How To Become A Better Applicant?

[3rdtimeacharm]

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I have applied 3 times...this time I only had one interview and just found out I was denied. I need some advice on how to become a better applicant.

I am going to apply for '09 and want to get started soon on becoming a stronger applicant.

I'm thinking: retake the DAT (though I think I did pretty well already)
find part-time work in a private dental office
volunteer at a local dental school and get to know faculty

I'm also thinking about trying to get a master's degree in the next year as well. does anyone know of any 1 year programs that will be favorable for a dental applicant? Or should I just take some various upper-level science courses that I haven't taken yet?

Any other ideas on how to become a stronger applicant would be greatly appreciated.


Here's my numbers:

DAT:
AA = 20
PAT = 20
QR = 18
RC = 21
BIO = 19
CHEM = 23
ORG = 21
TOTAL SCI = 21

GPA = 3.4
Science GPA = 3.3

Over 100 hours of volunteering at a private practice.

 

[NewMexDent]

I have applied 3 times...this time I only had one interview and just found out I was denied. I need some advice on how to become a better applicant.

I am going to apply for '09 and want to get started soon on becoming a stronger applicant.

I'm thinking: retake the DAT (though I think I did pretty well already)
find part-time work in a private dental office
volunteer at a local dental school and get to know faculty

I'm also thinking about trying to get a master's degree in the next year as well. does anyone know of any 1 year programs that will be favorable for a dental applicant? Or should I just take some various upper-level science courses that I haven't taken yet?

Any other ideas on how to become a stronger applicant would be greatly appreciated.


Here's my numbers:

DAT:
AA = 20
PAT = 20
QR = 18
RC = 21
BIO = 19
CHEM = 23
ORG = 21
TOTAL SCI = 21

GPA = 3.4
Science GPA = 3.3

Over 100 hours of volunteering at a private practice.

This is your third time applying? Wow. Your DAT is good and your GPA certainly isn't anything terrible. It has to be something else that's keeping you out.

How many schools did you apply to? What were they?

 

[gnarkill]

I have applied 3 times...this time I only had one interview and just found out I was denied. I need some advice on how to become a better applicant.

I am going to apply for '09 and want to get started soon on becoming a stronger applicant.

I'm thinking: retake the DAT (though I think I did pretty well already)
find part-time work in a private dental office
volunteer at a local dental school and get to know faculty

I'm also thinking about trying to get a master's degree in the next year as well. does anyone know of any 1 year programs that will be favorable for a dental applicant? Or should I just take some various upper-level science courses that I haven't taken yet?

Any other ideas on how to become a stronger applicant would be greatly appreciated.


Here's my numbers:

DAT:
AA = 20
PAT = 20
QR = 18
RC = 21
BIO = 19
CHEM = 23
ORG = 21
TOTAL SCI = 21

GPA = 3.4
Science GPA = 3.3

Over 100 hours of volunteering at a private practice.

There has to be a serious red flag in your app if you're not getting multiple interviews. You should probably lay it all out with your advisor and determine what it is.

 

[qwerty86]

Wow, very surprising check everything in your application beside scores/gpa. ECs, Statement and so on...

 

[berg1373]

Call and ask the schools. Most admissions offices will let you know what it is about your application that kept you from getting admitted. I think you should do that ASAP. Don't retake the test.

 

[3rdtimeacharm]

I guess I should have gone into more detail.

The first year I applied I had an 18/18 on the dat. I applied in July. Got 3 interviews - no acceptances.

The next year I applied the first day, but didn't retake the dat till the middle of the application process - so my numbers were basically the same.

I didn't apply the next cycle and moved across the country (FL to CA) to pursue music. That died about a month and a half into the 08 cycle and I applied at that point.

I know that not applying early hurt me - but I was still surprised at only one interview.

Schools applied to:

Nova Southeastern University (NSU)FL12/15/2007 The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine (MWU)AZ01/01/2008 The University of Michigan (MICH)MI12/05/2007 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) CA01/01/2008 University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)CA10/15/2007 University of Florida (FLA)FL12/05/2007 University of Maryland, Baltimore (MYD)MD01/01/2008 University of Southern California (USC)CA02/01/2008 University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UOP)CA12/05/2007 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)VA11/01/2007
Again - any advice on graduate programs to look into or anything else that will help my next application?

 

[Frederico Albin]

You have good DAT score
You have an ok GPA.
You have shadowing hours.
Lets see what your red flag is, hmmmm
What kind of leadership experience do you have?
Have you volunteered anywhere before you applied?
Did you have a few extra curricular activities listed in your application?
Did you write the best statement of your life? Get an english student or teach look at it, thats what Im going to do 😛
Did you have at least 3 Letter of Recommentation? Check each school you are applying to and see what kind of LORs do they need. Some only need from faculty, others require LOR from dentist/Pre-health Committee.
If I was you I would work on a post-bach program so I could raise that GPA a few points, but thats just my opinion. I think doing a masters is also a good dicision.

Well find out whats wrong with your application, dont worry 😛

 

[jcdent27]

Maybe it is not your application that needs work but perhaps your interviewing skills. To have had 3 interviews in the past and not be accepted may mean that you didn't interview well. Have you ever scheduled a mock interview with a career center at school or an advisor? Maybe they could help you out and let you know if there is anything you can improve on. I personally think your scores are competitive enough for at least a couple of acceptances (considering the amount of schools you applied to). Hope this helps. Good luck next round.

 

[Frederico Albin]

He only had one interview this year jcdent27, so I dont think that it is his interviewing skills, but in the part of doing a mock interview you are right, that helps a lot.

 

[btizzels]

Nova Southeastern University (NSU)FL12/15/2007 The Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine (MWU)AZ01/01/2008 The University of Michigan (MICH)MI12/05/2007 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) CA01/01/2008 University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)CA10/15/2007 University of Florida (FLA)FL12/05/2007 University of Maryland, Baltimore (MYD)MD01/01/2008 University of Southern California (USC)CA02/01/2008 University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UOP)CA12/05/2007 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)VA11/01/2007

Am i reading this wrong of did you apply REALLY REALLY late as in a few months ago.... My stats are similar to yours, but i applied to 20 schools and had 5 interviews... and thus far have been accepted to 2 schools. My app was submitted to AADSAS on July 27th, and my file wasn't really complete until October 5th (because I was taking the DAT) and after that I was getting interviews week after week. I applied to more "safe" school or basically schools that had similar scores. I don't know if your Personal statement is bad or you just need help interviewing but you should have gotten in somewhere by now.... Since this is your 3rd time applying I will assume that you have been out of school for at least 2 years?? I was told by NYU this year that if i didn't get into school this year I should do a Master's program... And i graduated in 06.... So just something to think about.... And for the love of all that is good apply EARLY !!!! Not late like I did

 

[3rdtimeacharm]

Here's my volunteer info:

Pre-dental ASDA -Educating the community on proper oral hygiene. Participating in various community service activities. Learning about Dentistry. August 2003 April 2005

Preprofessional Service Organization - Community service activities helping those in need such as: serving meals, donating food and clothes, etc. August 2003 April 2005

Phi Delta Theta - Participation in a large number of philanthropic events. August 2001 April 2005

Anona United Methodist Church Band - Percussion Leader-Volunteer Played music and helped lead church services. Also played for local community events, children and the elderly. Continued to fill in when needed while in college. August 1996 July 2006

Mu Alpha Theta - In high school, I spent one day a week during lunch period tutoring other students in math. I did this throughout my Junior and Senior years. August 1999 May 2001

I volunteered at the dental office before my first app cycle.

I had all my LORs

I Didn't hold any office in the organizations that I was in.

I haven't had a mock interview either, but plan to in the future. I'm a pretty laid back and easy to talk to though - I kinda doubt that is the problem, unless I seem too informal or something.

 

[Frederico Albin]

Your volunteering seems to be good also. I can't think of anything else man... maybe youre just having bad luck or something hehehe 😛. Well.. if you go with that masters programs, thats going to help youre application, just make sure you do well on that.
Hope you get accepted this next cycle.

 

[3rdtimeacharm]

Yea btizzels -

You are reading it wrong...I just copied and pasted that from aadsas (those are the due dates for each school).

I submitted my app on July 15th and the printout was mailed Aug 13th.

Did they say anything more about which master's programs you might look into and how long they are? I have no problem getting an m.s. - I just don't want that to cause me to have to wait another year to apply.

I got my bachelors in spring 05

 

[gogiantsss]

Most of the schools you applied to are public institutions. I would suggest applying to some private schools with larger class sizes like NYU (200+ seats), Tufts (~160), BU (100+), etc. Not saying that they're easier to get into but you certainly have to play the numbers game to increase your odds. Check predents for more info. 👍

 

[Phamdh23]

Most of the schools you applied to are public institutions. I would suggest applying to some private schools with larger class sizes like NYU (200+ seats), Tufts (~160), BU (100+), etc. Not saying that they're easier to get into but you certainly have to play the numbers game to increase your odds. Check predents for more info. 👍

Agreed, you should definately try more private schools next cycle.

 

[btizzels]

Did they say anything more about which master's programs you might look into and how long they are? I have no problem getting an m.s. - I just don't want that to cause me to have to wait another year to apply.


They didn't really specify... I think they were just looking to have you take a Master's programs so that you could prove that you still have what it takes, academically speaking. I know some schools have Master's programs that will lead directly into their school in the following year if you do well. So NOVA for example will allow 10 people into their "Masters" program (the quotes are because you don't really get a masters because there is no Thesis) and if you get 80% or better in all your classes you get in right away the next year. I know VCU has a D.5 program where they do something similar... So since you have been out of school for a while do something academically to show you haven't forgotten everything... another thing to do is make sure your LORs actually made it to AADSAS and that they sent it out....AADSAS is notorious for messing up LORs

 

[3rdtimeacharm]

Thanks btizzels - that was a really helpful reply!

 

[bluejellybelly]

3rd timer, I think you're pretty strong of an applicant... Honestly, I have no clue as to what you have that's bad, just your luck, i guess 🙁

 

[ThePreDentLife]

Your stats are honestly not bad. I believe the best advice which was given before...Apply to more private universities like NYU, and use the ADEA dental school guide book, and the great predents.com

I wish you all the best, hope to hear good news soon
I must also say, I really respect your dedication to the dental field. It will pay off...👍

 

[Dental156]

Try calling some of the schools that you got denied from and setting up an appt with an advisor. I think Midwestern says to write if you want to know why you weren't accepted (says this in denial letter?) Some schools actually require that you do this in order to apply to them again

 

[harjay]

I would say if you still aren't getting in, you need to invest some time in a masters program. [sorry I don't know much about where they are or which ones are good] You may not be able to find a one year program, so be prepared for 2. It's not too late to apply for some/most programs.

Some schools look more highly on masters than others, but if you show you can do really well in higher level sciences, that will definitely impress some schools.

In short, you need to make a drastic change to something on your application to show schools that you are committed to doing this. If they see nothing on your application has changed, they aren't likely to change their mind on your application. Even if your GPA isn't bad, getting the masters will improve the quality of your science background

 

[dentstd]

Forget the masters program. It's for people with low gpa's, and yours is the national average for accepted students. Schools go with your undergrad gpa anyways. Go get a research job.

And you can't apply to just Nova, Midwestern, and USC...those were all the private schools you applied to. The rest were schools that strongly prefer in-state students: that was your problem with your application. Try Case, ASDOH (and volunteer more), Tufts, BU, Pitt, Buffalo, UNLV, etc. Do your research on what schools want.

 

[SHC1984]

I can only think of two things...
1) you know the questions about have you ever been convicted of a crime? if your answer is YES then thats why! I can't imagine anyone getting accepted with a crimmal record...
or
2) you are applying to all the wrong schools...schools for example like, UCLA, MUSC, WVU, Alablama, Georgia, etc. those schools are pretty much impossible to get into from out of state...

(Your GPA could be higher but I don't think that is it...)

I have applied 3 times...this time I only had one interview and just found out I was denied. I need some advice on how to become a better applicant.

I am going to apply for '09 and want to get started soon on becoming a stronger applicant.

I'm thinking: retake the DAT (though I think I did pretty well already)
find part-time work in a private dental office
volunteer at a local dental school and get to know faculty

I'm also thinking about trying to get a master's degree in the next year as well. does anyone know of any 1 year programs that will be favorable for a dental applicant? Or should I just take some various upper-level science courses that I haven't taken yet?

Any other ideas on how to become a stronger applicant would be greatly appreciated.


Here's my numbers:

DAT:
AA = 20
PAT = 20
QR = 18
RC = 21
BIO = 19
CHEM = 23
ORG = 21
TOTAL SCI = 21

GPA = 3.4
Science GPA = 3.3

Over 100 hours of volunteering at a private practice.