Looking for Advice

[Lynndent]

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Hi everyone I'm looking for advice on what I should do regarding my situation. So this is my second time applying to dental school. The first time I applied was last year to 4 schools (Rutgers, NYU, UB, Touro). I was fortunate enough to receive 2 post December interviews (UB and NYU) however I was waitlisted at both schools and eventually denied. Now I applied a second time to 8 schools (Rutgers, NYU, UB, Touro, VCU, Tufts, UCONN, Columbia) with no pre December interviews.

Background info:
I have been a NY resident all my life, just recently moved to NJ, and I am considered an URM. I have taken the DAT three times (2015, 2017, 2018). I completed my BS in 2016 and then my MS in 2017. The last cycle I applied late November due to retaking the DAT and this cycle I applied mid-September for the same reason. My undergrad GPA is a 3.0 cum/ 2.8 sci. Graduate GPA is 3.6 cum/ 3.6 sci. Overall GPA is 3.1. I have over 1,500 hours of dental experience (shadowing/ assistant), and 100 hours of volunteering. Also, I am currently 7 months pregnant.

DAT:
YEAR- AA/PAT/QR/RC/BIO/GC/OC/TS
2015- 18/17/16/18/18/21/17/19
2017- 18/18/16/22/20/16/18/18
2018- 19/19/16/19/21/20/21/20

Questions:
If it doesn't work out this cycle should I wait another year before applying due to pregnancy?
What should I do to improve my chances for next cycle?
Will I have to retake all the prerequisites since they'll be over 5 years if I do wait?
Is it too late to add Meharry to my list? (their deadline is Dec 17 I believe)
Should I contact the schools or just sit tight?

 

[iWantThatDMD]

Hi everyone I'm looking for advice on what I should do regarding my situation. So this is my second time applying to dental school. The first time I applied was last year to 4 schools (Rutgers, NYU, UB, Touro). I was fortunate enough to receive 2 post December interviews (UB and NYU) however I was waitlisted at both schools and eventually denied. Now I applied a second time to 8 schools (Rutgers, NYU, UB, Touro, VCU, Tufts, UCONN, Columbia).

Background info:
I have been a NY resident all my life, just recently moved to NJ, and I am considered an URM. I have taken the DAT three times (2015, 2017, 2018). I completed my BS in 2016 and then my MS in 2017. The last cycle I applied late November due to retaking the DAT and this cycle I applied mid-September for the same reason. My undergrad GPA is a 3.0 cum/ 2.8 sci. Graduate GPA is 3.6 cum/ 3.6 sci. Overall GPA is 3.1. I have over 1,500 hours of dental experience (shadowing/ assistant), and 100 hours of volunteering. Also, I am currently 7 months pregnant.

DAT:
YEAR- AA/PAT/QR/RC/BIO/GC/OC/TS
2015- 18/17/16/18/18/21/17/19
2017- 18/18/16/22/20/16/18/18
2018- 19/19/16/19/21/20/21/20

Questions:
If it doesn't work out this cycle should I wait another year before applying due to pregnancy?
What should I do to improve my chances for next cycle?
Will I have to retake all the prerequisites since they'll be over 5 years if I do wait?
Is it too late to add Meharry to my list? (their deadline is Dec 17 I believe)
Should I contact the schools or just sit tight?

Unless I missed it, have you received pre dec interview invites this cycle?

 

[Lynndent]

Unless I missed it, have you received pre dec interview invites this cycle?

Hi sorry I just updated it, no I have not. Which is why I'm so concerned.

 

[DozingDentist]

In my opinion, you should have applied to more schools and less selective schools. Those 4 schools you added this cycle are all pretty competitive. With your stats, you should be applying to 15+ and more private

 

[DozingDentist]

Also, applying much earlier would help you significantly as well I think. September is pretty late

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

With your stats you need to be applying in june/july. Add LECOM, MWUAZ, MWUIL, the other one in Arizona, NOVA, etc.

 

[Lynndent]

Thank you for your advice. I’m guessing it’s too late to add these schools for this time around. But basically next cycle apply early and to a minimum of 15 schools.

 

[DSchoolorBust202X]

Thank you for your advice. I’m guessing it’s too late to add these schools for this time around. But basically next cycle apply early and to a minimum of 15 schools.

And please remember to make sure you are ready to apply early. I think that was the most helpful thing for me this cycle.