Need Advice on Reapplying

[pidel]

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I graduated in May '16 and applied to dental school in June. My application was completed early June and all my letters arrived mid-August (later than I wished). I haven't heard back from any school and need advice on what to do next or a critique of the plan I have now.

Here are my stats:
o/sGPA: 3.5/3.6
DAT AA/BIO/GC/OC/RC/PAT/QR: 20/20/23/19/22/20/18

At the time I submitted my application I only had 60 hours shadowing and after reading these forums I understand that's low. Through the summer/fall I shadowed more and will keep trying to increase it. My current plan is to attend a community college for an anatomy class (never taken it) and one other this spring, retake the DAT and aim for a 22+, and work part time/shadow. I recently registered as a DA so I can work as that or something else.

The dental school's I applied to told me when I called to simply call back in March and so I'm just wondering if there is any advice here.

Some questions I have are:
Should I take CC classes in the spring? Should I work as a DA or is any other job okay?

Thanks

 

[workofshart]

I think there are a few things you can do between now and next June (which is when you should apply this time). Your DAT score is fine but if you really think you can do better it might be worth retaking as its one of the best ways to show improvement in a short amount of time. I think keeping up extracurriculars: volunteering, shadowing w/e else would be good as well. Also depending on what your major or course load was in undergrad I think it could be beneficial to do a full time science load in the spring this way you have more new grades to show adcoms and they can see you ace a semester worth of tough classes. Your letters are likely fine hopefully you didn't get any bad ones or ask anyone who didn't really know you. Working would be good but I don't think its absolutely necessary. Lastly, I would make sure you apply smartly and broadly using the ADEA guide to maximize your chances at interviews/acceptances. Good luck!

 

[periopocket]

I don't think you applied to enough programs


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[pidel]

I think there are a few things you can do between now and next June (which is when you should apply this time). Your DAT score is fine but if you really think you can do better it might be worth retaking as its one of the best ways to show improvement in a short amount of time. I think keeping up extracurriculars: volunteering, shadowing w/e else would be good as well. Also depending on what your major or course load was in undergrad I think it could be beneficial to do a full time science load in the Fall this way you have more new grades to show adcoms and they can see you ace a semester worth of tough classes. Your letters are likely fine hopefully you didn't get any bad ones or ask anyone who didn't really know you. Working would be good but I don't think its absolutely necessary. Lastly, I would make sure you apply smartly and broadly using the ADEA guide to maximize your chances at interviews/acceptances. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply. I'll definitely be working on that.

I don't think you applied to enough programs

Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

I know you're right. I will apply more broadly next time around

 

[acesofseven]

What schools did you apply to?

 

[pidel]

What schools did you apply to?

All 3 schools in Texas

 

[Floss is Boss]

Was in similar situation as you. Had roughly the same gpa and 20AA. My application was pushed back to August due to letter of recommendation coming in late. I applied to 8 schools and didn't get any interviews. I applied the summer before I graduated however so just a year before you. Before my second round of application I shadowed a few more times (already had ~100 hours) and continued shadowing. After graduation though I mainly just worked random seasonal jobs to pay the bills and save. Applied in the summer to similar schools and got 3 interviews and 3 acceptances the 2nd cycle. The entire process seems to be kinda luck to a certain degree. My advice would be to do whatever personally would make you the happiest over the next year whether that's going back to school, working, or something else. Make sure to keep volunteering or shadowing here and there to show your continued interest and tighten up personal statement or letter of recommendations that may have hindered you this year. Your DAT is good but if you think you can do better go for it. I did retake mine in between applications and got the same score again. Make sure you are applying to schools that are out of state friendly and I think you will have a good chance next cycle. If you do decide to take the anatomy course though I would contact dental schools to see if they will even accept community college credits as I have heard some won't.

 

[pidel]

Was in similar situation as you. Had roughly the same gpa and 20AA. My application was pushed back to August due to letter of recommendation coming in late. I applied to 8 schools and didn't get any interviews. I applied the summer before I graduated however so just a year before you. Before my second round of application I shadowed a few more times (already had ~100 hours) and continued shadowing. After graduation though I mainly just worked random seasonal jobs to pay the bills and save. Applied in the summer to similar schools and got 3 interviews and 3 acceptances the 2nd cycle. The entire process seems to be kinda luck to a certain degree. My advice would be to do whatever personally would make you the happiest over the next year whether that's going back to school, working, or something else. Make sure to keep volunteering or shadowing here and there to show your continued interest and tighten up personal statement or letter of recommendations that may have hindered you this year. Your DAT is good but if you think you can do better go for it. I did retake mine in between applications and got the same score again. Make sure you are applying to schools that are out of state friendly and I think you will have a good chance next cycle. If you do decide to take the anatomy course though I would contact dental schools to see if they will even accept community college credits as I have heard some won't.

Hey thank you so much for your response. I would generally take the CC class to show I'm still academically sharp + potentially get a nice rec letter. I know I can do better on the DAT so that is what I'm working on currently. I definitely need to apply more broadly this next cycle.

 

[Toothout]

I don't think you should retake. Focus on improving other stuffs.
E.g.
1. Get 200+ more volunteering hours or something like that.
2. Apply to more schools.
3. Keep shadowing (as you said).
4. Improve your PS.
5. work on getting better LORs from now. Build a good relationship with a dentist/professor.
6. Start working as a Dental A.