how do admission committees make decisions?

[iLuvDAT]

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Do they actually raise their hands to vote on an applicant when they meet up to give out acceptances?

 

[ak714251]

its actually a lot like olympic figure skating, they hold up signs from 1-10

 

[Smills91]

I heard they flip a coin, unless you delivered a cheesecake from the cheesecake factory on decision day, then you're a shoo-in.

 

[FlossEnthusiast]

I heard they meet in a secret conclave for 3 days to conduct a series of secret ballots where they all wear long mysterious robes, chant and use smoke signals to communicate with the rest of the admissions office regarding their decisions...

 

[USU24]

I heard they consult a mole like creature, or possibly a ground hog. After smoking peyote, of course.

 

[t man]

you know that guy on espn who throws knives at boards while blindfolded to pick games... they use a similar system.

 

[toothsome]

I heard they consult a mole like creature, or possibly a ground hog. After smoking peyote, of course.

I thought you eat peyote, it's a type of cactus correct? I could be wrong. Although I guess you could smoke anything.

 

[USU24]

I thought you eat peyote, it's a type of cactus correct? I could be wrong. Although I guess you could smoke anything.

You might be right. I think it is mostly consumed.

 

[iLuvDAT]

this is a serious question. I have no idea how the voting system works, and wish I could sit in one of the committee meetings to find out how they do it. The reason that the whole admission process is so slow is because the committee has to be all present to give out an interview invite or a final call on an applicant's fate. If each member of the committee could simply circle the names of the applicants they like and then tally the votes in the end, it would be alot faster than the current situation, where an interview invite could take up to 6 months at some schools.

 

[kevin512]

how do admission committees make decisions?

That isn't an easy question. just call 54 dental schools and find out!

 

[t man]

this is a serious question. I have no idea how the voting system works, and wish I could sit in one of the committee meetings to find out how they do it. The reason that the whole admission process is so slow is because the committee has to be all present to give out an interview invite or a final call on an applicant's fate. If each member of the committee could simply circle the names of the applicants they like and then tally the votes in the end, it would be alot faster than the current situation, where an interview invite could take up to 6 months at some schools.

A lot of schools use a point system.

They'll give you a possible... let's say... 15 points for GPA, 15 points for sGPA, 20 points for DAT, 15 for ECs, 8 for LOEs, and 15 for your interview. If you rank high enough once your points are tallied... presto! you're in dental school. There are red flags, and the point system is not very strictly enforced when used probably. I'm sure there is a discussion about each and every applicant once the reach the interview stage, and I completely made up those numbers.

I don't think the process is slow, really. If not for that dumb Dec 1st rule, it would all go much more quickly. But files are reviewed as they are received by the office, as most schools will tell you (this is why you apply early). Late in the cycle (October maybe) they start to screen for more qualified applicants, based on numbers, but otherwise, you go to the back of the pile, and maybe you get an interview. It's the screening process that explains why it might be slow.

And I made most of this up, I have no idea, just like most people on SDN, but I think that's a pretty good educated guess as to what happens.

 

[sehrmoon]

I dont think thats how it works at all schools though. I have been told by an admissions person that committee sits and they basically fight for your case or go against you. So the highs and lows and then they make a decision. See this is a really good question. I had one interviewer who wrote really positive things and gave me full recommendation on the paper attached to my that he had with all my information and applications etc, for the school....and he showed it to me and said he does that even if it was a rejection. so i was happy with that school but I am thinking if its that smooth of a process. People would probably be arguing and disagreeing with the comments in the room based on my GPA and DATs etc, so its tricky. I dont know what the answer is and I dont think we ever will because schools will probably not reveal that.

 

[rjs38]

A lot of schools use a point system.

They'll give you a possible... let's say... 15 points for GPA, 15 points for sGPA, 20 points for DAT, 15 for ECs, 8 for LOEs, and 15 for your interview. If you rank high enough once your points are tallied... presto! you're in dental school. There are red flags, and the point system is not very strictly enforced when used probably. I'm sure there is a discussion about each and every applicant once the reach the interview stage, and I completely made up those numbers.

I don't think the process is slow, really. If not for that dumb Dec 1st rule, it would all go much more quickly. But files are reviewed as they are received by the office, as most schools will tell you (this is why you apply early). Late in the cycle (October maybe) they start to screen for more qualified applicants, based on numbers, but otherwise, you go to the back of the pile, and maybe you get an interview. It's the screening process that explains why it might be slow.

And I made most of this up, I have no idea, just like most people on SDN, but I think that's a pretty good educated guess as to what happens.

I'm pretty sure NYU uses the point system but it's mostly from the interview only, those who have interviews are considered academically sound. I believe the interview system is out of 20 points there, or at least it was a few years ago when the dentist I shadow had an interview there and actually talked to her interviewer about how she did, he said she got a 19/20 and he actually made the final decision on her behalf, granting her acceptance. I guess he took a point off because she wasn't a science major so the academic side was represented in that point system.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Robots...

 

[lollipop999]

you know that guy on espn who throws knives at boards while blindfolded to pick games... they use a similar system.

throwdini? lol

 

[Frederico Albin]

hahahahah u guys
give the guy a break hahahahha

its simple, stick to the basic instructions:
1 The better the GPA/DAT scores, the higher your chance is to get a interview spot.
A 3.0 GPA or higher with a good, competitive DAT score (19+)
2 Good, positive letter of recommendation (3 of them minimum)
3 Apply early, specially if your gpa is not a competitive one.

 

[doc toothache]

how do admission committees make decisions?

That isn't an easy question. just call 54 dental schools and find out!

56 + PP

 

[DINI]

They make their decision based on the amount of money that you donate😀

 

[Dentalicous1234]

I'm pretty sure NYU uses the point system but it's mostly from the interview only, those who have interviews are considered academically sound. I believe the interview system is out of 20 points there, or at least it was a few years ago when the dentist I shadow had an interview there and actually talked to her interviewer about how she did, he said she got a 19/20 and he actually made the final decision on her behalf, granting her acceptance. I guess he took a point off because she wasn't a science major so the academic side was represented in that point system.

do schools really take off points or look down upon those with non-sci degrees? i thought it didn't matter but I didn't realize it still hurt you!

 

[Lurchdubious]

this thread is hilarious. i think the adcom's that model after olympic figure skating need to standardize that method among all dental schools. gotta be fair, ya know?

 

[litldime]

actually, the put about 100 names in a bag at a time, toss it up and pick 10...if your name comes up, you're in...11th name, sorry....waitlist..lady luck=👍

but on the serious note, all this sarcasm is because we don't know....unless anyone of us has sat on an admission board, its just he says, she says, or (the best one) my cousins, sister's boyfriend's neice's best friend's grandfather said....

 

[blankguy]

actually, the put about 100 names in a bag at a time, toss it up and pick 10...if your name comes up, you're in...11th name, sorry....waitlist..lady luck=👍

but on the serious note, all this sarcasm is because we don't know....unless anyone of us has sat on an admission board, its just he says, she says, or (the best one) my cousins, sister's boyfriend's neice's best friend's grandfather said....

Even if they were part of the admissions board I am sure they are bound not to reveal too much of the whole process.

 

[doc toothache]

I guess he took a point off because she wasn't a science major so the academic side was represented in that point system.

do schools really take off points or look down upon those with non-sci degrees? i thought it didn't matter but I didn't realize it still hurt you!

Those with a degree in biological sciences represents the highest percentage (50.4%) of applicants and 49.9% of enrollees. DS have traditionally wanted a diversified academic backgrounds and as such have actively pursued applicants with non science degrees. Strictly speaking the percentage of science majors is much higher if we include chemistry/physics (14%-14.1%). While there is some evidence, especially with the increased number of applicants that, his may be changing somewhat, it is important to remember that no matter what the percentage of applicants in other disciplines may be, their acceptance frequency correlates well (applicants/enrollees). For example, for business majors the percentages are 3.7- 4.2 and for education they are 0.7%-0.7%. In other words it appears that applicants in a particular specialty are compared to others with the same specialty and not to those with unrelated specialty. See 2007 Official Guide to Dental Schools or previous posts.