Just curious........

[drpduck]

---

Members do not see this ad.

hey all.....I'm going to be applying in the 2005 application cycle...unfourtunately my gpa at the moment is rather low (2.86) but i still have 2 semesters of grades to add before filling in AADSAS. Anyways I have this fear of getting rejected by my state school (UMaryland) and having to go to some large private school......NYU or BU for example with all the debt. My question is; should I even consider adding them to my list of schools to apply to the first time around if I would rather attend my state school? If I got accepted to either one of them first time around I would consider rejecting them on the chance that I might get in my state school the next cycle......but then would this hurt my chances at those schools if I really couldn't get into any others in the future and did decide to apply to them again? Sorry I guess its my junior year crisis deal......all my friends are going through it.....(anyone else have this?!?!)

 

[UBTom]

From my vantage point it seems these are your options:

1) Just apply to all the schools at which you have a chance of getting in, including UMB, NYU, and BU. Let the chips fall where they may. Even if you are rejected by UMB but accepted at NYU or BU, you still have a dental school to go to!

2) for 2005 apply only to UMB. If you are accepted, well and good. If you got rejected, then for the 2006 cycle you REALLY should apply to those private schools too-- Beggars can't be choosers. This however I feel is a waste of a perfectly good year if the first application attempt is unsuccessful. And time is money.

Bottom line: JUST DO IT! 😀

 

[Yah-E]

Drpduck:

Another suggestion, if you haven't already done so, contact University of Maryland Dental School's admissions director and build a professional relationship at this time.

Simply email him/her and informing them of your intentions and interests. Explain BRIEFLY of your current academic situation and ask them what they would suggest you do to make you a more competitive applicant.

Keep in mind, most likely (s)he will email you back two weeks later and tell you to go get a Master's degree because your projected GPA may not be high enough in comparison to their recent entering classes. The positive thing is, NOW, University of Maryland Dental School will have your first email on file.

After that, email the same admission director and update (s)he of your academic progress after every and each semester you have completed, this will demonstrate a trend of communication/interests to that school and dedication/motivation. Further, which is what we want, is that you will start to build that admission director-applicant relationship.

It can never be too early to contact admission directors to the school of your choice! Also, for more effective advice, contact one of our own SDN, former "Under 3.0 Club" member, Smile_doctor, who is currently attending University of Maryland Dental School. As I am sure that he'd be more than glad to chat with you about admissions process.

Good luck.

Andy

 

[robemory122]

Originally posted by UBTom
From my vantage point it seems these are your options:

1) Just apply to all the schools at which you have a chance of getting in, including UMB, NYU, and BU. Let the chips fall where they may. Even if you are rejected by UMB but accepted at NYU or BU, you still have a dental school to go to!

IT seems that a majority of people on these posting have the understanding that it is easy to get into NYU and BU, is that the case? Do people go to those schools b/c they can't get in anywhere else?

 

[zimaad]

drpduck,

I'm not sure what Maryland's policies are or how far away you live from the university, but getting your foot in the door and your face known means A LOT. Does the school allow you to go in and observe students..possibly even assist? Is it feasible to get a job at the dental school...sterilizing, etc? Are you involved in any undergraduate dental clubs and is it possible to become an officer and interact with students/faculty at the school? Essentially, if you can get in the clinics and meet students and professors you get two great things: 1) more experience and exposure to dentistry and 2)the students/professors get exposure to you and will recognize the name/face when your application rolls by. Just like someone else said, start off by contacting the dean of admissions for some guidance. Maybe state in that correspondance that you are interested in coming into the clinics to observe/assist/volunteer. Good luck!!

 

[ecdoesit]

Have a solid DAT score.
UMB does give preferences to in-state applicants.
Spend this year wisely to pull ur GPA up.

 

[drpduck]

thanks for all your replies. i actually volunteer with the dept of OMFS at the hospital next to the dental school, and many of the residents/attendings teach at the school, i also know a D-4 so i've been to UMB a few times observing in the clinic. The dean of admissions has been to our school before and hopefully I can bring her back this spring to talk to our pre-dental society again. Guess I'll have to start schmoozing with her and being all buddy buddy😀

 

[UBTom]

Originally posted by robemory122
IT seems that a majority of people on these posting have the understanding that it is easy to get into NYU and BU, is that the case? Do people go to those schools b/c they can't get in anywhere else?

Hi Rob,

NYU is a private school so they don't have a preference for your state of residence. Also, they admit very large classes every year-- 200+. BU is also a private school and they admit well over 100 students a year. These two factors (private school and large number of seats) gives the applicant somewhat of a better chance of getting in. However, it doesn't mean that a 2.7GPA/16DAT applicant is going to get in.

HTH!

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

I got into other schools...I just liked NYU more than the others.

They have a ton to offer here if you are willing to take advantage of it.

 

[Comet208]

Originally posted by UBTom

it doesn't mean that a 2.7GPA/16DAT applicant is going to get in.

HTH!

heck, my 3.2 GPA and 16/18 DAT got me no further with them than the waitlist!

Comet!

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by Brocnizer2007
I got into other schools...I just liked NYU more than the others.

They have a ton to offer here if you are willing to take advantage of it.

Which other schools, and why NYU in the end?

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by Comet208
heck, my 3.2 GPA and 16/18 DAT got me no further with them than the waitlist!

Comet!

Are you considering taking the dat again? Turning that 16 to a 18 (or even a 17) could be the difference between a waitlist and an acceptance.

 

[Comet208]

I actually have. i now have 17/17/18 but with 3.0!!! i might re-re-take the DAT in a month or so!

thx