Help! What schools should I apply to?

[Nikidental]

Hey everyone- I'm planning on applying this upcoming cycle and I'm really confused and stressed about trying to figure out which school I should apply to. I have the the guide ADEA provides and I've read through most of it but there are so many schools that I'm just getting overwhelmed trying to figure out where to apply/ what stats to look at/etc.
My dream school is Columbia and I'm also applying to some other top-tier schools like USC, Harvard, UCLA, Penn, etc. I'm worried about picking some more mid-tier schools or back-up schools though. I don't want to only apply to top-tier schools and then be crushed if I don't get in anywhere!
Here are my stats:
DAT: BIO 30/ GC 30/ ORGO 30/ TS 30/ RC 26/ QR 22/ AA 28
GPA: 4.0 sGPA: 4.0
I have over 1,000+ clinical hours working as a dental surgical assistant part time while I've been in school. I've done some research and been second authored on a paper and will be continuing doing dental research through my gap year. I have a bunch of other extracurriculars in dental and non-dental fields (especially in literature/arts). I'm also on the younger side of the age spectrum since I graduated a little early- hence why I'm taking a gap year (plus I'm also looking forward to little bit of a breather and getting to have more research experience)!

In terms of what I'm looking for in a dental school:
- High specialization rate (I'm thinking of OMFS)
- Lots of research opportunities (I'd like to stay in academia)
- I'd like a school that offers some kind of dual degree like DDS/Phd or DDS/MPH
- City area
Other than that, I'm not too picky! I don't really care about weather, distance from home, etc. I just want to have a decent list of schools where I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket!

I'll be so glad when all this application stress is over! Thank you so much for your help!!! I've been using this forum for years and this is the first time I actually made and account to ask a question haha

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[Cali20002]

Not sure if troll or srs

 

[Nikidental]

Not sure if troll or srs

Why would this be a troll?

 

[BrooklynSmilez]

Hey everyone- I'm planning on applying this upcoming cycle and I'm really confused and stressed about trying to figure out which school I should apply to. I have the the guide ADEA provides and I've read through most of it but there are so many schools that I'm just getting overwhelmed trying to figure out where to apply/ what stats to look at/etc.
My dream school is Columbia and I'm also applying to some other top-tier schools like USC, Harvard, UCLA, Penn, etc. I'm worried about picking some more mid-tier schools or back-up schools though. I don't want to only apply to top-tier schools and then be crushed if I don't get in anywhere!
Here are my stats:
DAT: BIO 30/ GC 30/ ORGO 30/ TS 20/ RC 26/ QR 22/ AA 28
GPA: 4.0 sGPA: 4.0
I have over 1,000+ clinical hours working as a dental surgical assistant part time while I've been in school. I've done some research and been second authored on a paper and will be continuing doing dental research through my gap year. I have a bunch of other extracurriculars in dental and non-dental fields (especially in literature/arts). I'm also on the younger side of the age spectrum since I graduated a little early- hence why I'm taking a gap year (plus I'm also looking forward to little bit of a breather and getting to have more research experience)!

In terms of what I'm looking for in a dental school:
- High specialization rate (I'm thinking of OMFS)
- Lots of research opportunities (I'd like to stay in academia)
- I'd like a school that offers some kind of dual degree like DDS/Phd or DDS/MPH
- City area
Other than that, I'm not too picky! I don't really care about weather, distance from home, etc. I just want to have a decent list of schools where I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket!

I'll be so glad when all this application stress is over! Thank you so much for your help!!! I've been using this forum for years and this is the first time I actually made and account to ask a question haha

How is your TS score a 20 if you scored 30's in every section?

 

[Nikidental]

How is your TS score a 20 if you scored 30's in every section?

Oh, sorry I fixed it! Thanks

 

[Endeross]

Go to Harvard or Penn if you get high scholarships or paid tuition offers, go to your state school if not. You can specialize from any school.

If those are your real stats, I hate you with jealous rage. Best of luck in life. Don't post another silly question like this, you can literally go anywhere you want as long as you aren't a potato at interviews.

 

[8_man]

I would apply to at least 47 schools just to be safe.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Upload your score report then I'll waste my time responding to this useless thread

 

[Cali20002]

Just wondering, why the low QR score?

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Just wondering, why the low QR score?

Must've been upset from that piss poor RC after his time expired

 

[Cali20002]

Must've been upset from that piss poor RC after his time expired

Shows a lack of concentration and effort. Will be hard to explain at interviews.

 

[jg4318]

wow your stats are amazing what did you do to study to get that score on the DAT?

 

[Nikidental]

Must've been upset from that piss poor RC after his time expired

**her

 

[Nikidental]

Looks guys, I understand that my stats are good and I'm incredibly lucky to have had the opportunities I have. I do think that I will hopefully at least get an interview at one of my top-tier schools but I know enough to know that my scores do NOT guarantee admissions to any of them. What I'm asking is how to pick some more mid-tier schools. If anyone has had experience picking schools, I would just like to hear some advice on how you picked your schools/what resources you used/ etc. It's a genuine question and I'm not trying to be rude or a troll.
For those asking for documentation I attached a cropped pic of my score sheet.

 

[Roy Williams]

Looks guys, I understand that my stats are good and I'm incredibly lucky to have had the opportunities I have. I do think that I will hopefully at least get an interview at one of my top-tier schools but I know enough to know that my scores do NOT guarantee admissions to any of them. What I'm asking is how to pick some more mid-tier schools. If anyone has had experience picking schools, I would just like to hear some advice on how you picked your schools/what resources you used/ etc. It's a genuine question and I'm not trying to be rude or a troll.
For those asking for documentation I attached a cropped pic of my score sheet.

I think you may be underestimating your scores. I have a friend that also had a 28AA and applied last cycle. She got 15/16 interviews and was accepted basically everywhere. For some "mid-tier" schools that are slightly below the levels of the ivies, it mainly just depends on what you want to do. Is cost of attendance a factor for you? If not then there may be some other private schools you want to apply to. My stats were not as high as you, but I received interviews at UCSF and UCONN, both of which are high specialization and research. I'd add those two if I were you. For "safety", I'd recommend pitt and maryland. Neither of which are specialty powerhouses like some of the other ones listed, but they both pump out a decent number of specialists and have strong curriculums. Given your stats, I'm assuming 1 or 2 schools will give you a substantial scholarship. I'd research the schools that do give out scholarships and apply there as well in hopes that they may knock off a large chunk of your total cost.

 

[TLV-TUS]

How someone with this scores is even capable of posting this kind of question?
As long as you can show up to your interviews, which you will receive probably everywhere you apply for, and talk you'll get in.
If you have any ideas for research you can look at what kind of a phd the schools can offer. Some have material science, some oral microbiology and so on...

 

[Likkriue]

You have a great chance at just about every school. All comes down to interviewing well and of course making a good financial decision.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

**her

I understand the need for help. Some people aren't on sdn 24/7 and it isn't like one needs to be a member here to get a 20+. With that being said from what you are looking for in a school, Columbia seems to be the perfect match for you. It offers everything you are looking for apart from if you like the city or not. Your stats exceed almost every aspect of my application. Maybe I'll see you there after next year?

 

[Cali20002]

I see they have made the DAT easier since I took it

 

[Cali20002]

Literally apply every school you want to, but drop this "mid tier" "top tier" nonsense. I second adding Pitt and UConn, but you could probably apply to additional schools that give out massive scholarships as well. There are huge scholarships for students like you. Congrats, you are going to go wherever you want, just don't be a vegetable at the interview.

 

[toothdoctor123]

You say your dream school is Columbia, but USC or Harvard could also be good fits for you. I'm pretty sure the USC DDS/PhD is 100% subsidized (i.e. you get both degrees for free), whereas we don't have a dual doctorate program here at Columbia (surprising, right?). The 5-year DDS/MPH is excellent here--probably the best in the country--but I believe only 2 students per year are funded.

However, if you want to do both OMFS and academia, then I think you choose the school that would prepare you best for OMFS. I would imagine that faculty appointments for oral surgeons depend more on where you do your residency, whether you get an MD, etc. than where you got your dental degree.

Apply to Penn if for no other reason than that they give "merit" scholarships.

I wouldn't worry too much about filling a list of "mid-tier" schools. Dental schools aren't really tiered...some are harder to get into than others, but it mainly comes down to different educational focuses and different price tags. Schools with prestigious names can have areas of weakness where other schools have strengths. It's up to you to rank the quality of schools according to your own personal goals. It's always good to diversify for safety though.

 

[Incis0r]

Awesome stats. *jaw drops*

 

[Nikidental]

I think you may be underestimating your scores. I have a friend that also had a 28AA and applied last cycle. She got 15/16 interviews and was accepted basically everywhere. For some "mid-tier" schools that are slightly below the levels of the ivies, it mainly just depends on what you want to do. Is cost of attendance a factor for you? If not then there may be some other private schools you want to apply to. My stats were not as high as you, but I received interviews at UCSF and UCONN, both of which are high specialization and research. I'd add those two if I were you. For "safety", I'd recommend pitt and maryland. Neither of which are specialty powerhouses like some of the other ones listed, but they both pump out a decent number of specialists and have strong curriculums. Given your stats, I'm assuming 1 or 2 schools will give you a substantial scholarship. I'd research the schools that do give out scholarships and apply there as well in hopes that they may knock off a large chunk of your total cost.

Thank you, that is super helpful! I think I'm definitely going to add Pitt and UCONN to my list after doing some research on all the ones you mentioned. As for cost, its definitely a huge factor so I'm hoping to knock some of it off. I've found a lot of school aren't super clear on their websites about how much/ how easily they give out scholarships.. is there a better way to find that information? Thanks again!

 

[Nikidental]

I understand the need for help. Some people aren't on sdn 24/7 and it isn't like one needs to be a member here to get a 20+. With that being said from what you are looking for in a school, Columbia seems to be the perfect match for you. It offers everything you are looking for apart from if you like the city or not. Your stats exceed almost every aspect of my application. Maybe I'll see you there after next year?

Thank you! I'm sure your application is great- best of luck! I hope we both get in

 

[Nikidental]

You say your dream school is Columbia, but USC or Harvard could also be good fits for you. I'm pretty sure the USC DDS/PhD is 100% subsidized (i.e. you get both degrees for free), whereas we don't have a dual doctorate program here at Columbia (surprising, right?). The 5-year DDS/MPH is excellent here--probably the best in the country--but I believe only 2 students per year are funded.

However, if you want to do both OMFS and academia, then I think you choose the school that would prepare you best for OMFS. I would imagine that faculty appointments for oral surgeons depend more on where you do your residency, whether you get an MD, etc. than where you got your dental degree.

Apply to Penn if for no other reason than that they give "merit" scholarships.

I wouldn't worry too much about filling a list of "mid-tier" schools. Dental schools aren't really tiered...some are harder to get into than others, but it mainly comes down to different educational focuses and different price tags. Schools with prestigious names can have areas of weakness where other schools have strengths. It's up to you to rank the quality of schools according to your own personal goals. It's always good to diversify for safety though.

This is awesome info, thank you! Yea, based on the research I've done, Columbia's DDS/MPH is AMAZING! But I am hesitant about the cost.. I did hear from some D1s there that the MPH at least doesn't cost extra on top of the DDS cost which is nice.
I would love to get into a DDS/PhD program that is 100% subsidized! USC, Harvard, and Michigan are on my list partially for that reason

That's good advice about the residency vs. dental school stuff. I guess I'm just trying to keep my options as open as possible in case I get to dental school and realize I'd rather do something other than OMFS. I don't want to pretend to know enough as a pre-dental to really make that a permanent choice right now!

Congratulations at going to Columbia!!! I'm very jealous
Thanks for the help!

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Thank you! I'm sure your application is great- best of luck! I hope we both get in

I was accepted there this cycle! And yes, the MPH is free on top of the DDS cost

 

[Roy Williams]

Thank you, that is super helpful! I think I'm definitely going to add Pitt and UCONN to my list after doing some research on all the ones you mentioned. As for cost, its definitely a huge factor so I'm hoping to knock some of it off. I've found a lot of school aren't super clear on their websites about how much/ how easily they give out scholarships.. is there a better way to find that information? Thanks again!

I'm honestly not entirely sure. Of the schools where I interviewed, I know Pitt, Penn, and UCSF give out decent scholarships. I believe UCSF even has a full ride for 1 or 2 students. I imagine you'd be in the running for that. Other than that I'd recommend looking through past school specific threads and try to message people that are going to certain schools and get their feedback as they probably know better than anyone.

 

[Nikidental]

I was accepted there this cycle! And yes, the MPH is free on top of the DDS cost

Awesome!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!

 

[670206]

NVM

 

[dentalgoal team]

Harvard