Hey everybody, just wanted to give you some hope if you didn’t get in this cycle…from a non-superstar applicant.
-I graduated with a 3.03 GPA and likely lower 10-20% of class is my guess (had major medical situation D1 year and failed a class and had to join the class below me).
-I was in the Army (HPSP) for 3 years so that helped. I had a total of 5 LORs (3 endos), none were professors. I didn’t take the ADAT. I had great working relationship and mentorship from 2 endodontists in the Army, the more the merrier.
-Advice: Apply to as many schools as you can IMHO. I applied to 25 and received 1 interview and 1 acceptance. It just takes one person to notice your application.
-Hours of preparation (personal statement, LORs, endo CE, microscope use) creates yourself a little luck 🍀. I spent months refining my personal statement and buttoning up my application before the cycle opened. If you have a low GPA like me, you want to have a powerful personal statement that speaks volumes more than your dental school GPA. You graduated just like everyone else applying so impress them with your words, because your numbers won’t. Emphasize your teachability and your passion for learning. No one wants to teach a know it all for 2+ years.
-If you get an interview, just be yourself (if you have a good personality lol). Talk to all the residents at the interview and be humble. The selection committee does weigh the residents thoughts on the interviewees…at least where I got in. There will always be someone more qualified than you…but once you get to the interview it’s all about personality and fit with their program. You can be the best dentist ever but if you can’t get along with others you are SOL. (Many have reiterated this on here and it’s 100% the case)
Thank you everyone that has given their advice and helpful tips to applicants, it definitely helped me shape my approach.
Keep on keepin’ on, happiness is in the journey.