Question about status

[rewJW]

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I just stumbled across this forum. Hi all 🙂 And congrats to all who got in as the classes of 2012! I wish I found this forum sooner! I need some advice.

Okay, first off my DATs were pretty bad. I studied a ton and took practice tests and felt really good about it but had a traumatic experience within 24 hours of taking it which probably affected my scores, but at the same time, I realize I can't blame it entirely on that. I plan on studying hardcore again and retaking them after I graduate this semester. I know sooner is better than later, but more studying and better DAT scores is better than less studying and lower DAT scores. I have a heavy course load this semester plus working 25 hours a week so I have no time to study until really the end of the semester or after it's over.

DAT scores:
AA 17
PAT 19
QR 15
RC 20
Biology 19
Gen Chem 16
Org Chem 17
TS 17

My GPA is 3.55 cumulative/3.6 sciences. I've had one B- (Gen Chem 2!) and other than that nothing lower than a B. I shadowed two dentists, and really enjoyed it and am positive it is what I want to do with my life.

I think my GPA should be fine but I realize that I need to increase my DAT scores for next time.

I only applied to 4 schools because I am pretty sure I want to stay in Jersey to accumulate less debt; therefore UMDNJ is where I really hope to get in but I also applied to Univ of Pittsburgh, Univ of Maryland and Temple.

Temple and Univ of Maryland have both sent me rejection letters (or rather in Temple's case, an email). I have not heard anything from UMDNJ or Pitt and I assume this is because I'm not getting in. My ADEA status still says 'under review' but I know that doesn't really mean much. Anyway, my question is, is it alright to call the schools and inquire about my status? Everything they send you basically says "do not call us under penalty of death" but my adviser is telling me to call them. (My adviser also told me that nobody gets interviews til March and that my DAT scores were really good and that is obviously not true! I have been so ill-advised that in hind sight I really wish I picked a different undergrad school, but I'm set to graduate this semester so it's obviously way too late for that LOL.)

Or would I word my conversation with the schools' admissions offices something like "What could I do to improve my chances next year?" rather than "Did I get rejected yet?"

I am going so blindly into this. I am thinking now that it's a blessing in disguise that I didn't get in this year because I could use a year off to work full-time rather than just part-time to save up some extra money.

Thank you so much in advance to anybody who has advice 🙂

 

[jigabodo]

If you haven't received a single interview at this point, I'd say your chances are not too good. It's probably not entirely impossible that you won't get in this cycle though.

Just give them a call. It wouldn't hurt at this point. Ask them politely about your status and tell them you are very interested.

If by any chance you didn't get in this cycle. I would just like to recommend you that you should do the following 2 things for the next cycle:
1. Retake the DAT. Aim for 19+.
2. Apply to more schools if possible.

 

[rewJW]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm definitely going to retake the DAT and I'll apply to more schools next time 🙂 It might be nice to get way out of state anyway! And I'll keep my fingers crossed for now that I may still get interviews at Pitt and UMDNJ; but I'll begin preparing for the next round of apps. [I have to wonder if Pitt and UMDNJ are the two that haven't rejected me yet because they are the schools the dentists I shadowed went to ... each of them wrote a letter for me that got incorporated into my committee letter ... coincidence maybe?]

My hesitation to call them is based on this: (for example)
WHILE WE UNDERSTAND YOUR DESIRE TO HEAR FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, WE REGRET WE ARE UNABLE TO RESPOND TO TELEPHONE CALLS AND E-MAILS FROM EVERYONE WHO APPLIES.


^ That's from the Pitt confirmation email. Is it still really okay to call them? I probably will tomorrow and just let them know I am still very interested ... idk really what to say to them, so I'll have to play it by ear.