How are my chances for top tier schools?

[ultimateballer07]

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Hey guys! Just wondering how I should feel about applying to Harvard, Penn, Columbia, Pacific, etc.

I have 3.5-3.6 for both cGPA and sGPA and also a 23AA; I have 2 pending publications in regenerative dentistry, was an anatomy TA, 1,000 hours of service, and 200 hours observation.

Those who have been interviewed/accepted at the schools I mentioned, please let me know how my profile fares?!

 

[midman19]

I don't know about the others but I wouldn't waste your time with Harvard unless it is your dream school. I know too many applicants (myself included) with 22-25 DAT and 3.9 GPAs and tons of extra curriculars and research publications that didn't even get an interview. With everyone that has a good DAT applying there and only less than 100 interview spots, it makes it hard to even have a shot at an interview. Like I said if you really would like to go there it is worth a try, but if it is just for the prestige, save your money and go somewhere that will train you to be a clinical dentist and not an academic.

 

[ultimateballer07]

@lanzo thanks man! What about columbia and penn?!

 

[dentstudent79]

If you are URM, then just apply to all of them. If not, then no

 

[ultimateballer07]

@dentstudent79 lol why no

 

[dentstudent79]

@dentstudent79 lol why no

You'll see what I mean if you get an interview to one of those schools...haha

 

[sjv]

Your stats are good and within or near the averages at those schools. You should be fine but its impossible to predict where you will get an interview.

 

[ajj70]

What is your ultimate goal as a dentist? Just because those schools are more recognized doesn't mean they are the best dental schools.

 

[Chga]

Make sure you apply to wide range of schools, not just "well recognized" schools.

 

[midman19]

@lanzo thanks man! What about columbia and penn?!

I don't know about Columbia or Penn. I didn't apply there. I stuck to the schools that would give me the cheapest tuition, which didn't end up being necessary because I got the HPSP scholarship. However, there was no way of knowing if I would get it, so I planned for the worst and applied to state schools that allow you to get residency in the first or second year.

 

[darknightzzz]

I don't know about Columbia or Penn. I didn't apply there. I stuck to the schools that would give me the cheapest tuition, which didn't end up being necessary because I got the HPSP scholarship. However, there was no way of knowing if I would get it, so I planned for the worst and applied to state schools that allow you to get residency in the first or second year.

can you list the schools that you got in or know for sure will give you residency for first or second year?

normally an application should be filled out for residency. However, I heard it is super hard to switch residence based on dental school location.

 

[beingaunicorn]

Should be fine for Penn!

 

[ultimateballer07]

@beingaunicorn do you go there?!?

 

[beingaunicorn]

@beingaunicorn do you go there?!?

Yep, feel free to message me if you have any questions.

 

[ultimateballer07]

@ajj70 I want to go to an institution that will give me a great didactic education for NBDE preparation, has a reputable clinic, a research focus so I can continue my work as a student, and a somewhat high specialization rate just in case I want the option to always be on the table after I graduate

 

[midman19]

can you list the schools that you got in or know for sure will give you residency for first or second year?

normally an application should be filled out for residency. However, I heard it is super hard to switch residence based on dental school location.

Yes,
Ohio State will give you residency in your first year if your spouse is working in Ohio at least a month before school starts. If your spouse is not working, they will allow you to earn residency for your 2nd year.
UNLV allows you to earn residency in your 2nd year.

I am not positive, but someone who was applying to South Carolina said they also allow you to earn residency in your second year.

Moral of the story: If you are married, apply to Ohio State to give you one more school option at an in state price!

 

[darknightzzz]

Yes,
Ohio State will give you residency in your first year if your spouse is working in Ohio at least a month before school starts. If your spouse is not working, they will allow you to earn residency for your 2nd year.
UNLV allows you to earn residency in your 2nd year.

I am not positive, but someone who was applying to South Carolina said they also allow you to earn residency in your second year.

Moral of the story: If you are married, apply to Ohio State to give you one more school option at an in state price!

I heard the same for UNLV but it has the application. not everyone made the cut for in-state tuition at UNLV though. do you know the requirements specifically for UNLV's in-state residence? I am sure it is not the automatic thing.

Thanks

 

[midman19]

I heard the same for UNLV but it has the application. not everyone made the cut for in-state tuition at UNLV though. do you know the requirements specifically for UNLV's in-state residence? I am sure it is not the automatic thing.

Thanks

I don't I'm sorry I just have multiple friends who have informed me that they will have in state tuition after their first year

 

[hugomaaf]

I heard the same for UNLV but it has the application. not everyone made the cut for in-state tuition at UNLV though. do you know the requirements specifically for UNLV's in-state residence? I am sure it is not the automatic thing.

Thanks

Google UNLV instate application and read the application form, if u have the right documents it's pretty much a check on the box (it took the advisor less than 2 mins to check something on the computer).

People messed it up because they didn't keep the lease copy, or water bill etc...

 

[darknightzzz]

Google UNLV instate application and read the application form, if u have the right documents it's pretty much a check on the box (it took the advisor less than 2 mins to check something on the computer).

People messed it up because they didn't keep the lease copy, or water bill etc...

ah i see, I have read it thoroughly but I am just afraid the school will play games 🙂

 

[Cello]

I don't know about the others but I wouldn't waste your time with Harvard unless it is your dream school. I know too many applicants (myself included) with 22-25 DAT and 3.9 GPAs and tons of extra curriculars and research publications that didn't even get an interview. With everyone that has a good DAT applying there and only less than 100 interview spots, it makes it hard to even have a shot at an interview. Like I said if you really would like to go there it is worth a try, but if it is just for the prestige, save your money and go somewhere that will train you to be a clinical dentist and not an academic.

The same could be said for the University of Utah (3.83 average GPA last year), yet you got in there. Congratulations on that.

Also, how do you know how well the U of U will prepare you for the world of clinical dentistry when they just barely opened their building and have not yet graduated their first class? Not taking a shot at you, just wondering what your primary motivation for attending the U was.

 

[ultimateballer07]

Can some of you discuss Utah and UNLV elsewhere? I wasn't asking about those schools on this thread

 

[midman19]

The same could be said for the University of Utah (3.83 average GPA last year), yet you got in there. Congratulations on that.

Also, how do you know how well the U of U will prepare you for the world of clinical dentistry when they just barely opened their building and have not yet graduated their first class? Not taking a shot at you, just wondering what your primary motivation for attending the U was.

Good question. I guess it was a risk I was taking cause there is no way to know how good there program will be at this point. However, cost was a big component before I got the HPSP, and the potential to be a pioneer in a newer school comes with unique opportunities and responsibilities that you wouldn't get at another school. Also, I would much rather be in a class of 26 than 80-100. I didn't fear that utah wouldn't prepare me because everything that the university of utah does is top notch and I knew that would be the case with the dental school as well. Currently, the students love it and are getting clinical exposure by the middle of the second year and are scoring in the top 20% of all students on their part 1 boards. The pros largely outweighed the con's in my mind. Plus I love what utah has to offer. Snowboarding on the weekends doesn't sound bad to me! Haha

 

[midman19]

Can some of you discuss Utah and UNLV elsewhere? I wasn't asking about those schools on this thread

Haha to answer your original question. I think you have a great shot at Penn Columbia and pacific. If Harvard is a dream school, go for it, just don't get upset if you never hear a word from them again. Good luck and let us know how it goes!