Re-applicant Advise Needed

[sks2286]

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Hey Whats up

Im a reapplicant, had no luck the first time, was waitlisted at UIC and SIUE. This year I retook the DAT (20AA/21TS/20PA), rewrote my personal statement (so much better), and increased my shadowing hours by a 100 hours. Overall I worked really hard to make my application better. I applied to 17 schools so hopefully Ill be admitted next year.

The only problem is I dont have thing planned for this coming up year. I didnt apply to do my masters nor post bac. I have a 3.61 cum gpa with a 3.55 science gpa. I know those are average but I don't think I need do my masters because most people only do those one year programs to increase their gpa. I have had no luck finding any sort of job with my bio degree. Completely worthless. I just find it difficult finding a good job when you know you can only commit a year to them. I wanted to study/work abroad but that would be impossible with interviews.

My biggest fear is walking into interviews and having to tell them Im doing nothing with life except for job shadowing a general dentist 8 hours a week and then being rejected because of that. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I could do? Any internships or research opportunities that you know of?

I guess my last option would be to take one or two classes a semester at the local college at my home town. It just doesn't sound appealing to me at all. I really want to be a dentist and I just want to do anything that would help towards becoming a dentist.

Thanks and I really would appreciate all advice

 

[Pat Kelly]

Work in a lab. You may get minimum wage as a technician, but at least you can fill the research experience part of your application out.

 

[DentAZ]

What about working in a dental lab? You will gain many skills needed in dental school and may have a leg up on other students. Also, work in a research lab on campus if possible. I did this for 2.5 years, 12 hours weekly. I think it helped me get in.

 

[Quattro DMD]

Just be productive with your time. Work in a research lab at school or a dental lab or even volunteer. None of these pay very well but if you think you're going to get in for sure then don't worry about money right now. But if you still don't get in then go for a masters for sure.

 

[Pat Kelly]

A dental lab doesn't mean you will gain skills useful for a dentist though. It definitely does not in my case.

 

[dds85]

I say take higher level biology/biochem/science classes not at the community college. I had a masters in Information Systems while waiting and it helped me get in even though my gpa stayed the same.

 

[sajjy]

A dental lab doesn't mean you will gain skills useful for a dentist though. It definitely does not in my case.

May be if u had an engineering degree then.......LOL

 

[Pat Kelly]

May be if u had an engineering degree then.......LOL

I get enough from doing my clinic rotations. Thanks for your concern.

 

[UCSF2012]

Get a job of any sort. Otherwise, just tell them you have a sugardaddy/sugamama and don't need to work.

 

[dru180]

sks, i think the major points of your app are good. No need to take classes if you have already graduated, you would be taking them for no reason. Get a job! Dont worry so much about it being "related" or whatever, its not gonna do a whole lot for your app after you have already applied. Do what others have suggested, and just do something. Work at a restaurant/music store/bar/golf course/parents or whatever the heck you would find enjoyable for a little while. Enjoy your break from school...ya know!

 

[MonchichiMan]

I can't say that I agree with the above post about getting a job anywhere. Your application may be in, but as a reapplicant it is very important to be currently doing something to improve your application. I applied three years and final got accepted to University of Washington. However, every secondary you will fill out will have a section for reapplicants wanting to know what you have done and are doing to prepare for dental school. It is time to shine, as for some reason we were not accepted the first round. Every interview I went to they wanted to know what I am doing know to show my interst in the dental field or to improve my acceptability. So what I am saying is it is very important. Me, I became a certified dental assistant and worked in an office for the last two years. However not every school liked that, most looked down on it. UW really liked it. Most told me they would have rather seen me polishing up my grades and academics. It is so veriable. So whatever you do, make sure when you go to your many interviews this year you can say "this is what I am doing, this is what I have done since last year, and this is why I love the dental field so much.

 

[reapply2007]

If you take classes take micro, bioch, or anatomy. Learning Spanish-medical or otherwise would also help. Otherwise stay involved with dentistry in some way- assist, lab, or volunteer- or work on hand skills with a hobby such as ink drawing, pottery, guitar, etc. I also recommend some form of income to be able to start school with some form of money in the bank.

 

[prydA]

take classes at a JC or get a common job.. like work at a retail shop? or some store you like... your stats look solid so just have fun !

 

[sks2286]

Hey thanks for all the replies

I think learning Spanish would be an excellent idea. Im actually really interested in that. It would help me out when I start my profession to say that Im bilingual.

My only concern would be what if i dont get accepted this year. Applying to dental school is really a crap shoot as i found out this year. I want to do something that prepares as a back up plan just in case i dont get in this year.

What im thinking right now based off your replies. Prolly take a spanish course at the local junior college and then take a upper level bio class at Bradely University. Find a part time job for some extra income for the next year and also continue job shadowing my general dentist 8 hours a week. I think that shows that Im doing something productive and bettering my application. I think Ill also take the gre and apply to some masters of public health programs just in case i dont get in. I dont know if i can handle being rejected a second time around mentally and financially.

What are your opinions on my plan?

thanks so much.

 

[Dr2BSoon]

Call Dr. Gillespie or Dr. Whitson at SIU-SDM and ask if she is hiring people to work in her lab. I did this and was accepted into dental school as a reapplicant.

 

[Quattro DMD]

Hey thanks for all the replies

I think learning Spanish would be an excellent idea. Im actually really interested in that. It would help me out when I start my profession to say that Im bilingual.

My only concern would be what if i dont get accepted this year. Applying to dental school is really a crap shoot as i found out this year. I want to do something that prepares as a back up plan just in case i dont get in this year.

What im thinking right now based off your replies. Prolly take a spanish course at the local junior college and then take a upper level bio class at Bradely University. Find a part time job for some extra income for the next year and also continue job shadowing my general dentist 8 hours a week. I think that shows that Im doing something productive and bettering my application. I think Ill also take the gre and apply to some masters of public health programs just in case i dont get in. I dont know if i can handle being rejected a second time around mentally and financially.

What are your opinions on my plan?

thanks so much.

Dude you sound like you got a good plan going. This is my fourth time applying. My 2nd and 3rd time applying I was just working and "waiting" to get in then finally I decided to go back to school. I start my MPH program in September. But if you don't get in just keep trying. I mean if its what you really want there's no use settling for something else!