If Reapplying.. this my best option?

[tothepark]

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So far no news from a majority of my schools (BU, NYU, Temple, USC, etc..), and a waitlist at my state school (applied extremely late this cycle). I have a plan, please criticize or suggest any tweaks or additions.

GPA:
3.52 oGPA and 3.33 sGPA a degree in Biochem.

ECs:
5000+ hrs of community service (volunteer amblulance.. leadership)
research (including summer grants)
Dental Shadowing (30 hrs of GP and 50hrs of lab)
worked on and off
lots of awards + one from a congressman for community service.

DATs:
AA: 20
TS: 19
BIO: 18
GC: 20
OC: 21
PAT: 24
RC: 24
QR: 17

My plan is to quit my current job in the next month, and start preparing for a DAT retake to improve primarily the sciences. Im not going to contine in pursuing a Master program, because other have told me that my GPA seems fine. Also, try to get more dental shadowing under my belt, and most importantly apply super early (June rather than Oct/Nov).

Criticize.. advise.. suggest! Thanks!

P.S. do dental schools keep old applicant files? as in if we reapply do they compare it to previous application?

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

So far no news from a majority of my schools (BU, NYU, Temple, USC, etc..), and a waitlist at my state school (applied extremely late this cycle). I have a plan, please criticize or suggest any tweaks or additions.

GPA:
3.52 oGPA and 3.33 sGPA a degree in Biochem.

ECs:
5000+ hrs of community service (volunteer amblulance.. leadership)
research (including summer grants)
Dental Shadowing (30 hrs of GP and 50hrs of lab)
worked on and off
lots of awards + one from a congressman for community service.

DATs:
AA: 20
TS: 19
BIO: 18
GC: 20
OC: 21
PAT: 24
RC: 24
QR: 17

My plan is to quit my current job in the next month, and start preparing for a DAT retake to improve primarily the sciences. Im not going to contine in pursuing a Master program, because other have told me that my GPA seems fine. Also, try to get more dental shadowing under my belt, and most importantly apply super early (June rather than Oct/Nov).

Criticize.. advise.. suggest! Thanks!

P.S. do dental schools keep old applicant files? as in if we reapply do they compare it to previous application?

Your GPA is fine and I think your DAT is fine too.

It seems like your biggest problem was applying "extremely late". It takes weeks for an application to get processed, so it's important to apply as early as you can. It also will help to get more shadowing hours. Some people might say 100 hours is ideal but I've heard of people getting in with 50 ish hours (and lower stats than yours).

I've heard dental schools can access your old applications. Can't confirm from my own experiences though.

 

[wired202808]

So far no news from a majority of my schools (BU, NYU, Temple, USC, etc..), and a waitlist at my state school (applied extremely late this cycle). I have a plan, please criticize or suggest any tweaks or additions.

GPA:
3.52 oGPA and 3.33 sGPA a degree in Biochem.

ECs:
5000+ hrs of community service (volunteer amblulance.. leadership)
research (including summer grants)
Dental Shadowing (30 hrs of GP and 50hrs of lab)
worked on and off
lots of awards + one from a congressman for community service.

DATs:
AA: 20
TS: 19
BIO: 18
GC: 20
OC: 21
PAT: 24
RC: 24
QR: 17

My plan is to quit my current job in the next month, and start preparing for a DAT retake to improve primarily the sciences. Im not going to contine in pursuing a Master program, because other have told me that my GPA seems fine. Also, try to get more dental shadowing under my belt, and most importantly apply super early (June rather than Oct/Nov).

Criticize.. advise.. suggest! Thanks!

P.S. do dental schools keep old applicant files? as in if we reapply do they compare it to previous application?

Your DAT is absolutely fine but a 3.33 sGPA doesnt look too hot at all. I dont think you need to retake my DAT scores were comparable to yours I got a few acceptances and about 10 interviews (majority of which I did not attend) I would take a Masters program to boost your sGPA. Yes the overall GPA at 3.5 is pretty good, but a 3.33 in sciences is a tad low.

Even if you retake the DAT and improve the sciences you'll probably get lower scores on Math and RC and then get the same averages. I think its best to retake when you have an 18AA not a 20AA. Contrary to SDN groupthink, an average DAT score for accepted students is 19. I would just bump up the weak sGPA to make yourself more competitive. There's also a high chance you'll retake and either get a 20AA again or even a 19. Its not easy to jump from 20 to 21 or 22 and even a 21 might not make you that much more competitive.

 

[tothepark]

Your DAT is absolutely fine but a 3.33 sGPA doesnt look too hot at all. I dont think you need to retake my DAT scores were comparable to yours I got a few acceptances and about 10 interviews (majority of which I did not attend) I would take a Masters program to boost your sGPA. Yes the overall GPA at 3.5 is pretty good, but a 3.33 in sciences is a tad low.

Even if you retake the DAT and improve the sciences you'll probably get lower scores on Math and RC and then get the same averages. I think its best to retake when you have an 18AA not a 20AA. Contrary to SDN groupthink, an average DAT score for accepted students is 19. I would just bump up the weak sGPA to make yourself more competitive. There's also a high chance you'll retake and either get a 20AA again or even a 19. Its not easy to jump from 20 to 21 or 22 and even a 21 might not make you that much more competitive.

Well, I suppose a Masters will help boost my sGPA for applications for not this upcoming year, but the year after. I suppose I can apply to masters programs right now, in the chance that I may not get in anywhere this upcoming cycle.. Looks like so far a DAT retake is unfavorable..

 

[tRad]

In my opinion, if you apply early this cycle (as early as possible), have 100 or more shadowing hours on top of what you have and maybe boost your science gpa a little, you should definitely receive a bunch of interviews and acceptances. There is really no need to retake the DAT your RC score is excellent and your other scores are good enough.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

In my opinion, if you apply early this cycle (as early as possible), have 100 or more shadowing hours on top of what you have and maybe boost your science gpa a little, you should definitely receive a bunch of interviews and acceptances. There is really no need to retake the DAT your RC score is excellent and your other scores are good enough.

You can try to improve your sci GPA if you want to, but can you take post bac classes instead of a masters? A masters is usually for individuals who need to drastically improve the GPA aspect of their application (you're trying to improve a 3.33, not a 3.03). If you just want to improve it slightly, you can take upper level Biology classes. It'll be cheaper than a masters depending on where you go.

 

[white fang]

If I were you I would not do a masters. I would take some upper level bios in an informal post-bacc to stay sharp and show a good trend but your GPA and DAT are probably not going to hold you back if you apply early.

 

[JdogDMD]

Your numbers are fine. You need to apply earlier is all next year. I have a friend that had stellar stats and didn't get in anywhere, but he applied late too. You just need to apply earlier. I only got a 19 DAT, but I still got in because I applied in June. Take it for what it's worth. Good luck!!