How can I improve my application?

[swtbabeecakes]

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Hello!

I would love feedback on how I can improve my application for the upcoming application cycle or any advice on what I can do at this point in this cycle to get an interview.

I am currently nearing the end of my third application cycle, and so far no interview invites this year. I know there is still time, but having been through this twice already, I feel like it is time to prepare to apply again.

My stats and experience:
Academics
Undergrad science GPA: 2.91
Undergrad overall GPA: 3.08
Major: Biomedical engineering (graduated 2011)
Post-bacc GPA: 3.41
Classes taken 2014-2016: Anatomy, Immunology, Hematology, Biology of Human Cancer, Medical Microbiology, Physiology of Cardiac and Respiratory System, Biochemistry, Intro to Human Physiology

DAT
PAT: 22
Quantitative Reasoning: 24
Reading Comprehension: 21
Biology: 21
General Chemistry: 21
Organic Chemistry: 22
Total Science: 21
Academic Average: 22

Experience
Dental receptionist May 2014-July 2014
Dental assistant July 2014-present
Practice manager May 2016-present
(all at the same practice)
Volunteered with CDA Cares @ Pomona November 2014
Volunteered with CDA Cares @ Fresno October 2015

Application submitted on June 3, 2016
DAT taken September 13, 2016

I’ll admit, my application the first time around for 2015 was not very competitive. I gained a lot more experience at my practice, better DAT scores, and took/did better in my classes since then. I really thought this time around would be it! Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[PremedNoob]

Hello!

I would love feedback on how I can improve my application for the upcoming application cycle or any advice on what I can do at this point in this cycle to get an interview.

I am currently nearing the end of my third application cycle, and so far no interview invites this year. I know there is still time, but having been through this twice already, I feel like it is time to prepare to apply again.

My stats and experience:
Academics
Undergrad science GPA: 2.91
Undergrad overall GPA: 3.08
Major: Biomedical engineering (graduated 2011)
Post-bacc GPA: 3.41
Classes taken 2014-2016: Anatomy, Immunology, Hematology, Biology of Human Cancer, Medical Microbiology, Physiology of Cardiac and Respiratory System, Biochemistry, Intro to Human Physiology

DAT
PAT: 22
Quantitative Reasoning: 24
Reading Comprehension: 21
Biology: 21
General Chemistry: 21
Organic Chemistry: 22
Total Science: 21
Academic Average: 22

Experience
Dental receptionist May 2014-July 2014
Dental assistant July 2014-present
Practice manager May 2016-present
(all at the same practice)
Volunteered with CDA Cares @ Pomona November 2014
Volunteered with CDA Cares @ Fresno October 2015

Application submitted on June 3, 2016
DAT taken September 13, 2016

I’ll admit, my application the first time around for 2015 was not very competitive. I gained a lot more experience at my practice, better DAT scores, and took/did better in my classes since then. I really thought this time around would be it! Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Where did you apply to?

 

[8_man]

Your app looks fine. I think the issue was that your DAT scores were submitted late. Apply on time this cycle, and apply broadly. I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

 

[swtbabeecakes]

Where did you apply to?

I'm from California and applied to UOP, UCSF, UCLA, USC, Western, UNLV, OHSU, Midwestern Arizona, Arizona SDOH, University of Colorado, Nova, Tufts, BU, UPenn, Case Western, Meharry, and NYU.

 

[swtbabeecakes]

Your app looks fine. I think the issue was that your DAT scores were submitted late. Apply on time this cycle, and apply broadly. I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

This was my second DAT. I took one in September 2013 with very similar scores (PAT 24, TS 21, AA 21) . I reported those in my primary app when I submitted in June and told them I was also pending scores in September.

 

[DC206R]

URM? If not take out Meharry, add MWU-IL

 

[8_man]

This was my second DAT. I took one in September 2013 with very similar scores (PAT 24, TS 21, AA 21) . I reported those in my primary app when I submitted in June and told them I was also pending scores in September.

It's very strange that you haven't received a single interview invite. Are there any obvious red flags in your application, or in you as a person (i.e. criminal history, academic dishonesty, etc.)?

 

[swtbabeecakes]

URM? If not take out Meharry, add MWU-IL

Not URM. Thank you for the tip!

It's very strange that you haven't received a single interview invite. Are there any obvious red flags in your application, or in you as a person (i.e. criminal history, academic dishonesty, etc.)?

I personally do not think there are any red flags. I've spoken to a few admissions advisors and the only feedback I've gotten from them is that my undergrad GPA is not that competitive.

In previous cycles, I received interview invites at UNLV and NYU in February and was placed on waitlist. This year not even one invite 😵

 

[DC206R]

Not URM. Thank you for the tip!



I personally do not think there are any red flags. I've spoken to a few admissions advisors and the only feedback I've gotten from them is that my undergrad GPA is not that competitive.

In previous cycles, I received interview invites at UNLV and NYU in February and was placed on waitlist. This year not even one invite 😵

I think that you have to make somewhat significant improvements to your application or else why bother bringing you back again? Maybe adding a couple hundred hours of volunteering. Maybe more post-bacc classes to bump the GPA more in the 3.2-3.3 range. Obviously you have the clinical experience, so that's a huge plus.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Your DAT is great. Your undergrad GPA hurts you and your postbacc GPA is okay. The only advice I have is to embark on a Masters and earn a 3.7+. Your experience is fine. You should apply very broadly and increase your school list to 20+.

 

[princessdentist]

I think your Dat is amazing you should be so proud of that! It hurts me to see that you don't have interviews yet, try contacting the schools and checking on on your application status.

Specifically, for schools you have gotten rejected from you should ask them WHY. I know UNLV will talk to you about it! Set an an appointment with the admissions dean and see how you can improve!

Personally I think your undergrad GPA is what is holding you back most. If you don't get into schools this year try applying for a masters program affiliated with a dental school. Don't give up on this cycle yet though! Good luck and I hope you hear back for an interview soon.

 

[swtbabeecakes]

Your DAT is great. Your undergrad GPA hurts you and your postbacc GPA is okay. The only advice I have is to embark on a Masters and earn a 3.7+. Your experience is fine. You should apply very broadly and increase your school list to 20+.

I think your Dat is amazing you should be so proud of that! It hurts me to see that you don't have interviews yet, try contacting the schools and checking on on your application status.

Specifically, for schools you have gotten rejected from you should ask them WHY. I know UNLV will talk to you about it! Set an an appointment with the admissions dean and see how you can improve!

Personally I think your undergrad GPA is what is holding you back most. If you don't get into schools this year try applying for a masters program affiliated with a dental school. Don't give up on this cycle yet though! Good luck and I hope you hear back for an interview soon.

Thank you!

I've been told that joining an actual formal post-bacc may help me rather than taking classes. Do you guys have an opinion on post-bacc vs masters. And if I do a masters, is there something in specific I should be studying?

I am definitely still hoping for interviews this cycle and if not, going to apply again in June. Enrolling in a masters or post-bacc will not affect my upcoming cycle. They would help my 5th cycle, and I'd also have to retake the DAT yet again. Correct?

 

[FanOfCostco]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Colorado OOS unfriendly

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Thank you!

I've been told that joining an actual formal post-bacc may help me rather than taking classes. Do you guys have an opinion on post-bacc vs masters. And if I do a masters, is there something in specific I should be studying?

I am definitely still hoping for interviews this cycle and if not, going to apply again in June. Enrolling in a masters or post-bacc will not affect my upcoming cycle. They would help my 5th cycle, and I'd also have to retake the DAT yet again. Correct?

You already started an informal postbacc. At this point, if you will continue, you mind as well go for a second Bachelors. But I wouldn't recommend it. Formal postbacc geared for Dentistry is a great option. Masters is a good option and an option that provides a fallback. Most people go for a Masters in Biomedical Sciences. You don't have to do this if you don't want. Also, if you do go that route, make sure that you earn a 3.7+ GPA. Anything less will really hurt your chances.

Your DAT expires after 3 years. I hope you don't have to go for a 5th cycle.

Here's some inspiration:

https://www.studentdoctor.net/2015/...r-how-i-got-into-dental-school-after-6-tries/

 

[swtbabeecakes]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Colorado OOS unfriendly

You are correct! It was a spur of the moment decision. I was talking about Denver with a friend, and didn't check the acceptance rate for OOS until after. I just went through with it anyways.