Need Some Advice

[Chrono1984]

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The application cycle is drawing near and I am simply looking for some opinions outside my parents, music major friends (they don't know much about dental schools) and my advisor.

I am hearing that a good range of schools to apply to is 8-12...I was shocked to here it was this high...as I only had 4 schools picked out originally. So I have revised my list. I live in the midwest and would love to go to school in the region.

GPA: ~3.7, sci ~3.8
DAT: 20/20/22
EC: generic shadowing and volunteer work (nothing special)
LORs = Committee letter from my school, oral surgeon, GP, orthodontist

Schools:
UIC
SIU
Marquette
Michigan
Indiana
Iowa

Is this enough??? My advisor keeps telling me to add more because IL schools have pretty small class sizes and there are only 2. Seems like every DDS I know went to Loyola..WHY DID THEY CLOSE IT!?

Are there any other schools out here that anyone would recommend? I know my stats are competitive...but I don't want to think I'm a shoo-in anywhere given the trends in recent years.

I will be sending my app in early June.

I grew up near chicago and am really liking UIC simply based on location and instate tuition (I have heard it is ultra tough to get in though)... I intend to visit Marquette and Michigan over the summer. I know michigan has a good class size..but are they tight about out of staters?

Opinons, Comments, Suggestions, All welcome. Thanks!

 

[lindandy]

Apply early and you'll get in. Unless you really like Iowa and are willing to really have them get to know you ( constant calls, visits, ect.) I would disregard Iowa. I really liked this school, but like everyone else that applied there from my school, we were all deffered and not even rally considered as we were out of state. My stats are almost like yours and several were considerable better, and we all got multiple invites and acceptances with only the cold shoulder from Iowa. Chose another school and save yourself the 50$

 

[PDizzle]

Your stats are good but let's get sump'n straight right now....you are not a sho-in anywhere! You may get lots of interviews and blow them or just not be what they are looking for. I suggest 7-10 schools with your stats if you apply as early as possible. Your DAT is good but only avg (or below!) at many schools. Your high GPA will counter this so don't worry too much. It will cost you a bit more to apply to a few more but it's worth it and will make the cycle less stressful when you get 5 interviews!


Good luck!

 

[marinojones]

GPA: ~3.7, sci ~3.8


how is this BELOW avg??? pff.

 

[PDizzle]

GPA: ~3.7, sci ~3.8


how is this BELOW avg??? pff.

What was your RC score?


I said his DAT was average(below avg at some schools) and his high GPA would counter it.


🙂

 

[bkwash]

The application cycle is drawing near and I am simply looking for some opinions outside my parents, music major friends (they don't know much about dental schools) and my advisor.

I am hearing that a good range of schools to apply to is 8-12...I was shocked to here it was this high...as I only had 4 schools picked out originally. So I have revised my list. I live in the midwest and would love to go to school in the region.

GPA: ~3.7, sci ~3.8
DAT: 20/20/22
EC: generic shadowing and volunteer work (nothing special)
LORs = Committee letter from my school, oral surgeon, GP, orthodontist

Schools:
UIC
SIU
Marquette
Michigan
Indiana
Iowa

Is this enough??? My advisor keeps telling me to add more because IL schools have pretty small class sizes and there are only 2. Seems like every DDS I know went to Loyola..WHY DID THEY CLOSE IT!?

Are there any other schools out here that anyone would recommend? I know my stats are competitive...but I don't want to think I'm a shoo-in anywhere given the trends in recent years.

I will be sending my app in early June.

I grew up near chicago and am really liking UIC simply based on location and instate tuition (I have heard it is ultra tough to get in though)... I intend to visit Marquette and Michigan over the summer. I know michigan has a good class size..but are they tight about out of staters?

Opinons, Comments, Suggestions, All welcome. Thanks!

i think you are good, apply to 7-10 schools apply in may though not june. Your stats are good, you should throw harvard on your list 😉

 

[Chrono1984]

What was your RC score?


I said his DAT was average(below avg at some schools) and his high GPA would counter it.


🙂

My RC was an 18, yes I know that's bad, and I don't know why or how it happened because my practices were much higher. May as well break down the rest: Bio - 21, gchem - 20 ochem - 20, QR -19

I know I am not guaranteed anything, but I'm not really shooting for ivy league. I am just wondering if there are any other schools I should add that are in the midwest.

Also if anyone has opinions about my current list, feel free to post.

I would send all my app. info earliar...but I'm afraid my school won't have an official transcript done for another week or so (still taking finals).

Also, does anyone have experience with committee letters? My advisor says our school's committee doesn't send hard copies - rather they email them through some service directly to the schools once AADSAS sends everything else. Seems almost too easy...

Thanks for all the feedback so far, keep it coming.

 

[aphistis]

What was your RC score?


I said his DAT was average(below avg at some schools) and his high GPA would counter it.


🙂

Sorry man, but I have to dispute your contention that a 20/20/22 DAT is going to be below average anywhere in the country. Regardless of recent increases in admissions competition, that's still a fine performance perfectly in keeping with a GPA as high as the OP's.