Late applicants to dental schools

[Meggs]

After reading different threads in the pre-dental and dental forums, I?ve got the idea (I don?t know if I?m right) that late applicants to dental schools are pretty much hopeless. I mean early birds applicants have a much better chance than the rest, and that if you applied and interviewed late then you almost have no chance.

What if close to the deadline the school receives an application from a good candidate (maybe better than some early ones)?
Does that person has less chances than not-so-good early applicants?
Or after the deadline the admissions officers just look at all applications and then decide (careless of arrival date)?
What about if you interviewed late?

I want to clear that in my case I won?t be applying as a freshman, but rather seeking an advanced placement in the regular program (foreign trained dentist). But still, my question here goes to any type of program, I just want to know how most of the admissions officers look at things. And you guys know the admission system better than in the international forum.

Thanks ahead, I?m lost here. Any help or orientation will be greatly appreciated.

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[cusp of carabelli]

Most schools operate on a rolling admissions schedule so they review applications as they come in. the reason early candidates have a better chance than later candidates is basic statistics...there are more spots open earlier. Also, schools like to fill there classes early because it leaves room for people who are still trying to decide between schools (if they received multiple acceptances). By doing this it allows the school to be able to interview more people to fill in those holes. For those applicants with excellent statistics that apply late, it would have to depend on how full the class is. If there are still spots open, then they can be interviewed for a position. If the school is completely full, there is a chance that the person won't be interviewed at all, or just interviewed for a waitlist position and just placed on the wait list.

Another thing is that schools usually accept more than the number of students they can carry (like say for a class of 100, a school may accept 175 expecting 75 people or more to decline their offer for whatever reason..) hope this helps!

 

[ecdoesit]

Could you define late applicant?
Is end of August considered late?

 

[UBTom]

If you are applying for Fall 2004 admission, August this year is still a good time to get your stuff in. Do it ASAP, and good luck!

 

[ItsGavinC]

August isn't late, but more and more students are applying in June and July. I'd expect that the average student applies earlier and earlier each year.

Of course, many students who turn in their apps in December have had success, but I wouldn't leave it to that.

If given the opportunity, why would you not turn it in ASAP?

It's a great feeling to be done with all your interviews before the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays.

 

[Meggs]

Originally posted by UBTom
If you are applying for Fall 2004 admission, August this year is still a good time to get your stuff in. Do it ASAP, and good luck!

Advanced standing programs are extremely variable in their application and starting dates.
Some of them begin classes in the Fall, some in January, or April or June or July, etc. So it's hard to set a period of application. Some programs have September 15 as an application deadline, some October, November, January and so on.
But most of them start accepting applications since June.

The thing is I don't get my NDBE part 1 results until September, which I need it in order to apply.
So by the time I get my part 1 results and get all my stuff ready(assuming I get a good score), sept 15 is long gone, and the other deadlines will be awfully close, converting me into a late applicant. See my point now?

This is what I'm worried about. I'm not sure whether to risk my money and apply this year, even as a late applicant. Or if to risk my time, wait until next year, and be one of the first ones.

thanks guys.

 

[w3chen99]

I know this is a bit extreme, but I submitted my application for the 2006 class to 3 schools around February of 2002! I had switched over from being pre-med and decided at the last moment to try dental (did a little volunteering). I quickly took the DAT and got new letters of recommendations which is why I ended up applying so late.

I applied to Columbia, UoP, and USC (since their deadlines were the only ones that had not passed yet that I was interested in). Columbia and UoP were full already, but I got into USC. I decided to wait a year and re-apply, but it just goes to show that you can apply REALLY late and still get in if you are a good candidate. Of course I ruined my chances for Columbia and UoP since they had already filled up their interview schedules, so definitely applying early keeps your options open.

 

[UBTom]

to Meggs:

In that case, you will have to make a decision. If you cannot make the 9/15 deadline for some programs, your options would be:

1) Apply only to those programs whose deadlines are after your NBDE I scores comes in.

2) Apply to all the programs even though you know your NBDE scores will be in late or not as high as you hoped it would be.

3) Don't apply at all, wait until next year.


If I was in your shoes and money is tight, I would choose #3. If I was looking to get into an available program as soon as possible, then I would probably do #1, which gives you a fair shot of getting in somewhere for a reasonable outlay of cash and effort. If money is of no object and I want to try for the sake of trying regardless of the NBDE situation, then I would do #2.

Good luck, whatever you choose!

 

[Bickle]

Last year I applied in Decemeber to 4 schools. I got 2 interviews, and out of that I got 2 waitlists. I'm fairly sure that if I had applied in July I would have gotten in. So APPLY EARLY! This year I sent in my application ASAP, but I'm still hoping I will be called off either of the 2 waitlists.

 

[Meggs]

Thanks everyone.

I?ll probably go with UBTom option #1. But still I have to wait until my scores are in.

In case I have to wait until next year, I?ll definitely be extremely early with my application date!.

But now other question comes to mind: If I have to wait until next year, will I still be able to use the same recommendation letters (dated 2003)? Or I?ll have to get new ones, dated 2004? They?ll probably be the same, just different dates. What do you know about this?

Thanks to all.

 

[UBTom]

Hi Meggs,

The dates on the recommendations does not matter. I got into dental school with letters of recommendations I collected at different times over 4 years of undergraduate college.

Good luck!