is 30 schools too many to apply? my stats and chances...?

[chocho]

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Hey guys,

it's very pleasing to meet you all,, let me introduce myself =)

i'm a reapplicant for 2009 cycle. i applied for 2007 cycle, was waitlisted in UIC, IU, SIU, and Creighton, but was rejected.

At the time of previous application, my DAT was 19(AA)/20(PAT)/19(TS), and gpa of around 3.3/3.0(science). As i'm planning to take another DAT in august (but i didn't mention about future DAT in the application cuz i don't want them to hold the review until Aug), my main concern is my gpa's. i believe my gpa's has been improved since the previous application cuz that gpa didn't include my last semester grades for senior year, and i took 3 science courses and got A's. After getting rejected, i contacted schools in which i was waitlisted, and UIC and Creighton told me that the only thing was my science gpa and i shouldn't have any problem if i keep showing the improvements.

However, the grades for the courses that i'm currently taking are threatening me again!!! =( i'm taking 2 science courses, which the grades will be out around mid-june (i'm in quarter system now), and i am afraid i'll get C's.... i already requested transcripts, so hopefully they start reviewing the application before they see my C's,, but they will eventually see the grades when it comes to the update season, right? could anyone tell me how to avoid sending those grades? should i withdraw before i really get C's?

My another concern is the schools i apply to. I chose 30 schools so far, which i think is too many. i'm an illinois resident by the way.
could you guys please take a look at the list and help me decide which ones to take out?

Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (AZ)
Boston Univ
Case
Creighton
Indiana Univ
Marquette
Medican Univ of South Carolina
Midwestern Univ
New York Univ
Nova Southeastern
Southern Illinois Univ
Temple
Ohio State Univ
Tufts
Univ at Buffalo
Univ of Detroit mercy
Univ of Ill at Chicago
Univ of Louisville
Univ of Maryland
Univ of med and dentistry of New Jersey
Univ of Michigan
Univ of Minnesota
Univ of Missouri-kansas
Univ of Nevada, Las Vegas
Univ of Pittsburgh
Univ of Southern California
Univ of Pacific
Virginia Commonwealth
Western Univ of Health Sciences

I know many of them are state schools, but i just decided to add them on the list because the school stats say that they accept a great % of out-of-state applicants.


I know this post is awfully long,, but i would greatly appreciate if you guys can help me out!!!! thank you all!!!

 

[chocho]

Oh,, so since the graduation,
i'm taking more science classes and working part-time as an orthodontic assistant and dental lab technician, if that helps you to decide my chances. thanks!!! =)

 

[jigabodo]

You should withdraw if you can if you are for sure that you will be making Cs in those classes.

Otherwise, you can opt not to use academic update and just send those grades when schools request them. However, it's just a matter of time until they find out.

 

[MrLebowski]

I'd agree with Jigabodo, it's only a matter of time, so try to cut your losses if you can.

I have another question relating to the OP's though: for quarter system schools like ours, would you recommend sending the AADSAS in now-ish (my app is ready to go) or wait until June 18th for Spring quarter grades (which should be at or slightly above my current GPA)?

 

[EnamelCoating]

30 is a lot... as in a lot of money when those 2ndaries come rolling around....
I'm sure you've narrowed it down to:
1)stats of the people they take in: GPA, DAT score.
2)% of in state out/ out of state the take in
3)Price
errra.... just get that dental guide book. it has all the info to narrow down schools.

With your stats and experiences, not to mention your new DAT scores, you should be able to get interviews again, and then sell yourself and get into a school this time. 👍

 

[joonkimdds]

I think 30 is too many but I guess it wouldn't hurt if you don't care about money.

 

[waitingame]

Univ of Missouri ... I know they only take kids from state and 4 other states they agreements with so make sure in one of those otherwise you dont have a chance

 

[uesider]

I talked to Admissions at Medical Univ. of South Carolina and they accept a very small percentage of out of state, and those applicants must have stellar stats... I would remove that one (sorry...)

Also, make sure you have the required undergrad courses for each school. I know Nova requires several Bio electives, and other schools require Biochem, etc, so just make sure you have everything you need before sending in those application fees.

Good luck!

 

[sl2obel2ts]

Can schools loook at how many schools you applied to?

money is of course a big problem. But if you can increase your chance of getting into dental school and saving some $ (if you get into multiple schools with different range of tuition), spending extra $1000 surely weighs much more than saving ~$50k in tuition.

 

[sks2286]

Hey I am kinda of curious how are you already rejected by uic and siue. Ive heard uic had little movement on their waitlist. Like 95 percent of the people that got first round offers accepted. Sucks for us. Siue's class still isnt full so there isnt a waitlist. theres still no decision on my app after i interviewed 7 months ago. Theres still a chance. Who knows what could happen?

 

[blankguy]

I suggest reducing the number of schools to 15. A lot of state schools might have to get jettisoned from the list because some of them accept primarily in staters. You have borderline stats so it probably is a waste of time to consider them. As Jiga said, if you are going to get mediocre grades drop the courses.

 

[chocho]

I'd agree with Jigabodo, it's only a matter of time, so try to cut your losses if you can.

I have another question relating to the OP's though: for quarter system schools like ours, would you recommend sending the AADSAS in now-ish (my app is ready to go) or wait until June 18th for Spring quarter grades (which should be at or slightly above my current GPA)?

- i had hard time deciding on the same issue - well, i decided to send the application in now, because my spring quarter grades won't increase my current gpa. even if i don't get C's and get at least B's instead, my current gpa is around B average anyways. I would rather apply earlier.

 

[chocho]

Hey I am kinda of curious how are you already rejected by uic and siue. Ive heard uic had little movement on their waitlist. Like 95 percent of the people that got first round offers accepted. Sucks for us. Siue's class still isnt full so there isnt a waitlist. theres still no decision on my app after i interviewed 7 months ago. Theres still a chance. Who knows what could happen?

- I applied for 2007 cycle, which means i applied in 2006 and got rejected in summer 2007. =)

 

[chocho]

You should withdraw if you can if you are for sure that you will be making Cs in those classes.

Otherwise, you can opt not to use academic update and just send those grades when schools request them. However, it's just a matter of time until they find out.

- Thanks for your advice! I have a question, though - I heard it can hurt you if you withdraw a class. is this true? I don't think at this point you can hide the courses in progress, because my transcript already shows that i'm taking some classes now. Like you said, it's just a matter of time until they find out...

 

[tonto1]

i think it would hurt if you withdrew from a lot of classes. I have one withdrawal on my transcript from freshman year and i was never asked about it during my interviews.

 

[OMFS08]

Yes, 30 is too many if money is an issue otherwise why not, go ahead and increase your chances of getting in somewhere. The possiblility of you applying to 30 schools and not getting into atleast one is in my opinion impossible (judging from your stats). Thats just my opinion though. You do however need to take a look at all the schools to see where your best chances are and possibly eliminate some schools from your list. good luck

 

[chocho]

I have another question -

do you guys think i should retake the DAT? again, i got 19AA/20PAT/19TS. would beginning of august too late to take one? like i mentioned earlier, i am not going to mention on the application that i will be taking another one, because i want them to start reviewing the application asap.

 

[blankguy]

It will be better for you to try to boost your GPA. Taking the DAT in early august is not late at all. You may have to do more postbacc or go the masters route.

 

[LuckyMiner]

🙂