Interview last year - no interview this year

[azndentist89]

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I applied really late last cycle (got my primary done Oct/Nov and then didn't do secondaries til I felt like it or when they were due) and got lucky enough to get two interviews. Although they were late, both schools liked my application and suggested to me that I just apply earlier next time around...even got wait listed at one school, but declined.

However, this year, I have yet to hear anything back from those two schools. I applied really early this year, got primary done mid June and finished secondaries as soon as possible. So I was just curious, has anybody ever had an interview one year, re-applied and not gotten an interview a second time around?

I re-took my DAT, and some scores went up while some went down, but overall it was about the same. My GPA stayed roughly the same, went up maybe .02, and my extracurricular activities are the same, with some additional hours here and there.

Any comments would be nice, it's just a crappy waiting situation...thanks 🙂

 

[threechins]

Did you apply to the same schools this year?
Keep your chin up. It just turned Nov., not too late. Maybe it'll be your lucky month. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[journeybegins]

I noticed your retake DAT scores from your previous 4 posts.

=/ I'm afraid that your retake might have hurt how the schools might have viewed you this year, so I think that is probably the reason. Last year, your biology was okay, but this year, it's two sections that kind of stick out. your gchem/ochem went down 🙁 and a 16 in ochem might be holding you back.


Good luck with this cycle though! Just hang in there! Hopefully, something good comes your way

 

[oreoson]

Some schools want to see a new set of LORs from reapplicants... did you inform your profs about any improvements you made on your application?

 

[Philippines03j]

I agree with Journeybegins. I am afraid the difference might be your second DAT score. You have a 16 and 17 in the chems which is pretty low. Remember that most schools only look at your most recent scores thus invalidating your first scores (in the eyes of the admissions committee). In addition, some schools have a cutoff of a 16/17 for individual sections. Check each school to make sure you meet the requirements.

There is still plenty of time to receive an interview this cycle. You may want to contact the schools and confirm with them that your application is complete and they have everything they need (Letters, DAT scores, etc...).

Good luck👍

#1 when you say "but declined" does this mean you were on the waiting list and then you were rejected? OR That you declined the offer to be on the waiting list? I think you meant the first but wanted to confirm.

#2 How many schools did you apply to this cycle vs last cycle? Did you change any of your choices or did you apply to all the same schools?

 

[amalgamgrillz]

According to you, your application has not improved since last year.
Competition for dental school gets tougher each year, so your application is probably not as competitive this year. Try improving for next cycle: retake your DAT, take more courses, and volunteer in other places.

 

[azndentist89]

@threechins - yeah i applied to the same schools and thanks!!!

@journeybegins - yeah, I knew the ochem/gchem was gonna hurt me, I just didn't think/realize it would bring my application down this badly :/

@oreoson - yeah I asked some professors to add in some stuff to my letters and then had two new professors/Dentists write y LOR

@Philippines03j -
#1) actually, I declined/withdrew my application to be on the waiting list - my father had surgery at the time and so I wasn't sure how he was gonna be, but he's just fine now 🙂 Do you think that me withdrawing my application like that has hurt me this year at that school?
#2) Last cycle only applied to five schools (i was late/just wanted to see how the application process was/wanted to see how I stood as a candidate) and this cycle I did roughly 15 schools and I did re-apply to the two schools that gave me interviews

@amalgamgrillz - yeah I know i might need to if nothing happens this year, its just gonna be frustrating cause I've already taken it twice :/

 

[Philippines03j]

@Philippines03j -
#1) actually, I declined/withdrew my application to be on the waiting list - my father had surgery at the time and so I wasn't sure how he was gonna be, but he's just fine now 🙂 Do you think that me withdrawing my application like that has hurt me this year at that school?
#2) Last cycle only applied to five schools (i was late/just wanted to see how the application process was/wanted to see how I stood as a candidate) and this cycle I did roughly 15 schools and I did re-apply to the two schools that gave me interviews

I actually think it may have hurt your chances unless you explained to them why you were withdrawing. Usually, students will stay on the wait list until they are accepted and then if there is extenuating circumstances they may be able to "hold" their seat for the following year (not in all cases but in some). This is not something you should dwell on because what is done is done.

There is still plenty of time for you to get an interview/acceptance. Just stay positive! 👍

 

[KenKim]

hey azn. i have a feeling you are looking at the wrong source for your no interview this round. Last year, i applied with my DAT scores around 18's and had 2 interviews. this year, I applied again with my DAT socres around 23's. Those 2 schools that i interviewed at did not offer me interviews this year. instead 6 other different schools invited me for an interview. My guess is that after they interviewed me, maybe they didnt like me that's why i wasnt invited again. For you, it might be the same situation. Maybe they didnt like you at the interview last year. Hope this helped. good luck