I'm considering just waiting until after my SMP to apply. Could I get thoughts or advice?

[Ollivander]

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I currently hold a 3.43 oGPA and a 3.21 (could be 3.25 after this summer) sGPA. I am not a science major, however I've taken all of the basic requirements in addition to anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. I have 10 withdrawals on my transcript over a six year undergraduate span, hence why I'm doing the SMP. I have over 1,000 volunteer hours, a couple of good to strong letters of rec, and 121 shadowing hours. I'm an Alabama resident and am currently 24 years old.

My original plan was to take the DAT in July and apply to 9-10 schools this year (no privates), then if I don't get in apply to 20-25 after the SMP has been completed (including privates). However, I'm now thinking that I might be wasting money and time applying this year. I'll have to spend a couple of thousand dollars on just applying, not including the cost of hotels or Airbnb, rental cars, plane tickets, etc if I get interviews. Then I'll also have to time time off school and miss classwork for my SMP in order to attend interviews if I get any.

I'm now thinking that it may be wiser to just wait until the SMP is over, apply to those 25 schools that summer directly after completing the SMP, and work for a year to pay back a portion or all of the $20,000 I took out to finance the SMP over the next year. It'd also be easier to take time off work as opposed to during the SMP to take interviews and what not. I don't think dental schools will have a problem with me working a non-healthcare related job within that year to pay my debt off right? Anyway I just wanted to get some feedback on what you guys think would be best. I'd still take the DAT this summer regardless. I just am unsure on when to apply now (before versus after SMP).

 

[Ollivander]

I agree.

I very much appreciate the advice. I'm tending to agree with you. Do you think dental schools will care if I work a job that's not related to healthcare over that gap year while I apply in order to pay back the loans from the SMP?

 

[changtw]

I also think you should wait until SMP completion to apply. I would save myself money this application cycle, do well in the program, show schools you're plenty capable, apply broadly and matriculate. In the event that you need to reapply, you'd have to draft up a new personal statement and request new LORs as well.

I don't think schools will mind as far as non-healthcare jobs go, as long as other aspects of your application are sufficient. They might bring it up during interviews, but only to know the reasoning behind it and your story. I never felt judged for my work history. They get that as students, we sometimes have to take whatever job we can get our hands on to make ends meet.

 

[Ollivander]

I also think you should wait until SMP completion to apply. I would save myself money this application cycle, do well in the program, show schools you're plenty capable, apply broadly and matriculate. In the event that you need to reapply, you'd have to draft up a new personal statement and request new LORs as well.

I don't think schools will mind as far as non-healthcare jobs go, as long as other aspects of your application are sufficient. They might bring it up during interviews, but only to know the reasoning behind it and your story. I never felt judged for my work history. They get that as students, we sometimes have to take whatever job we can get our hands on to make ends meet.

Exactly! It took me a very long time to get the LORs that I currently have, and I've been working on my personal statement off and on for the past two years. I feel as though that it might be all for not if I half-heartedly apply before completion of the SMP, especially given that I won't be able to use them again and will need to get new LORs and write a new PS. Thanks for the reply man. I'm very thankful for it.

 

[Soleus715]

I currently hold a 3.43 oGPA and a 3.21 (could be 3.25 after this summer) sGPA. I am not a science major, however I've taken all of the basic requirements in addition to anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. I have 10 withdrawals on my transcript over a six year undergraduate span, hence why I'm doing the SMP. I have over 1,000 volunteer hours, a couple of good to strong letters of rec, and 121 shadowing hours. I'm an Alabama resident and am currently 24 years old.

My original plan was to take the DAT in July and apply to 9-10 schools this year (no privates), then if I don't get in apply to 20-25 after the SMP has been completed (including privates). However, I'm now thinking that I might be wasting money and time applying this year. I'll have to spend a couple of thousand dollars on just applying, not including the cost of hotels or Airbnb, rental cars, plane tickets, etc if I get interviews. Then I'll also have to time time off school and miss classwork for my SMP in order to attend interviews if I get any.

I'm now thinking that it may be wiser to just wait until the SMP is over, apply to those 25 schools that summer directly after completing the SMP, and work for a year to pay back a portion or all of the $20,000 I took out to finance the SMP over the next year. It'd also be easier to take time off work as opposed to during the SMP to take interviews and what not. I don't think dental schools will have a problem with me working a non-healthcare related job within that year to pay my debt off right? Anyway I just wanted to get some feedback on what you guys think would be best. I'd still take the DAT this summer regardless. I just am unsure on when to apply now (before versus after SMP).

I feel like I would want to make this decision after seeing the DAT scores since your GPA isn't that bad at all.

There is a risk/reward for doing the SMP. It makes you delay a full year and to pay tuition for the SMP, but it is the "safest" option.
If you do well on the DAT, you may get in without taking an SMP this cycle, but if you don't, you risk having go through another cycle's worth of stress and app fees.

I did undergrad over 5 years with many withdrawals and a 3.0 GPA but chose to apply right away without SMP.

It really is uncertain what the best option is in your case.
I believe this is more of a personal choice. I honestly think either option is good, you just have to be completely sure about it (knowing the risks of each option) when going through with your decision.

 

[Ollivander]

I feel like I would want to make this decision after seeing the DAT scores since your GPA isn't that bad at all.

There is a risk/reward for doing the SMP. It makes you delay a full year and to pay tuition for the SMP, but it is the "safest" option.
If you do well on the DAT, you may get in without taking an SMP this cycle, but if you don't, you risk having go through another cycle's worth of stress and app fees.

I did undergrad over 5 years with many withdrawals and a 3.0 GPA but chose to apply right away without SMP.

It really is uncertain what the best option is in your case.
I believe this is more of a personal choice. I honestly think either option is good, you just have to be completely sure about it (knowing the risks of each option) when going through with your decision.

I agree with you. I think that if I were to score high enough on the DAT that it's possible I'd get an acceptance this cycle. However, without the SMP grades I believe those acceptances would probably come from privates instead of my state schools and other state schools I'd be applying to the first time around (Oklahoma, Pitt, Temple, Creighton, Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky, etc). I don't want to take an acceptance from a private that will put me out $400-500K if it can be avoided (NYU, USC, MWU, etc).

My ultimate goal would be to get into my state school and save ~$200-250K. I do think a year of upper level science courses similar to what I'd take in the first year of dental school would improve my standing of getting acceptance there if I maintain a GPA at or above 3.5. I still plan to apply to a load of privates after the SMP is completed, but if I apply this cycle my application won't include any privates. My aim is to put myself in the best position to get into my state school.

Your post actually helped tremendously. Thanks for that! I sort of feel like waiting may put me in the best position with my state school and other state schools. Unless I score in the top 5%, I don't see myself getting into most of the state schools I listed above, and scoring in the top 5% on the DAT is tremendously difficult. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I don't want to set those expectations and fall short. I want to aim high, but be conservative in my expectations. As you said, take a safer outlook on the situation.