Putting All My Eggs in One Basket (UT Memphis)

[bryan45876]

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I’m debating about whether it would be wise to completing forget AADSAS and apply to only my state school, UT Memphis. I consider myself a competitive applicant with a 3.5 cumulative in Mechanical Engineering. I’ve had a good amount of shadowing experience, extra curriculars, and work experience. I’m also taking the DAT on 5/25.

UT Memphis is my first choice and it is also the most financially viable option in terms of obtaining the DDS degree. Worst case scenario I would work as an engineer for a year and apply again in 07. I have had many internships and co-op work experiences as an engineer so I do not think I would have any difficulty getting a job if I didn’t get into Memphis this year.

Another factor is all of the application costs. I figure it would take about $700 to apply to 6 schools through AADSAS, plus any interview costs. This is compared to the single $50 application fee at Memphis.

What do you guys think?

 

[ianwright]

I’m debating about whether it would be wise to completing forget AADSAS and apply to only my state school, UT Memphis. I consider myself a competitive applicant with a 3.5 cumulative in Mechanical Engineering. I’ve had a good amount of shadowing experience, extra curriculars, and work experience. I’m also taking the DAT on 5/25.

UT Memphis is my first choice and it is also the most financially viable option in terms of obtaining the DDS degree. Worst case scenario I would work as an engineer for a year and apply again in 07. I have had many internships and co-op work experiences as an engineer so I do not think I would have any difficulty getting a job if I didn’t get into Memphis this year.

Another factor is all of the application costs. I figure it would take about $700 to apply to 6 schools through AADSAS, plus any interview costs. This is compared to the single $50 application fee at Memphis.

What do you guys think?

this is just one person's advice - but get someone else's too, because people don't trust me around here

i would apply to more - all you need is just ONE acceptance - and your financial worries in the LONG-TERM will be over

keep in mind - not all schools are searching for the same applicant

let me explain - just because you have a 4.0 GPA and 25 DAT and tons of extracurriclur activities doesn't mean 100 % acceptance into every school

Maybe Harvard, but NYU may reject you - I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN

MY ADVICE - don't put all your eggs in one basket - DIVERSIFY

 

[AUG2UAG]

schools do not like it if you tell them they are the only school you applied to. as ianwright so eloquantly stated... diversify. as a southern state resident, you'll have a more than excellent chance at schools at surrounding states, which have very very excellent reputations (VA, MCG, NC, KY etc etc)

 

[bryan45876]

But the chance to completly forget about AADSAS would be so nice. Also, Memphis only had 255 applicants for 80 spots last year, and those odds are a lot better than the majority of the other US dental schools.

Why do you think schools don't like it if you tell them that they are the only one you applied to?

 

[crazy_sherm]

It depends on how badly you want to be a dentist. Do you really want to wait an extra year? That's an extra year off your dental career. You also likely won't really know if other schools would interest you until you visit the campus. How do you know UT-Memphis is the only school for you?

I know one SDNer had applied to only her state school the first time around and since the schools know which other schools you applied to, they made the assumption she wasn't serious enough about dentistry. They even told her that was one of the reasons they didn't accept her. So the second time around, she applied to like 10 schools, accepted to most, including the state school she wanted to go to. But I guess since Memphis isn't AADSAS participating, you won't have that problem unless you ask them.

With all that being said, I did a similar thing and only applied to UCSF and UOP because I wanted to stay in SF. Things ended up working out for me, but I think it was a poor decision in my part not to broaden my horizons and look into other schools too.

 

[bryan45876]

It depends on how badly you want to be a dentist. Do you really want to wait an extra year? That's an extra year off your dental career. You also likely won't really know if other schools would interest you until you visit the campus. How do you know UT-Memphis is the only school for you?

I know one SDNer had applied to only her state school the first time around and since the schools know which other schools you applied to, they made the assumption she wasn't serious enough about dentistry. They even told her that was one of the reasons they didn't accept her. So the second time around, she applied to like 10 schools, accepted to most, including the state school she wanted to go to. But I guess since Memphis isn't AADSAS participating, you won't have that problem unless you ask them.

With all that being said, I did a similar thing and only applied to UCSF and UOP because I wanted to stay in SF. Things ended up working out for me, but I think it was a poor decision in my part not to broaden my horizons and looked into other schools too.

I have looked into other schools. I have visited and met with the Director of Admissions at UT Memphis, IUSD, and Marquette. I actually met up with students from SDN and got to hear their impressions about their school as well. If all dental schools had the same price tag it would be a different story, but since most schools are twice UT Memphis I would be foolish not to consider that. I do however like the 3 year program at UOP and if I decide to apply through AADSAS they will be on my list. That opportunity cost of being able to work as a dentist for an additional year is huge (especially on the tail end of a career).

 

[nothen2do]

I have looked into other schools. I have visited and met with the Director of Admissions at UT Memphis, IUSD, and Marquette. I actually met up with students from SDN and got to hear their impressions about their school as well. If all dental schools had the same price tag it would be a different story, but since most schools are twice UT Memphis I would be foolish not to consider that. I do however like the 3 year program at UOP and if I decide to apply through AADSAS they will be on my list. That opportunity cost of being able to work as a dentist for an additional year is huge (especially on the tail end of a career).

But if you worry so much aboout price difference, then you shouldnt apply to UOP. This is not to bag on UOP, but that school costs 250K for tuition and tools alone for 3 years. Getting one year back will not make the difference between UT-Memphis cost and UOP. Memphis tuition is $48K for 4 years (getting this from 42nd ed. of adea guide), so 250-48= $202K, which is more than the "avg. GP makes." What Im really trying to get at is that if you want to become a dentist, you should go to the cheapest school that ACCEPTS you. Applying to one school is not smart, and if you're worried about the price tag, only apply to state schools that offer residency after first year. Then you can save a pretty penny if UT doesnt work out and still become a dentist.

 

[divertete]

I was in a similar situation last year -- that is, only really wanting to go to my state school (after thoroughly exploring all of my options, of course). I ended up applying to 5 schools total, mostly so that I would look like a serious applicant. I received secondaries from all of the schools, but only filled out two. I then received interview invites for both of those schools. I scheduled the interview for my state school right away, and didn't schedule the other until January... that way I could still go if my state school chances looked doubtful, and cancel if I got in to the state school on Dec 1. I was really lucky and everything worked out -- got my acceptance in December and cancelled the other interview.

I would highly recommend applying to at least a few schools (and shoot high, you have nothing to lose). The extra couple hundred dollars is pretty insignificant in the long run. Don't pay supplemental fees or turn in secondaries if you don't want to, but you should seriously consider doing it for at least one "back up" school. I should say that my stats were good and I was fairly confident that I would be accepted my school of choice, but as others have said, NOTHING is guaranteed!

 

[Comet208]

Someone i know only applied to UMKC for this cycle. she got an interview invite but b/c she was really busy, she waited 2 weeks to call. When she called, all the interview spots were given out!! she ended up applying (in October) to more schools. got only one interview (Temple) and is still on the waitlist.

 

[AUG2UAG]

I would highly recommend applying to at least a few schools (and shoot high, you have nothing to lose). The extra couple hundred dollars is pretty insignificant in the long run. Don't pay supplemental fees or turn in secondaries if you don't want to, but you should seriously consider doing it for at least one "back up" school. I should say that my stats were good and I was fairly confident that I would be accepted my school of choice, but as others have said, NOTHING is guaranteed!

agreed

an adcom told me that schools don't like it when you tell them they're the only school you applied to

 

[waker433]

UT-Memphis had a very competitive year, I was in your boat last year, I applied to over 15 schools, interviewed at 8 and was accpeted to almost all 8. UT, although my instate school, was the last school to accept me just a few weeks ago. So my advice would be to apply to a few other schools other than UT.

agreed

an adcom told me that schools don't like it when you tell them they're the only school you applied to

 

[45540]

But if you worry so much aboout price difference, then you shouldnt apply to UOP. This is not to bag on UOP, but that school costs 250K for tuition and tools alone for 3 years. Getting one year back will not make the difference between UT-Memphis cost and UOP. Memphis tuition is $48K for 4 years (getting this from 42nd ed. of adea guide), so 250-48= $202K, which is more than the "avg. GP makes." What Im really trying to get at is that if you want to become a dentist, you should go to the cheapest school that ACCEPTS you. Applying to one school is not smart, and if you're worried about the price tag, only apply to state schools that offer residency after first year. Then you can save a pretty penny if UT doesnt work out and still become a dentist.

UT's tuition is more like 90-100k for 4 years. First year alone was 25 with tuition and fees/kits etc.

 

[nothen2do]

UT's tuition is more like 90-100k for 4 years. First year alone was 25 with tuition and fees/kits etc.

humm, the adea books become outdated pretty quickly i guess.

 

[travelindentist]

Bryan,
I am in the same boat, I applied to UT Memphis and have been rejected (painful word) for this fall. I considered the costs and benefits of applying to my state school which fortunately does not use aadsas, and too decided to put all of my eggs in this basket. Hoping I would get in and save some cash at the same time. I wish I had applied to more and discovered the sdn earlier so I wouldnt be searching for a job in my major (biology), which is a challenge in itself. Just from experience, if dentistry is what you want to do, get in as soon as possible and work on getting that DDS (DMD) and optimize those chances by applying to more than one school. The money will be there. I will apply to a handful next cycle. good luck to you.

 

[bryan45876]

Bryan,
I am in the same boat, I applied to UT Memphis and have been rejected (painful word) for this fall. I considered the costs and benefits of applying to my state school which fortunately does not use aadsas, and too decided to put all of my eggs in this basket. Hoping I would get in and save some cash at the same time. I wish I had applied to more and discovered the sdn earlier so I wouldnt be searching for a job in my major (biology), which is a challenge in itself. Just from experience, if dentistry is what you want to do, get in as soon as possible and work on getting that DDS (DMD) and optimize those chances by applying to more than one school. The money will be there. I will apply to a handful next cycle. good luck to you.

Travelin,
So what schools do you plan to apply to this cycle? Did you get a chance to meet with Dr. Coleman and find out what part of your app needed improvement?

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[bryan45876]

I took the DAT today and here's the results:
PA: 18
QR: 21
RC: 21
Bio: 18
GC: 20
OC: 19
TS: 19
AA: 20

If you're curious I posted my thoughts on each section here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=2655253#post2655253

 

[toofache32]

I took the DAT today and here's the results:
PA: 18
QR: 21
RC: 21
Bio: 18
GC: 20
OC: 19
TS: 19
AA: 20

If you're curious I posted my thoughts on each section here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=2655253#post2655253

You took it today and already got the results? Is that on computer or something? I guess I feel old now.

Those scores are pretty good. I don't remember my breakdown, but I got in to UT Memphis with a AA 17 and PAT 22.

 

[bryan45876]

You took it today and already got the results? Is that on computer or something? I guess I feel old now.

Those scores are pretty good. I don't remember my breakdown, but I got in to UT Memphis with a AA 17 and PAT 22.

Yes, the test is on computer and you get a printout of your scores before you leave. I'd probably prefer paper, but I just prepared differently for the computer based test.

 

[cowsgomoo]

I took the DAT today and here's the results:
PA: 18
QR: 21
RC: 21
Bio: 18
GC: 20
OC: 19
TS: 19
AA: 20

If you're curious I posted my thoughts on each section here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=2655253#post2655253

Nice scores hope I can pull those off when i take the test on June 10th. Off topic but how were you doing on practice tests you took? (Kaplan or any other you used.)

 

[Rezdawg]

Dude, you are worrying too much about price tags and you are even going further and worrying about the 700 bucks it would cost to apply to multiple schools through AADSAS. That amount of money is absolutely insignificant. Apply to more schools and go with the cheapest route.