need some help from the wise

[hellorain]

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hey everyone
so i applied to dental schools this cycle and got one interview. i haven't gotten a straight up rejection yet but hope is dwindling fast. at this point i feel like i need to start thinking about my plans next year/next cycle and could use some advice on what to do.

my dat scores:
pat: 21
bio: 17
gchem: 17
ochem: 19
rc: 28
qr: 18
aa: 20 (rc saved me for sure)
ts: 18

my undergrad gpa is 3.0c 2.8s, but i'm currently in a post-bac program and have done significantly better.

decent ecs, decent shadowing hours.

i probably need to take the dat again (or do i?), but what should i do in the application year? try to find a dental assistant job? look for a master's program/take more classes? in general, what should i be doing to improve my chances? i'm just in a really unsure phase right now and i'd really appreciate any feedback!

 

[Predoctalk]

hey everyone
so i applied to dental schools this cycle and got one interview. i haven't gotten a straight up rejection yet but hope is dwindling fast. at this point i feel like i need to start thinking about my plans next year/next cycle and could use some advice on what to do.

my dat scores:
pat: 21
bio: 17
gchem: 17
ochem: 19
rc: 28
qr: 18
aa: 20 (rc saved me for sure)
ts: 18

my undergrad gpa is 3.0c 2.8s, but i'm currently in a post-bac program and have done significantly better.

decent ecs, decent shadowing hours.

i probably need to take the dat again (or do i?), but what should i do in the application year? try to find a dental assistant job? look for a master's program/take more classes? in general, what should i be doing to improve my chances? i'm just in a really unsure phase right now and i'd really appreciate any feedback!

If you have a solid year of Post-bac and you have taken full semsters, I would suggest taking a couple more key classes (compare your transcripts with suggested courses on school websites) and finiding an assisting position. Even if it is volunteer based, you need to be chairside. Shadow all specialties and try to volunteer at a clinic. Tutor at any educational level. Boost your EC's. Only retake the DAT's if you are certain you can do better. I had a 28 in RC the first time I took the test as well, which dropped to a 20 (qr dropped as well) on the second attempt. I still managed to do better because I improved all of my sciences drastically. That being said, people have definitely gained adsmission with worse DAT scores than you have. I would suggest going visiting some schools you applied to and meeting with an admissions advisor. If they don't have that option, then go to the school and inquire. You have to make this happen! I can't stress how important persistence and networking is. If you look at my stats, you will see nothing stellar. I stayed on top of the schools and was fortunate to gain acceptance. A year ago, I applied to 16 schools and was granted 1 interview. This year, 12 schools/6 interviews.

 

[Blue Panther]

Your science GPA is too low, and the the low TS didn't help much with that either. Retake the DAT.

 

[Predoctalk]

Your science GPA is too low, and the the low TS didn't help much with that either. Retake the DAT.

Has the post bac increased this op?

 

[hellorain]

thanks for your feedback! i have about a 3.5 from last semester but hoping to bring it up some more after this semester, so yeah, my science gpa has improved from undergrad. is that enough to offset my dat scores (particularly ts)? i'll definitely look into some volunteering/shadowing activities for next year, i just wasn't sure if i needed to continue to take more classes..