Is applying for only 3 schools risky?

[cjw7475]

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Hello, I just e-submitted my AADSAS application today (felt like it's a little late 🙁)

I only applied for Oklahoma(my state school), Michigan, and UCSF, because I would not choose any other schools over Oklahoma other than Michigan or UCSF. I didn't want to waste my money for schools that I would never want to go. So I choose only 3 schools, which seems a little compared to other applicants.

If I have a chance to select one school from those three schools, then I think I am gonna have to consider many factors to make up my decisions.

I wanna hear some comments from SDNers so don't hesistate to share your thoughts.


Thanks

 

[aelian]

Hello, I just e-submitted my AADSAS application today (felt like it's a little late 🙁)

I only applied for Oklahoma(my state school), Michigan, and UCSF, because I would not choose any other schools over Oklahoma other than Michigan or UCSF. I didn't want to waste my money for schools that I would never want to go. So I choose only 3 schools, which seems a little compared to other applicants.

If I have a chance to select one school from those three schools, then I think I am gonna have to consider many factors to make up my decisions.

I wanna hear some comments from SDNers so don't hesistate to share your thoughts.


Thanks

Provided your GPA and EC's/LOR's/Shadowing are even slightly close to as beastly as your DATs and your communication skills are better than Raymond from Rain Man, you should be fine. If you are below a 3.5 and deficient in the aforementioned areas, you might want to throw in a couple schools just to be safe. Think of it like this, it would be a couple hundred dollars to apply and interview at those additional schools but each year that you aren't practicing, you are missing out on 100,000 dollars.

 

[shiftypoptart]

Think of it like this, it would be a couple hundred dollars to apply and interview at those additional schools but each year that you aren't practicing, you are missing out on 100,000 dollars.

Very well put... I guess this is why my dad got pissed off that I decided to take a year off... Or maybe he just wanted to give me his practice already to retire earlier =/.

 

[doc toothache]

I only applied for Oklahoma(my state school), Michigan, and UCSF, because I would not choose any other schools over Oklahoma other than Michigan or UCSF. I didn't want to waste my money for schools that I would never want to go. So I choose only 3 schools, which seems a little compared to other applicants. Thanks

If you would not consider other schools what is the point of your question?

 

[2ndFn]

Quite risky, but you would only need one acceptance to finish up the program after all.

 

[every1cheer]

Personally, I would feel nervous applying to only 3 schools because the process is so competitive and even if you have great stats you can't be 100% positive that you are what a particular school is looking for. But whether its the best course of action for you all depends on your preferences. The question isn't really what schools you would chose over Oklahoma, but if you didn't get into any of those 3 schools would you prefer to attend a different dental school or wait another year and try again for a school you really want? If you picked the first option, I would advise adding a couple more schools that you have a good chance of getting into (maybe private or OOS friendly) just to be safe. If you add the schools (and get into at least 1 of them) the worst that can happen is that it was an unnecessary precaution and you're out a couple hundred dollars, but if you don't the worst that can happen is going through all this again next year. Just trying to put it into perspective, I don't want to tell you what to do! 🙂

 

[ItalianPrincess]

Provided your GPA and EC's/LOR's/Shadowing are even slightly close to as beastly as your DATs and your communication skills are better than Raymond from Rain Man, you should be fine.

hahahhaa! 🙂 rain man

If you would not consider other schools what is the point of your question?

👍 if you wouldnt consider going to the school dont apply to it, it'll be a waste of your money and the adcoms time. i had added LLU in a rush and when i got my secondary decided i would never go there, withdrew my app and basically flushed $72 down the toilet

 

[DrReo]

If you would never go to those schools, how would it be a waste?

Sure, it is risky and you will probably get into your state school unless you really blow the interview.

Is it niave, sure. Many students only apply to a few and luck out, but if you dont, that is one year of doing nothing, paying more tuition because prices inflate, and prolonging a dentist income one year. Your choice. You can always apply and if you get accepted say no. I feel that is NOT wasting your money, but giving yourself options.

 

[doc toothache]

Is it niave, sure. Many students only apply to a few and luck out, but if you dont, that is one year of doing nothing, paying more tuition because prices inflate, and prolonging a dentist income one year. Your choice. You can always apply and if you get accepted say no. I feel that is NOT wasting your money, but giving yourself options.

Just think of all the money you could be making if you worked Mon-Sun 24-7 not to mention skipping going to the bathroom.

 

[ToldYouSo]

Hello, I just e-submitted my AADSAS application today (felt like it's a little late 🙁)

I only applied for Oklahoma(my state school), Michigan, and UCSF, because I would not choose any other schools over Oklahoma other than Michigan or UCSF. I didn't want to waste my money for schools that I would never want to go. So I choose only 3 schools, which seems a little compared to other applicants.

If I have a chance to select one school from those three schools, then I think I am gonna have to consider many factors to make up my decisions.

I wanna hear some comments from SDNers so don't hesistate to share your thoughts.


Thanks

You're DAT scores are quite impressive! If I were in your shoes, I would feel comfortable only applying to 3 schools, provided your GPA is as good as your DAT. There's a balance between not seeing yourself ever going to a certain school and not getting in at all in a cycle, but I think you're OK.

 

[aelian]

Just think of all the money you could be making if you worked Mon-Sun 24-7 not to mention skipping going to the bathroom.

Haha. I think it is a legit reason. A year is a year and some of us still want to do a specialty. I'm interested in something like OMFS but it becomes a lot when you have a family depending on you and you're still in school after 10 years. And I still want to retire by 50 to devote myself to a good cause (naive ideals). There are things beside money.

 

[JBieber]

i have the same DAT but i'm applying to 16 schools. my gpa is only 3.66 though. should i save some money and just withdraw from a couple?

i'm pretty late in the game too: mailing date was 7.30, DAT taken on 7.27.

 

[emu]

.

 

[JBieber]

Uhhh. I'd say withdraw from more than a couple. Like 10. And you're not late in the game at all.

meh. i already paid fees for all the schools i would consider withdrawing from...

 

[doc toothache]

Haha. I think it is a legit reason. A year is a year and some of us still want to do a specialty. I'm interested in something like OMFS but it becomes a lot when you have a family depending on you and you're still in school after 10 years. And I still want to retire by 50 to devote myself to a good cause (naive ideals). There are things beside money.

In that case you may have to retire at age 51.

 

[DrReo]

Just think of all the money you could be making if you worked Mon-Sun 24-7 not to mention skipping going to the bathroom.

You missed the point of prolonging an education because one wasn't accepted the first time around vs. taking time to do daily necessities.

 

[pinetar321]

Yes, its risky. I applied to 8 and even tho I got interviews at 5 and accepted at 3, I wish I applied more.

 

[doc toothache]

You missed the point of prolonging an education because one wasn't accepted the first time around vs. taking time to do daily necessities.

And you missed the point that there is more to life than worrying about every possible second that you are not being productive/making money when you could have/should have been raking in the dough.

 

[aelian]

And you missed the point that there is more to life than worrying about every possible second that you are not being productive/making money when you could have/should have been raking in the dough.

Alright! You seem very chill, Doc Toothache. I like your style. I shall be paying you a visit in 30 years to collect a year's salary to contribute to my charity, provided I ever get in/out of dental school. 😀

 

[soon2bedds]

I am only applying to 4 schools, don't worry about it man. If you don't want to go to any other schools, then why apply? 16 schools is A LOT. I couldn't imagine forking over all those fees. But if you want to go to them all then why not i guess.

 

[doc toothache]

Alright! You seem very chill, Doc Toothache. I like your style. I shall be paying you a visit in 30 years to collect a year's salary to contribute to my charity, provided I ever get in/out of dental school. 😀

A rather big unknown. If in 30 years you need to knock on the doors of previous SDNers you are going to be in more trouble than you will ever realize.

 

[emu]

.

 

[cjw7475]

Sorry for not providing sufficient info.

Overall GPA is 3.65 and sGPA is about 3.6
I have a decent EC experiences (president/treasurer in student organization & university jazz band)
100+ hours of shadowing in perio & general dentist

Thanks for your inputs 🙂

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p.s. After I read all comments, I added 3 more schools (Baylor, Temple, Louisville)

 

[aelian]

A rather big unknown. If in 30 years you need to knock on the doors of previous SDNers you are going to be in more trouble than you will ever realize.

Yesss!!! You never said no so I'm assuming you said yes.

Hey, CJW, I think your chances are good. I like them and I think you'll get in to at least one.

 

[aelian]

👍

People think that waiting a year or a few years after graduating undergrad before heading to dental school is a huge deal. It's not. Thinking such a way is extremely myopic.

Problem is that it actually is a problem, at least for where I'm applying. If the school sees that you haven't been in school for a year or two, they start assuming you have gotten rusty. It kind of makes sense. People take a majority of their upper levels senior year in hopes that an immediate entrance into dental school will allow them to directly apply what they learned. But waiting an additional year after graduation increases the chances of a lot of what that person learned going to waste, as well as hurting one's chances of gaining admittance if the adcoms see they haven't done anything academically related in the last year (and really, who wants to go back to school just to take 1 or 2 classes when they can just be in dental school?). So, no, there are a lot of things that can be lost with that year that you spent waiting.

 

[emu]

.

 

[JBieber]

Honestly, I don't agree with this at all. An undergraduate degree is absolutely nothing more than an introduction into a myriad of different topics, including the topic that we "majored" in. Most everything encountered in dental school will be unique material and in that regard your undergrad studies do not confer some advantage. At best, previous studies give one a familiarity of the topics at hand. Nothing more.

Your point about admissions is noted. That may be true but it is a very minor consideration. Admissions aren't going to be concerned nearly as much (i.e. not at all in comparison) with a sabbatical as they are with demonstrated and quantifiable records of achievemant such as GPA and DAT score.

i certainly hope taking a year off won't be looked down upon.. because thats what i'm doing 🙁

 

[aelian]

i certainly hope taking a year off won't be looked down upon.. because thats what i'm doing 🙁

I think, based on your grades and DATS, that you have sufficiently proven yourself as a top tier, academically. But don't do absolutely nothing for a year. Find a job, preferably one related to your degree. Do research. Continue volunteering. Learn a language. Travel. You don't want to go to your interview, have them ask you what you will be doing in between graduation and dental school, and have nothing to say.

 

[doc toothache]

Problem is that it actually is a problem, at least for where I'm applying. If the school sees that you haven't been in school for a year or two, they start assuming you have gotten rusty. It kind of makes sense. People take a majority of their upper levels senior year in hopes that an immediate entrance into dental school will allow them to directly apply what they learned. But waiting an additional year after graduation increases the chances of a lot of what that person learned going to waste, as well as hurting one's chances of gaining admittance if the adcoms see they haven't done anything academically related in the last year (and really, who wants to go back to school just to take 1 or 2 classes when they can just be in dental school?). So, no, there are a lot of things that can be lost with that year that you spent waiting.

By this logic, practically all new enrollees would be in their early twenties. But guess what? It certainly makes for a good excuse for rejections.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=649117

 

[aelian]

Honestly, I don't agree with this at all. An undergraduate degree is absolutely nothing more than an introduction into a myriad of different topics, including the topic that we "majored" in. Most everything encountered in dental school will be unique material and in that regard your undergrad studies do not confer some advantage. At best, previous studies give one a familiarity of the topics at hand. Nothing more.

Your point about admissions is noted. That may be true but it is a very minor consideration. Admissions aren't going to be concerned nearly as much (i.e. not at all in comparison) with a sabbatical as they are with demonstrated and quantifiable records of achievemant such as GPA and DAT score.

Sorry for double posting, but I slightly disagree with the bolded. Several of the courses that you will take first year can be touched upon in your undergrad (and according to the school websites, taken into consideration for your application) such as your A&P's, Biochemistry, Immunology, Histology, Neuroscience. A lot of the people at my school go into dental school having already taken the aforementioned courses. Classes like anatomy and histology are cake for them. And they admit their fellow classmates who haven't taken the courses will struggle more than those who have. I know people some people that go into dental school without many upper levels who do fine. But for the adcoms, having taken these courses will show that you have some knowledge and motivation. They don't want someone without any experience to come in, see unfamiliar material, and be completely overwhelmed. Of course there are some people who can take any class and do well in it, regardless of the subject.

Sorry Doc, didn't see your post until I posted mine. I didn't mean to say that older applicants are ruled out completely. One of my friends drove a limo around for 3 years before going to dental school to finish at the top of their class. Another was a pharmaceutical sales rep for 8, who also finished at the top of their class. I'm just saying, if someone gets rejected one year where they are at their top level, when they are doing everything to make sure they have their best application, waiting a year and doing nothing will not really help their cause.

 

[FreeFallin]

Problem is that it actually is a problem, at least for where I'm applying. If the school sees that you haven't been in school for a year or two, they start assuming you have gotten rusty. It kind of makes sense. People take a majority of their upper levels senior year in hopes that an immediate entrance into dental school will allow them to directly apply what they learned. But waiting an additional year after graduation increases the chances of a lot of what that person learned going to waste, as well as hurting one's chances of gaining admittance if the adcoms see they haven't done anything academically related in the last year (and really, who wants to go back to school just to take 1 or 2 classes when they can just be in dental school?). So, no, there are a lot of things that can be lost with that year that you spent waiting.

Several of the schools I've talked to said they don't mind how old the classes are, as long as they aren't 15 years old or close to it. That's good because I graduated 5 years ago...but, my time since has been put to very good use. I've been an RDH for the past 3 years. As far as becoming "rusty" or having "lost" whatever you were referring to, I have also gained so very much in the few years I've been out of school.

Thank goodness for those schools who seem to be forgiving in the fact that you don't have to go directly into DS from undergrad. I know, more than ever, how much I'd love to be a dentist in these past 3 years of being an RDH, and I enjoy being an RDH.

 

[doc toothache]

Sorry Doc, didn't see your post until I posted mine. I didn't mean to say that older applicants are ruled out completely. One of my friends drove a limo around for 3 years before going to dental school to finish at the top of their class. Another was a pharmaceutical sales rep for 8, who also finished at the top of their class. I'm just saying, if someone gets rejected one year where they are at their top level, when they are doing everything to make sure they have their best application, waiting a year and doing nothing will not really help their cause.

Applicants usually get rejected because they are not "at their top level" making doing something productive (excluding additional volunteering hours, additional shadowing/dental assisting) during the off year(s) to improve the application imperative. The example you give are precisely the reason the adage of fresh out school does not hold much water.

 

[DrReo]

And you missed the point that there is more to life than worrying about every possible second that you are not being productive/making money when you could have/should have been raking in the dough.

There is a significant difference between a second and a year, that you are failing to comprehend. The point being a year is more significant than a second, especially with regards to a dentist income vs a college grad awaiting an acceptance to a dental school.

 

[doc toothache]

There is a significant difference between a second and a year, that you are failing to comprehend. The point being a year is more significant than a second, especially with regards to a dentist income vs a college grad awaiting an acceptance to a dental school.

Wow! That is downright a brilliant observation.

 

[anonymoose2]

Doc toothache, your attitude has really changed over the past year. From one that was helpful and always willing to find the most frequent statistics on admissions or even old forums that were beneficial to the OP's question, you now throw out useless sarcasm (usually negative) in almost every thread.

 

[DrReo]

Wow! That is downright a brilliant observation.

I was simply trying to compete with your statement of utilizing the restroom vs. taking a year off of dental school.

That's definitely difficult to do.

 

[doc toothache]

Doc toothache, your attitude has really changed over the past year. From one that was helpful and always willing to find the most frequent statistics on admissions or even old forums that were beneficial to the OP's question, you now throw out useless sarcasm (usually negative) in almost every thread.

Gosh, some posters do deserve the accolades; some like to tango more than others.