I will get in somewhere, right? (good stats)

[UNCafDDS]

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Disclaimer: Reading this board has made me a mess.

Disclaimer: This is not a humble brag. I know that I have decent stats. BUT I continually read about applicants who also have good stats who do not get accepted.

I see in the ADEA book the number of applications that schools receive. Thousands!

How possible is it for me to not get accepted???

My stats:
- active volunteer EMT for 4 years (This counts as community service?? If so, 1300 hours)
- prob. about 400 hours of shadowing, most with an oral surgeon. About 100 hours with general dentists (across multiple dentists).
- 3.98 GPA.
- DAT: PAT: 22, QR: 22, RC: 19, Bio: 24, GC: 20, OC: 29, TS: 23, AA: 23
-No committee letter (schools does not offer), but more than one dentist letter, 2 science profs, and community service letter. I assume the letters are good, but doesn't that depend on how much effort the letter writer put forth?
-white female, age 21.
- I think I will interview pretty well. I am not socially awkward.
- no idea if my personal statement is good

How many schools should I apply to? Am I nuts for worrying about getting in somewhere?

 

[887194]

Yes, it's possible for anyone, regardless of stats, to not get accepted. Usually, it's because the applicant bombs the interview. I would say applying to 8-10 schools is a good number. I'm sure you will be fine though. GL!

 

[akaopua]

If you are smart applying to schools it is unlikely you won't get in anywhere.

Don't only apply to top schools and have several safety bets

 

[FreddieMercury1]

You did everything right and you will get in. (But if you're not sure if your personal statement is good, get a couple people to read it forsure!)

 

[WolfsBane]

Disclaimer: Reading this board has made me a mess.

Disclaimer: This is not a humble brag. I know that I have decent stats. BUT I continually read about applicants who also have good stats who do not get accepted.

I see in the ADEA book the number of applications that schools receive. Thousands!

How possible is it for me to not get accepted???

My stats:
- active volunteer EMT for 4 years (This counts as community service?? If so, 1300 hours)
- prob. about 400 hours of shadowing, most with an oral surgeon. About 100 hours with general dentists (across multiple dentists).
- 3.98 GPA.
- DAT: PAT: 22, QR: 22, RC: 19, Bio: 24, GC: 20, OC: 29, TS: 23, AA: 23
-No committee letter (schools does not offer), but more than one dentist letter, 2 science profs, and community service letter. I assume the letters are good, but doesn't that depend on how much effort the letter writer put forth?
-white female, age 21.
- I think I will interview pretty well. I am not socially awkward.
- no idea if my personal statement is good

How many schools should I apply to? Am I nuts for worrying about getting in somewhere?

Your stats are incredible! You should apply to a few ivies and a few private/state schools. Get your personal statement reviewed by at least 3 people just to be as sure as possible, with a dentist being a great person to ask to review it. Don't apply to less than 8 schools no matter what your stats are. As you stated people get turned down for seemingly no reason. Good Luck!

 

[BluntForceTrauma]

As you've heard above, ad nauseam, you'll be fine with your stats.

I will echo though, write a good PS and get it previewed by at least 3 people, if not 5 people. Hopefully one or two of them is from a dental background, and the others have impeccable English skills. Don't ask if it's good, ask them to tear it apart.

When you get interviews, and you will get interviews so long as you apply to a few "safety" schools in addition to all the awesome schools you can probably get into with your stats (Penn, Texas, etc), don't be stupid. Be yourself, be relaxed, be honest.

I talk a lot with our head of admissions and one of the biggest problems in interviewees is when they're asked something to the effect of "So what kinds of things would you like to do in dental school?" And the applicant says something like "Oh, research, I love research and the opportunity dental school gives me to do research." The interviewer then asks "So what kind of research have you done in the past?" Applicant "Oh, I haven't done any yet." They only mentioned research because they thought the interviewer would like to hear it. Just be you, and be honest about your motivations.

You'll be fine.

 

[Life of Pablo]

Right.

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

Maybe take some extra science classes to raise your GPA

 

[Auntymarkovnikov]

your OCHEM score is on the low side. def retake.

 

[SmileswithKammy]

i still cannot believe the audacity...

 

[ChewyDrop]

Some people like reassurance.

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

I don't know, you are cutting it pretty close with those grades. 3.99 and you would've been set....

All kidding aside, you will be fine, maybe have a few people review your personal statement.

 

[SmileswithKammy]

Some people like reassurance.

tooting your own horn is the last thing an aspiring dentist should be doing.