Re-applying

[Swoops]

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Just need some advice-- I applied in August (due to late DAT), and I think that at this point I need to start gearing up for next cycle. I applied to 18 schools, and was rejected by two (Loma Linda and UMKC) and have received one interview (MWU-AZ, Feb. 25th). I feel like the main reason I am not hearing back is that I was a bit late getting into the cycle, and my DAT scores. My DAT scores are as follows. AA 19, TS 19, PAT 19-- No score under 18 and I got 20's in both BIO and RC (important sections). If I am starting to make a plan to re-apply do you guys think that I should retake the DAT? I have heard mixed reviews about my scores-- I know they are pretty average, but I see people on here getting interviews with similar scores all the time. What do you guys think? GPA is 3.6 with a 3.95 over the last 2 years.

 

[Member902507]

Hey,

My DAT scores were average as well, and I actually contacted the schools before this cycle asking them if I should retake my DAT. Most of them said it was actually "competitive average" for their school (I have similar scores as yours) and they just told me to apply early. My GPA isn't as high as your's either, but I just tried to make sure to get my AADSAS app in early enough because I knew, statistically, I was an average applicant. I was in the 2nd batch, and have received a couple of interviews pre-Dec, and I'd say it was a combination of 2 things: 1) applying early, 2) having good extracurriculars backing me up.

If you'd like to retake your DAT again and know you'd blow it out of the water, then I'd suggest it, but sometimes people end up doing a point or two worse on other sections and that perhaps might make a difference too. Hopefully you'll get into a school this cycle, but otherwise, I'd suggest just applying earlier in the game and boosting up your ECs! Good luck!

Side note...sometimes, all you need is one interview to land you the spot 🙂

 

[yappy]

I don't know what to tell you. Both your GPA and DAT are competitive. I would put money on there being people who applied as late as you did, with worse stats, and will get accepted this cycle.

If I were you I would pick some health/dental/research related EC to do and just do that for the next year and apply day 1 of next cycle. Maybe polish up your essays / get better letters of rec too (if you think they can be improved).

It is confusing to me because I knew someone who, last cycle, got 5 interviews and had only a 19DAT 3.4 GPA applying the same time you did.

Given that you don't have a lot to do for next cycle you might as well hold out hope for this cycle and really prepare for that feb interview - remember - all you need is one acceptance!

 

[gumdrop16]

Just need some advice-- I applied in August (due to late DAT), and I think that at this point I need to start gearing up for next cycle. I applied to 18 schools, and was rejected by two (Loma Linda and UMKC) and have received one interview (MWU-AZ, Feb. 25th). I feel like the main reason I am not hearing back is that I was a bit late getting into the cycle, and my DAT scores. My DAT scores are as follows. AA 19, TS 19, PAT 19-- No score under 18 and I got 20's in both BIO and RC (important sections). If I am starting to make a plan to re-apply do you guys think that I should retake the DAT? I have heard mixed reviews about my scores-- I know they are pretty average, but I see people on here getting interviews with similar scores all the time. What do you guys think? GPA is 3.6 with a 3.95 over the last 2 years.

you have a 3.6 science and bcp gpa with a 19/19 and u only have one interview ? thats crazy weird.

 

[ccm5166]

Hey,

My DAT scores were average as well, and I actually contacted the schools before this cycle asking them if I should retake my DAT. Most of them said it was actually "competitive average" for their school (I have similar scores as yours) and they just told me to apply early. My GPA isn't as high as your's either, but I just tried to make sure to get my AADSAS app in early enough because I knew, statistically, I was an average applicant. I was in the 2nd batch, and have received a couple of interviews pre-Dec, and I'd say it was a combination of 2 things: 1) applying early, 2) having good extracurriculars backing me up.

If you'd like to retake your DAT again and know you'd blow it out of the water, then I'd suggest it, but sometimes people end up doing a point or two worse on other sections and that perhaps might make a difference too. Hopefully you'll get into a school this cycle, but otherwise, I'd suggest just applying earlier in the game and boosting up your ECs! Good luck!


Side note...sometimes, all you need is one interview to land you the spot 🙂

i will be reapplying too with low stats, same advice to OP..good luck

 

[Swoops]

you have a 3.6 science and bcp gpa with a 19/19 and u only have one interview ? thats crazy weird.

Biggest shocker of all was that I got rejected by UMKC. My state school. I was practically told I would get an interview in september by the director of admissions. But yeah, it's been hard to be hopeful about anything because everything about my app is competitive. I feel like I have pretty good EC's as well.

 

[gumdrop16]

Biggest shocker of all was that I got rejected by UMKC. My state school. I was practically told I would get an interview in september by the director of admissions. But yeah, it's been hard to be hopeful about anything because everything about my app is competitive. I feel like I have pretty good EC's as well.

u should call the schools that rejected you and find out why. then ask to be reevaluated with fall grades or something

 

[ccm5166]

Perhaps your recommendation letters were not good ? Who did you ask? Or maybe you dont have all pre-req?

 

[OMF_HNS]

If it's not the gpa and DAT. It's the lors ECs and PS. Like the other members have already stated, ur gpa id great already. Ur DAT is considered comp. And u just need to build up that EC and revise ur PS to make it more appealing to the adcoms. Aside from that, u already have an interview so do well and get it with that one interview. That is all. Show them that they've made a great decision on giving u that interview.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[azimmer]

I think it really is just that you applied late... I have a 3.7 and a 20 DAT. Our scores are almost the same and I've gotten a few interviews. I applied in July and retook my DAT in August. I think you will def get more post dec interviews as well. I don't think a retake is necessary because you don't have any problems sections and I don't think it's necessary to put yourself through the intense studying once more. Focus on your EC's and leadership experience. In all of my interviews they have emphasized the importance of showing your character in community outreach experiences.

 

[Seahawk]

It's not the GPA/DAT... August is not late, despite what SDN propagates.


Something is fishy.


What kind of ECs/Shadowing do you have? Who wrote your letters?

 

[Swoops]

It's not the GPA/DAT... August is not late, despite what SDN propagates.


Something is fishy.


What kind of ECs/Shadowing do you have? Who wrote your letters?

I don't really think that I have sub-par letters or EC's.

Here are the sources of my letters:

Anatomy Professor: PhD Duke University in cell Bio-- Knew him fairly well, provided him with curriculum vitae, and met with him before he wrote it to discuss my intent.

Chemistry Professor: PhD Stony Brook-- Knew him very well, provided CV and talked to him regularly

Advisor ( didn't need this one really, but I knew her really well): she got a MS in biology

And an endodontist: Wrote a great letter for me that he allowed me to read before he submitted. It was really good. Shadowed him extensively. He attended UoP for DDS and Tufts for his Endo

EC's: (lack any research, which I know hurts but I have heard from many sources that it is NOT a deal breaker)

Academic All american Lacrosse player as well as just all american (two different years)
Shadowed 200 hours (65 endo, 20 ortho, 10 OMFS and the rest general)
2 Humanitarian projects--
--one to mexico to build homes for 10 days (like 70 hours)
--one to Honduras (over this past summer) volunteer dental clinic for roughly 50 hours.

Volunteer service through my church, local habitat for humanity, soup kitchen etc for a grand total of roughly 250-300 hours.

Part time managerial assistant at a large family practice in independence missouri. I have worked 16-25 hours per week since last november.

There are more, but you get the point. I feel pretty well rounded and don't quite understand the lack of good news. I am just trying to get into one school, and at this point I dont care which one. All of the info above is rough numbers, and I for sure missed some other aspects but those are the big ones. Just want more interviews!

Oh and I have tried to call UMKC-- Called their admissions director and haven't gotten through either time (2x). I have left a message and also emailed him. I don't want to be annoying and honestly at this point I dont really care about UMKC. Kind of have a bad taste in mouth for UMKC, they haven't really done anything to make me want to fight for a spot.

 

[qnzbabi91]

EC's: (lack any research, which I know hurts but I have heard from many sources that it is NOT a deal breaker)

Academic All american Lacrosse player as well as just all american (two different years)
Shadowed 200 hours (65 endo, 20 ortho, 10 OMFS and the rest general)
2 Humanitarian projects--
--one to mexico to build homes for 10 days (like 70 hours)
--one to Honduras (over this past summer) volunteer dental clinic for roughly 50 hours.

Volunteer service through my church, local habitat for humanity, soup kitchen etc for a grand total of roughly 250-300 hours.

Part time managerial assistant at a large family practice in independence missouri. I have worked 16-25 hours per week since last november.
.

Wow OP, your EC are impressive! I had nothing really but a ton of research and two clubs. I feel like dental schools like research the most. I get asked about it on every interview. I know you will get in this year. Just stay positive throughout this process.

 

[isittoolate]

Wow OP, your EC are impressive! I had nothing really but a ton of research and two clubs. I feel like dental schools like research the most. I get asked about it on every interview. I know you will get in this year. Just stay positive throughout this process.

+1 your ECs are awesome! I don't really understand why you haven't heard back from anyone. Your GPA is cometitive at 3.6, especially with a 3.95 trend. I don't think that a 19 AA really makes or breaks your DAT either, especially with no scores below 18. I think that an unfortunate factor that plays a role in the whole admissions process, which seems to be luck. Each adcom has their own biases and particular preferences for their applicants. I would hang tight and not give up on this cycle, I think you have a good chance for some post-Dec interviews. At the same time, it is always a good idea to air on the side of caution and prepare for next cycle. Honestly, I don't really see any holes in your application, so what you should do in particular is hard to predict. For now, I'd say just make sure you continue that trend if you're still in school. I don't think a DAT retake is necessary, but if you feel the need to do something, you can retake. I would advise against a retake unless you are willing to make a strong commitment to studying and have faith that you can score higher. Good luck OP, I am a late applicant hoping for post-Dec interviews as well!

 

[Swoops]

+1 your ECs are awesome! I don't really understand why you haven't heard back from anyone. Your GPA is cometitive at 3.6, especially with a 3.95 trend. I don't think that a 19 AA really makes or breaks your DAT either, especially with no scores below 18. I think that an unfortunate factor that plays a role in the whole admissions process, which seems to be luck. Each adcom has their own biases and particular preferences for their applicants. I would hang tight and not give up on this cycle, I think you have a good chance for some post-Dec interviews. At the same time, it is always a good idea to air on the side of caution and prepare for next cycle. Honestly, I don't really see any holes in your application, so what you should do in particular is hard to predict. For now, I'd say just make sure you continue that trend if you're still in school. I don't think a DAT retake is necessary, but if you feel the need to do something, you can retake. I would advise against a retake unless you are willing to make a strong commitment to studying and have faith that you can score higher. Good luck OP, I am a late applicant hoping for post-Dec interviews as well!

Wow OP, your EC are impressive! I had nothing really but a ton of research and two clubs. I feel like dental schools like research the most. I get asked about it on every interview. I know you will get in this year. Just stay positive throughout this process.

Thanks guys. I just wish someone would throw something my way. Worked so hard for this, and so far it hasn't paid off. Oh well, enough of the pity party! Thank you for all of your advice!

 

[Member902507]

Sooo, additional information: perhaps cast a wider net? Maybe other people can chime in on how useful it'd be at this point in the game, but as an average applicant, I applied to A LOT of schools, and I really mean a lot.

Hopefully you'll be able to figure out exactly why it was that you were rejected, but still, you've only been rejected from 2 schools and have landed 1 interview so far...so you still have 5/6 of the total schools you applied to, to hear back from.

One of my friends last year applied really late, but applied to about 40 schools, and he told me most of his interviews were pre-Dec.

Hopefully it'll work out! Keep us updated 🙂