Reapplicant, need advise on where to apply

[Jackthesparrow]

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Hello,

I applied to dental schools this cycle and I am on waitlist at three schools. However, I do not believe I will be getting accepted this cycle. So I am planning on applying again on June 1st.

My stats:
3.3 oGPA and 3.06 sGPA (I can't raise this oGPA nor sGPA due to 160 or more credits taken)
First semester at University, I got 1.9 GPA... which is one of the reasons why I have relatively low GPA.
20 AA 19 TS 23 PAT (I am not planning on taking DAT again)
4000 dental hours (currently a dental assistant)
650 volunteer hours
250 research hours

With this stats where do I have the best chance of getting in?

This is my list.

Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (AZ)
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine Arizona (MWU)
Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine (WESTU)
Howard University College of Dentistry (HOW)
Lake Eire College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Dental Medicine (LECOM-FL)
Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine - Illinoise (MWU-IL)
University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UK)
University of Louisville School of Dentistry (UL)
University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dentistry (MYD)
University of New England College of Dental Medicine (UNE)
Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health(MOSDOH)
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (BUF)
Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine (CASE)
University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry (UTHSC)
Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine (USN)

 

[Carbohydrates]

I think your GPA is a little low. Maybe consider doing a formal Master or something to raise your sGPA and tben reaaply.

 

[xerxes106]

I think it's really hard to say, you're on the waitlist at 3 schools and won't take the DAT again......what more can people on these forums tell you that you haven't already experienced applying the first time?

 

[JLT223]

If you received 3 wait-list spots, maybe start working on those interview skills. You were good enough on paper for those schools to want to meet you.

 

[Jackthesparrow]

I think your GPA is a little low. Maybe consider doing a formal Master or something to raise your sGPA and tben reaaply.

I have thought about this for over two years now. And more I find out about how much it cost and how beneficial this is, less desirable and not cost efficient for schools that I would like to get into. The time and money that I would be spending into master's in biomedical science, I would like to save money and do more volunteer work to improve my application. At least, that is what dental school students have been telling me. But you are definitely right, it would help me if I do well and get higher GPA in master's program.

 

[Jackthesparrow]

If you received 3 wait-list spots, maybe start working on those interview skills. You were good enough on paper for those schools to want to meet you.

Thanks for your comment, I've been thinking about improving my interview skills. However, I am running out of ideas... other then mock interview practice, is there something else I can try?

 

[Likkriue]

Thanks for your comment, I've been thinking about improving my interview skills. However, I am running out of ideas... other then mock interview practice, is there something else I can try?

Sit in front of a mirror and start talking as if you were in an interview. You will be able to see what adcoms see. Do you twitch your nose a lot? Do you make weird facial expressions? Do you look like a deer in the headlights? But honestly, mock interviews are your best bet to improving. It's all about practice.

 

[JLT223]

Thanks for your comment, I've been thinking about improving my interview skills. However, I am running out of ideas... other then mock interview practice, is there something else I can try?

Look up the SDN interview feedback thread (Google it and then select Dental from the drop down menu). Tons of great feedback from people about what to expect at each school, commonly asked questions, etc. They were really spot on and I felt I had an edge up because of it. Totally underused resource.

 

[nonociceptors]

If you received 3 wait-list spots, maybe start working on those interview skills. You were good enough on paper for those schools to want to meet you.

This, and also try to have something you can add to your app, PS, interview conversations, etc. If you show up to those schools where you're waitlisted without something new, then why should their minds change? It doesn't have to be something major, but if they know you're a reapplicant they're going to ask about it.

 

[Jackthesparrow]

Sit in front of a mirror and start talking as if you were in an interview. You will be able to see what adcoms see. Do you twitch your nose a lot? Do you make weird facial expressions? Do you look like a deer in the headlights? But honestly, mock interviews are your best bet to improving. It's all about practice.

I was pointed out that I do say a lot of UMs... I believe that has been reduced quite significantly though.

 

[Jackthesparrow]

Look up the SDN interview feedback thread (Google it and then select Dental from the drop down menu). Tons of great feedback from people about what to expect at each school, commonly asked questions, etc. They were really spot on and I felt I had an edge up because of it. Totally underused resource.

Hm... that's a great idea. I will go find some threads. If you can find few for me too, that would help me a lot!

 

[Jackthesparrow]

This, and also try to have something you can add to your app, PS, interview conversations, etc. If you show up to those schools where you're waitlisted without something new, then why should their minds change? It doesn't have to be something major, but if they know you're a reapplicant they're going to ask about it.

For me, it would be a little different even with same content, because I would be applying early instead of end of September. I really hope this will make big difference this time around. But you have a great point there... I do not have significant change from last year to this year other then a lot more assisting hours and more volunteer hours. Also, I took microbiology class while I was doing full time job as an assistant, which isn't really impressive to dental schools...

 

[JLT223]

Hm... that's a great idea. I will go find some threads. If you can find few for me too, that would help me a lot!

This is Harvard's (as an example):

https://schools.studentdoctor.net/school/hsdm/survey/28/harvard-school-of-dental-medicine/0?b=/schools/3/dental-school-rankings/0

Go down and expand the "questions" part and you will find tons of useful stuff! You can backtrack and get to every other school's thread from the link above (from the "school detail" page on the top left).

 

[nonociceptors]

For me, it would be a little different even with same content, because I would be applying early instead of end of September. I really hope this will make big difference this time around. But you have a great point there... I do not have significant change from last year to this year other then a lot more assisting hours and more volunteer hours. Also, I took microbiology class while I was doing full time job as an assistant, which isn't really impressive to dental schools...

applying early vs september should definitely be enough to bump you up from waitlists to acceptances. My friend had a few schools tell him if he applied earlier instead of early sept, he would likely have been attending their school

 

[schmoob]

Why can't you raise your GPA? What does it have to do with 160 credits?

 

[Jackthesparrow]

Why can't you raise your GPA? What does it have to do with 160 credits?

I have over 100 units taken for just science classes. Even if I do take 15 credits of science classes next semester, it would only raise 0.1... Also, I would not qualify for any scholarships or grants, because I already have Bachelor's degree. Plus... I am working at the moment with steady income... There are more factors of course, but I honestly don't think raising 0.1 sGPA is worth $ 10,000? I don't know how much it costs now but it was about that much when I was undergrad.

 

[Jackthesparrow]

applying early vs september should definitely be enough to bump you up from waitlists to acceptances. My friend had a few schools tell him if he applied earlier instead of early sept, he would likely have been attending their school

Thanks that encourages me tremendously!

 

[Jackthesparrow]

This is Harvard's (as an example):

https://schools.studentdoctor.net/school/hsdm/survey/28/harvard-school-of-dental-medicine/0?b=/schools/3/dental-school-rankings/0

Go down and expand the "questions" part and you will find tons of useful stuff! You can backtrack and get to every other school's thread from the link above (from the "school detail" page on the top left).

Ah! Thank you so much! I've looked at those in the past, but I did not looked at them closely.

 

[schmoob]

I have over 100 units taken for just science classes. Even if I do take 15 credits of science classes next semester, it would only raise 0.1... Also, I would not qualify for any scholarships or grants, because I already have Bachelor's degree. Plus... I am working at the moment with steady income... There are more factors of course, but I honestly don't think raising 0.1 sGPA is worth $ 10,000? I don't know how much it costs now but it was about that much when I was undergrad.

In that case you should be fine. You have an upward trend with an average DAT and plenty of EC's. With a good PS, LoR's, good interview skills, and an early submission, you should definitely get some interview invites.
As far as interview skills, my theory differs from others. I believe you need to know the answers to some basic questions like why dentistry, why this school, issues in dentistry, etc... but there are people who will try to have an answer ready to go for any possible question thrown at them. I think that is a bad idea. Being honest is best. Even if it's not the answer the interviewer wants to hear, be able to back up your statement. The interviewer may tell you why they disagree and it is your job to be receptive and say something like "I've never thought about it that way." They want honesty. They don't want you to just tell them what they want to hear, they can smell a canned, rehearsed answer a mile away. Remember, they are much better at interviewing than you are.
Otherwise, I think you will do well this application cycle. Good luck!