Most likely not getting in this cycle what do i do

[rftgy]

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Hello i applied to dental school this cycle and applied fairly widely, 17 schools.
I am currently waitlisted at 2 schools and interviewed at 3. MY gpa is 3.52, this is including some state school classes that boosts my gpa a little, and my sgpa is 3.38, my dat was a 23. theres also an upward trend in my gpa as i kinda slacked freshman year. I have many shadowing hours (200) 100 at the schools dental clinic and 100 at a private clinic, and many hours of work, which are not dental related. I do not have too many volunteer hours and i also have about 100 hours of research as well. I'm not sure what to do with my year off as it seems im not going to be accepted anywhere. Any suggestions? i was looking at either getting certified as a dental assisstant and then work as a dental assistant and volunteer ALOT, Or get a medical masters and volunteer ALOT. also, when i get certified as a dental assistant this program also gives me the opportunity to become X-ray and EFDA certified.

 

[rftgy]

Hello i applied to dental school this cycle and applied fairly widely, 17 schools.
I am currently waitlisted at 2 schools and interviewed at 3. MY gpa is 3.52, this is including some state school classes that boosts my gpa a little, and my sgpa is 3.38, my dat was a 23. theres also an upward trend in my gpa as i kinda slacked freshman year. I have many shadowing hours (200) 100 at the schools dental clinic and 100 at a private clinic, and many hours of work, which are not dental related. I do not have too many volunteer hours and i also have about 100 hours of research as well. I'm not sure what to do with my year off as it seems im not going to be accepted anywhere. Any suggestions? i was looking at either getting certified as a dental assisstant and then work as a dental assistant and volunteer ALOT, Or get a medical masters and volunteer ALOT.

i didnt include all of my details but this is most of it

 

[eldmd_32]

When did you submit your application?

 

[rftgy]

When did you submit your application?

submitte my application mid july, july 14 i think

 

[CometBru]

Perhaps your essays were lacking. Or worse, you had a bad LOR.

 

[princessdentist]

what schools are you waitlisted at?

 

[joemario]

perhaps you should list 17 schools you applied so can help.

 

[ms.mollymay]

1) I would apply earlier. Since you have a year to prepare your application this time around be ready June 1st!
2) Volunteer a lot more. This is something so easy to do and mostly everyone has this box checked....so the fact that your volunteer hours are low automatically puts you at a disadvantage.
3) Do you have shadowing across many specialities? if not this is definitely an area to show major improvement
4) rewrite your personal statement and make sure to show your growth as an applicant
5) Practice interviewing skills.... I feel like if you're invited to an interview you meet all of the logistical criteria...do you think it was your interview?

just things to consider

 

[SmileItsLife]

What is your state residency? What 3 schools did you interview at and when? If you interviewed in like October, it may be your interviewing skills that you need to work on this upcoming cycle...

OR It may be that your interview went just okay, but the rest of your app was okay as well. I would follow ms.mollymay's suggestions in order to lift up your chances overall.

 

[DentalNucleicAcid]

1) I would apply earlier. Since you have a year to prepare your application this time around be ready June 1st!
2) Volunteer a lot more. This is something so easy to do and mostly everyone has this box checked....so the fact that your volunteer hours are low automatically puts you at a disadvantage.
3) Do you have shadowing across many specialities? if not this is definitely an area to show major improvement
4) rewrite your personal statement and make sure to show your growth as an applicant
5) Practice interviewing skills.... I feel like if you're invited to an interview you meet all of the logistical criteria...do you think it was your interview?

just things to consider

In regards to #3, is it really necessary to have shadowed different specialties or is that just a plus?

 

[Master Yoda]

If I were you I would call up the schools and asked them what aspect or aspects of your application need improvement....ask them if they are any suggestions or advice for you.

 

[rftgy]

i am currently waitlisted at nova and at lecom, and my 3rd interview was at UF, i am a florida resident.

 

[rftgy]

i also called uconn today, i know my chances were low of getting into that school anyways, but she told me that my chemistry gpa specifically was too low, it was a 2.82 because i struggled in orgo. If i were to retake orgo would it be okay to do it at a state school back home? or would it have to be somewhere else?

 

[ms.mollymay]

In regards to #3, is it really necessary to have shadowed different specialties or is that just a plus?

I personally think it's necessary. And why wouldn't you want to do everything possible to get into dental school? Shadowing broadly can only help your chances. Shadowing different specialities really helps you to expand your understanding of dentistry as a whole.

 

[chives_irvine]

It seems like you may have just had some bad luck. A 23 DAT is well above the 90th percentile... and your gpa is relatively average, maybe SLIGHTLY on the low side...but nothing that DAT score wouldn't have taken care of. Did you apply to a lot of state schools? Sometimes that will factor in.... were you good on other ECs? Also, have you done anything to strengthen your application this year? Some ADCOMs have told me that a lot of it is just luck because so many apply with similar scores.
If you haven't and have to reapply, I would apply to private schools like ASDOH, MWU, Roseman, WesternU, UNE, etc. they are good schools and I'm sure you would get in...
For your gap year, if that happens, I would try to get a research job if you can or do dental assisting

 

[chives_irvine]

We are looking for a new dental intern for the coming year to start in July. This is a paid internship and is for anyone looking to have a “gap-year” after graduation. This position entails learning critical laboratory techniques (pouring and mounting models on articulators, making bite splints, stents, bleaching trays etc.), assisting skills ( procedures including crown, inlay/onlay preps, implants, composites, bite equilibrations, photographs etc) and the business aspects (ordering supplies, insurance, phone protocol) of a dental practice. The atmosphere of the office is fun and the patient base wonderful.


This is an incredible opportunity that will set you apart from other applicants! If you would like to apply please send us your resume and cover letter to [email protected] We are located in a suburb on the North Shore of Chicago.

Don't know if you saw this (different post), but maybe that could be cool if nothing else works out

 

[Stanelz]

Im sort of in the same boat, however no interviews here. During this application process I got certified as a dental assistant did a lot more shadowing and volunteering. I am an RDA now and love it! Good luck next cycle if you dont hear back.

 

[princessdentist]

Don't lose hope on those waitlists I would suggest to continue improving your application so you can update your schools on your improvement! Also send updated grades if you have

Call the schools to state continued interest, send letters of intent, additional recommendations. AnyThing that can help! Some schools may not
Accept updates tho so make sure to ask them about that policy for waitlist applicants.

Good luck and I hope you hear back soon 🙂

 

[rftgy]

thank you guys for all the help!! this is amazing, and so i know theres no set thing i could really do, i just dont want to go into a masters program, i would much rather spend alot of time volunteering shadowing and working as a dental assistant.

 

[Faefly]

I would boost my GPA by taking a master.