannot go further.

Wow. I'm shocked you haven't got in yet. Did you apply early? Did you apply to many schools? Did you do any graduate courses?

@rolltide15 I'm thinking that while you wait, your best option is to apply to master programs and reapply to many more schools. If you don't get in this cycle that is.. hope you do!

 

[Endeross]

Wow. I'm shocked you haven't got in yet. Did you apply early? Did you apply to many schools? Did you do any graduate courses?

@rolltide15 I'm thinking that while you wait, your best option is to apply to master programs and reapply to many more schools. If you don't get in this cycle that is.. hope you do!

Thanks, Yes I applied in mid-late July, Applied to 10 schools, No grad classes, but I'll be pursuing a post bach in Computer Science starting spring if I dont get accepted by then (1 year program). I really hope I get accepted to my in state but It's looking more and more grim as we go on.

 

[C_BryantDDS]

If I were you I would maybe leisurely start to study to retake the DAT at least until you hear something from the two schools you interviewed with. It would give you something to continue working towards as well as an outlet for some nervous energy. Maybe just read a chapter of a biology test prep book each day or take a biology section practice exam. DAT Bootcamp and Crack the DAT for their practice tests and did well on my exam.