My Chance (updated)

[pk62281]

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(I posted this before, but it's now updated with my DAT score)

Hi Guys,

I know these questions can be quite annoying, but I would really like your opinion. I get a little neurotic about my chances because I have this theory that after the economic meltdown of 2008, everyone and their mom decided they wanted to become a dentist. After, 2 years of preparing, this 2011 application cycle is going to have the most number of applicants ever, even with the economy improving..

Anyways....

Undergrad degree: Engineering and minor in computer science
GPA: 3.23 (3.3 considering my additional prereqs I've taken after graduation)
Work experience: Automotive Engineer for Toyota with international experience for 6 years
Started fulfilling unfulfilled prereqs at a nearby university on 5/2010: 14 hours of prereqs with gpa of 4.0
DAT score: 23TS/22AA/26PAT

I've shadowed about 50 hours, and plan on getting another 50 by the time I'm ready to start interviewing.

What do you guys think? I'll probably apply to 10 schools.

 

[duckdds]

After, 2 years of preparing, this 2011 application cycle is going to have the most number of applicants ever, even with the economy improving..

How do you know?

 

[preOMFS]

50/50

 

[dentalWorks]

(I posted this before, but it's now updated with my DAT score)

Hi Guys,

I know these questions can be quite annoying, but I would really like your opinion. I get a little neurotic about my chances because I have this theory that after the economic meltdown of 2008, everyone and their mom decided they wanted to become a dentist. After, 2 years of preparing, this 2011 application cycle is going to have the most number of applicants ever, even with the economy improving..

Anyways....

Undergrad degree: Engineering and minor in computer science
GPA: 3.23 (3.3 considering my additional prereqs I've taken after graduation)
Work experience: Automotive Engineer for Toyota with international experience for 6 years
Started fulfilling unfulfilled prereqs at a nearby university on 5/2010: 14 hours of prereqs with gpa of 4.0
DAT score: 23TS/22AA/26PAT

I've shadowed about 50 hours, and plan on getting another 50 by the time I'm ready to start interviewing.

What do you guys think? I'll probably apply to 10 schools.

gpa is just slightly bellow average, but DAT is significantly above average... this means ur numbers are very competitive.

Pick your schools wisely and you shouldn't have trouble landing interviews

 

[321931]

3.2 is low, but your DAT/Life story makes up for it. I think you'll most likely get an interview depending where you apply. I give it 80/20.

 

[longhornpride]

I think you'll get in forsure. Don't listen to the people that are telling you your gpa is too low. You're an engineering major... I don't think any adcom is going to hold that against you. I think your work experience is also going to look good. When you pick your schools, make sure you have 2-3 safety schools... but you'll get in somewhere unless you completely bomb your interviews. Also, apply EARLY!

 

[allDAT]

A GPA of 3.2 as an engineering major is nothing to balk at, and your application will be taken seriously at every institution.

Your DAT scores are outstanding and will put you at the top of the applicant pool, regardless of how many students apply this cycle.

However, I would advise you to select a balanced lineup of schools to apply to. Do not only apply to top tier schools such as UCLA, UPENN, Harvard, Columbia, etc. because you may find yourself rejected by chance alone.

The 100 hour mark of volunteer/shadow experience is a good number to aim for, and will be a positive on your application.

A negative: Many schools approach applicants who have been removed from academics for more than 3 years with extreme caution. While you did recently take a small number of pre-requisites at a university, you should take some time to contact your top schools to elaborate on your unique situation (a letter would be appropriate).

A positive: Your work experience for a reputable company and life experience from international travel will further separate you from other applications.

Apply early (submit before the end of June), and you will land a handful of interviews. Then, depending on your interview skills, you may find yourself enrolled in a dental school.

Goodluck.

 

[mcchuster]

U have an interesting background. Seem very strong. Just got to explain to them why u decided to go back to school, dental in particular, after being 6 yrs away doing engineering for Toyota which is completely different from dental school besides financial interests of course 🙂.

 

[pk62281]

How do you know?

I don't know, but it's just a theory. The way it works in my head is that 2009 wouldn't see as many applicants as 2010 and 2011 because the end of 2008 is when the economy went under and unemployment started to rise. At that point, that's when people started thinking (me included) "maybe I should think about going back to school or doing something else" and then started studying for the DAT, taking prereqs, shadowing etc. 2 years later, and that motherload of people will be ready to submit their apps.

This is just my neurotic theory. Probably has no merit.

 

[321931]

I don't know, but it's just a theory. The way it works in my head is that 2009 wouldn't see as many applicants as 2010 and 2011 because the end of 2008 is when the economy went under and unemployment started to rise. At that point, that's when people started thinking (me included) "maybe I should think about going back to school or doing something else" and then started studying for the DAT, taking prereqs, shadowing etc. 2 years later, and that motherload of people will be ready to submit their apps.

This is just my neurotic theory. Probably has no merit.

I agree with your theory, but not so much regarding Dentistry. I would assume most of the fellows are going back to do an easier route. It's one thing to do dental/medicine at 21 years of age. It's a whole nother beast to do dental/medicine at 35 with 2-3 kids/house/family. Compared to Dentistry/Medicine, Nursing/PA and the likes are much easier routes, and provide stable income/job stability.

Perhaps, parents are telling their children now-a-days to go to more stable routes. After the economic collapse, my parents urged me to choose something that has stability. So I choose Dentistry 😛

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

Sick scores dude, nice job!

 

[preOMFS]

Do not only apply to top tier schools such as UCLA, UPENN, Harvard, Columbia, etc. because you may find yourself rejected by chance alone.

False.

If you find Columbia attractive as a dental school, I would strongly encourage you to apply to Columbia. I don't know about the other schools listed, but I have heard directly from faculty that they put more emphasis on the DAT and that they factor in GPA vs. major vs. university attended (i.e. a low GPA (3.2) with a difficult major at a competitive school is good enough) - I am a real life example.

By the way, I picked 50/50 just because applying to dental school seems so arbitrary these days and it is getting more competitive every year for some reason.

 

[DistinctSummer]

Best of luck!
My GPA and DAT scores were similar to yours and I was accepted this year. I applied to only 5 schools, received 2 interviews, and 2 acceptances. I really do think you'll be fine. Writing a strong personal statement with good letters of rec will definitely benefit you too, don't discount those things!

 

[allDAT]

False.

If you find Columbia attractive as a dental school, I would strongly encourage you to apply to Columbia. I don't know about the other schools listed, but I have heard directly from faculty that they put more emphasis on the DAT and that they factor in GPA vs. major vs. university attended (i.e. a low GPA (3.2) with a difficult major at a competitive school is good enough) - I am a real life example.

By the way, I picked 50/50 just because applying to dental school seems so arbitrary these days and it is getting more competitive every year for some reason.

preOMFS, the statement in one of my previous posts that you are identifying as false did not state that the OP should not apply to Columbia. With strong DAT scores and average GPA, the OP is a candidate for almost every dental school in the country. The statement said that the OP should not only apply to the schools mentioned because there is a chance that his or her application (like everyone else's) can be rejected by mistake.

 

[youknowthedrill]

I'm very analytical and tend to over analyze everything. I don't want you to talk yourself out of dental school. Its time you take off your engineering hat and stop worrying about it- just do it!