High GPA/DAT but no acceptances

[JasenClaisen]

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So I read Doc Toothache's spreadsheeting extrapolating GPA and DAT performance of applicants with the percent that were accepted to dental school and it showed that those with high GPA >3.8 or a high DAT >21AA had ~75% chance of acceptance. It's apparent that a high GPA may not be coupled with a high DAT and vice versa which could account to some of the ~25% in each category that weren't accepted. But what about the others?

Could anyone on this forum with high GPA/DAT (i.e. >3.8gpa, >21AA) who weren't accepted to any schools for their first cycle(s) please or who knew people who fit this description please share what they believe to be the reasons they didn't get an acceptance?

Off the top of my head:
Insufficient volunteering/shadowing hours.
Late application.

Thanks!

 

[amalgamgrillz]

So I read Doc Toothache's spreadsheeting extrapolating GPA and DAT performance of applicants with the percent that were accepted to dental school and it showed that those with high GPA >3.8 or a high DAT >21AA had ~75% chance of acceptance. It's apparent that a high GPA may not be coupled with a high DAT and vice versa which could account to some of the ~25% in each category that weren't accepted. But what about the others?

Could anyone on this forum with high GPA/DAT (i.e. >3.8gpa, >21AA) who weren't accepted to any schools for their first cycle(s) please or who knew people who fit this description please share what they believe to be the reasons they didn't get an acceptance?

Off the top of my head:
Insufficient volunteering/shadowing hours.
Late application.

Thanks!

• Did you get a C or below in any prereqs?
• Did you have all the prereqs?
• Is there a chance that one of your referees didn't actually like you?
• Were you obnoxious in your personal statement?
• Did you follow up with your applications to make sure they got your supplementals/fee?
• Did you only apply to Harvard/schools where a high DAT/GPA is just expected?
• Did you apply early?

 

[SuperTank]

So I read Doc Toothache's spreadsheeting extrapolating GPA and DAT performance of applicants with the percent that were accepted to dental school and it showed that those with high GPA >3.8 or a high DAT >21AA had ~75% chance of acceptance. It's apparent that a high GPA may not be coupled with a high DAT and vice versa which could account to some of the ~25% in each category that weren't accepted. But what about the others?

Could anyone on this forum with high GPA/DAT (i.e. >3.8gpa, >21AA) who weren't accepted to any schools for their first cycle(s) please or who knew people who fit this description please share what they believe to be the reasons they didn't get an acceptance?

Off the top of my head:
Insufficient volunteering/shadowing hours.
Late application.

Thanks!

Having a bad interview can really do you in, too. No matter what your stats are like, if an applicant has zero social skills, or is psychotic, or something along those lines, and blows the interview... they probably don't have a good shot at getting in.

 

[AtlantaBraves]

Having a bad interview can really do you in, too. No matter what your stats are like, if an applicant has zero social skills, or is psychotic, or something along those lines, and blows the interview... they probably don't have a good shot at getting in.

On the other hand, if you blow the interviewer, you have a great chance at getting in.

 

[promolion]

ahhahahHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA.

 

[DonutEater]

On the other hand, if you blow the interviewer, you have a great chance at getting in.

Did you blow your interviewer?
I am assuming you're a guy, was your interviewer a guy?
or was it a girl but you wished it was a guy?

 

[JasenClaisen]

On the other hand, if you blow the interviewer, you have a great chance at getting in.

Wow... that's really classy... 😳

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

Im sure you'll get in somewhere, don't worry.

 

[JasenClaisen]

Thanks for the encouragement DrRoyal Pains.

I don't think dental school admissions are a sure thing for anything though. Having more information available couldn't possibly hurt. 🙂

 

[dentalWorks]

So I read Doc Toothache's spreadsheeting extrapolating GPA and DAT performance of applicants with the percent that were accepted to dental school and it showed that those with high GPA >3.8 or a high DAT >21AA had ~75% chance of acceptance. It's apparent that a high GPA may not be coupled with a high DAT and vice versa which could account to some of the ~25% in each category that weren't accepted. But what about the others?

Could anyone on this forum with high GPA/DAT (i.e. >3.8gpa, >21AA) who weren't accepted to any schools for their first cycle(s) please or who knew people who fit this description please share what they believe to be the reasons they didn't get an acceptance?

Off the top of my head:
Insufficient volunteering/shadowing hours.
Late application.

Thanks!

The other thing you don't see in the data with "over qualified" applicants (i.e high GPA and/or high DAT) is their over-confidence.... Sometimes these guys (whom seem very smart) do silly mistakes like only apply to 2-3 schools.... and with today's massive competition, they don't get it and wonder why...

You gotta play it smart.... even if your numbers are strong, apply to a good number of schools. I say if you got the right numbers, you should not apply to less than 9 schools.... and pick your schools wisely, don't apply to an out-of-state school thats been known for accepting only 10 or less out-of-staters..... Pick the schools that are known for being out-of-state friendly

I assure you, if the high-GPA-DAT folks applied to as many number of schools as I did.... that 75% would be bumped up to 99% lol


Other factors could be:
-Immaturity when answering the "why dentistry" question... if you said anything about how its a great way to make alot of money then......
-What about the personal statement, I mean, I dunno if a stinky personal statement can REALLY lead to a rejections from all the schools you've applied to (especially with high numbers)... but who knows?
-Also how you conduct yourself during the interview day. I forgot who it was, but someone around SDN suggested to always act professionally on the interview day.... the students giving us the tours were.... also "watching" us and seeing how we behaved. Immature comments / behavior might do more harm than you think.

 

[UCLAzy]

stories like this really make me wonder how much of it is about luck..

 

[quillow]

I'm assuming you have a high DAT/GPA.... Do you mind sharing what schools you applied to? How much shadowing/extracurriculars do you have? When did you apply? Did you get any interviews at all?

Sorry if you already answered these questions... I guess I would be considered a high DAT/GPA applicant but other parts of my app weren't as strong (in my opinion), so I applied to over a dozen schools. Researching schools before you apply really helps too. But still... it seems like dental school admissions is a crap shoot sometimes.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

ooo I thought you didn't get any interviews for some reason. If you had a high GPA/DAT and got interviews, but no acceptances... you're likely socially inept, poor interviewing skills, or had extremely bad answers.

 

[476515678234896]

-Also how you conduct yourself during the interview day. I forgot who it was, but someone around SDN suggested to always act professionally on the interview day.... the students giving us the tours were.... also "watching" us and seeing how we behaved. Immature comments / behavior might do more harm than you think.

I believe that's oracleMD

 

[dentalWorks]

I believe that's oracleMD

ah... Yep

 

[JasenClaisen]

I'm still at least a year from applying so I haven't received any interviews/rejections yet. I'm just trying to learn what I can from those who have experience with the application process.

 

[quillow]

I'm still at least a year from applying so I haven't received any interviews/rejections yet. I'm just trying to learn what I can from those who have experience with the application process.

I had the same fears as you. As long as the rest of your app doesn't suck, don't worry. Make sure you have the shadowing, extracurriculars, LORs, and a good personal statement. Also apply early. You still have a year, so just make sure the rest of your app is good.

ooo I thought you didn't get any interviews for some reason. If you had a high GPA/DAT and got interviews, but no acceptances... you're likely socially inept, poor interviewing skills, or had extremely bad answers.

Hey, I'm socially inept and have poor interview skills but I still got two acceptances out of three interviews!

 

[amalgamgrillz]

I had the same fears as you. As long as the rest of your app doesn't suck, don't worry. Make sure you have the shadowing, extracurriculars, LORs, and a good personal statement. Also apply early. You still have a year, so just make sure the rest of your app is good.



Hey, I'm socially inept and have poor interview skills but I still got two acceptances out of three interviews!

Some people fake their transcripts, some fake their personality; to each his own.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey, I'm socially inept and have poor interview skills but I still got two acceptances out of three interviews!

maybe your not as socially inept as you thought 😀

 

[quillow]

Some people fake their transcripts, some fake their personality; to each his own.

Actually, the two schools that accepted me were the two interviews where I was the most true to myself. Maybe they just liked that I was sincere? I wouldn't really be able to fake my personality anyway. I've taken a few acting classes and I'm a horrible actor! 😛

maybe your not as socially inept as you thought 😀

I hope so! 😉

 

[lakersgrl4life]

i have "high" stats, >3.8, >22 DATs. i did get interviews/acceptances from few instate schools in CA, but i definitely expected more interviews since i applied to 16 schools! i got interviews from ucla, uop, ucsf, buffalo, and temple, but that's about it... it seems like some schools would really like you and some schools won't even notice you're there. sometimes it seems like the application process is random, so definitely a good thing to apply to a lot of schools despite of your stats unless you know you want to stay in state. btw, my ECs and letters were just ok so maybe that played a factor.

 

[ramseszerg]

Some people fake their transcripts, some fake their personality; to each his own.

You're making a judgement about someone you've never met.. And also, there are alot of different personalities and they all have their value. Not every good dentist is an outgoing extrovert for example.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

You're making a judgement about someone you've never met.. And also, there are alot of different personalities and they all have their value. Not every good dentist is an outgoing extrovert for example.

It's not a judgement if they admit to being socially inept and having poor interviewing skills. I never said there was anything wrong with faking your personality (ie. pretending to be more "normal" than you actually are), nor did I say socially inept means introverted. You can be a good introverted dentist; you can't be a good, socially-inept dentist.

 

[ramseszerg]

Being socially inept is not unethical, but faking your personality may be. Quillow never said he/she faked his/her personality in the interviews. That was a judgement you made. Especially when quillow's post had a light tone with a smiley, I don't know why you had to make it serious like that.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

Being socially inept is not unethical, but faking your personality may be. Quillow never said he/she faked his/her personality in the interviews. That was a judgement you made. Especially when quillow's post had a light tone with a smiley, I don't know why you had to make it serious like that.

Faking your personality is not unethical. You're just showing a side that you don't normally show. If you're socially inept and have bad interviewing skills, but got accepted....it's safe to assume he/she faked her personality by being more personable/amicable/positive (or just more "normal") than he/she usually is internally. 🙂 (better?)

 

[ramseszerg]

If you don't think it's unethical then why'd you equate it to faking transcripts? Your story contradicts itself.

 

[uclaDDS101]

Could anyone on this forum with high GPA/DAT (i.e. >3.8gpa, >21AA) who weren't accepted to any schools for their first cycle(s) please or who knew people who fit this description please share what they believe to be the reasons they didn't get an acceptance?

Off the top of my head:
Insufficient volunteering/shadowing hours.
Late application.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, at this point, I fit your description.
GPA: 3.97; sGPA: 4.0; DAT: 27AA, 30TS, 25PAT; Decent EC's
Applied to UCLA, UCSF, Columbia, Penn, Harvard.
As of now, no acceptances.
Assumed reason: late application

 

[CANgnome]

Unfortunately, at this point, I fit your description.
GPA: 3.97; sGPA: 4.0; DAT: 27AA, 30TS, 25PAT; Decent EC's
Applied to UCLA, UCSF, Columbia, Penn, Harvard.
As of now, no acceptances.
Assumed reason: late application

you also applied to the very difficult to get into schools!

I'm sure that you will hear something from Columbia though.

 

[JasenClaisen]

Unfortunately, at this point, I fit your description.
GPA: 3.97; sGPA: 4.0; DAT: 27AA, 30TS, 25PAT; Decent EC's
Applied to UCLA, UCSF, Columbia, Penn, Harvard.
As of now, no acceptances.
Assumed reason: late application

Wow. You have an amazing gpa and DAT scores and your ECs look great. I don't know how none of the schools you applied to has given you an acceptance yet. Isn't it still too early in the game to assume that none of the schools you interviewed at will accept you?

 

[quillow]

Faking your personality is not unethical. You're just showing a side that you don't normally show. If you're socially inept and have bad interviewing skills, but got accepted....it's safe to assume he/she faked her personality by being more personable/amicable/positive (or just more "normal") than he/she usually is internally. 🙂 (better?)

I would hope that admissions would be able to spot someone who was really socially inept. I was just making a joke... self-deprecating humor. Trying to make things light for those of us who aren't super confident when it comes to interviews. Thanks for actually getting my stupid sense of humor, dentalWorks and ramseszerg! 😳

By the way, doesn't everyone put their best foot forward at an interview? I guess you could say that means everyone's faking it to some degree. Sorry for inadvertently high jacking this thread...

Wow. You have an amazing gpa and DAT scores and your ECs look great. I don't know how none of the schools you applied to has given you an acceptance yet. Isn't it still too early in the game to assume that none of the schools you interviewed at will accept you?

He applied pretty late (Oct 6 according to predents). That's why everyone suggests that you apply as early as possible and apply to many schools. And CANgnome is right: uclaDDS101 applied to very difficult schools to get admitted to.

 

[ToothAcres]

Unfortunately, at this point, I fit your description.
GPA: 3.97; sGPA: 4.0; DAT: 27AA, 30TS, 25PAT; Decent EC's
Applied to UCLA, UCSF, Columbia, Penn, Harvard.
As of now, no acceptances.
Assumed reason: late application

With such good grades and DAT scores you should have been smarter and applied to more schools. Only thing I think that may be holding you back is your people skills. You made the "paper-cut", you didn't make the "people-cut" the adcoms use to ferret out the undesirables. There is always next year. Work on the people skills.🙂

 

[ramseszerg]

Just how late did you apply uclaDDS?

Let's not assume he/she's socially inept too, just applying late and applying to few high rank schools together will do you in. Seriously, I think the "good at book learning but has aspergers" stereotype I think is overused. These people do exist, but not to the extent that the stereotype is thrown around. Besides, even if they do exist, they have their value as well. Also, asperger-ness is a spectrum.. we all have that to some degree, and in most cases it can be improved and they may become competent clinicians or anything else.

 

[EvDDS]

uclaDDS has interviews scheduled for this month. I'm sure he'll be receiving acceptances soon!

 

[ToothAcres]

Just how late did you apply uclaDDS?

Let's not assume he/she's socially inept too, just applying late and applying to few high rank schools together will do you in. Seriously, I think the "good at book learning but has aspergers" stereotype I think is overused. These people do exist, but not to the extent that the stereotype is thrown around. Besides, even if they do exist, they have their value as well. Also, asperger-ness is a spectrum.. we all have that to some degree, and in most cases it can be improved and they may become competent clinicians or anything else.

You are kidding.....right??? "we all have that (Asperger's) to some degree" ?? The truth is that stereotypes are based on real people who exhibit certain behaviors. Even a high-functioning person with Asperger's would make a terrible clinician. Why? Lack of eye-contact, lack of social interaction, and total lack of empathetic reactions. Saying we all have a little autism is unfair to those who are autistic.

Face it, personality is an important part of being a dentist. Some of us have one, others do not. Those that get in usually have one.

 

[AtlantaBraves]

Personality like anything else, is something that comes natural to some, and not to others. That doesn't mean that those who do not have a very good personality cannot work on it. Knowing how to respond to social cues is something that some people just are not very good at without a little practice! I really do believe anybody can do it though, so keep your heads up all you social ******s!

 

[dentalWorks]

Come on guys, lets get something straight here..... With a 27AA and 30TS, thats probably THE highest DAT of year 2010 (when he took it). This guy is literally a walking icon, there is no way in hell he is going to get rejected from all 5 schools... no way.

uclaDDS, you can basically go to your interviews with nothing but underwear on, and chances are, one of those 5 will still send you an acceptance.

 

[Kahr]

Come on guys, lets get something straight here..... With a 27AA and 30TS, thats probably THE highest DAT of year 2010 (when he took it). This guy is literally a walking icon, there is no way in hell he is going to get rejected from all 5 schools... no way.

uclaDDS, you can basically go to your interviews with nothing but underwear on, and chances are, one of those 5 will still send you an acceptance.

I sincerely hope this was just a bowl of sarcasm. He could easily be rejected from all 5 schools. I do like the idea of changing up how you're typically expected to dress for interviews though, might actually boost your chances under the right circumstances. 😉

 

[AtlantaBraves]

Come on guys, lets get something straight here..... With a 27AA and 30TS, thats probably THE highest DAT of year 2010 (when he took it). This guy is literally a walking icon, there is no way in hell he is going to get rejected from all 5 schools... no way.

uclaDDS, you can basically go to your interviews with nothing but underwear on, and chances are, one of those 5 will still send you an acceptance.

I strongly disagree with wearing underwear to interviews unless they are edible.

 

[ramseszerg]

I strongly disagree with wearing underwear to interviews unless they are edible.

I think you should always wear your underwear.. 😉

 

[littleduce]

Come on guys, lets get something straight here..... With a 27AA and 30TS, thats probably THE highest DAT of year 2010 (when he took it). This guy is literally a walking icon, there is no way in hell he is going to get rejected from all 5 schools... no way.

uclaDDS, you can basically go to your interviews with nothing but underwear on, and chances are, one of those 5 will still send you an acceptance.

did this guy get any interviews? dude i would love to have his DAT scores!

 

[Benman44]

Come on guys, lets get something straight here..... With a 27AA and 30TS, thats probably THE highest DAT of year 2010 (when he took it). This guy is literally a walking icon, there is no way in hell he is going to get rejected from all 5 schools... no way.

uclaDDS, you can basically go to your interviews with nothing but underwear on, and chances are, one of those 5 will still send you an acceptance.

Im with Dental works on this one.... I call bull**** on this. Im surprised schools didnt call HIM. unless hes a ratard <---- meant to sound like the saying from The Hangover

 

[DrTank]

UCLADDS is for sure going to get acceptances this cycle. I mean common... Look at his stats. Everyone here is saying that he may be socially inept/awkward. He's not, I met him. Hes the president of the ucla pre dent club.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

If you don't think it's unethical then why'd you equate it to faking transcripts? Your story contradicts itself.

Your argument is so flawed. Not once dId I equate faking transcripts with personalities..hence the statement "to each his own".

 

[amcmahon]

I have a GPA>3.9, DAT AA>22, from California and I got rejected from UCSF. Not really sure why but a part of me thinks that the school is trying to get extra $$ from out of state applicants.

 

[JBieber]

I have a GPA>3.9, DAT AA>22, from California and I got rejected from UCSF. Not really sure why but a part of me thinks that the school is trying to get extra $$ from out of state applicants.

Hmmm, I wouldn't be surprised considering the direction UC undergrad admissions have gone.

On a side note, how did your interview at UCLA go? 😀😀 Any tips? Essay portion ok? I have mine comin' up.

 

[UCLAzy]

uc's allow oos dental students to gain residency after 1 yr last i checked.