No acceptance?!?

[GLxY88]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was just wondering if anyone knows of (or is) a person who wasn't accepted to any of the schools they applied for??

I know it seems like a question that a person really wouldn't answer but I'm a little curious----- okay... I mean REALLY curious.

(yes, hemant... yet another thing I thought to FREAK OUT about )

Like most of you here, I just submitted my apps and even though I'm pretty sure that I should be able to get in to at least ONE of the ten schools I applied to, there's this ridiculous fear I have of not getting accepted ANYWHERE! (anyone in the same boat??)

 

[tinker bell]

I have tons of friends in LA who didn't get in anywhere this year. And their stats are not that bad. Like 19 for aa. And 3.1 GPA.
So, be mentally prepared.

 

[Comet208]

i am a living proof of the mentally prepared that tink is talking about. BUT, i am not quite "not in" yet, i am still on waitlist of one school... keep crossing people.

waiting comet

 

[UBTom]

Well shoot... I was one of those guys who didn't get in anywhere in my first application attempt back in 1997. I got into several schools on my second attempt in 2000 after doing some more schoolwork to bolster my grades.

Just goes to show that if dentistry is really what you want to do and if you are willing to persevere, you will get in.

 

[hopefulgirl]

Comet, for which school are you on the waitlist? All the best to you.

 

[Comet208]

NYUCD🙄

 

[tinker bell]

Do not give up if u don't get in. Continue to take classes and do more volunteer work, and reapply. Be active and you'll be in.

And I've heard of stories where ppl get called in last minute (like 2 weeks after school starts). So, check your stats on the wait list and if you are close to the top, move close to the school and get ready. You have a big shot. Lots of ppl change their mind at the last minute.

 

[shootin4par]

You never fail to disappoint me! YOU WILL GET IN. Although I know it happens (i met one kid at an interview who didnt get interviewed anywhere the previous year except this school, and then got rejected), I think so long you have decent stats and a winning personality you should be in good shape.

Chill babe, I know you'll get in!

 

[GLxY88]

Mentally prepared or not... nothing will take the edge off of waiting! But I fully agree with all of you... "if at first you don't succeed... try, try again!"

Thanks for all the replies.
[sigh] I feel a little better now!😀

 

[Comet208]

I also should thank everyone on this forum who have been very helpful to me. i am mentally prepared either way. i have already started to study for the DAT and have plans to take certain courses at a college close to home. on the other hand, i have packed my things in such a way that if i get called tonight, i can move to NYC tomorrow. as crazy as it might sound to you, but this is how i have prepared myself.

comet

 

[mcataz]

Honestly, I'm fully prepared to not get in this year. I hope it doesn't happen but if it does, that's a reality of life that some of us low stat people should accept. I know several people who got into medical school on their second, third and even fourth attempt and they are all doing quite well. I'm 28 now and I have seen people in other jobs who hate life. Dentistry is a blessing and I would be fortunate to get involved in such a great career at any time in my life. I know I will eventually get in whether it's this year or next year or the year after that. And if I don't get in, I will just use my new bio degree to teach high school somewhere and experience a diffferent part of life until I get in. So keep your spirits up. You can travel There are lots of things you can do Your chances of reapplying are always better the second time around. 🙂 Everything will be fine! One year doesn't make or break your career.

 

[ddstothecor]

On my first attempt, I applied to 7 schools. I was granted no interviews, and was not admitted.

I took classes, studied plenty, and was accepted for my second application.

 

[PENN Diddy]

Key is... How well you bounce back.. lots of people say "Maybe dentistry not my destiny". Screw that, Destiny's are MADE, not FOUND. Strategize, do your homework on how to get the hell in... I guarantee, your persistence will WIN above any obstacles.
I truly belive you gotta be a lil crazy to succeed in the game of life.

 

[GLxY88]

well said penn diddy...

 

[mcataz]

I agree that strategizing can help IF you have the GPA and DAT to back you up. For those with low GPA's like myself, you need to have a high DAT score to gamble with. You can't play poker if you have nothing to wager. So I wouldn't focus on strategizing just yet. And since you can't significantly raise your GPA at this point, I would focus on practicing for the DAT. That's all I'm focusing on at this point. Besides, reapplying provides you with a benefit that a first timer lacks, because admissions committees are more sympathetic toward reapplicants and recognize their dedication by staying the course and not settling for other health professions.

 

[grettlin2]

Since the standard for each college/university is different, Admission Committee needs a standard to evalucate the academic part. In my opinion, although one gets high GPA, DAT is still the key to denal school. Even the GPA is high, but DAT is low...you are history in this cycle.

 

[Jyaki]

mcataz, don't give up. I'm 29 and will be starting dental school this year. You're never too old and it's never too late!!

 

[mcataz]

Thanks Jyaki, I don't feel old and I don't look old. 🙂 Besides, I like being the old man on campus. It's sort of fun. I feel like the older brother. It will be fun to see people go through their early to mid 20's all over again.

 

[GLxY88]

Originally posted by grettlin2
Even the GPA is high, but DAT is low...you are history in this cycle.

Whaddya mean HISTORY???
<sarcastically>That's really reassuring!!

I just think that people have different things to offer... and maybe those things just might be what you NEED to succeed in dental school!!

... but we'll see when the crap hits the fan!😱

 

[ItsGavinC]

All the stuff that everybody always posts about dental schools needing different and original people is VERY true. The world needs more of those people!

The only trouble is that adcoms are often too busy to seek those people out. It seems as though the only time being unique will really help you out is if you and another couple of applicants are vying for the same spot, or you are being compared to another handful of applicants at the same time.

In the general scheme of things adcoms will deny your application (or hold it until February, or waitlist you) if you don't have a 3.4+ and a 20/20.

You know all of our pre-med buddies? Well, they are now considering applying to dental school, and many of them already have. More applicants and higher numbers.

Good luck to all, and keep your hopes up! If dentistry is your goal, then don't ever give up on it.

 

[mcataz]

In the general scheme of things adcoms will deny your application (or hold it until February, or waitlist you) if you don't have a 3.4+ and a 20/20.

I really hope you are wrong

 

[pumpkins90]

That's horse ****! It's not true that you have to have a 3.5 average and 20's on the DAT to get into school. I don't have anywhere near either one and i received a bunch of interviews and a couple of acceptances. Everybody seems to think you need to score above 20's to have a chance. The national average is only a 17.5. The average on this board may seem like it is 20, but you can't always no for sure what people's scores are actually. I will say you definitely increase your chances and give yourself some cushion as far as applying with a higher DAT. But never give up, because there are people who get into school with lower scores. Just show and prove your comittment to dentistry. Don't care about what other people get and focus on yourself. Good luck to everyone applying this year

 

[ItsGavinC]

Pumpkins,

I stand behind that comment. Note, however, that I said "in general." There are always exceptions and there always will be.

A 17.5 has NOT been the DAT average (for applicants) since 1998. A 17.5 may signify the national mean of all test takers, however, but not of applicants.

The latest stats released by AADSAS/ADEA are for the entering class of 2002 (the application cycle two years ago).

These stats show that the average GPA for applicants in that 2001 cycle was a 3.42.

These stats also show that the average DAT score for applicants in the 2001 cycle was a 19.

Keep in mind that these are averages for applicants, not for accepted students.

My comment was to merely point out that if the average applicant two years ago had a 3.42 and a 19, then this cycle you may be put on hold or pushed to the rear of the interview cycle unless you have something above that.

These stats are available from your pre-dental advisor (if they subscribe to the AADSAS feedback report).

Now that those stats are two application cycles old, I am sure they have risen somewhat. When the stats for the 2002 cycle are released, I'm positive the numbers will confirm that.

 

[hockeydentist]

Waiting for someone to say something to that extent. People on this board are starting to smell a little like arrogance(sp).

 

[critterbug]

I must agree with Gavin. However, I thought the applicant pool avg DAT was around 17 and 19 was the avg accepted? I could be wrong.

But Gavin's point is that dental school is becoming more and more competitive each year for obvious reasons. Here are the stats for Texas schools:

Final Statistics for Entering Class 2001
MEDICAL Total Applicant Pool Total Accepted Pool
Total Number of Medical School Applicants 3002 1135
MEN 1594 611
WOMEN 1408 524
Texas Residents 2439 1063
Non-Residents 563 72
Average Age: 24 23
Average GPA: 3.47 3.62
Average MCAT Total Points 26.5 28.3

DENTAL Total Applicant Pool Total Accepted Pool
Total Number of Dental School Applicants 493 227
MEN 256 120
WOMEN 237 107
Texas Residents 465 223
Nonresidents 28 4
Average Age 25 24
Average GPA 3.26 3.44
Average DAT Academic Average 17.8 18.9
Average DAT Perceptual Ability 17.2 18.0

Preliminary Statistics for Entering Class 2003
MEDICAL Total Applicant Pool Total Accepted Pool
Total Number of Medical School Applicants 3187 1339
MEN 1545 634
WOMEN 1642 705
Texas Residents 2586 1218
Non-Residents 601 121
Average Age: 24.4 23.6
Average GPA: 3.47 3.67
Average MCAT Total Points 26.0 28.9

DENTAL Total Applicant Pool Total Accepted Pool
Total Number of Dental School Applicants 609 167
MEN 307 75
WOMEN 302 92
Texas Residents 569 159
Nonresidents 40 8
Average Age 25.1 23.5
Average GPA 3.30 3.66
Average DAT Academic Average 17.5 19.5
Average DAT Perceptual Ability 16.5 17.5




#'s on the left show APPLICANTS. #'s on the right show ACCEPTANCE

 

[Zurich5]

Originally posted by hockeydentist
Waiting for someone to say something to that extent. People on this board are starting to smell a little like arrogance(sp).

Agreed. Let's all put aside this "my school is so great," "dental school is soo hard to get in because i got in" nonsense, and help each other by being supportive. We're all going to be dentists..it's going to work out 🙂

 

[ItsGavinC]

I couldn't agree more with the last post. My point is not to sound elitist, but to point out the vivid reality.

After all, I had over a 3.4 and good DAT scores, and was DENIED without interviews at several schools.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by critterbug
I must agree with Gavin. However, I thought the applicant pool avg DAT was around 17 and 19 was the avg accepted? I could be wrong.

Nope, the average applicants in 2001 had an 18.8 DAT (which rounds to 19). The average test taker had a 17.7. Note that not all test-takers apply. Many, upon getting poor scores, wait until another cycle.

And WOW, a 3.66 is the average GPA for Texas schools?

 

[mcataz]

The entering statistics include the statistics of those who are matriculating in schools of dentistry. They don't include the statistics of all the applicants who applied. The average GPA and DAT Gavin is quoting is correct. And as we can see the average DAT has gone up as it is closer to a 19 now. However, keep in mind that this is for ALL schools. There are many schools have lower average DAT scores. The University of Oklahoma boasts a higher average GPA at 3.5 with a lower average DAT of 18. UOP boasts an average GPA of 3.2 with an average DAT of 20. Likewise, Harvard boasts an average GPA of 3.7 and a DAT of 21.

So it's wrong to assume you need to have a 3.4 and 20 DAT to get in. You probably need those if you want to feel safe about your chances. People get rejected for reasons outside of the GPA and DAT scores. I knew a guy who applied from my program with a 4.0 GPA and he was accepted t only one school. His essays were terrible and I had a chance to read them. So just because Gavin got rejected from many schools despite having competitive stats doesn't mean you must absolutely have a 3.4 GPA and 20 DAT to stand a chance. There were probably other reasons why he failed to get interviews. It's not a personal attack on Gavin. Rather, it's the the luck and reality that goes with applying to schools. Some schools just form an impression (good or bad) based on very subjective criteria. And sometimes, it's a matter of luck. Seriously, think of all the people who get rejected from Harvard dental that have 3.8 GPA's and 21 DAT's. Sometimes, it's just a crapshoot. There is a poster on here who has a 3.1 GPA with a competitive DAT who got into Penn and Columbia and he is not a minority applicant. It's all about the impression your provide.

That's why I really have no expectations. Anything could happen. I could get into 3 schools and I could get rejected by all schools. Who knows!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Originally posted by mcataz
So just because Gavin got rejected from many schools despite having competitive stats doesn't mean you must absolutely have a 3.4 GPA and 20 DAT to stand a chance. There were probably other reasons why he failed to get interviews.

You are correct. The ultimate point is to research the schools you are applying to.

 

[BabyShades]

Don't worry you'll get in !!!!

 

[amfassz]

Don't worry you'll get in !!!!

What the?? The OP could have completed his DDS and 6-year OMFS in the time since this thread was posted. You need to check dates.