Question

[Chelsea24]

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18 DAT
3.3 gpa
Stellar extra curriculars
Mailed 7/31
Denied from: Ohio state, Iowa, Pitt
Haven't heard from: Umich, Detroit mercy, usc, unc, Minnesota, Indiana, Maryland Marquette

0 interview invites

Need to reapply or wait?

In reapplying, what can I do?
Obviously retake DAT
Masters necessary?
More shadowing?

 

[keewee981]

How many schools did you apply to? You should've added more private schools in there.

 

[PLAQUE-MAN]

Define "stellar extra curriculars".

If you do not get accepted this year, I would suggest retaking the DAT, more shadowing, applying earlier, and applying to more private schools. I do not think getting a Master's is necessary.

 

[Chelsea24]

I applied to those eleven listed above.

I have had research experience, 100 hours volunteering, high leadership positions on campus and over 100 hours of shadowing.

Assuming I need to reapply, retaking the DAT and shadowing would be enough to strengthen the application? Other than that I could just work and make extra cash? I feel like just saying I did more shadowing won't have me stand out.

 

[allantois]

more volunteering also wouldn't hurt
what's sGPA?

 

[ajj70]

I applied to those eleven listed above.

I have had research experience, 100 hours volunteering, high leadership positions on campus and over 100 hours of shadowing.

Assuming I need to reapply, retaking the DAT and shadowing would be enough to strengthen the application? Other than that I could just work and make extra cash? I feel like just saying I did more shadowing won't have me stand out.

I would not classify those as stellar, sorry. They are average for most applicants and paired with an 18 DAT and a 3.3 GPA, you just are not an outstanding applicant. I would start by retaking the DAT, if you can get that score up to 21+, that might get you some interviews. You are also not what out of state state schools are looking for to fill their very few OOS chairs, plus you applied to schools where your stats are well below their average accepted student. If you can bring your DAT up, you might have a shot at some of the private schools but even then, they like to see more volunteer and shadowing hours to offset lower stats.

 

[JLT223]

Have you done any community outreach, either in your local community or abroad? Schools really like to see this.

 

[PLAQUE-MAN]

I would not classify those as stellar, sorry. They are average for most applicants and paired with an 18 DAT and a 3.3 GPA, you just are not an outstanding applicant. I would start by retaking the DAT, if you can get that score up to 21+, that might get you some interviews. You are also not what out of state state schools are looking for to fill their very few OOS chairs, plus you applied to schools where your stats are well below their average accepted student. If you can bring your DAT up, you might have a shot at some of the private schools but even then, they like to see more volunteer and shadowing hours to offset lower stats.

Exactly...I did not want to be the one to say it.

 

[Chelsea24]

That all makes sense and is good advice. My fault for stating stellar, only reason I said that is I was Predient of an org that has over 4,000 students and also work at my schools health system with sexual assault prevention and alcohol abuse.

At this point, from above and other posts, I will likely not receive interviews this cycle. I will plan on living at home for a year and retaking the DAT in May hoping for a 21+, shadow more and do community outreach stuff (what is there to do for that @JLT223) on top of applying to more private schools and applying earlier in the cycle.

 

[SableFire]

That all makes sense and is good advice. My fault for stating stellar, only reason I said that is I was Predient of an org that has over 4,000 students and also work at my schools health system with sexual assault prevention and alcohol abuse.

At this point, from above and other posts, I will likely not receive interviews this cycle. I will plan on living at home for a year and retaking the DAT in May hoping for a 21+, shadow more and do community outreach stuff (what is there to do for that @JLT223) on top of applying to more private schools and applying earlier in the cycle.

Definitely looks good! If you are still in college finish the year with straight A's to raise your GPA (it's not bad just a tad bit low). Do awesome on the DAT and look to submit your application before the end of June. Also talk to your future letter of rec writes (you can use the same people as before they just need to be new letters). I've found that a lot of people that use Bootcamp, Feralis notes, Cliffnotes AP biology, DAT destroyer, and Chad's videos do quite well on the DAT. Good luck!

 

[darknightzzz]

18 DAT
3.3 gpa
Stellar extra curriculars
Mailed 7/31
Denied from: Ohio state, Iowa, Pitt
Haven't heard from: Umich, Detroit mercy, usc, unc, Minnesota, Indiana, Maryland Marquette

0 interview invites

Need to reapply or wait?

In reapplying, what can I do?
Obviously retake DAT
Masters necessary?
More shadowing?

18 DAT coupled with 3.3 gpa (assuming cummulative) is too low. I suggest you do post bach to pull it up to 3.4-3.5, then do a SMP if necessary but DAT gotta be 20+ at least. Average DAT for dental school is near 20 now with very narrow distribution thus a 1 point difference can mean a lot.

good luck.

 

[JLT223]

That all makes sense and is good advice. My fault for stating stellar, only reason I said that is I was Predient of an org that has over 4,000 students and also work at my schools health system with sexual assault prevention and alcohol abuse.

At this point, from above and other posts, I will likely not receive interviews this cycle. I will plan on living at home for a year and retaking the DAT in May hoping for a 21+, shadow more and do community outreach stuff (what is there to do for that @JLT223) on top of applying to more private schools and applying earlier in the cycle.

There are tons of organizations that go abroad or do work in the states helping under-served communities gain access to health care and/or education. Something along the lines of a mission trip to another country with a church (or organization) would be great. Any of these would show selflessness and your desire to make a difference. It's definitely something that not all applicants have and it would definately set you apart. For example, I traveled to Peru twice and every one of my interviewers brought it up. Excellent conversation starter 🙂

 

[PocketRocket]

There are tons of organizations that go abroad or do work in the states helping under-served communities gain access to health care and/or education. Something along the lines of a mission trip to another country with a church (or organization) would be great. Any of these would show selflessness and your desire to make a difference. It's definitely something that not all applicants have and it would definately set you apart. For example, I traveled to Peru twice and every one of my interviewers brought it up. Excellent conversation starter 🙂

I have always wanted to do something like that but I have no idea where to start. The organizations I've found ask for a decent amount of money for me to participate. What are some organizations that you'd recommend?

 

[ajj70]

I have always wanted to do something like that but I have no idea where to start. The organizations I've found ask for a decent amount of money for me to participate. What are some organizations that you'd recommend?

Those "mission trips" are highly frowned upon by dental schools, especially since many of them allow you to practice dentistry without a license...or training for that matter. Ask your dentist if he/she is aware of any charitable groups in your area that provides dental care. Most larger cities have a free dental clinic. I know we have a mobile dental clinic in our area to serve low income people/families. I'm sure a quick google search would get you the information you needed if you were really interested in helping.

 

[JLT223]

Those "mission trips" are highly frowned upon by dental schools, especially since many of them allow you to practice dentistry without a license...or training for that matter. Ask your dentist if he/she is aware of any charitable groups in your area that provides dental care. Most larger cities have a free dental clinic. I know we have a mobile dental clinic in our area to serve low income people/families. I'm sure a quick google search would get you the information you needed if you were really interested in helping.

That's why you go through a reputable program that clearly states what you can and cannot do.

 

[super frank]

There are tons of organizations that go abroad or do work in the states helping under-served communities gain access to health care and/or education. Something along the lines of a mission trip to another country with a church (or organization) would be great. Any of these would show selflessness and your desire to make a difference. It's definitely something that not all applicants have and it would definately set you apart. For example, I traveled to Peru twice and every one of my interviewers brought it up. Excellent conversation starter 🙂

Medlife?

But anyway, definitely try to assist/volunteer at a community dental clinic. Shadowing hours and helping out the community... All with one stone. I only contributed ~50 hours to one nearby, but it was an awesome experience. Not only are the patients (most) extremely grateful, but you also see some awesome procedures/cases/state of oral health that you wouldn't normally see in your everyday office.