Need some advice

[OrphanageCaretaker]

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Won't make this a long thread so here is the rundown:

Applied in June 2017 to 15 schools (IN state -CA and OOS schools eg: Midwestern, UNLV, ASDOH, etc)
I got 14 rejections, 1 interview (Pre-Dec) and then the interview later turned into a rejection, so all rejections.
Stat wise: 3.2 overall and science. DAT is a 20AA with my PAT being a "red flag" of 16.

My advisor recommended a master's program to raise up the GPA but her and I agreed it was worthwhile to apply and see if I could get in first cycle and then consider a master's. I called different schools to ask about my application and they said my GPA could use work, retaking the DAT wasn't a big deal because a 16 PAT is not that bad, and a 20AA is solid, considering I can't retake it only for one section and if I was to retake and do worse, my DAT would be abysmal. Some schools said a DAT retake could be worthwhile, but the majority consensus was the GPA. So, I'm signing up for a master's program right now.

Is it worthwhile to bother re-applying for this upcoming cycle? I graduated and have been working in addition to volunteering and shadowing so any updates on my application wouldn't reflect my GPA or DAT. Do I bother re-applying and then signing up for the masters? Or do I hold off on re-applying until I complete my masters which is next year?

P.S. I had an adcom look at my whole application and there was nothing wrong my with PS or LOR's, just the DAT and GPA were on the fence.

Any help would be appreciated cause I've literally been in a bummed out mood about the entire dental school route following all the rejections, not to say that I'm quitting, but I need some hope and encouragement cause all these rejections suck, even though rejections are a way of life.

 

[thenextcarnegie]

What are your extracurriculars? Volunteer? Shadowing? Research? Do you have any of those? Would you consider yourself a well-rounded applicant?

 

[OrphanageCaretaker]

What are your extracurriculars? Volunteer? Shadowing? Research? Do you have any of those? Would you consider yourself a well-rounded applicant?

Extracurriculars are great, 600+ volunteering and shadowing combined. 1.5 years of research. I do consider myself well rounded. Guess adcom's don't lol

 

[thenextcarnegie]

Have you done dental assisting? Lab work? Honestly, I guess masters, it's a shame that you have good scores but aren't able to get in because of that.

 

[Zippojake]

Have you done any mission work, the schools love that! Whether it’s here or abroad, looks really good. I really would consider taking the DAT Over, if you haven’t already look into the Boot camp DAT, it’s a self study and has helped a lot of people. I keep looking at that PAT and wondering if that hurt you a lot. They don’t like any scores under 17 and the PAT is very important. Make sure the OOS schools you are looking at are OOS friendly, a lot of them aren’t and you would be wasting your time and money. You have to find that info. Look at private as well as public, private is more lenient on diversity. I’ve seen a lot of people on here go the route of masters then apply again and get in. So don’t give up if this is your hearts desire! Good luck

 

[doc toothache]

My advisor recommended a master's program to raise up the GPA but her and I agreed it was worthwhile to apply and see if I could get in first cycle and then consider a master's. I called different schools to ask about my application and they said my GPA could use work, retaking the DAT wasn't a big deal because a 16 PAT is not that bad, and a 20AA is solid, considering I can't retake it only for one section and if I was to retake and do worse, my DAT would be abysmal. Some schools said a DAT retake could be worthwhile, but the majority consensus was the GPA. So, I'm signing up for a master's program right now.
P.S. I had an adcom look at my whole application and there was nothing wrong my with PS or LOR's, just the DAT and GPA were on the fence.

Advice from adcoms/schools is worth more than advice from all predents combined.