Need Help Condensing School List

[TexelAZ]

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Hey guys, I'm getting ready to put in my application next week and need help condensing my list from 15 -> 12-14 schools. I would appreciate any help on removing schools (or replacing some if there are better fits).

Date of submission: ~7/15
Overall GPA: 3.87
Science GPA: 3.85
BCP GPA: 3.85
DAT score: 22AA/20TS/22RC/20PAT/22GC/21OC/19BIO/25QR
State: Arizona

Major: Biochemistry
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: ~100 (3 dentists, 1 ortho, 1 endo)
Volunteering Experience: ~630 (feeding homeless [150], Habitat for Humanity [40], hospice [40], and LDS Mission [400] - 100wks x 4 hours/wk - soup kitchen/homeless assist/etc.)
Employment: ~5000 hours (server, pizza delivery, and customer service) all years in college (probably averaged ~25/wk) -> I'm not sure if this is asking just all employment I did in college?
Other Extracurriculars: Helped lead a group of ~50 men in my church's congregation
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's List x 8, Summa Cum Laude, Eagle Scout Award, Academic Scholarship, Religious Award
LOR type and strength: 2x Science [Biochem & Chem] (weak to moderate), Public Speaking (moderate), Dentist (strong)

School list: (Let me know if I should remove, add, or replace any schools, but ultimately want it to end with 12-14)
Maryland
UConn
UNLV
Rutgers
Marquette
Midwestern AZ
AT Still AZ
Colorado
LECOM
OHSU
Case Western
Western Univ
Pitt
Creighton
Loma Linda

Anything I should consider about these schools? All I know is the stats from an excel sheet and cost of attendance/living, which doesn't paint much of a picture.. Also, what are my chances at these schools?

 

[macsak]

you're competitive at all of those schools
how come you feel so negative about your LORs?
as long as your PS is decent, 12-14 schools will suffice
i'd recommend researching the schools and see where you fit best

 

[TexelAZ]

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm kinda negative about my LOR's because I went to a big college (classes of ~400ish (prereqs) and ~200 (major specific classes)) and didn't have much interaction with the professors (never really want to office hours more than once per class) except in small classes, so they probably only recognize my face and see the grades I got in their class.

Thanks for the advice on finding best fit, any advice on where to best research? (here, YouTube, their site? cause there's just so much info and analyzing it all is getting to be overwhelming)

 

[macsak]

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm kinda negative about my LOR's because I went to a big college (classes of ~400ish (prereqs) and ~200 (major specific classes)) and didn't have much interaction with the professors (never really want to office hours more than once per class) except in small classes, so they probably only recognize my face and see the grades I got in their class.

Thanks for the advice on finding best fit, any advice on where to best research? (here, YouTube, their site? cause there's just so much info and analyzing it all is getting to be overwhelming)

start here on page 22

https://www.studentdoctor.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/HowToGetIntoDentalSchool.Final_.pdf

from page 24 on there is a bullet point list for each school (remember, this is one person's opinion)
if you click on the name of the school, it takes you to their website
you can check the school specific subforum for more info too

 

[MG14]

If I were you, I’d take Roseman and Utah off your list. Your stats are great and way to high for Roseman. They’re a private school and super expensive and I feel you have a great shot at other schools that are cheaper and/or In-state. Plus, they don’t carry a very good reputation and there’s definitely a few other red flags as well I could share. Haha (PM me with any other specific questions, I actually interviewed and also got accepted there and so I got to learn a lot about them in the process).

And Utah, eh, in my opinion I wouldn’t waste your time or money applying there. Their didactic portion of things is good and really rigorous (they’re very ego driven and love to look good on paper) and so they prepare students that way. But they lack EXTREMELY in clinical portion of things. Probably worst in the country. Again, PM me any questions and I can also share more info and background with them. But there’s two to start

 

[MG14]

It also stinks because Utah would be an amazing place to live, but unfortunately the two dental schools there are newer and still working through some things.

 

[TexelAZ]

Thanks for all the responses so far! Looks like I'll probably be removing Utah, Roseman, and Temple, but will still need to remove 1-3 more - any other advice is genuinely appreciated!