How to Get Myself into University of Michigan Dental School 1 Year from now 2013

[medadvicewanted]

Hello all,

I have recently graduated (Dec 2011) with a bachelors in psychology and a minor in biology. Cum. GPA was a 2.94 (I know, bad, but mostly made up of B's, which I think accounts for some of the low GPA). Right now I am taking biochemistry, human physiology and a biology seminar (level 497). This Fall I hope to participate in some sort of post bacc program (like wayne state university BMS) to raise my GPA. I took the DAT this past summer without studying much and a got a 16 (WILL be retaking in april or may after more thorough preparation.) I have shadowed dentists and done volunteering at free clinics around the area (not particularly dental related, more med). I also believe I can get strong letters of rec ( a few of them, one from the pre-health advisor at my school also perhaps). I am just really looking for some advice, I am from Michigan so I would like to stay in state, this is why I am looking for how I could improve myself to eventually get accepted into this program. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you in advance (I know my stats are not great, I am not stupid, that is why I am asking HOW I can improve myself). 🙂

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[pk62281]

Dude, you need to apply to a lot of places too. Don't just focus on Michigan. You can't do long distance relationships or something?

Call Michigan and setup an advising appt. The admissions people will meet with you and give you suggestions and it'll get your name and face out there.

 

[HeyCharlie]

A post-bac will be inappropriate for you. They are designed for people who never took the pre-req science courses or older students who graduated many years ago and need to prove that they can now succeed in an academic setting. You'll be merely repeating science classes; schools don't like that.

Since you already graduated last month, your only choices are to take upper division science courses or enroll in a 1-yr Masters Biology program. Upper division science classes may not have much effect on your GPA since you already took so many credits. 1-yr Masters may be a better route since this level is more relevant to dental school. Plus, it'll help you tremendously on the Bio section of DAT.

I would think about 2014 entry instead of 2013.

And apply to at least 6 schools. Schools frown upon applicants who only apply to their school and may hold it against you.

 

[hellopeople]

A post-bac will be inappropriate for you. They are designed for people who never took the pre-req science courses or older students who graduated many years ago and need to prove that they can now succeed in an academic setting. You'll be merely repeating science classes; schools don't like that.

Since you already graduated last month, your only choices are to take upper division science courses or enroll in a 1-yr Masters Biology program. Upper division science classes may not have much effect on your GPA since you already took so many credits. 1-yr Masters may be a better route since this level is more relevant to dental school. Plus, it'll help you tremendously on the Bio section of DAT.

I would think about 2014 entry instead of 2013.

And apply to at least 6 schools. Schools frown upon applicants who only apply to their school and may hold it against you.

+1

You have to apply broadly and improve your app (maybe masters and great DAT score). I doubt Michigan would frown on you only applying to their school, but the odds just aren't high enough that you will be accepted.

Also, apply early. Michigan is big on that.

 

[Msmouth]

A post-bac will be inappropriate for you. They are designed for people who never took the pre-req science courses or older students who graduated many years ago and need to prove that they can now succeed in an academic setting. You'll be merely repeating science classes; schools don't like that.

Since you already graduated last month, your only choices are to take upper division science courses or enroll in a 1-yr Masters Biology program. Upper division science classes may not have much effect on your GPA since you already took so many credits. 1-yr Masters may be a better route since this level is more relevant to dental school. Plus, it'll help you tremendously on the Bio section of DAT.

I would think about 2014 entry instead of 2013.

And apply to at least 6 schools.  Schools frown upon applicants who only apply to their school and may hold it against you.[/QUOTE]

Why is this and how do you know this? I may be applying to only one and I have special situation unlike most. Is this common knowledge?

 

[agb2782]

Schools don't know how many other schools you apply to. They would never frown upon you for applying narrowly unless you specifically made a point that you only applied to that one particular school.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

[/PHP]

Why is this and how do you know this? I may be applying to only one and I have special situation unlike most. Is this common knowledge?

I will have to call complete BS on that statement.

Fact of the matter is, I believe ALL dental schools receive the same amount of information from your application that they get from AADSAS. Prime evidence is the supplementary app NYU has you fill out on interview day, which ASKES, which other schools have you applied for. Since NYU does not know, then none of the other schools know.


So yes, agb2782 is correct 🙂

Schools don't know how many other schools you apply to. They would never frown upon you for applying narrowly unless you specifically made a point that you only applied to that one particular school.

 

[medadvicewanted]

Dude, you need to apply to a lot of places too. Don't just focus on Michigan. You can't do long distance relationships or something?

Call Michigan and setup an advising appt. The admissions people will meet with you and give you suggestions and it'll get your name and face out there.

Thanks for your reply! No I'm not just focused on michigan but I really want to go there, I will be applying all over the country when I do apply, I just wanted to know if it was possible to get in. Also, how would I set up an advising appointment, whenever I try to do something like that everyone who I contact seems to never want to actually meet, instead just talk on the phone. I would rather meet in person. 🙁

 

[medadvicewanted]

Also, the wayne state university post bacc is different as you are taking medical school classes not the prereqs, I think it is a good option and also the 1 year masters in physiology at UM but I dont think I can get into that program with my stats. 😕 I really don't know what to do, should I cancel my diploma and try to take more classes or just focus on masters

 

[HeyCharlie]

I will have to call complete BS on that statement.

Fact of the matter is, I believe ALL dental schools receive the same amount of information from your application that they get from AADSAS. Prime evidence is the supplementary app NYU has you fill out on interview day, which ASKES, which other schools have you applied for. Since NYU does not know, then none of the other schools know.


So yes, agb2782 is correct 🙂

You're making an assumption based on NYU asking you to fill out that sheet. How do you know they're not asking you to test your honesty?

I applied to 15 schools and only listed 8 schools on that list. At the end of my NYU interview, the interviewer asked if I would pick NYU or USC. I did NOT list USC on my sheet. Thus, I disagree with your assumption.

 

[medadvicewanted]

bump 🙁

 

[Bereno]

It is possible that some schools do look down on only applying to one school. I am under the impression that the UW has a bias against those who only apply there. There are a few stories of exclusive UW applicants with essentially perfect applications getting rejected. I remember one person tell me that they were told "you are not serious about dental or medical school if you only apply to one school"

This is purely hearsay from friends, but I have heard it a few times. Take it for what its worth...