Preparing to reapply...need advice

[ShootItLizbef]

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I applied to 18 schools this cycle, immediately after graduating college. I only got one interview, and I was wait listed. I'm still waiting on 5 or so schools, but this late in the cycle, it looks like I'll be reapplying.

I spent a year working in a dental lab, and now have the option to focus my second year on being a dental assistant, completing a masters, or retaking the dat (again).

GPA (inc +/-, not inc +/-): BCP 2.85/2.93, Science 2.91/2.97, Non science 3.81/3.82, Total 3.24/3.28

DAT: 17 qr, 18 gen chem, 19 bio, 20 orgo, 21 reading, 22 perceptual, AA/TS 19/19

My low gpa is due to first year struggles in undergrad, but my grades show a steady upward trend. I retook both semesters of organic chemistry and the DAT (first attempt I got 16 TS)

I need to figure something out soon so any advice is appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

 

[SXCoronado]

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[ShootItLizbef]

You could retake and try to get everything over 20 maybe

I was hesitant on doing that because it would be my third time taking it, and there's always the risk of doing worse.

Thanks for responding!

 

[doc toothache]

With mediocre stats, the sum total of improving your application consisted of working in a dental lab?

 

[customx]

I was hesitant on doing that because it would be my third time taking it, and there's always the risk of doing worse. I have no idea what I'm doing lol

Thanks for responding!

With the right resources and it being your third attempt, there is no reason why you shouldn't get 20+ in every section. Look through the DAT breakdowns for advice, but here is what I recommend:

OC and GC: Chad's videos, Destroyer for practice
PAT: Bootcamp
RC: Bootcamp and practice reading science articles daily
QR: Math Destroyer, Destroyer for practice, Khan Academy to brush up on algebra
Bio: Cliffs Notes 3rd edition, Feralis' notes, Destroyer for practice

You really need to devote time to studying for the DAT, you can't just kinda study for a couple hours a day. I spent about 6-8 hours a day studying for at least 6 weeks, and then as the exam got closer it was more like 8-12 hours a day.

Here is a video for some motivation:

 

[ShootItLizbef]

With mediocre stats, the sum total of improving your application consisted of working in a dental lab?

I retook both semesters of organic chemistry and worked to pay back my loans.
If you didn't post any advice, why did you even bother commenting? Ignorant.

 

[ShootItLizbef]

With the right resources and it being your third attempt, there is no reason why you shouldn't get 20+ in every section. Look through the DAT breakdowns for advice, but here is what I recommend:

OC and GC: Chad's videos, Destroyer for practice
PAT: Bootcamp
RC: Bootcamp and practice reading science articles daily
QR: Math Destroyer, Destroyer for practice, Khan Academy to brush up on algebra
Bio: Cliffs Notes 3rd edition, Feralis' notes, Destroyer for practice

You really need to devote time to studying for the DAT, you can't just kinda study for a couple hours a day. I spent about 6-8 hours a day studying for at least 6 weeks, and then as the exam got closer it was more like 8-12 hours a day.

Here is a video for some motivation:

Yeah, my first time taking it I used Kaplan and absolutely bombed. I used the resources you posted my second time, but was in school at the time so I wasn't studying that many hours a day. I'm dropping down from full time to part time now so it should be easier to devote more time to studying. Thank you for the advice!! It's good to get other perspectives.

 

[DentalDoge]

I think doc's point was that it's pretty obvious that you need to improve pretty much all of the aspects of your application.

If you have the resources, it would be ideal to do a master's AND retake the DAT ... possibly also more shadowing.
The resources @customx posted are good study materials. But for QR it is just practice and memorize. Theyre only going to run the same problems, except in different orders and numbers. But chad's should help out alot with your chem score.

 

[TheEpicFruitCake]

unless you can get your BCP above 3.0, go masters. Also, dental lab work is useless if you don't have the stats to back it up. Alright, maybe not useless... if you have like 20 years in the field or something. But everyone has said that already.

Dental assisting wont help your stats
Masters will help your stats
Retake DAT will help your stats
Sorry, its a stats game. Nobody cares about your EC's until you have good enough stats. Obviously you could cure cancer, but that's not happening

 

[ShootItLizbef]

I think doc's point was that it's pretty obvious that you need to improve pretty much all of the aspects of your application.

If you have the resources, it would be ideal to do a master's AND retake the DAT ... possibly also more shadowing.
The resources @customx posted are good study materials. But for QR it is just practice and memorize. Theyre only going to run the same problems, except in different orders and numbers. But chad's should help out alot with your chem score.

I knew my gpa was on the low side, but is my DAT score really THAT bad? I was looking into a test retake because I thought it would balance out the low science gpa, and I thought a successful retake would be a cheaper alternative than a masters that I just can't afford right now.

As for shadowing, I have 200 hours combined for two general dentists and 40 with a periodontist. My ECs are good.. I have two years of research as well as an in pent publication. I'm just trying to address the low gpa in any way possible. Thank you for the input

 

[ShootItLizbef]

unless you can get your BCP above 3.0, go masters. Also, dental lab work is useless if you don't have the stats to back it up. Alright, maybe not useless... if you have like 20 years in the field or something. But everyone has said that already.

Dental assisting wont help your stats
Masters will help your stats
Retake DAT will help your stats
Sorry, its a stats game. Nobody cares about your EC's until you have good enough stats. Obviously you could cure cancer, but that's not happening

What about people that can't afford a masters though? If I can't get enough financial aid, I'm thinking of switching to assisting instead of lab work while retaking the DAT. Wouldn't more exposure be a better thing? (At least until I saved enough money for a masters and had to apply a third time)

 

[TheEpicFruitCake]

What about people that can't afford a masters though? If I can't get enough financial aid, I'm thinking of switching to assisting instead of lab work while retaking the DAT. Wouldn't more exposure be a better thing? (At least until I saved enough money for a masters and had to apply a third time)

assisting won't help your stats.

Straight from Admissions committee professor who I talked to: "We don't care if you have 100 hours or 1000 hours of shadowing/assisting. We just need you to have the minimum so that we know that you know what you're getting into."

 

[ShootItLizbef]

assisting won't help your stats.

I understand that.. But if I have a second year off and I'm retaking the DAT, I still need a job, which would be assisting or continued lab work.

 

[bc1002]

I understand that.. But if I have a second year off and I'm retaking the DAT, I still need a job, which would be assisting or continued lab work.

If it is the case, I would pick the job which pays more. If the pay is about the same, I would pick the assisting job because it might benefit application more. I hope it helps!

 

[ShootItLizbef]

If it is the case, I would pick the job which pays more. If the pay is about the same, I would pick the assisting job because it might benefit application more. I hope it helps!

Thank you 🙂

 

[Myce]

If you don't have the money to do a master's, I recommend you retake some of the science classes that you got C's or lower and take some upper-level science courses. Even if you take one or two classes per semester, it'll still help you. If you do well in these courses (A's), it can only raise your GPA and show dental schools that you are doing something to improve your application, especially in the area where you are weaker.

 

[tarheel616]

I applied to 18 schools this cycle, immediately after graduating college. I only got one interview, and I was wait listed. I'm still waiting on 5 or so schools, but this late in the cycle, it looks like I'll be reapplying.

I spent a year working in a dental lab, and now have the option to focus my second year on being a dental assistant, completing a masters, or retaking the dat (again).

GPA (inc +/-, not inc +/-): BCP 2.85/2.93, Science 2.91/2.97, Non science 3.81/3.82, Total 3.24/3.28

DAT: 17 qr, 18 gen chem, 19 bio, 20 orgo, 21 reading, 22 perceptual, AA/TS 19/19

My low gpa is due to first year struggles in undergrad, but my grades show a steady upward trend. I retook both semesters of organic chemistry and the DAT (first attempt I got 16 TS)

I need to figure something out soon so any advice is appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

Where did you receive your interview if you don't mind me asking? It might be a good idea to update your application with them, extra anything might help...Also, call the dental schools you were denied from as well and maybe after a few calls you'll get a better idea for your course of action.

 

[ShootItLizbef]

Where did you receive your interview if you don't mind me asking? It might be a good idea to update your application with them, extra anything might help...Also, call the dental schools you were denied from as well and maybe after a few calls you'll get a better idea for your course of action.

I interviewed at UNE in Maine. Thank you, I will do that.

 

[DentalDoge]

No, your DAT isnt terrible but it's not perfect. And you never want to give the adcoms any excuse to write you off.

Considering your financial situation, however, it would wiser to try to up your GPA as as much as possible. It's kind of a stats game. Stats opened the door, your EC's, PS, interviews, keeps you there.

 

[2THDDS]

his DAT would have been fine if his GPA backed it up a little, so yeah, either GPA or DAT can get some boosting for a higher chance of getting in.
I thought there were quite a few who takes the test 3 times? no? not allowed?

 

[ShootItLizbef]

his DAT would have been fine if his GPA backed it up a little, so yeah, either GPA or DAT can get some boosting for a higher chance of getting in.
I thought there were quite a few who takes the test 3 times? no? not allowed?

I'm a girl haha, but thank you. Yeah you can take it 3 times but I think after 3 you have to petition to the ADA to take it a fourth time

 

[2THDDS]

I'm a girl haha, but thank you. Yeah you can take it 3 times but I think after 3 you have to petition to the ADA to take it a fourth time

my bad, 🙂
yeah, if 3rd time is allowed, definitely take it and do well.
If you devote good 2~3 months of solid studying with great prep-materials out there, I am sure anyone is capable of getting 20~21+.

Good luck!

 

[Joey Joe Jo]

Your DAT scores are slightly better than mine and I took it twice & applied twice AND was accepted in my number one school this cycle. I think your DAT scores are fine... but your GPA could use some work.
I was also assisting this cycle around AND I think that made a huge difference for me. Working in a dental lab isn't giving you any patient exposure. Patients are #1 and you need to get some experience. Kick a s s at work and get an awesome Letter of recommendation out of it. Take a couple of higher science classes and kick a s s in them while working really shows you can handle the stress of it all.
The upper trend in grades is very important. I am in a career change (I graduated from college in 1994) and my overall GPA back then was 3.3 with science GPA below 3.0... post bac GPA was 4.0 which brought everything up to 3.8 overall & 3.5 science GPA.
Remember THIS IS NOT A RACE. Everyone has a different path and some are longer than others. Stick with it and make sure you have some great volunteer/community service hours and you will stand out.

 

[ShootItLizbef]

Your DAT scores are slightly better than mine and I took it twice & applied twice AND was accepted in my number one school this cycle. I think your DAT scores are fine... but your GPA could use some work.
I was also assisting this cycle around AND I think that made a huge difference for me. Working in a dental lab isn't giving you any patient exposure. Patients are #1 and you need to get some experience. Kick a s s at work and get an awesome Letter of recommendation out of it. Take a couple of higher science classes and kick a s s in them while working really shows you can handle the stress of it all.
The upper trend in grades is very important. I am in a career change (I graduated from college in 1994) and my overall GPA back then was 3.3 with science GPA below 3.0... post bac GPA was 4.0 which brought everything up to 3.8 overall & 3.5 science GPA.
Remember THIS IS NOT A RACE. Everyone has a different path and some are longer than others. Stick with it and make sure you have some great volunteer/community service hours and you will stand out.

Thank you so much! That really helps put things into perspective 🙂

 

[doc toothache]

Your DAT scores are slightly better than mine and I took it twice & applied twice AND was accepted in my number one school this cycle. I think your DAT scores are fine... but your GPA could use some work.
I was also assisting this cycle around AND I think that made a huge difference for me. Working in a dental lab isn't giving you any patient exposure. Patients are #1 and you need to get some experience. Kick a s s at work and get an awesome Letter of recommendation out of it. Take a couple of higher science classes and kick a s s in them while working really shows you can handle the stress of it all.
The upper trend in grades is very important. I am in a career change (I graduated from college in 1994) and my overall GPA back then was 3.3 with science GPA below 3.0... post bac GPA was 4.0 which brought everything up to 3.8 overall & 3.5 science GPA.
Remember THIS IS NOT A RACE. Everyone has a different path and some are longer than others. Stick with it and make sure you have some great volunteer/community service hours and you will stand out.

It is likely that what made "a huge difference" in your case has less to do with having done some "assisting" and more to do with your age and your 4.0 post bac.

 

[Joey Joe Jo]

It is likely that what made "a huge difference" in your case has less to do with having done some "assisting" and more to do with your age and your 4.0 post bac.

doc toothache I am sure you are correct to some degree however those conditions were present in my first application cycle that ended with no offer. It was mentioned in my first interview at my dream school during my 1st application that they were surprised at the number of applicants they received who had no experience with dental patients. I took the hint and made sure my next application did not have that weakness.

It was in my second application with the assisting and my LOR from my doc that landed me an offer.

 

[predental75]

doc toothache always has some shrewd response to whatever anyone says.. as if he knows our applications better than we do, and was on our admission committee to tell us why we were or weren't accepted. (If you're reading...) I'm sure your honesty and insight on these forums is appreciated, but generally your a bit ill-mannered and have a tendency of thinking your advice is the only advice.

 

[doc toothache]

doc toothache I am sure you are correct to some degree however those conditions were present in my first application cycle that ended with no offer. It was mentioned in my first interview at my dream school during my 1st application that they were surprised at the number of applicants they received who had no experience with dental patients. I took the hint and made sure my next application did not have that weakness.
It was in my second application with the assisting and my LOR from my doc that landed me an offer.

Perhaps. There are several hundred, if not thousands, of adcoms with just as many opinions. Or, it could be that the first time around you were not convincing enough that dentistry was really your calling. Which ds recommended dental assisting to improve an application?

doc toothache always has some shrewd response to whatever anyone says.. as if he knows our applications better than we do, and was on our admission committee to tell us why we were or weren't accepted. (If you're reading...) I'm sure your honesty and insight on these forums is appreciated, but generally your a bit ill-mannered and have a tendency of thinking your advice is the only advice.

A compliment from an adcom on an appicant's sole of their shoes does not necessarily equate with the reason for the acceptance.