I'm feeling scared!

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dentalchick2016

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What do you do to prepare for a rejection? I've been reading how exceptional applicants get rejected and how its extremely confusing why that happened to them.

Can anyone help me feel more confident about my app? I know I have solid stats on everything but my current DAT score, but am retaking Sept. 8th. I know thats late, so spare me there, but i need some positivity.
 
What do you do to prepare for a rejection? I've been reading how exceptional applicants get rejected and how its extremely confusing why that happened to them.

Can anyone help me feel more confident about my app? I know I have solid stats on everything but my current DAT score, but am retaking Sept. 8th. I know thats late, so spare me there, but i need some positivity.


Take everything in here w/ a grain of salt. Don't be scared of rejection and hope for the best. You never know what's gonna happen w/ your current DAT score.
 
What do you do to prepare for a rejection? I've been reading how exceptional applicants get rejected and how its extremely confusing why that happened to them.

Can anyone help me feel more confident about my app? I know I have solid stats on everything but my current DAT score, but am retaking Sept. 8th. I know thats late, so spare me there, but i need some positivity.

I am just curious about where you read that people are getting rejected already? I have only read about one person on here..

Keep your head up..you have tried your best and now it's in the hands of the adcoms and the higher power!
 
Go to the gym more frequently. It'll calm your nerves.
 
Suck it up and move on. If you have the grades, DAT, and ECs the applicant will get in somewhere.
 
I am just curious about where you read that people are getting rejected already? I have only read about one person on here..

Keep your head up..you have tried your best and now it's in the hands of the adcoms and the higher power!


right, well I was looking at old old posts from people that were trying to get into my state school, and was freaking out. I was just wanting to find good information and found that instead. =/
 
plan for the worst, that's what i'm doing. 🙂 so if you get accepted, its like the best feeling everrrrr.
 
plan for the worst, that's what i'm doing. 🙂 so if you get accepted, its like the best feeling everrrrr.


thats basically what I'm doing for myself right now too. lol
I've worked so hard for this for the last four years and I would hate for it not to work out. =/
 
Relax and hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst 🙂 I have been looking at gap year options to prepare for the worst. Hopefully most of us will get there! Don't let anyone on sdn bring you down! Looking forward to hearing about your acceptances!
 
Don't set your heart and aim at one "dream school". You'll get in somewhere and be a dentist, the school isn't all that important imo. I would like to go to certain schools, but I'm not going to complain if I get into any of the ones I applied to.

Oh an in the meanwhile, distract yourself!
 
I think you will be okay. Everyone faces rejection sometime in their lives. It's something that we all experience. However, I'm sure you are a well qualified application and many schools will like you.

Stay positive, keep yourself occupied so that you don't think about it a lot, and just believe in yourself. You worked really hard to get where you are and dental schools will acknowledge that. 🙂
 
just got two rejections from the Midwesterns' 😛. good thing i got 15 more to go. HAHAHAH, i'm actually excited to be applying for Western U's MSMS program for next fall if i dont get in this cycle!
 
just got two rejections from the Midwesterns' 😛. good thing i got 15 more to go. HAHAHAH, i'm actually excited to be applying for Western U's MSMS program for next fall if i dont get in this cycle!

Do you mind saying how the Midwesterns contacted you about the rejections? I wish you the best of luck with the 15 other schools 🙂
 
Yeah... did the midwesterns JUST email you today? Yesterday?

How is the world are they rejecting already??/??!?q/a//q/qdfw eiojojiwjefoiw o 90r0 9 u23 u2
 
The only way they reject this early is If an applicant fails to meet the minimum requirements of their school...One of those includes having a Science/BCP/Cum of above 2.75...It's a filtering system, so unfortunately any applicant lacking one of those categories receives an automatic rejection.
 
The only way they reject this early is If an applicant fails to meet the minimum requirements of their school...One of those includes having a Science/BCP/Cum of above 2.75...It's a filtering system, so unfortunately any applicant lacking one of those categories receives an automatic rejection.


15 schools is a lot!!I only applied to 4 mainly because of finances. But, if I can't get into on of these 4 schools, then why would I be able to get into any other? Just practicality for me.
 
With a strong GPA I think you will be fine! Just do well on the DAT and you should get your pleasant surprise shortly after! GL
 
15 schools is a lot!!I only applied to 4 mainly because of finances. But, if I can't get into on of these 4 schools, then why would I be able to get into any other? Just practicality for me.

Because there's a small amount of luck involved for even the best applicants. It can be a bit random. A couple more schools could be the difference between getting in and waiting another year. That's why you see those with less than average stats apply very broadly. Average is 10. But I understand the financial restraints.
 
Do you mind saying how the Midwesterns contacted you about the rejections? I wish you the best of luck with the 15 other schools 🙂

Yep I did not make their minimum requirement for BCP GPA. they mailed me a letter. which was nice. 🙂. No worries, tho. I"m glad they sent me that before making me waste money on secondaries when I don't need to.
 
Because there's a small amount of luck involved for even the best applicants. It can be a bit random. A couple more schools could be the difference between getting in and waiting another year. That's why you see those with less than average stats apply very broadly. Average is 10. But I understand the financial restraints.


by less than average stats, do you only mean low gpa and DAT scores? or do you mean everything about an application w/ EC's, LOR's, etc.? And if I applied to a couple more schools, I just don't know where I would apply to b/c my family is very close to me and it would be tough on my parents to move too far away, not to mention flying back and forth from far away would cost a fortune.
 
With a strong GPA I think you will be fine! Just do well on the DAT and you should get your pleasant surprise shortly after! GL


Thanks for the encouragement! How much better do you think I need to do to stand out compared to my current scores 17AA/17TS/18PAT with lower than 17 scores in gc and qr?
 
Thanks for the encouragement! How much better do you think I need to do to stand out compared to my current scores 17AA/17TS/18PAT with lower than 17 scores in gc and qr?
20+ on every section
 
what if I got 18s and 19s? would it be that bad?

You're retaking in September, yes? So if you pull those scores, here's the basic picture:

App complete in October
~3.7
18s/19s
4 schools

That's a little bit of a battle. It's doable. Maybe ASDOH will bite with your current scores. Who knows? That scenario is just a little risky.
 
You're retaking in September, yes? So if you pull those scores, here's the basic picture:

App complete in October
~3.7
18s/19s
4 schools

That's a little bit of a battle. It's doable. Maybe ASDOH will bite with your current scores. Who knows? That scenario is just a little risky.


I have talked w/ ASDOH and they consider my current scores competitive. Also, Creighton does too. UMKC is ok with the scores, but said it'd be to my advantage to get better scores. My homestate school is the pickiest b/c they look at every single section of the DAT, not just AA/TS/PAT like most schools. Do you think I should apply to one or two more schools? if so which ones?
 
I have talked w/ ASDOH and they consider my current scores competitive. Also, Creighton does too. UMKC is ok with the scores, but said it'd be to my advantage to get better scores. My homestate school is the pickiest b/c they look at every single section of the DAT, not just AA/TS/PAT like most schools. Do you think I should apply to one or two more schools? if so which ones?

Even some of the most competitive and ballsy applicants I've seen haven't applied to only 4 schools. I think it's worth the effort to apply to more schools.

If you are going to apply to more schools, try private institutions.
 
Even some of the most competitive and ballsy applicants I've seen haven't applied to only 4 schools. I think it's worth the effort to apply to more schools.

If you are going to apply to more schools, try private institutions.


well i've already got ASDOH and Creighton, who else besides extremely far away schools from Oklahoma? Case may be considered, but I feel like they are a reach school. Marquette doesn't like community college courses. Im not interested in going to the other sides of the country.
 
I think you should apply to more schools. Four schools isn't enough. Also, were you able to apply for the FAP?
 
well i've already got ASDOH and Creighton, who else besides extremely far away schools from Oklahoma? Case may be considered, but I feel like they are a reach school. Marquette doesn't like community college courses. Im not interested in going to the other sides of the country.
Both of the Midwesterns and maybe LECOM.
 
I think you should apply to more schools. Four schools isn't enough. Also, were you able to apply for the FAP?

No I wasn't eligible. I have the money, but I just dont want to potentially waste it either. I can see both sides, it may help land a school or it may not. Its a gamble to me.
 
I could handle the two Midwesterns, but LECOM is pretty far off from here.
Are you sure you want to be getting advice purely from pre-dents? lol. Might be a good idea to talk to your pre-health advisor? Check out the rankings in the ADEA book as well.
 
Man. I don't know. I don't usually get involved in school lists because I'm only well-versed in those I considered when applying.
 
Are you sure you want to be getting advice purely from pre-dents? lol. Might be a good idea to talk to your pre-health advisor? Check out the rankings in the ADEA book as well.


you have a point. I really dont like asking about which schools from other pre-dents. We all have different opinions, and i'm really stubborn. lol
 
you have a point. I really dont like asking about which schools from other pre-dents. We all have different opinions, and i'm really stubborn. lol

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You seem a bit like me in the sense that you would only consider living in certain places for family/money/whatever reason. I think most people's goal is to apply broadly and get into ANY dental school and that's why people on here suggest applying to lots of schools, but you have other priorities along with getting into dental school (which is okay). With four schools you MIGHT not get in, but hey there is always next year, right? I would recommend adding maybe 2-3 more even if you wouldn't consider going there. a.) you might change your mind once you land and interview. b.) If anything, it will be a good experience if you get to interview. If money is really tight then nvm.
 
You seem a bit like me in the sense that you would only consider living in certain places for family/money/whatever reason. I think most people's goal is to apply broadly and get into ANY dental school and that's why people on here suggest applying to lots of schools, but you have other priorities along with getting into dental school (which is okay). With four schools you MIGHT not get in, but hey there is always next year, right? I would recommend adding maybe 2-3 more even if you wouldn't consider going there. a.) you might change your mind once you land and interview. b.) If anything, it will be a get experience if you interview. If money is really tight then nvm.

sounds like you understand exactly where i'm comin from. I can't say money is super extrem tight that I can't afford another $200 on apps, but I just feel like my chances are fine at 3 out of my 4 schools. I hate the idea of applying broadly like you said. It serves no point for my purpose. I am interested in Colorado, but am wondering about their limit of 60 community college hrs as I have 68 total, where all of them count toward my bachelors degree. Plus they have the Wiche program and oklahoma isn't a part of that, so slim chance i think there. I'm kinda interested in Case, and Iowa, but I just can't DECIDE ON WHAT TO DO ...its annoying me. You make logical sense about the extra interviewing opportunities, but then I have to spend a lot to just fly there and everything else that goes with it. Maybe I just need to suck it up and whip out the big guns. lol
 
I get where you're coming from. Of course I wanted to get in somewhere. But I didn't just blast my application all over the map. My dollars were tight too. My primary concern was just one state. I didn't just tack on a bunch of random or safety schools. Location was really important. I'm not just trying to bring on the negativity here.

As for Colorado, scratch that one. That one I know enough about to say that.
 
I get where you're coming from. Of course I wanted to get in somewhere. But I didn't just blast my application all over the map. My dollars were tight too. My primary concern was just one state. I didn't just tack on a bunch of random or safety schools. Location was really important. I'm not just trying to bring on the negativity here.

As for Colorado, scratch that one. That one I know enough about to say that.


thanks for the honesty Jeffity! Can't find enough pre-dents that think like i do, no offense to anyone. Here is something I found by researching on SDN:

"dentalprodigy
04-16-2012, 11:45 AM
My biggest regret is applying to too many schools.I was unconfident in my application & didn't think id get in my state school or nearby schools. Also somehow I decided to apply to west coast schools(I'm from east coast) because I was thinking of moving there.

I wasted soo much money for nothing. Didn't even go to the west coast school interviews cuz I heard back from my state school December 1st.

All that money could have been used got the price of a laptop & I feel soo guilty for wasting my parents money because of some doubts."



My thoughts exactly.

and whats wrong with Colorado? ( besides their psycho Ph.D student from the medical campus who shot people in a theater the other day. )
 
sounds like you understand exactly where i'm comin from. I can't say money is super extrem tight that I can't afford another $200 on apps, but I just feel like my chances are fine at 3 out of my 4 schools. I hate the idea of applying broadly like you said. It serves no point for my purpose. I am interested in Colorado, but am wondering about their limit of 60 community college hrs as I have 68 total, where all of them count toward my bachelors degree. Plus they have the Wiche program and oklahoma isn't a part of that, so slim chance i think there. I'm kinda interested in Case, and Iowa, but I just can't DECIDE ON WHAT TO DO ...its annoying me. You make logical sense about the extra interviewing opportunities, but then I have to spend a lot to just fly there and everything else that goes with it. Maybe I just need to suck it up and whip out the big guns. lol

Haha, you know yourself best! So do what you gotta do! Hope one of the three work out for ya!

I get where you're coming from. Of course I wanted to get in somewhere. But I didn't just blast my application all over the map. My dollars were tight too. My primary concern was just one state. I didn't just tack on a bunch of random or safety schools. Location was really important. I'm not just trying to bring on the negativity here.

As for Colorado, scratch that one. That one I know enough about to say that.

Jeff, if you don't mind me asking, which dental are you attending/will be attending?
 
Haha, you know yourself best! So do what you gotta do! Hope one of the three work out for ya!



Jeff, if you don't mind me asking, which dental are you attending/will be attending?

Thanks Diene!
 
Haha, you know yourself best! So do what you gotta do! Hope one of the three work out for ya!

Jeff, if you don't mind me asking, which dental are you attending/will be attending?

Starting MWU-AZ in 4 weeks. I needed (or heavily preferred) to stay in AZ. Luckily, both schools here are really good schools. So it's not like I was settling just to stay. I applied to 9 schools and was a little nervous about it. But I was confident in my application as it was...that's why I didn't retake even though I could have before the cycle opened. It got me into my school with as much aid as I could get without going the military route. GPAs? Delicious. DAT? Total trash. ECs? Superb. Letters? 3 great 1 generic. I ended up 7 for 9 on interviews (attended 6) with 4 accepts. So looking back, I could have went with less. But with just a handful...it could have easily been the couple I didn't get into after interviewing or the one school I thought I had a good shot at who I didn't even hear from for a full year. Reapplying was just not something I was interested in (like any one is...). There's just that little bit of randomness & luck involved in all of this.

I'd love for DC2016 to make it happen with what she has. Retaking the DAT just sucks. Throwing fees around isn't fun either. I'm just a little nervous for her, that's all. But I'll cross my fingers for the DAT and the cycle. I'll add you to the list of people I'm watching/rooting for on here.
 
I have decent stats and I applied to 16 schools. I am wasting my own money here so I dont feel guilty. Is it really worth risking not getting in this cycle just to save a couple hundred dollars? Think of the big picture, you will probably graduate dental school 250,000 in debt so now it will be 255,000.

Good luck
 
Starting MWU-AZ in 4 weeks. I needed (or heavily preferred) to stay in AZ. Luckily, both schools here are really good schools. So it's not like I was settling just to stay. I applied to 9 schools and was a little nervous about it. But I was confident in my application as it was...that's why I didn't retake even though I could have before the cycle opened. It got me into my school with as much aid as I could get without going the military route. GPAs? Delicious. DAT? Total trash. ECs? Superb. Letters? 3 great 1 generic. I ended up 7 for 9 on interviews (attended 6) with 4 accepts. So looking back, I could have went with less. But with just a handful...it could have easily been the couple I didn't get into after interviewing or the one school I thought I had a good shot at who I didn't even hear from for a full year. Reapplying was just not something I was interested in (like any one is...). There's just that little bit of randomness & luck involved in all of this.

I'd love for DC2016 to make it happen with what she has. Retaking the DAT just sucks. Throwing fees around isn't fun either. I'm just a little nervous for her, that's all. But I'll cross my fingers for the DAT and the cycle. I'll add you to the list of people I'm watching/rooting for on here.

Thanks Jeff! I am really hoping for my state school(s):xf: You always give us pre-dents your honest/reasonable opinion, which is much appreciated. Also, was there something specific that you liked about MWU-AZ vs. other schools that you were accepted to? Best of luck with the first year!

P.S. dentalchick2016, sorry did not mean to take attention away from you lol Keep us updated! Beast that DAT in September!
 
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Thanks Jeff! I am really hoping for my state school(s):xf: You always give us pre-dents your honest/reasonable opinion, which is much appreciated. Now I am curious about your stats lol did you post them anywhere? Also, was there something specific that you liked about MWU-AZ vs. other schools that you were accepted to? Best of luck with the first year!

P.S. dentalchick2016, sorry did not mean to take attention away from you lol Keep us updated! Beast that DAT in September!


no prob Diene. lol Thanks everyone for the great support! I'm glad there are people actually "nervous" for me to care enough. lol But I may be adding a couple of schools to the list. 🙂

EDIT: Just added Indiana and Midwestern, IL. Now I have 6 schools, hopefully someone will bite!

Jeff, what were your DAT scores if they were trash? Makes me feel like mine were the dumpster. lol
 
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Good luck Dentalchick 2016! :luck: And hopefully Sept 8th isn't "too late" b/c I'm taking my DAT only the week before for the 1st time (which means d-schools don't even have a set of scores to work with. Probably makes things trickier for me.). I hope neither of us is considered "too late"! 😱

As for your issue w/ the # of schools to apply to, if I were you I would consider adding one more school, private would increase the odds, and just hope for the best! 🙂
 
15 schools is a lot!!I only applied to 4 mainly because of finances. But, if I can't get into on of these 4 schools, then why would I be able to get into any other? Just practicality for me.

Interesting perspective...answer: because every school is different. You dont know what each school is going to do in regards to extending an interview..I am not saying to apply to every school but I do say that the "then why" part of you statement is not entirely true..eventhough I do understand.

Anyway..Good luck to the 15 schools guy!!!!
 
What do you do to prepare for a rejection? I've been reading how exceptional applicants get rejected and how its extremely confusing why that happened to them.

Can anyone help me feel more confident about my app? I know I have solid stats on everything but my current DAT score, but am retaking Sept. 8th. I know thats late, so spare me there, but i need some positivity.

your an amazing good looking applicant. there is nothing to fear. If dental school rejects you (highly unlikely with your charm), just go be a model and few years later, buy that dental school and fire the person whom signed the rejection letter.
 
your an amazing good looking applicant. there is nothing to fear. If dental school rejects you (highly unlikely with your charm), just go be a model and few years later, buy that dental school and fire the person whom signed the rejection letter.


this is the best advice ever! made me laugh. 👍
 
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