Hi! Advice Please! :)

[LLdental]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi guys! 😀 I wondered if I could get some tips on what I should do. I am a first time applicant and I applied to about 12 schools. So far, I have only had 3 interviews and I have one coming up next week at Loma Linda. I got rejected by one school and haven't heard from the other two schools I interviewed at. My DAT score is 19 (18QR, 18Bio, 19PAT, 19RC, 20Ochem, 20Chem) Also, my overall gpa is 3.53, non-science is 3.61, science is 3.37, and BCP is 3.30.

What would be the best move to make right now? At the moment, I have been thinking about retaking the DAT, taking some postbacc courses, or both! I'm just really worried that my scores will drop if I take the DAT again. Any helpful advice? I feel a bit lost right now 🙁 Thanks!

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Hi guys! 😀 I wondered if I could get some tips on what I should do. I am a first time applicant and I applied to about 12 schools. So far, I have only had 3 interviews and I have one coming up next week at Loma Linda. I got rejected by one school and haven't heard from the other two schools I interviewed at. My DAT score is 19 (18QR, 18Bio, 19PAT, 19RC, 20Ochem, 20Chem) Also, my overall gpa is 3.53, non-science is 3.61, science is 3.37, and BCP is 3.30.

What would be the best move to make right now? At the moment, I have been thinking about retaking the DAT, taking some postbacc courses, or both! I'm just really worried that my scores will drop if I take the DAT again. Any helpful advice? I feel a bit lost right now 🙁 Thanks!

If you try hard and put in your best effort like your life/future depended on it, your DAT score won't drop.

Take the DAT again and maybe 2-3 upper level biology courses such as anatomy, microbiology, histology, etc. Then you'll be good to go next year. And who knows, maybe you'll get an acceptance in the next couple months.

 

[agabs0627]

I think if your an excellent interviewer than your DAT score and GPA are just fine. You were able to get four interviews with these scores so the only thing left to do is impress the adcoms in person.

If you dont make it into school this cycle, than try concentrating on your interview skills for the next cycle. Retaking the DAT will not hurt if you know for sure you can score higher.

 

[LLdental]

Thanks to both of you for the advice! I will definitely take everything you said into consideration if I need to apply next cycle.

 

[dru180]

I disagree with re-taking your dat. Sure, they could be higher, but you have solid scores (~avg of matriculating students at almost half of schools) and a solid GPA. I think it would be unwise to retake. You've had 3 interviews already, and another at LL. Four interviews are a pretty strong indication that your stats are competitive.

If you are having difficulty getting in, perhaps you just need to work on your interviewing skills, or other parts of your application. I would suggest finding someone to practice interviewing with, and researching some of the questions you might be asked at LL.

If you dont get in this cycle after everything is said and done, then take some more science classes to pull up the science GPA, and make sure that other areas of your application are improved.

 

[wizi]

Hi guys! 😀 I wondered if I could get some tips on what I should do. I am a first time applicant and I applied to about 12 schools. So far, I have only had 3 interviews and I have one coming up next week at Loma Linda. I got rejected by one school and haven't heard from the other two schools I interviewed at. My DAT score is 19 (18QR, 18Bio, 19PAT, 19RC, 20Ochem, 20Chem) Also, my overall gpa is 3.53, non-science is 3.61, science is 3.37, and BCP is 3.30.

What would be the best move to make right now? At the moment, I have been thinking about retaking the DAT, taking some postbacc courses, or both! I'm just really worried that my scores will drop if I take the DAT again. Any helpful advice? I feel a bit lost right now 🙁 Thanks!

How are your ECs?

Only retake the DAT if you know for the fact that you can score higher. Your DAT is good enough.

 

[LLdental]

dru180, I'll definitely practice interviewing some more for LomaLinda and look at the questions on the interview feedback. If I don't get in this round, could I just take a few upper level science courses at any uni? Or do you think it's necessary to apply to a post-bacc program? I wasn't a science major in undergrad so maybe thats one of the reasons why I'm not hearing back 🙁

wizi, I've been tutoring for the GED and at homeless shelters for two years as part of my ec activities. I have also shadowed for about 200 hrs and volunteered at a bio research lab one summer. Maybe I need to improve this part of my app by adding more activities???

Thanks for all the advice 🙂

 

[lemoncurry]

I'd say you're in pretty good shape already. Focus on interviewing well at LLU. By that, I mean be relaxed and be yourself, but also let your best qualities shine through.

 

[anida123]

you know, I had that same thing happen to me last year; I'd gotten several interviews but I apparently did not come across as impressive. Fortunately, I had a patient (I was working as a DA) who was a retired communications professor that gave me lessons on how to interview well, for free (she apparently charges $300 per an hour=_=). This year, I have multiple choices for schools. So I guess my point is that doing well on interview will definitely be helpful.