Help Me Narrow Down to 7 Schools

[Lily68]

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Can you all give me your opinions on which schools I should apply to based on my stats?

GPA: 3.47 overall/3.43 science (bio major/chem minor... lowest grades were two C's in physics II and immunology).

DAT: 18/18/16 but planning to retake after Kaplan course in June.

Experience: Almost 200 hours overall (shadowed 4 dentists, volunteered as a dental assistant in 3 free clinics, and did a one month internship at a private practice).

I only applied to my state school last cycle and am currently waitlisted. I appreciate your input. 🙂

VCU (my state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
Howard (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple
Tufts
UNJ
UNC
UMD

 

[jk5177]

It seems like you are looking at private schools. Have you looked into USC and Case Western?

 

[organichemistry]

VCU (my state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple
Tufts



i'd go with those 7.

 

[gtl4f]

Can you all give me your opinions on which schools I should apply to based on my stats?

GPA: 3.47 overall/3.43 science (bio major/chem minor... lowest grades were two C's in physics II and immunology).

DAT: 18/18/16 but planning to retake after Kaplan course in June.

Experience: Almost 200 hours overall (shadowed 4 dentists, volunteered as a dental assistant in 3 free clinics, and did a one month internship at a private practice).

I only applied to my state school last cycle and am currently waitlisted. I appreciate your input. 🙂

VCU (my state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
Howard (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple
Tufts
UNJ
UNC
UMD

I'm not sure if you want to bother wasting money by applying to Howard unless you're a minority...your gpa is great though!

BTW, what school do you go to? Just curious cause I'm at UVA

 

[DrTacoElf]

scratch UNC, they will just take your money.

 

[Lily68]

It seems like you are looking at private schools. Have you looked into USC and Case Western?

USC would be great, but it has a pretty hefty price tag and would be a reach school for me. Right?

 

[Lily68]

I'm not sure if you want to bother wasting money by applying to Howard unless you're a minority...your gpa is great though!

BTW, what school do you go to? Just curious cause I'm at UVA

Thank you! I'm a Hokie. I guess that makes us rivals. 😉 I'm also Asian, so I guess Howard is off the list.

 

[gtl4f]

I'm not applying until the next cycle but I have already been thinking about what schools to apply to. Howard was on my list at first cause my uncle went there and it's close to home. I'm also Asian and when I looked at their stats, I believe they only admitted 3 Asian Americans out of 585 that applied a few years ago.

Anyways, I couldn't narrow it down to 7 so I guess 8 will have to do 🙂

VCU (state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple
Tufts
UMD

 

[gabrielmeraz]

USC would be great, but it has a pretty hefty price tag and would be a reach school for me. Right?

When dealing with California Schools, try to reach for the best DAT scores possible. A good 20/20/20 on AA/TS/PAT would be good; especially if you're out-of-state. UoP is pretty much reachable if your DAT scores are great, The other "ones" seem to take GPAs in consideration.

 

[jk5177]

Why do you want to narrow it down to 7 schools? Don't you want to apply to more instead?

 

[Comet208]

I'd go with these:

VCU
NYU
Tufts
UMD
Temple

and add 2 of these:
UPitt
Nova
USC
UConn
IU

and NOT with these
BU: need a MIN of 19 on DAT
Howard: unless you are black
UoP: need MIN 20 DAT
Columbia: need MIN 20 DAT
UNJ: Need state residency
UNC: strong preference for in state residents

best of luck!

 

[Lily68]

Why do you want to narrow it down to 7 schools? Don't you want to apply to more instead?

Cost. Applying to 7 alone is already going to cost me over $500. Not to mention secondary app fees and travel expenses, etc. I could be wrong here but I think with my stats (assuming I can raise my DAT score), applying to any more than that might be overkill since I have a few safety schools on the list already. ???

I've narrowed it down to:
VCU (my state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple

Tufts
UNJ

I just can't decide between the last two.

 

[hockeydentist]

Cost. Applying to 7 alone is already going to cost me over $500. Not to mention secondary app fees and travel expenses, etc. I could be wrong here but I think with my stats (assuming I can raise my DAT score), applying to any more than that might be overkill. ???

I assumed that as well, your GPA is better but my DAT is better, and I will be applying again for a third year in a row! overkill or not, better safe than sorry!

 

[Irene010]

Actually, UMDNJ has opened up a good amount of more spots for out of state applicants. I applied as a KY resident with 3.7 gpa, and 18/19/16 DAT, and I got in. Also, its super easy to get NJ residency once you move up there....so everyone ends up getting in-state tuition from day one, as long as you provide proof of residency, like an apt lease, NJ driver's license, and NJ insurance registration. You just move up there a few weeks before orientation, get all that taken care of, and send it to the school...then you end up w/ in-state tuition...its a sweet deal. Its also a very strong school.

Tufts is a great school as well, but it would end up significantly more expensive.

Good luck!! 🙂

 

[hockeydentist]

Actually, UMDNJ has opened up a good amount of more spots for out of state applicants. I applied as a KY resident with 3.7 gpa, and 18/19/16 DAT, and I got in. Also, its super easy to get NJ residency once you move up there....so everyone ends up getting in-state tuition from day one, as long as you provide proof of residency, like an apt lease, NJ driver's license, and NJ insurance registration. You just move up there a few weeks before orientation, get all that taken care of, and send it to the school...then you end up w/ in-state tuition...its a sweet deal. Its also a very strong school.

Tufts is a great school as well, but it would end up significantly more expensive.

Good luck!! 🙂

In all honesty, your GPA was really high!

 

[Irene010]

In all honesty, your GPA was really high!

Thanks, I'm sure that helped me a lot, but my DAT scores weren't spectacular. I even get a 14 on QR. I think if the OP bumps up her DAT a tad, it'll help her app get a little more noticed, and she might have a pretty fair shot at UMDNJ. When I interviewed there, out of 12 interviewees, only were 2 were NJ residents.

I think UMDNJ is one school that wouldn't be a waste of money to apply to, esp considering how much you could save on tuition if you get in. In-state tuition at UMDNJ is around 21,000, whereas tuition at Tufts is 40-something K.

 

[Lily68]

I assumed that as well, your GPA is better but my DAT is better, and I will be applying again for a third year in a row! overkill or not, better safe than sorry!

You know, you are absolutely right. I'm definitely going to consider adding more schools, but I just don't know how much "safer" I can get since my list already includes safety, private, and my state school.

Thanks to everyone for their help. Here is the final list:

VCU (my state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple
Tufts

The parts of the DAT that I had problems with [O Chem (16), QR (14), and PAT (16)] were the parts that I studied the least for. I'm really going to crack down this time, and hopefully that will make a difference.

 

[mvs04]

I would swap UoP out with another school, I really don't think you have a legitimate shot with those scores... they have a high emphasis on the DAT. Something to think about if application money is an issue.

 

[KoEoVo1oN]

I think Nova would be another good safety school. How did you go about studying? and how long prior to the test?

You know, you are absolutely right. I'm definitely going to consider adding more schools, but I just don't know how much "safer" I can get since my list already includes safety, private, and my state school.

Thanks to everyone for their help. Here is the final list:

VCU (my state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple
Tufts

The parts of the DAT that I had problems with [O Chem (16), QR (14), and PAT (16)] were the parts that I studied the least for. I'm really going to crack down this time, and hopefully that will make a difference.

 

[jaerob]

You know, you are absolutely right. I'm definitely going to consider adding more schools, but I just don't know how much "safer" I can get since my list already includes safety, private, and my state school.

Thanks to everyone for their help. Here is the final list:

VCU (my state school)
NYU (safety)
BU (safety)
UoP (reach)
Columbia (reach)
Temple
Tufts

The parts of the DAT that I had problems with [O Chem (16), QR (14), and PAT (16)] were the parts that I studied the least for. I'm really going to crack down this time, and hopefully that will make a difference.

It seems like you've sort of made your decision about which schools to apply to, but I would squeeze UMD in there somewhere if it were me. Then again, I'm a bit biased since it's my state school and that's where I want to go in 2006 😀 They should have the new building up by 2006 I think, which is going to be hot from what I hear. If money is an issue at all, I believe UMD will be cheaper than both Temple and Tufts. It'll also enable you to stay a bit closer to home (once again, I'm not too sure how important that is to you). Lastly, perhaps we could be classmates 😉 Now if that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will, hahaha. Just kidding 🙂 Best of luck, and hopefully you'll get off the VCU waitlist and won't have to even worry about all this!

-Jae-

 

[Lily68]

msv - There is no way that I'm swapping out UoP! I would love going there too much, and think I should at least give it a shot. 🙂

KoEoV - Let's just say that I didn't study for the DAT nearly as much as I should have. That's something I'm going to have to remedy.

jae - Haha, thanks. I have heard good things about UMD and have definitely taken it into consideration. I just don't know how thrilled I am about the prospect of living in Baltimore even if I could get in. 👎 🙂

 

[J2AZ]

msv - There is no way that I'm swapping out UoP! I would love going there too much, and think I should at least give it a shot.

Just send me the $70 UOP application and we will call it a day. You have a 0% chance of getting in with those DAT scores. PM me for my address. Make the check out to CASH.

 

[gtl4f]

Just send me the $70 UOP application and we will call it a day. You have a 0% chance of getting in with those DAT scores. PM me for my address. Make the check out to CASH.

LOL

The OP did say that she was going to retake the DAT in June. Get those 20s Lily!! 👍

 

[ItsGavinC]

Why do you want to narrow it down to 7 schools? Don't you want to apply to more instead?

I agree. Keep all 11 on your list, or exchange some for others. It seems like it's going to kill your pocketbook now (it it might), but in the long run it could give you many more options.

If I were you I'd keep the schools. More schools = more options. If the process moves along and you're getting interviews to every school then you can save yourself some bucks at that point by declining interviews, but don't nix schools now just to save you some bucks on application fees and AADSAS fees. Those fees are pittance to what you'll pay for your dental education.

 

[gryffindor]

I'm not sure if I understand your dilemma...

You want to save $$$ on the application process b/c applying to 7 schools is already costing you $500+, not to mention the extra costs that will arise with secondaries & interviews.

Yet you are ready to fork over $200K to go dental school at NYU/BU/UOP if those should be your only choices?

IMO, I'd say spend the $$$ upfront now to apply. If you get interviews at every school on your original list, then be picky about where to go interview based on the facts of the schools at that time.

 

[paolorossifan]

Can you all give me your opinions on which schools I should apply to based on my stats?

GPA: 3.47 overall/3.43 science (bio major/chem minor... lowest grades were two C's in physics II and immunology).

DAT: 18/18/16 but planning to retake after Kaplan course in June.

Experience: Almost 200 hours overall (shadowed 4 dentists, volunteered as a dental assistant in 3 free clinics, and did a one month internship at a private practice).

I only applied to my state school last cycle and am currently waitlisted. I appreciate your input. 🙂

Columbia (reach)

Sadly, as they currently stand, your DAT will prevent you from getting an interview from Columbia. Your gpa is just fine. Aim for a 20+ (this would satisfy UOP as well) on the academic portion and Columbia will be open for you then. Your PAT is of no concern. Dont worry about the 16. Best Wishes.

 

[crazy_sherm]

Sadly, as they currently stand, your DAT will prevent you from getting an interview from Columbia. Your gpa is just fine. Aim for a 20+ (this would satisfy UOP as well) on the academic portion and Columbia will be open for you then. Your PAT is of no concern. Dont worry about the 16. Best Wishes.

If you really want to go to UOP, you have to rock the DAT and apply early. Unlike most schools, they really won't consider your GPA like other schools might. So if you have a 4.0, they'll prolly let you get by with a 19-20 on the DAT. If you get a 24 on the DAT, you can have a sub 2.9 and still get in. Also, the PAT is really important. Try not to get anything below their average, 19 I think. QR is probably the only part they don't care much about, but don't get anything below a 16 in any section or they won't even look at your app.

 

[jk5177]

I came to believe that much of the problems that I experience as a student is to try to save money and thus festering the situation.

Examples:
*In the past I tried to save money by hiring tutors to read my essay rather than just emailing it to essayedge, and have them do it spiff and clean.
*I tried to get free checks from the bank, but meanwhile reverting to some old checks I found in the drawer. What happened then was those checks bounced, and I end up being charged some 100 dollars from different places that I given the check too.
*I tried not paying for my tuition till the last possible day, but that usually causes more anxieties, and that requires an extra memory to remember to do so.
*I didn't want to get a suit for my interview, so I wait till the last day, and bought a very expensive suit, costing me $500.

The list can go on. What's my point? My point is when one tries to save money, it needs to be thought out the context. We could all use more money, that's true. How many of us would not take free money? But the context is important, Lily, in your case of what schools you choose. You don't necessarily have to narrow it down at this point. It is less important whether you have 7, 10, or 17 schools. It may be a couple hundred of dollars more at this point. It's better to pick more and then not follow through with the application than to regret that you never applied to some school that maybe you could have get into. But at the same time, there is no point to just throw money away.

It is more important that you have 19s or 20s on your DAT than 7, 10, or 17. That ought to be your focus, your priority.

When I was doing my secondaries, I debated whether if I wanted to use essay edge for it. It costed me 150 for AADSAS, and then it would have been another 150 for the secondary at UCLA. It almost felt like too much money, but then I rationalize it this way. If, even if, that using essay edge will give me an small chance of getting into UCLA, perhaps some extra percentage, and that extra percentage happens to get me in, then I would be saving a whopping difference compare to having to go to a private school. I did get accepted to UCLA, so that was good. Was it due to the money that I told myself that I ought to spend on essay edge? I don't know. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. But I'm in, and I can look back at that extra 150 for secondaries as worth it.

When it comes to application costs, we need to take a certain openness about the money we spend. As students, most of us don't work, most of us receive money from parents, or loans, and we are on a tight budget. But, I believe that when it comes to application fees, it is better to err on the side of wasteful, then stinginess. And your not really wasting money, your really investing in this application gambit. It may work. It may not. But one thing for sure is, no regrets.

 

[jk5177]

If you really want to go to UOP, you have to rock the DAT and apply early. Unlike most schools, they really won't consider your GPA like other schools might. So if you have a 4.0, they'll prolly let you get by with a 19-20 on the DAT. If you get a 24 on the DAT, you can have a sub 2.9 and still get in. Also, the PAT is really important. Try not to get anything below their average, 19 I think. QR is probably the only part they don't care much about, but don't get anything below a 16 in any section or they won't even look at your app.

In accordance, I rocked the DAT but applied around October, thus I didn't even get an interview at UOP. From what I've heard, they fill up there class fast. This also makes since when you consider that their school starts in July or something. June?

 

[jk5177]

USC would be great, but it has a pretty hefty price tag and would be a reach school for me. Right?

I would say it is harder to get into UOP than it is to get into USC.

USC within the past few years has revamped their program into a Problem Based Learning. The transition was smooth and they have a pretty low NDBE Part I average compare to the other dental schools in the nations. I personally consider USC as my last choice in Calfornia.

 

[asalazar]

I'm not sure if you want to bother wasting money by applying to Howard unless you're a minority...your gpa is great though!

BTW, what school do you go to? Just curious cause I'm at UVA

How many white ppl get accepted every year? Anyone know Howards stats?

 

[asalazar]

Thank you! I'm a Hokie. I guess that makes us rivals. 😉 I'm also Asian, so I guess Howard is off the list.

Would you say that african americans are the ONLY minorities that get into Howard?
Hey white ppl have gotten into Howard b4!

 

[gtl4f]

Would you say that african americans are the ONLY minorities that get into Howard?
Hey white ppl have gotten into Howard b4!

I don't have the stats in front of me right now but the vast majority of applicants Howard accepts are african americans. I'm not saying that white people or asians or hispanics can't get in because a few of them do get accepted every year. 🙂

 

[Lily68]

Wow, thanks for all of your honest (and in some cases, harsh ) advice. Like I said before, I am already planning to retake the DAT. Kaplan has been paid for, and I know that I obviously need to aim for 20s across the board to even have a shot at my reach schools. I think it's a little ridiculous to try to discourage me from applying before I even give the DAT a serious shot, but thanks anyway for those opinions.

As for the concern over $$$, you all are absolutely right. I will apply to all 11 and more if need be.

jk5177 - Man, I can't believe you wrote a mini essay just to get your point across to some random chick online, and at 6 am no less! You must have had no problem at all with your personal statement. 😛

 

[paolorossifan]

Wow, thanks for all of your honest (and in some cases, harsh ) advice. Like I said before, I am already planning to retake the DAT. Kaplan has been paid for, and I know that I obviously need to aim for 20s across the board to even have a shot at my reach schools. I think it's a little ridiculous to try to discourage me from applying before I even give the DAT a serious shot, but thanks anyway for those opinions.

As for the concern over $$$, you all are absolutely right. I will apply to all 11 and more if need be.

jk5177 - Man, I can't believe you wrote a mini essay just to get your point across to some random chick online, and at 6 am no less! You must have had no problem at all with your personal statement. 😛

Just puta ll that KAPLAN tutoring to good use and we may just see you here in Manhattan next year.

 

[ziptree]

My stats were decent, but I applied late, so I had to apply to all the schools that were still open, all 33 of them left on Dec 25/04. (Should've taken out state schools that I couldn't have possibly gotten into, but I was panicked, what can I say?)....the point is apply to all the schools you can.

1) Your safety schools are $$$$$ anyways.
2) If you don't get in anywhere, you're going to spend much more than the couple hundred you're going to save by applying to 11 instead of 20 schools.

Just my 2 cents.

Oh, and UOP requires 20+ DAT scores. I was an undergraduate there.

 

[jk5177]

jk5177 - Man, I can't believe you wrote a mini essay just to get your point across to some random chick online, and at 6 am no less! You must have had no problem at all with your personal statement. 😛

Thanks Lily.

Since being on SDN, I've found this place as a wonderful place of help and support, and I'm just merely reciprocating to the forum for all the goodness it has provided me with. I wrote a mini essay because writing actually helps me sort through my thoughts, and makes me a more coherent person; and it seems like you were really open to suggestions from people. It was worthy efforts to share.

I actually kicked and screamed the whole time while I was doing my personal statement. It is such a torturing process. Everytime I said I'm going to get it done, it gets postponed to a future time. Then, I finally finally finally finished, it was such a relief.

Anyway. Good luck to you in your applications and also in anyone else's. Don't let discouragements get to you, even though it is healthy to have a reality check.

YOU WILL BECOME A DENTIST.

 

[asalazar]

I don't have the stats in front of me right now but the vast majority of applicants Howard accepts are african americans. I'm not saying that white people or asians or hispanics can't get in because a few of them do get accepted every year. 🙂

How many is a few?

 

[gtl4f]

How many is a few?

Actually I should correct myself. What I should've said is that few whites/hispanics/native americans/asians ENROLL in Howard as opposed to African Americans. I don't remember what admissions book this was from but for the 2003-2004 entering class...

Howard enrolled 83 students
37 males 46 females
75 African Americans
4 Caucasians
1 Hispanic
0 Native American
3 Asian American

I'm just curious..why are you so concerned about Howard's stats and how many whites they accept? I assume that you're white and plan on applying to Howard or am I completely off? 🙂 Anyways, hope that helped! Best of luck!

 

[jaerob]

msv - There is no way that I'm swapping out UoP! I would love going there too much, and think I should at least give it a shot. 🙂

KoEoV - Let's just say that I didn't study for the DAT nearly as much as I should have. That's something I'm going to have to remedy.

jae - Haha, thanks. I have heard good things about UMD and have definitely taken it into consideration. I just don't know how thrilled I am about the prospect of living in Baltimore even if I could get in. 👎 🙂

Lily-

Hahaha, yes your point is well taken about Baltimore. But once again I feel compelled to write a rebuttal 🙂 Unless I'm totally off base here, I would say that the area that Temple is located in is even worse than Baltimore. I haven't been there personally, but let me tell you a quick (true/funny) story -- One of my friends that will be matriculating into Maryland dental school this fall was invited to Temple for an interview, so she drove up there on the day of her interview and then drove straight back down w/o even getting out of her car because she was so scared of the area. Hahahaha. I'm not so sure what about the city scared her so much, but it was enough to make her skip her interview! 👎 😉

Good luck again, and keep UMD in consideration!

-Jae-