I Got In...even With These Low Grades And Poor Dat....

[eddiescott]

I didn't mention the applying to med schools in my essay but I did check off the "previous applications to professional schools" box or whatever it was on the application. I did mention all of my motivations for pursueing dentistry and I talked about how the dentist I took care of sparked my interest in dentistry. During my interview in Buffalo we talked pretty extensively about why I didn't go into medicine and I was completely honest with the two people interviewing me. It turns out that one of the interviewers had two children in med school and they had told her alot of the same feelings that I have had about medicine. Then all of a sudden we were standing at the window and both of my interviewers were pointing at different parts of town and telling me where I should live and what schools I should send my kids too if I was accepted. The interview went very, very well and I felt that I was talking to my peirs. That interview is what got me accepted to Buffalo and being honest made it easy. The other interview that I had it didn't come up, they didn't care and didn't give me any chance to express my motivations. This second interview was at my first choice school and I was pretty dissapointed by the experience. Oh Well, I will be more than happy to attend Buffalo considering the quality of education that I will get there and how friendly and supportive everyone seems. I think that more people should consider Buffalo, it seemed really nice. Of course I can only compare it to 1 other school that I have been to.

I don't know why people don't seem to believe my story about how I became interested in dentistry. I would figure if I was going to lie about it I would have said I knew I was going to be a dentist since I was in the woumb when I first experienced conciousness, would that be more believable?? Perhaps the ADCOMS have heard everybodies story hundreds of times before and mine was unique. I don't know, I don't care, I have no reason to lie to people on these boards or the admissions commitees.

Oh I think your story is interesting now. I admit it did sound quite LAME at first......

Interesting however.

Congrats.

What exactly did you used to do and what was your GPA?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[TucsonDDS]

What exactly did you used to do and what was your GPA?

I have been an RN for almost the past 10 years. It has been a good job and I have gotten to meet a lot of neet people but it didn't give me the autonomy and satisfaction that I would like in a career.

I had around a 3.1overall, something like a 3.2 science and a 3.3 (maybe a 3.4) BCP.

 

[Bullfan16]

Probably feels great because his parents are probably picking up some of the tab and he has a practice to walk into when he graduates. Some of us have to take a route other than the traditional one I guess...

I wasnt going to write anything...but I wanted to provide perspective from the other side of the coin. I cant believe that you people actually think a person got in to a school simply based on the fact that he/she knew someone. I am a non-traditional student...graduated from Indiana with a degree in finance with an average GPA....took all of the pre-reqs for the sciences and have been continuing on ever since. I was in last years cycle for admission to the class of 2008, but didnt get in. However, my father is a dentist and claims to know people at my state school...you know what it didnt do a damn thing. Right now getting into dental school is so cut throat that even people who know people have to get in on their own merit (something I have heard is a common practice in the medical field, ie knowing someone and getting in). About 10-15 years ago I know that dental schools used to fly potential applicants in to their school to interview them and took people with very low numbers. That being said, Biogirl how do you know this persons stats? For all you know they could have embellished a bit. Besides even if this person did get in, I am sure their stats were relatively competitive...dental schools arent going to take Joe Schmoe with a 2.0 gpa and a 12 DAT because their family knows people and are willing to donate money to the school...thats just not how it works at least in terms of dental school admissions. I am sure this person was somewhat competitive and got a chance to interview and impressed the committee (and it helped the person's family knew people). Oh, and tzips, are you that arrogant that you wont sit next to a person based on what you think you know about them?

I wanted to also touch on this quote...completely absurd. Yeah, so I may have an easier time getting myself started up once out of dental school....but I have gone through the same struggles most of you have had to encounter...its not like I clicked my heels and got an acceptance letter (still waiting by the way). A former friend of mine (after telling him of my plans to do postbacc work and apply to dental school) said I was taking the easy way out...tell me how taking two more years of classes that are totally the opposite of what you took in college (plus upper level sciences), studying for a comprehensive exam, going through this crappy (and long) application cyle (twice) and going through 4 years of what some people describe as the "worst four years of their life" is really taking the easy way out. Granted, you go through this to be able to practice and work in a field that is ultimately the field you want to go into. I think taking the easy way out would have been finding some sales job and being completely unfulfilled. So, even the offspring of dental professionals have to struggle a lot before they are "handed the keys to the practice". Its just the way things are. Nobody gets a free pass to dental school (unless they earned it with grades and DATs)

 

[Tzips]

Oh, and tzips, are you that arrogant that you wont sit next to a person based on what you think you know about them?

What I meant was, I'd not like to go through dental school with people who think it's cool to weasel their way out of work and are willing to use underhand methods to get what they want; I'd rather be surrounded by students who got where they are by working, and thus know the value of it. If that makes me arrogant, than so be it; I just don't like dealing with people who enjoy cheating the system.

 

[Sprgrover]

...but I wanted to provide perspective from the other side of the coin. I cant believe that you people actually think a person got in to a school simply based on the fact that he/she knew someone. I am a non-traditional student...Nobody gets a free pass to dental school (unless they earned it with grades and DATs)

They're called legacies and they do exist, for good or bad. Penn is one institution that has held onto theirs and promotes and encourages it (unlike some of the other Ivies that have been down-playing theirs in recent years). And no, I am not a part of one and connections of any sort didn't get me into dental school. You're probably right in that noone receives a truely free pass. Legacies usually encompass generous contributions to an institution and thus tossing an acceptance to a donor is an easy way for a school to express its gratitude. Even if donations and their amounts are not factored in chances are there is a transaction involving the currency of personal favors or egos. I find it hard to believe that admissions decisions sometimes don't come down to a single individual or that an individual which carries weight with the adcom couldn't intervene, for whatever reasons, on the behalf of an applicant. I also don't believe that someone who is a total fry would be able to skip into dental school even with connections as any school would more-than-likely still have to ensure that he/she could survive the program and be at least a decent practitioner. An average applicant, with some true, powerful connections getting in by those graces, sure, I am confident it happens. Ultimately, I certainly don't care if I had to run the normal route and sweat it out just to get to this point while somebody out there pulled some strings. I've worked hard to be where I am, the process has reaffirmed my desire to become a dentist, and my eyes are on the goal and not on antics of applicant 'X'.

...an acceptance letter (still waiting by the way)...

Hang in there, you're bound to get one soon!

 

[Biogirl361]

Bullfan, i guess it's your choice to believe in these things or not, but i know their stats b/c we're freinds and trust me it is well below what most schools consider average. and, as i said, they were not even graced with an interview at a single other school, including ones that are generally considered less competitive. now of course nobody knows for sure that connections were the differentiating factor at this school, I was just saying it's highly suspicious and the applicant themself credits the difference to it.

also it obviously depends on the school, each school values family legacies and whatnot differently. perhaps the school you have experience with took the higher road and decided that all applicants must achieve at a certain level regardless of their family. unfortunately it appears that not all schools are this way.

I don't spend too much time worrying about these things (except when posting here lol) but it's impossible not to let the unfairness of it all get under my skin a little. I guess I'm just a firm believer in people getting things through merit and hard work and I don't like seeing these things belittled by other people being given shortcuts, whatever they may be.

 

[Biogirl361]

lol... this was suppose to be an inspirational thread.. i didn't know my sarcastic little post was gonna start this much of a discussion... sorry all

 

[Tzips]

lol... this was suppose to be an inspirational thread.. i didn't know my sarcastic little post was gonna start this much of a discussion... sorry all

It actually IS kinda inspirational that your story provoked a whole discussion; it shows that this kind of thing is, fortunately, a rare occurence, or we'd all be jaded. Here's to all of us, who's hard work is finally paying off!

 

[rmpagnt]

Bullfan, i guess it's your choice to believe in these things or not, but i know their stats b/c we're freinds and trust me it is well below what most schools consider average. and, as i said, they were not even graced with an interview at a single other school, including ones that are generally considered less competitive. now of course nobody knows for sure that connections were the differentiating factor at this school, I was just saying it's highly suspicious and the applicant themself credits the difference to it.

also it obviously depends on the school, each school values family legacies and whatnot differently. perhaps the school you have experience with took the higher road and decided that all applicants must achieve at a certain level regardless of their family. unfortunately it appears that not all schools are this way.

I don't spend too much time worrying about these things (except when posting here lol) but it's impossible not to let the unfairness of it all get under my skin a little. I guess I'm just a firm believer in people getting things through merit and hard work and I don't like seeing these things belittled by other people being given shortcuts, whatever they may be.

Get over this! Are you serious that you are so begrudging of others that the idea of someone having luck enough to be in to a school? If they can cut it then fine and if they can't, then they will get themselves out, legacy or not. Worry about yourself, don't be so petty... you come off pathetic, please be better than that, be deserving...

 

[Darksunshine]

They're called legacies and they do exist, for good or bad. Penn is one institution that has held onto theirs and promotes and encourages it (unlike some of the other Ivies that have been down-playing theirs in recent years). And no, I am not a part of one and connections of any sort didn't get me into dental school. You're probably right in that noone receives a truely free pass. Legacies usually encompass generous contributions to an institution and thus tossing an acceptance to a donor is an easy way for a school to express its gratitude. Even if donations and their amounts are not factored in chances are there is a transaction involving the currency of personal favors or egos. I find it hard to believe that admissions decisions sometimes don't come down to a single individual or that an individual which carries weight with the adcom couldn't intervene, for whatever reasons, on the behalf of an applicant. I also don't believe that someone who is a total fry would be able to skip into dental school even with connections as any school would more-than-likely still have to ensure that he/she could survive the program and be at least a decent practitioner. An average applicant, with some true, powerful connections getting in by those graces, sure, I am confident it happens. Ultimately, I certainly don't care if I had to run the normal route and sweat it out just to get to this point while somebody out there pulled some strings. I've worked hard to be where I am, the process has reaffirmed my desire to become a dentist, and my eyes are on the goal and not on antics of applicant 'X'.




Hang in there, you're bound to get one soon!

Yep, agreed.

 

[adamlc18]

Just a quick question and not being rude////// Are you an african american ???

UNC will take African americans with lower scores. I have seen proof of that.

I know you aren't trying to be rude, but honestly I think that is really insulting to ask. Someone says they got below a 20 on the DAT, and you assume they have a "lower" score and must be african american since they got into school. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the national average was 17 or 18. How is lower than 20 a lower score? And by the way, there is more to getting in than just your DAT score. The average score for those in my class (2008) had an academic average of 19.6 which is below 20. So I really don't think you should stereotype like that. I am sure you have seen proof that UNC will take "African Americans with lower scores." I am sure UNC has also taken caucasions, asians, and other ethnicities with lower scores as well.

I know cdwhite and he is a smart guy. he is doing just as well as anyone else in our class. And he is not a minority (not that that matters, but just so you know.)

 

[cdwhite]

Thanks adamlc18!

This thread is for those who are average. We are the ones that have gone through life as B students, sometimes A's and C's. We are the ones that did everything to the best of out ability and still came out average. Not too smart, not too dumb. My stats...the ones that no one wants to talk about:

-I am not a minority
-Not one person in my family went to UNC, is a dentist, or in the medical field...therefore, no connections
-Average DAT
-Average GPA
-In a fraternity in undergrad
-Was an ambassador to the University
-Come from a middle class family
-None of my parents served in any military service

I got into UNC as an average person...based on nothing but my social skills and a lot of hard work. There is hope for all those out there!