Overqualified?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MUSCDMD
  • Start date Start date
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
M

MUSCDMD

Members do not see this ad.
This is just out of curiosity, not concern. Basically, I applied to 5 schools: MUSC, Chapel Hill, Columbia, Harvard, and VCU. I'm from SC, so MUSC is my state school and VCU is my "safety" school. I received interviews at every school EXCEPT... VCU. Why not?

Basically, at this point I don't care if VCU offers me an interview or not. If they do, I'm not going to take it because I'm pretty set on my other options. My stats are admittedly very good, but not jaw-dropping: 4.0, 22/22/20. I'm also a White, middle-class male from a public university, if that's of interest.

So basically, I'm just curious if VCU hasn't offered me because I'm "overqualified" or maybe they just didn't see anything special about my app that the other schools did. But not only did I receive interviews at the other 4 schools, I received the first round of interviews at each of those schools leading me to think I'm a fairly strong applicant this cycle, especially for VCU which is not very selective OOS.

The only reason I ask this question is to see if there is such a thing as being overqualified. Because what if for some reason VCU was my #1? That would suck to get into Harvard and Columbia but not the school of my choice, right? I'm not bragging, whining, complaining, etc. I'm sincerely curious and would like to be informed so I can help others in the application process in the future. Because as of now, it looks like VCU took my money and ran with it. Thoughts?
 
MUSCDMD said:
This is just out of curiosity, not concern. Basically, I applied to 5 schools: MUSC, Chapel Hill, Columbia, Harvard, and VCU. I'm from SC, so MUSC is my state school and VCU is my "safety" school. I received interviews at every school EXCEPT... VCU. Why not?

Basically, at this point I don't care if VCU offers me an interview or not. If they do, I'm not going to take it because I'm pretty set on my other options. My stats are admittedly very good, but not jaw-dropping: 4.0, 22/22/20. I'm also a White, middle-class male from a public university, if that's of interest.

So basically, I'm just curious if VCU hasn't offered me because I'm "overqualified" or maybe they just didn't see anything special about my app that the other schools did. But not only did I receive interviews at the other 4 schools, I received the first round of interviews at each of those schools leading me to think I'm a fairly strong applicant this cycle, especially for VCU which is not very selective OOS.

The only reason I ask this question is to see if there is such a thing as being overqualified. Because what if for some reason VCU was my #1? That would suck to get into Harvard and Columbia but not the school of my choice, right? I'm not bragging, whining, complaining, etc. I'm sincerely curious and would like to be informed so I can help others in the application process in the future. Because as of now, it looks like VCU took my money and ran with it. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

If you're really interested in attending VCU, then send a letter of intent or call them. I'm sure they would gladly take you.
 
Here's some additional not too wild possibilities:

Even though your app fee check was cashed, they didn't properly record it and thus they are still waiting for an app fee.

OR

There are a few applicants who share the same name as you. They mixed up the applications or confused them during the review process and thus another dude undeservingly got an interview that was suppose to go to you.
 
How are those examples anything other than wild? :laugh:



First of all... there is no such thing as an overqualified dental school applicant. Period. Fact. End of story.

Not everything is based upon on your DAT and/or GPA. It may get you in the running, but it does not guarantee anything. An understanding of this fact answers 90% of all SDN threads.

As others have suggested, there are certain schools who may not offer interviews based on perceived interest level, or lack thereof. You were required to fill out a section on your application listing the other programs you were applying to. Your level of honesty in this section may have sealed your fate. VCU knows that if you were offered acceptance everywhere, you are unlikely to select VCU without prior acknowledgment of interest.

There are many qualified candidates, few interview slots, and even fewer final positions. Schools want to maximize the use of those interview slots. It is no small task to fill a class and maintain student body profiles with reasonable consistency year to year. This is especially true of public state schools as these programs understand that the 'out of state' applicants are applying to many other schools and may not necessarily rank their program at the top. Private schools like Harvard and Columbia can operate somewhat differently.

State schools sometimes consider residential proximity in their interview selection process. Being from South Carolina can be a slight advantage for UNC as the state shares a border.

If you are or were serious about VCU you can always submit something noting your level of interest or intent. It would never hurt to keep your options open.
 
MUSCDMD said:
This is just out of curiosity, not concern. Basically, I applied to 5 schools: MUSC, Chapel Hill, Columbia, Harvard, and VCU. I'm from SC, so MUSC is my state school and VCU is my "safety" school. I received interviews at every school EXCEPT... VCU. Why not?

Basically, at this point I don't care if VCU offers me an interview or not. If they do, I'm not going to take it because I'm pretty set on my other options. My stats are admittedly very good, but not jaw-dropping: 4.0, 22/22/20. I'm also a White, middle-class male from a public university, if that's of interest.

So basically, I'm just curious if VCU hasn't offered me because I'm "overqualified" or maybe they just didn't see anything special about my app that the other schools did. But not only did I receive interviews at the other 4 schools, I received the first round of interviews at each of those schools leading me to think I'm a fairly strong applicant this cycle, especially for VCU which is not very selective OOS.

The only reason I ask this question is to see if there is such a thing as being overqualified. Because what if for some reason VCU was my #1? That would suck to get into Harvard and Columbia but not the school of my choice, right? I'm not bragging, whining, complaining, etc. I'm sincerely curious and would like to be informed so I can help others in the application process in the future. Because as of now, it looks like VCU took my money and ran with it. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Perhaps your arrogance shone through the application.
 
As Dr. Healy would tell you at VCU, they really select their interviews carefully. They don't want to interview too many or too few; they want people who would be a good fit for their program.

If they are your safety school than don't be upset.
 
dantemac said:
As Dr. Healy would tell you at VCU, they really select their interviews carefully. They don't want to interview too many or too few; they want people who would be a good fit for their program.

If they are your safety school than don't be upset.
Click to expand...
Where is amalgamgrillz?
 
MUSCDMD said:
This is just out of curiosity, not concern. Basically, I applied to 5 schools: MUSC, Chapel Hill, Columbia, Harvard, and VCU. I'm from SC, so MUSC is my state school and VCU is my "safety" school. I received interviews at every school EXCEPT... VCU. Why not?

Basically, at this point I don't care if VCU offers me an interview or not. If they do, I'm not going to take it because I'm pretty set on my other options. My stats are admittedly very good, but not jaw-dropping: 4.0, 22/22/20. I'm also a White, middle-class male from a public university, if that's of interest.

So basically, I'm just curious if VCU hasn't offered me because I'm "overqualified" or maybe they just didn't see anything special about my app that the other schools did. But not only did I receive interviews at the other 4 schools, I received the first round of interviews at each of those schools leading me to think I'm a fairly strong applicant this cycle, especially for VCU which is not very selective OOS.

The only reason I ask this question is to see if there is such a thing as being overqualified. Because what if for some reason VCU was my #1? That would suck to get into Harvard and Columbia but not the school of my choice, right? I'm not bragging, whining, complaining, etc. I'm sincerely curious and would like to be informed so I can help others in the application process in the future. Because as of now, it looks like VCU took my money and ran with it. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

4.0 is about 99%tial
22 is about 98-99%tial...

May I ask what do you consider Jaw-Dropping?
 
imback said:
Perhaps your arrogance shone through the application.
Click to expand...

Because clearly my 30 cumulative posts on this anonymous website scream exhibitionism... It was a serious question to which others have kindly offered quality perspective.
 
dentalWorks said:
4.0 is about 99%tial
22 is about 98-99%tial...

May I ask what do you consider Jaw-Dropping?
Click to expand...

Haha. Yeah, you can't beat a 4.0 I guess. I was more referring to the freaks on SDN with 23+ AA and PAT. But collectively I realize I'm a strong applicant, hence my primary question in the thread. I think people have more or less answered the question. Thanks, guys. Just curious, that's all.
 
MUSCDMD said:
Because clearly my 30 cumulative posts on this anonymous website scream exhibitionism... It was a serious question to which others have kindly offered quality perspective.
Click to expand...
Thank you for confirming my speculation.
 
MUSCDMD said:
Haha. Yeah, you can't beat a 4.0 I guess. I was more referring to the freaks on SDN with 23+ AA and PAT. But collectively I realize I'm a strong applicant, hence my primary question in the thread. I think people have more or less answered the question. Thanks, guys. Just curious, that's all.
Click to expand...

You can beat 4.0 if your 4.0 was earned at a less than competitive institution.

Not trying to be a jerk and you certainly may have attended an out of state public university despite your residency, but South Carolina is not exactly known for having stellar, ultra-competitive undergraduate programs.


I'll re-emphasize... a GPA is meaningless without additional information. It would be an apples and oranges comparison unless everyone went to the same program of study.

The DAT is the ONLY standardized element of the application.
 
uva09 said:
You can beat 4.0 if your 4.0 was earned at a less than competitive institution.

Not trying to be a jerk and you certainly may have attended an out of state public university despite your residency, but South Carolina is not exactly known for having stellar, ultra-competitive undergraduate programs.


I'll re-emphasize... a GPA is meaningless without additional information. It would be an apples and oranges comparison unless everyone went to the same program of study.

The DAT is the ONLY standardized element of the application.
Click to expand...
Said the UVA grad.
 
uva09 said:
You can beat 4.0 if your 4.0 was earned at a less than competitive institution.

Not trying to be a jerk and you certainly may have attended an out of state public university despite your residency, but South Carolina is not exactly known for having stellar, ultra-competitive undergraduate programs.


I'll re-emphasize... a GPA is meaningless without additional information. It would be an apples and oranges comparison unless everyone went to the same program of study.

The DAT is the ONLY standardized element of the application.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. But the school I attend in SC is a top 23 national public university. It's SC primary and secondary education that is horrendous, not our universities.
 
MUSCDMD said:
Fair enough. But the school I attend in SC is a top 23 national public university. It's SC primary and secondary education that is horrendous, not our universities.
Click to expand...
enough said.
 
imback said:
enough said.
Click to expand...


Well Harvard, Chapel Hill, and Columbia certainly didn't degrade my public education. GT, UVA, Chapel Hill, William and Mary, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Penn State, Michigan. All public universities. Do you have a point, or do you just prefer to be an ******* rather than to offer constructive, informed criticism?
 
MUSCDMD said:
Well Harvard, Chapel Hill, and Columbia certainly didn't degrade my public education. GT, UVA, Chapel Hill, William and Mary, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Penn State, Michigan. All public universities. Do you have a point, or do you just prefer to be an ******* rather than to offer constructive, informed criticism?
Click to expand...
Are any of the schools you just mentioned of equal caliber to your university?
 
Check out "Yield Protection" or do a google search for "Tufts Syndrome."

I have read articles where college administrators admit that they do indeed do this for undergrad, where they have 7,000 seats to fill, but it's anyone's guess how it would relate to dental school admissions, if at all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tufts_syndrome
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
overqualified?
Replies
24
Views
4K
SHC1984
SHC1984
Top