- Joined
- May 9, 2016
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 22
- Points
- 4,651
- Pre-Dental
Hi everyone!
So far this cycle did not go as well as I would have liked. I applied to 11 schools, received 1 pre-Dec interview to an OOS private school, and was subsequently wait-listed in January (still waiting...). So now that it is fairly late in the cycle I'm trying to draft the best possible course of action in case I don't get in. I am planning to reapply in summer of 2018, so I have more time to improve.
Background:
Graduated May 2016
Submitted AADSAS July 2016
sGPA: 3.18 oGPA: 3.37
DAT: AA/TS/GC/OC/BIO/PAT/QR/RC : 19/19/18/17/21/22/18/20
LORs: I submitted 4; 3 being good, 1 admittedly weak.
misc: 500+ hours research, ~100+ hrs dental shadowing, 50+ hrs volunteering
My Plan:
1. Working as a Dental Assistant throughout the year. Hopefully 30+ hrs/wk. I can get a solid year of experience to put on my application.
2. I plan on retaking the DAT since I felt like I under-performed massively, scoring lower than my average practice scores in the Chems, and losing track of time on the reading section which was always my strongest section (I somehow managed to get a 20 with around 5 unanswered!).
3. Seeing as my gpa is low but not that low, I am leaning towards a DIY post-bacc to save money instead of doing a masters or formal program. I calculated that if take 20 additional science credits and pull out a 4.0, my sGPA would bump up to a 3.33 and my oGPA would bump up to a 3.46. The 20 credits would be spread out throughout the year to enable me to work full time and optimize my chance to get that 4.0.
I know my gpa would still be my weak point, but if I can combine that with an improved DAT (21+), dental related work experience, and more shadowing/volunteering, it should make my application pretty decent. Right?
Gladly accepting suggestions, feedback, criticism, words of encouragement, and donations towards my tuition/beer fund! Thanks guys.
So far this cycle did not go as well as I would have liked. I applied to 11 schools, received 1 pre-Dec interview to an OOS private school, and was subsequently wait-listed in January (still waiting...). So now that it is fairly late in the cycle I'm trying to draft the best possible course of action in case I don't get in. I am planning to reapply in summer of 2018, so I have more time to improve.
Background:
Graduated May 2016
Submitted AADSAS July 2016
sGPA: 3.18 oGPA: 3.37
DAT: AA/TS/GC/OC/BIO/PAT/QR/RC : 19/19/18/17/21/22/18/20
LORs: I submitted 4; 3 being good, 1 admittedly weak.
misc: 500+ hours research, ~100+ hrs dental shadowing, 50+ hrs volunteering
My Plan:
1. Working as a Dental Assistant throughout the year. Hopefully 30+ hrs/wk. I can get a solid year of experience to put on my application.
2. I plan on retaking the DAT since I felt like I under-performed massively, scoring lower than my average practice scores in the Chems, and losing track of time on the reading section which was always my strongest section (I somehow managed to get a 20 with around 5 unanswered!).
3. Seeing as my gpa is low but not that low, I am leaning towards a DIY post-bacc to save money instead of doing a masters or formal program. I calculated that if take 20 additional science credits and pull out a 4.0, my sGPA would bump up to a 3.33 and my oGPA would bump up to a 3.46. The 20 credits would be spread out throughout the year to enable me to work full time and optimize my chance to get that 4.0.
I know my gpa would still be my weak point, but if I can combine that with an improved DAT (21+), dental related work experience, and more shadowing/volunteering, it should make my application pretty decent. Right?
Gladly accepting suggestions, feedback, criticism, words of encouragement, and donations towards my tuition/beer fund! Thanks guys.
