Need help as to if I should reapply 3rd time?

[bison40]

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I am so happy I found this site! So I need help. I applied for the 2006, 2007 admission cycles and didn't get in. I have taken the DAT 3 times, foolishly cuz I didn't know what I was doing and hurriedly took it the 2nd time, and then took it a 3rd time before the rule was made that you can only take the DAT 3 times, unless you show proof to reapply.

Anyway, DAT is 16 on PAT and 17 AA. My undergrad GPA was 3.18 overall, and 3.1 science. I am currently in a Master's program in microbiology & immunology. I just finished year 1 of 2. I got a 3.5 my 1st year of grad school. I want to reapply next June for fall 2009. Wondering what you guys think about what I should do? Do you know anyone who has 1) applied 3 times 2) went to grad school and then got in?

I'm thinking I should take the DAT again, even if its my 4th time so I can raise my score to at least a 19-20. I've heard scores are really high.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DDFLOSSN]

You seem to be on the right track. Why not go ahead and reapply this year and retake the DAT in July? Don't worry, if you want to go to d-school bad enough, you'll get in. It took me 3 tries and I finally got in. My friend kept telling me, "you can't fail unless you give up." Your DAT is the only thing that can save you, so definately put some more time into it. Good luck

 

[SugarNaCl]

You are probably fine if you improve the DAT. Finish your masters program before reapplying would be my only advice to you. If you don't get in for whatever reason, while you are waiting to reapply or if you decide not to, you can get a good fall back job in research...or teaching on the community college level or at some private colleges. That said, a DAT of 16 and 17 aren't really acceptable scores for the most part. It may be ok if you are an Underrep. minority, or have a great GPA but other than that, you will have a struggle. Just do well on the DAT and reapply with that Masters degree in your hand. Just from the way it looks. Nice job on your 1st year grad GPA. Good luck.

 

[shroomhead]

Hi I think if you are really passionate about it you should apply. This will be my 4th time applying to pharm school. We are in the same boat... What ever you do don't give up!!!!!! You have my support. IF you do reapply you do something to increase your chances, don't just waste your money.... just my thoughts.

 

[bison40]

I am super passionate about dentistry. I have shadowed over 150 hrs while an undergraduate and love field as a whole as it gives an individual so much independence. I try to sell myself on getting a job in biotech or trying to get into another professional school but everytime I think abou that I realize that none of those options compare to what my passion is for dentistry.

I hope the dental schools value my Master's degree. Besides trying to get a 20+ on my DAT and continuing to do well in my grad classes, what would be the one other thing I should try to do? Volunteer? I will have great LORs, and will have 2 years of research and a publication under my belt.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[youngmc27]

I too applied three times and I will be starting Dental school in the fall. I applied the first time after my junior year of undergrad and got two interviews no acceptances. I decided to do a one year Master's in Human Genetics at Tulane Univ. I applied while in school and heard nothing not even an interview. After I finished my degree I got a research job, took the DAT again and applied a third time. I got five interviews and finally got accepted to USC. The moral of the story is to keep at it. I did and it finally paid off for me and it will for you too!😀

 

[SMCohen]

Congrats to DDFLOSSN and youngmc27! Both your stories give hope to the rest of us, especially us reapplicants.

 

[lgwdnbdgr]

Besides trying to get a 20+ on my DAT and continuing to do well in my grad classes, what would be the one other thing I should try to do? Volunteer? I will have great LORs, and will have 2 years of research and a publication under my belt.

To get accepted anywhere, you need to stand out. After you graduate with your masters, try to find a job in a research lab that does really cool science. Preferably something that you can also use to show that you'd be a good dentist. My history performing surgery on mice, for example, went over very well at my interviews.

I'm probably in the minority on SDN, but I think you should wait before reapplying. Give yourself time to regroup. The cycles overlap, so if you keep applying each year, you'll be spending all of your time applying instead of improving your application. Keep busting A## in grad school. Figure out why you aren't doing well on the DAT and fix it. Are you bombing one section of the DAT, or are you getting around a 17 on all sections? Maybe you need to retake general bio, chemistry or orgo as a refresher. While you are doing that, use your free time to do something cool, unique and at least tangentially relevant. Research is a good one, but certainly not the only.

A friend of mine got grad school interviews largely because he worked as a beer brewer. The admissions committees just wanted to talk to him because they thought it was cool. That attention led them to see that despite his poor grades, he was a good candidate for a PhD program. (Grades are less important in grad school admissions; the concept will work for dental school but probably won't work quite as well. He also had a ton of other unique experiences to help offset his grades, but nobody would have noticed them were it not for the brewing).

 

[bison40]

Well thanks for the motivation/advice. My problem with the DAT is putting in the time and having good study habits. I think this first year of grad school helped because I had to study my A** off to survive and get A's and B's. So I think if I can apply those habits to the DAT I could get that 20+ score that I desperately want and need. Do you guys think since I haven't had o.chem and inorganic since like 2002/2003 I can just review and study and do just fine? I'm planning on studying all summer 2-5 hrs a day cuz I am doing research all summer and then studying on weekends hard. So 10-12 weeks worth? Any advice? I have a ton of science knowledge, but not the basic knowledge of o. chem and inorganic so I'm worried about that. I think just through practice I can do better on the PAT.

I plan on applying for fall 2009. So I don't want to rush studying for the DAT but during the school year I am so busy with studying, research, and teaching that I doubt I'll find time to study for the DAT as well, so I figure this summer is my best and maybe last shot. Plus if I don't get that 20+ score I'll not waste my time reapplying next may. Any thoughts?

 

[AmoDientes]

Perseverance always pays off...you can get into dental school...there's no doubt about it! Best of luck! 🙂

 

[Superhuntress]

I recommend doing research at a dental school. That way you get to know a lot about the dental school as a staff member, and they get to know you. I did research at a dental school on the bacteria that cause root canal failure and research on the chemistry and structure of tubular dentin. At the same time I did a Master's in Biotechnology Management. I applied three times, and was finally accepted! The dental schools where I interviewed LOVED the fact that I had not only done research, but had done dental research. It showed that I love the field of dentistry and want to be immersed in dentistry no matter what. They were also impressed with the Master's degree. I was accepted on December 1st with a 2.9 undergraduate GPA and 3.5 graduate GPA. I also took the DAT three times. The first time I took it I didn't study and only scored a 15, so I studied for a few weeks and scored a 17. I knew that I could do a lot better, so I bought DAT Destroyer, took a Kaplan Class, and studied 6 hours a day 5 days a week for over 2 months. I had a 19 overall, with 3 sections over 20. So it is possible. I would suggest applying to private schools too when the time comes, they are usually a little easier to get into and in my opinion offer better educations.

 

[bison40]

Well hearing about someone in the same boat is reassuring. I'm going to study all summer when I can and then decide if come the end of august I am ready or ele try to study during school which will be tough.

I will try to get a job as a researcher at a dental school when I finish my master's. Did you get into the school you worked at?

Thanks