Help with reapplication list?

[chaseafterthedream]

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I'm currently waitlisted at UIC but am starting to get my list of schools together in case I don't hear anything before June so I can put my app in asap for this coming cycle. My stats:

oGPA: 2.7
gradGPA: 3.97
undergradGPA: 2.5
science GPA: 2.6

PAT: 20
TS: 18
AA: 19

Extra curriculars are strong and I have good LORs too.

I'm looking for schools that like Masters degrees and who won't disqualify me just because of my undergrad GPA. Based off of previous threads my first tentative list of schools are:

LECOM
Nova
Touro
ASDOH
OHSU
Tufts
BU
Temple
Foreman
USC
Western
Midwestern AZ/IL
Detroit Mercy
UIC
SIU

This is just a rough draft and I haven't researched much of most of these schools yet. Any suggestions on what schools to add? Thanks!

 

[Kouneko]

What schools did you apply to last cycle and did you have the same stats? (gradGPA and DAT) When did you submit your AADSAS app last cycle? If your stats and timing are similar, I think you should improve your app more before submitting a similar app.

Retake that DAT. Did you do a research-based Masters or course-based SMP? Regardless you need to do better on your DAT (especially on the science sections) to prove the rigor of your Masters program and prove that you are ready for dental school despite what your undergrad GPAs suggest.

 

[bwc]

I believe that retaking the DAT is a must in your case. And from what I heard, significant improvement is expected if you give the test a second attempt.

Did you make sure to apply to all of your in state schools?

 

[chaseafterthedream]

What schools did you apply to last cycle and did you have the same stats? (gradGPA and DAT) When did you submit your AADSAS app last cycle? If your stats and timing are similar, I think you should improve your app more before submitting a similar app.

Retake that DAT. Did you do a research-based Masters or course-based SMP? Regardless you need to do better on your DAT (especially on the science sections) to prove the rigor of your Masters program and prove that you are ready for dental school despite what your undergrad GPAs suggest.

I've already taken my DAT 3x. If I was to get special permission to take it again i would have to wait a year from my last take. Which was in August and I'd be in the same place as I was this cycle with turning my app in late. I got an MA in biomedical sciences, it was course based. My stats are the same but this time I will be submitting as early as possible. I applied to UIC, Case, UDM, SIU, Meharry, U of Louisville, UNE.

 

[chaseafterthedream]

I believe that retaking the DAT is a must in your case. And from what I heard, significant improvement is expected if you give the test a second attempt.

Did you make sure to apply to all of your in state schools?

I've already taken my DAT 3x. If I was to get special permission to take it again i would have to wait a year from my last take. Which was in August and I'd be in the same place as I was this cycle with turning my app in late.

I'm an Illinois resident and applied to UIC and SIU. I plan on adding Midwestern this time around.

 

[chaseafterthedream]

I know you dont want to hear it but you are barely scraping by with that DAT score. It is possible you could get an interview or two and maybe even an acceptance but I would bet on it

I've already taken my DAT 3x. If I was to get special permission to take it again i would have to wait a year from my last take. Which was in August and I'd be in the same place as I was this cycle with turning my app in late.

 

[Dentalschoolbro]

NYU also likes master degrees and with your gradGPA, youll have a chance

 

[Kouneko]

I've already taken my DAT 3x. If I was to get special permission to take it again i would have to wait a year from my last take. Which was in August and I'd be in the same place as I was this cycle with turning my app in late. I got an MA in biomedical sciences, it was course based. My stats are the same but this time I will be submitting as early as possible. I applied to UIC, Case, UDM, SIU, Meharry, U of Louisville, UNE.

If that's the case, apply as early as possible and to more schools (such as NYU, MOSDOH, Roseman, UNE, Loma Linda, UNLV, Indiana, Louisville). Put a note on the application that you're going to retake the DAT. After you submit the application, apply for the 4th DAT and retake the DAT ONLY after you are scoring 20/21+ consistently. Schools that are on the fence about giving you interviews may interview you after they see the improved DAT scores. If you are not accepted this upcoming cycle, at least you have the improved DAT scores for another cycle.

 

[ncide]

Quite a few people in my class hold masters degrees, so VCU may be a good choice. Average s/oGPA is 3.6, average DAT is 20AA, but a sizable bunch overcame their undergraduate grades with a masters.

 

[bwc]

I've already taken my DAT 3x. If I was to get special permission to take it again i would have to wait a year from my last take. Which was in August and I'd be in the same place as I was this cycle with turning my app in late.

I'm an Illinois resident and applied to UIC and SIU. I plan on adding Midwestern this time around.

Everybody may have different opinions, but it might be a waste to reapply this cycle if you cannot fix your issue early in the application cycle. If you have already had an unsuccessful attempt at applying, then obviously something did not work. If you just go autopilot and submit essentially the same application, expect the same result. Only reapply when you believe you have fixed the issues that caused your previous application to be unsuccessful.

That being said, if you retake the DAT, I heard that expectations rise regarding your score. They may raise the bar to say you need strictly >= 20 in each section, whereas for somebody who only did it once and done, they may be willing to forgive one < 20 section. Also, there are some schools like Tufts who say they will only consider your first three lifetime DAT attempts. Even if some of your previous DAT scores have expired, schools will still see them.