Odds of acceptance?

[efitzger]

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Based on the stats below, and this small amount of background info - anyone care to take a stab at my chances of acceptance this year? I first applied two years ago, with the same GPA as below, no postbacc courses, and a DAT AA/SCI/PAT of 18/17/22 and was rejected by 5 schools (MD, Tufts, Howard, VCU, BU). My DAT was low, as while I was studying for it, my father had open heart surgery and I was essentially working my job, plus running his business (doing his work) while he was recovering...it was a very busy year.

Since then I've added ~1200 hours shadowing both a general dentist and orthodontist, have taken 6 postbacc science courses at Univ. Of MD (should have about a 3.5 GPA there when I'm finished this Spring), and obviously boosted my DAT scores quite a bit based on the values found below. I've applied (as of 10/1) to Univ. MD, Tufts, BU, UPenn, VCU and Howard...if it matters, I'm 33 y/o with 10 years experience as a program manager and senior researcher at the Johns Hopkins University.


GPA
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BCP - 3.1
SCI - 3.1
Overall - 2.98
(currently taking post-bacc courses, expected GPA over 22 credit hours ~3.5)

DAT (new scores - 9/2009)
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AA - 21
SCI - 21
PAT - 21
RC - 26
OC - 21
GC - 21
Bio - 20
QR - 15

DAT (old scores 7/2007)
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AA - 18
SCI - 17
PAT - 22
RC - 25
OC - 16
GC - 15
QR - 15

And yes, I realize this is a horribly cliched thread... 😎

 

[wantVCUdental]

When did you submit your app? when did schools receive them? and did you have any interviews?

great scores!

 

[efitzger]

I applied 10/1 and am currently 'under review' at MD, Tufts, and VCU (have been for about two weeks). My app was received at the end of October. No invites yet.

Thanks (re scores)...I literally ran down the street in DC pumping my fist after I got my DAT scores...best day in recent memory!

When did you submit your app? when did schools receive them? and did you have any interviews?

great scores!

 

[KitKat09]

except applying to more schools and earlier I think you would have good chance. I would think your invites will be somewhere Feb?

 

[Ambient]

How come you applied so late?

 

[efitzger]

First and foremost, I applied late due to a heavy work schedule. I have had to somewhat support my family after my dad's heart surgery, though he is now back in the swing of things. This ate up most of my time, and I wasn't able to devote as much to preparing for the DAT as I would have liked until mid summer this year. Without a strong DAT score, I knew my app was a repeat of two years ago...basically I wasn't ready to retake the DAT until 9/14/09, and submitted shortly thereafter.

I do realize this is the single easiest facet I could have 'done better on'...though, as mentioned, the last two years have been nuts.

How come you applied so late?

 

[MrBeans]

You DAT scores are super!

Just curious, are you an under represented minority?

I think you'll get in regardless if you're a minority or not 😉

 

[efitzger]

My mom's Latvian - does that count?! 😎
In all seriousness, I don't even tan well; I'm as caucasian as they come.

Thanks for the support and well wishes from all posters - I sure have my fingers crossed tightly these days...waiting for an interview.

You DAT scores are super!

Just curious, are you an under represented minority?

I think you'll get in regardless if you're a minority or not 😉

 

[efitzger]

Yes, I suppose I'd agree based on what I've read on this forum and from the school literature/ speaking with admissions/ etc.

I'd LOVE a Dec. interview, though I doubt that's in the cards at this point. It's not that I lack patience, it's just that this is the largest step I'll make in life for the next 4 years at minimum!

Best of luck to us all.

except applying to more schools and earlier I think you would have good chance. I would think your invites will be somewhere Feb?

 

[efitzger]

Anyone else care to either inflate or deflate my ego? 😉

Anyone w/ similar stats that applied earlier and has interviews scheduled/ completed, etc.?

 

[Gbrando2]

Well I have a 2.97 GPA and my AA and TS scores are a little lower than yours, and I have had 4 interviews this cycle. We didn't apply to any of the same schools and I applied a lot earlier than you, but still, you have a chance. I agree that if you had applied in June or July you would be in, but people get picked up all the time off of late interviews so we'll see what happens. Good luck

 

[spud daddy]

Great DAT scores, wish you would have applied a little earlier though. Gbrando2 good job on your DAT as well but being a URM its not comparing apples to apples with the OP.

 

[Gbrando2]

Gbrando2 good job on your DAT as well but being a URM its not comparing apples to apples with the OP.

Meh, I'm only half hispanic and you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at me, so once they interview me my URM gig is up. But yes, on paper pre-interview, I am a URM. Still, I'm trying to inflate OP's ego but letting him know that sub-3.0 isn't a death sentence.

 

[spud daddy]

Meh, I'm only half hispanic and you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at me, so once they interview me my URM gig is up. But yes, on paper pre-interview, I am a URM. Still, I'm trying to inflate OP's ego but letting him know that sub-3.0 isn't a death sentence.

Gotcha well good luck! From what other threads have said you have your 4 interviews and should at least get one acceptance!

 

[efitzger]

Yes - my biggest disadvantage is the late application...though this was unavoidable due to extenuating family circumstances. If (and I hate to even think this way) but IF I don't get in this year, I will have that app submitted the VERY first day next year! Any rejection I receive will become fuel to overcome that hurdle next time...though I REALLY want to be in this year as I am 100% mentally ready for Dental School right now... and at 33, would prefer not to wait another year. 😎

Glad to hear Gbrando2 is interviewing and hope at least one of them turns into an offer...just not at the schools I'm applying to! Ha! (kidding)

Great DAT scores, wish you would have applied a little earlier though. Gbrando2 good job on your DAT as well but being a URM its not comparing apples to apples with the OP.

 

[lphiewok]

i believe you have a good chance of getting in with your great DAT but one more thing i would like to suggest "IF" you do not get in this year is to apply more schools. try to aim at 15-20 schools if you want to make sure that you get an offer (hopefully this will not have to happen but that's one less i learned from my experience)

 

[efitzger]

Good advice, and thank you. 'IF' I need to reapply next year, I will probably apply to 15 or so schools. There are two that I really wanted to get into on my list, and I am hoping that by only applying to a total of 5 they (dental admissions) see that I am serious in both my scope and focus.

Thanks again for the advice.

i believe you have a good chance of getting in with your great DAT but one more thing i would like to suggest "IF" you do not get in this year is to apply more schools. try to aim at 15-20 schools if you want to make sure that you get an offer (hopefully this will not have to happen but that's one less i learned from my experience)