Re-Applying..Any Suggestions

[DMDWanna Be]

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Hey all!

So this is my first post ever although I constantly read the forums! I am just looking for suggestions on how to strengthen my application for next cycle (I applied this cycle but didn't even get an interview (but I am pretty sure I know why)).

My question is this, looking at my current stats are there any schools I have a shot at without retaking the DAT? Here are my stats:

Cum. GPA 3.69
Science GPE 3.63

DAT:
Biology 17 🙂mad: KILLED ME)
Organic 18
Gen Chem 18
Reading 19
QR 19
PAT 25

I have about 150 hours of shadowing and a few hundred hours (500+) of volunteer work.

I know my scores don't even come close to most SDN's but I have worked so hard for this and I just want to know if I honestly have a shot without retaking the DAT

Thank you😍

 

[Philippines03j]

Hey all!

So this is my first post ever although I constantly read the forums! I am just looking for suggestions on how to strengthen my application for next cycle (I applied this cycle but didn't even get an interview (but I am pretty sure I know why)).

My question is this, looking at my current stats are there any schools I have a shot at without retaking the DAT? Here are my stats:

Cum. GPA 3.69
Science GPE 3.63

DAT:
Biology 17 🙂mad: KILLED ME)
Organic 18
Gen Chem 18
Reading 19
QR 19
PAT 25

I have about 150 hours of shadowing and a few hundred hours (500+) of volunteer work.

I know my scores don't even come close to most SDN's but I have worked so hard for this and I just want to know if I honestly have a shot without retaking the DAT

Thank you😍

I will be the first to say that with your GPA and your DAT that you have a shot. Does this mean you will get in? No, becuase nobody is in for sure until they have the letter in there hand. Your scores are not bad but you will need to apply to several (about 20 I would recommend) in order to make sure you get some interviews.

When did you complete your application last cycle? - this is very important
How many schools did you apply to? - once again if you only apply to 5 or 6 schools then your chances are limited.
What schools did you apply to? -very important once again. If you apply to the right schools (not schools like harvard, ucla, ect..🙂) then you will have a better chance of getting in.

Good luck to you!

**by mentioning schools like ucla I am not saying don't apply there no matter what. If you have a dream school then give it a shot but choose about 15-20 that you are competitive for. I know i threw a dream school on my list 😀

 

[g0forkurself]

If you're planning on reapplying, it would be a good idea to constantly look for ways to improve your application (seeing as how you didn't even get an interview). You have one whole year to prepare for your next application, I don't see a reason not to retake your DAT and improve your scores. More things to look into would be more shadowing experiences (ie variety), or just more volunteer work. There's no doubt the field is becoming quite competitive and it's probably in your best interest to make your application as good as it can be.

Edit: I think to confidently secure some interviews and admissions, you should aim for at least 20's in your sciences.

 

[allDAT]

If you know why you did not get an interview, I would suggest that you fix it without delay.

I would also suggest retaking the DAT. Your science GPA of 3.6 is a very strong point in your application, but your DAT science scores destroy its validity. If you can retake before July, you should have no problem getting a handful of interviews - assuming you can bump your total science up to a 20.

 

[DMDWanna Be]

The reason I believe I did not get an interview (besides the low Bio/TS) was that my prehealth committee did not send my letter in until veryyyyy late October 👎, because the rest of my application was in by mid-july.

Thank you for the suggestions, I did apply only to 6 schools, NYU, Tufts, UCONN, Temple, BU, and Nova.

Do you all have any suggestions on schools which take a large percentage of out of state students?

 

[g0forkurself]

look at private schools for schools that take a large percentage of out of state students. For most state schools, the out of states they accept usually have phenomenal stats. The only state school that takes a decent amount of out of state students that I know of through my own application is Indiana.

 

[aznxsa2587]

Although your science GPA is great, but your DAT score might invalidate your GPA. If you can get a 3.63 sGPA, you can get a 20+ on your DAT. Perhaps you didn't practice enough or you took your bio/chem/orgo courses too long ago? Your best bet now is to retake the DAT. Keep on doing your DAT practice tests until you score a 20+. You can almost guaranteed some interviews unless your personal statement/LoRs are truly horrible. You shouldn't concern too much on the ECs and the shadowing experience. I only have like 2 ECs (spend very little time on each) and 100 shadowing hours, I still received a good amount of interviews and acceptance. During my interviews, no one mention my ECs. Some did ask about my shadowing experience, but never ask why I only did 100 hours. Good luck!

 

[bing12]

Hey all!

So this is my first post ever although I constantly read the forums! I am just looking for suggestions on how to strengthen my application for next cycle (I applied this cycle but didn't even get an interview (but I am pretty sure I know why)).

My question is this, looking at my current stats are there any schools I have a shot at without retaking the DAT? Here are my stats:

Cum. GPA 3.69
Science GPE 3.63

DAT:
Biology 17 🙂mad: KILLED ME)
Organic 18
Gen Chem 18
Reading 19
QR 19
PAT 25

I have about 150 hours of shadowing and a few hundred hours (500+) of volunteer work.

I know my scores don't even come close to most SDN's but I have worked so hard for this and I just want to know if I honestly have a shot without retaking the DAT

Thank you😍

How did you study for the DAT? how long? what materials you use? Whats your major?

Your gpa is great, and everything else seems great, so the one thing you must focus on is the DAT RETAKE, its a must in my opinion. 18AA and 18TS wont be as competitive, even to the private schools you applied to.

 

[allDAT]

DMDWanna Be,

I would guess that unless you heard it straight from the director of admissions, that your "slow to get there" letter of recommendation was not the reason you did not receive an interview this cycle. At most, it only slightly hindered your chances of acceptance. Of course, the sooner your application is complete, the sooner you will receive an interview, but there are plenty of students whose applications are completed post October and are granted post December interviews.

This cycle, you should aim at applying in early June and retaking your DAT. Students can afford to score a seventeen on QR, but will be hard pressed to find a school willing to accept a seventeen in biology - arguably the most important score on the entire exam.

Goodluck this cycle.

 

[DunStopBelievin]

better yet, call each school and ask them specifically what you're lacking. i called each school and they gave me the same answer: gpa sucks, do something about that. There were some schools that avoided answering by saying "there was too much competition." So, I took those schools off my list for reapplication. I've been preparing for the next application cycle too. GL👍

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey all!

So this is my first post ever although I constantly read the forums! I am just looking for suggestions on how to strengthen my application for next cycle (I applied this cycle but didn't even get an interview (but I am pretty sure I know why)).

My question is this, looking at my current stats are there any schools I have a shot at without retaking the DAT? Here are my stats:

Cum. GPA 3.69
Science GPE 3.63

DAT:
Biology 17 🙂mad: KILLED ME)
Organic 18
Gen Chem 18
Reading 19
QR 19
PAT 25

I have about 150 hours of shadowing and a few hundred hours (500+) of volunteer work.

I know my scores don't even come close to most SDN's but I have worked so hard for this and I just want to know if I honestly have a shot without retaking the DAT

Thank you😍

Why don't you tell us why you think you didn't get an interview?

I have a few guesses on what you can do to maybe land more interviews:
#1) BE AN EARLY APPLICATION, early June submit everything.
#2) pick 20+ schools (the more the better) that are out-of-state friendly
#3) cross your fingers
#4) hit the submit button in AADSAS

However, your situation is sooooo easy to fix... you don't need a monster DAT score, you just need a 19-20AA/19-20TS with that GPA and you pick 10-15 schools.

 

[mr24]

retake DAT and get a 20, and apply to 10+ schools and you will get in. ( assuming you dont blow your interviews)

 

[TriangleZuikis]

I would retake the DAT for sure! I found Kaplan lacking in material but supplemented that book with the Dat Destroyer - which really helped my overall score. I managed to get a 20 in Bio and I'm pretty sure it's mostly from studying that destroyer book (I have a minimum bio background) Definitely if you got a 3.6 gpa a 20 DAT should be no problem!

Also, become involved in some unique activity/volunteer work during your year off. There might be a free dental clinic that is in need of assistants.

APPLY EARLY!

APPLY TO AS MANY schools as you possible can ... pick your schools wisely, but throw in some random state schools too you never know.

 

[yappy]

Was your gpa 3.0 when you applied last cycle?

better yet, call each school and ask them specifically what you're lacking. i called each school and they gave me the same answer: gpa sucks, do something about that. There were some schools that avoided answering by saying "there was too much competition." So, I took those schools off my list for reapplication. I've been preparing for the next application cycle too. GL👍

 

[dds86]

I'd suggest retaking also. Your GPA is great, but its somewhat invalidated by the sub-par DAT scores. Just buckle down with kaplan bb, topscore, and crackdatpat and knock the dat out of the park. I'd suggest looking at dental works dat study plan, it seems pretty legit.