Looking to improve

[CaptainCalf52]

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Date of submission: About a week after app opened
Overall GPA: 3.28
Science GPA: 3.21
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.16
DAT score (include AA and all sections): AA 20, PA 22, QR 22, RC 21, Bio 18, Chem 18. OChem 19
State of Residence: WA

Undergrad Attended: Gonzaga University
Major: Biology with research concentration
Minority? No
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 100 split between GP and Ortho
Volunteering Experience: 50 in local animal shelter
Employment: 2000+ Dental Assistant, Assistant Resident Director/ RA 2 years.
Research: 1000+ Biomaterial research on rhino beetles. no publications currently
Other Extracurriculars: Two years collegiate rowing D1, Pre-dental club secretary,
LOR type and strength: 1 committee, 1 General Dentist I have worked for both medium strength.
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere: In this cycle I had the opportunity to interview with UW, Utah, and Nebraska however I am still having no luck getting off the waitlist. I was worried their might be something glaringly wrong with my application that I wasn't seeing which might be holding me off of securing a seat. This is my third time reapplying and have made strides every time but after three cycles I can feel my confidence/bank account starting to dwindle.
School list:
UW, Utah, Nebraska, TUFTS, NYU, IOWA, Arizona, Missouri, LECOM,

I welcome all suggestions and thank you all for your time and consideration.

 

[BMH500]

Did you receive any interviews this cycle? I wouldn’t be surprised if you got of the waitlist somewhere this cycle still. If not, your GPA is a bit low, so you could try to retake some classes or do a masters. I think the easier way to go might be to retake your DAT and aim for 22+ to try to offset the lower gpa a bit and then just apply to more schools. I would also suggest doing some more shadowing to get that number up a bit.

 

[CaptainCalf52]

Did you receive any interviews this cycle? I wouldn’t be surprised if you got of the waitlist somewhere this cycle still. If not, your GPA is a bit low, so you could try to retake some classes or do a masters. I think the easier way to go might be to retake your DAT and aim for 22+ to try to offset the lower gpa a bit and then just apply to more schools. I would also suggest doing some more shadowing to get that number up a bit.

I received 3 interviews and waitlisted at all. I wholeheartedly agree on improving DAT score and am in the process of getting back into college to bump the GPA. I was curious on if schools hold a distinction between shadowing hours and time spent as a dental assistant? Personally I have learned a multitude more from the time spent chairside as a dental assistant than the hours standing in the corner of an op barely getting a look at the procedure occurring. What are your thoughts?

 

[BMH500]

I received 3 interviews and waitlisted at all. I wholeheartedly agree on improving DAT score and am in the process of getting back into college to bump the GPA. I was curious on if schools hold a distinction between shadowing hours and time spent as a dental assistant? Personally I have learned a multitude more from the time spent chairside as a dental assistant than the hours standing in the corner of an op barely getting a look at the procedure occurring. What are your thoughts?

Well best of luck on those 3 waitlists, I honestly think there’s a solid shot you will hear from one of them as schools are just now starting to take people from the waitlist. As for the dental assisting, it may differ for each school, so you might just want to reach out to each of the schools and ask. Honestly though since you do have 100 shadowing hours overall and assisted for so many I don’t think that’s what is holding you back. It’s likely the GPA and DAT (neither of which are terrible) so if you do need to reapply again and can raise that DAT a couple points you should be in good shape.