need advice

[Mstoothlady2012]

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Hi all,

I applied for fall 08 and I have not received a single interview so far. I have been rejected from most of the schools; 4 schools left and waitlisted on 2 w/o interview which is weird!

Here are some numbers...

sGPA - 3.31, cGPA - 3.28

DAT - AA - 17 & PAT - 18

I know I definitely need to retake DAT, but I dont know whether I should do masters or post-bach. I waited too long to hear back from d-schools and now I think I am kind of late in applying for masters program. Most of the masters program deadlines are in May-June, so I have to make up my mind and take GRE really fast and apply to the programs. I dont think I am ready to apply to dental schools for fall 09 - I definitely want to reapply for fall 2010. But I am not too sure what to do for another 2 yrs. So far I have decided to retake DAT, shadow more, try to look for job in dental clinic (tried earlier but failed 🙁), make some research. Any suggestions? Thank you and appreciate your help 🙂

 

[dantheman2007]

Hi all,

I applied for fall 08 and I have not received a single interview so far. I have been rejected from most of the schools; 4 schools left and waitlisted on 2 w/o interview which is weird!

Here are some numbers...

sGPA - 3.31, cGPA - 3.28

DAT - AA - 17 & PAT - 18

I know I definitely need to retake DAT, but I dont know whether I should do masters or post-bach. I waited too long to hear back from d-schools and now I think I am kind of late in applying for masters program. Most of the masters program deadlines are in May-June, so I have to make up my mind and take GRE really fast and apply to the programs. I dont think I am ready to apply to dental schools for fall 09 - I definitely want to reapply for fall 2010. But I am not too sure what to do for another 2 yrs. So far I have decided to retake DAT, shadow more, try to look for job in dental clinic (tried earlier but failed 🙁), make some research. Any suggestions? Thank you and appreciate your help 🙂

Your GPA isnt all that bad; it's ur DAT; if u can raise it just 2 points u should be fine. If u feel insecure about ur GPA then do a post bac and take some upper level science courses. schools dont like to see students be idle for too long without being academically challenged.
i would definately gain some more shadowing/volunteering experience
you have the right mindset and it seems like u know what to do; just stick it through, you'll get there
best,
dan

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

hi dan,

Thanks for the advice! I called UF my 1st choice and the adviser suggested to do masters, because my GPA is below average. She said post-bach won't really much to improve my GPA. That is why I am leaning more towards masters. Whats going on with you? did you get in anywhere?

 

[ummjoey]

i agree with dan you should retake the DAT and apply 09. beef up your application and make good changes. there are some other threads that talk about EC. you can search for them.

did you apply early? applying early is important......

how many schools did you apply to?

im dont know much about masters vs postbac. if you really want to take that route i would do research on both. hopefully someone can give you better feedback on those two. but i would say just do whichever one you feel more comfortable with.

edit: i just saw your predent profile. you applied to a good amount and submitted very early. make sure you apply smart.........i think meharry is the one that accepts 90% african americans.

 

[the dentist]

listen mstoothlady,

i like your name but all you need to do is raise your DAT to a 20AA. Apply the first week it comes out, like in May. These are the two MOST important factors, OK? trust me. You will get more interviews and get in, given that the rest of your application is up to par, the standard stuff = (shadowing hours, good letters/personal statement)..

Just kick *** on the DAT and apply early and youre set.

The Dentist.

 

[blankguy]

Retake the DAT. That is the quickest way to improve your stat. I think you have a good chance if you raise your DAT to 20 to get invited for an interview for the next cycle. If you don't get in then resort to postbacc or masters.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

well last year i applied on 29th May..which i think is very early but on the other hand i didnt have time to study for DATs so was not able to take it until 15th Aug. So after DAT my application was 100% complete by mid sept.

This year its the same situation I am taking 5 science classes this spring and I dont have time to study for DAT. I am graduating in summer and have to take 2 more classes in summer, but i guess i will have time to study for DATs in may-july. Even if i do decide to apply for fall 09 i dont want to apply until i find out how i do on DATs. So again my application won't be complete until August. Plus i dont want to reapply w/o any improvement in my application. Also if i apply for 09 what do i do for another year? should i extend my graduation and just take summer off (study for DAT) and keep on taking more science classes during fall 08 & spring 09? You guys dont think my GPA is low? That is what the UF adviser told me....she said to do masters and make sure i maintain 3.5 or higher GPA. uh i am so confused!🙄

 

[Dentalishus]

When you do a masters your GPA starts over.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

yup i know that...that is why i want to do masters

 

[SanOnofre2002]

That seems like a long time to wait. I would delay the summer classes like you said and study like mad for the DAT. Even if you don't get your application out as early this cycle, it's still worth a grand or so to take a shot at it. Improving your GPA would obviously help but your DAT is the glaring weakness in your stats and can be fixed so much quicker. My GPA is only marginally better than yours but my DAT scores were in the 20's, and I received more interview invites than I could attend.

 

[dr bojangles]

When you do a masters your GPA starts over.

not entirely true. you have a separate column on AADSAS application for grad school transcripts. however, the undergrad/grad gpas will still be calculated into one.
DAT retake is your quickest option. you applied early, stay with that. i'd suggest a masters, as you can do something with that degree. a post-bac i feel you can simulate by smashing the DATs. get some good LORs and a nice PS too. good luck.

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

i studied so hard when i took the DAT first time and i still got 17...may be that is why i am afraid that even if i extend my graduation and study hard again the whole summer i still wont be able to score higher and i will end up wasting a year because then it will be too late to apply for masters program for fall 08

 

[ummjoey]

i studied so hard when i took the DAT first time and i still got 17...may be that is why i am afraid that even if i extend my graduation and study hard again the whole summer i still wont be able to score higher and i will end up wasting a year because then it will be too late to apply for masters program for fall 08

sounds like you dont really want to take the DAT again. you should call the schools and ask them what is the best way to improve your chances.

again, i really really think you should retake the DATs.

good luck Mstoothlady0212

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

sounds like you dont really want to take the DAT again. you should call the schools and ask them what is the best way to improve your chances.

again, i really really think you should retake the DATs.

good luck Mstoothlady0212

thanks! yeaa i want to take DAT again and I am going to take it again...but i cant be just dependent on 1 thing and improve just 1 thing on my application....oh well i got tons of thinking to do and I need to decide what I need to do before i reapply thanks for all your help appreciate it!

 

[ummjoey]

thanks! yeaa i want to take DAT again and I am going to take it again...but i cant be just dependent on 1 thing and improve just 1 thing on my application....oh well i got tons of thinking to do and I need to decide what I need to do before i reapply thanks for all your help appreciate it!

yay, sounds good. im glad to hear you are going to retake it.

DAT is only 1 part. the other part is to improve your ECs.........

 

[rjs38]

i had a friend who was in the exact same situation as you..good gpa, had all the ec and lor's but his dat was pretty weak. he decided to take a kaplan course and studied his @$$ off for two months and killed the dat the second time around and since then, approx two weeks ago, he has received two more interviews and one of them was told he will be receiving a very good recommendation from his interviewer, so if you just force yourself to study and really concentrate i bet you'll do great on the dat and will def. get into a school next time you apply

 

[sportygirl]

rjs38, if you don't mind me asking, what school was it that the interviewer said they would give a good recommendation for acceptance?

 

[rjs38]

rjs38, if you don't mind me asking, what school was it that the interviewer said they would give a good recommendation for acceptance?

pitt

 

[Lfc12]

mstoothlady-

1. definitely take a kaplan course, as you will get a higher score on the DAT. they are very helpful. while you are studying, apply early. this way, schools will receive your aadsas early and they will only be waiting for your score. even if you take the DAT in June/July, you will still be an early applicant if you file your aadsas early- remember aadsas takes 6 or so weeks to even send your app to schools.

2. get more experience in all areas of dentistry- oral surgery, general practice, orthodontics, etc. schools like to see you have looked at all facets of dentistry and will be impressed.

3. if you get a higher GPA in a program, it will supplement your GPA. A master's or pre-health certificate program will look great on your application. also- some pre-health cert. programs do not require GRE, so look into that, i know drexel has one, VCU has one...

4. if you apply early, re-take dat, get more exp, and show that you are still interested in academia(research, classes, etc) I have no doubt that you will be a successful applicant. if you work hard, this can be accomplished in the next 6 months or so, and you should DEFINITELY apply next year.

best of luck in the 2008/2009 application cycle!