Reapplicant, waitlisted again and feeling lost. Need help

[celtics-42]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Reapplicant here, currently a graduate student at Rutgers Graduate School.

Overall gpa: 3.2, after including master's
Science gpa: 3.1, after including master's
Graduate gpa: 3.65
DAT: 19AA, 21TS, 19RC, 18PAT, 16 QR, 20 BIO, 22 OC, 20 GC (3rd Time)
Extracurriculars: Biology virus research, Predent Society
Shadowing hours: 120 hours
Letters of rec: 4
State of residence: NJ

Schools:
Detroit Mercy - Rejected
Nova - Waitlisted (Interviewed: 10/13; Waitlisted: 12/1)
Louisville - Rejected
Boston - Haven't heard from
Tufts - Haven't heard from
Maryland - Rejected
University of New England - Rejected
LECOM - Haven't heard from
Rutgers - Rejected
NYU - Waitlisted (Interviewed: 3/8; Waitlisted: 3/13) - Was previously waitlisted here during first application cycle
Pitt - Rejected
Temple - Haven't heard from
Roseman - Haven't heard from
Touro - Rejected

I was just sent a waitlist from NYU and pretty much assumed I will be rejected from all the schools that I have not heard back from. I honestly don't know what to do and am feeling extremely down and counted out, as if there's no more hope in the dental field for me. If anyone can offer any advice as to what I am supposed, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you to all.

 

[artist2022]

Honestly, I know it will suck hearing this, but if you retake your DAT and keep pretty much all your scores the same except QR (raise this by 1pt to 17), your AA would jump up to 20 which is average. Since it's been your third time, what have you found to be your issues? Please don't lose hope, third time's the charm 🙂 I'd say revamp your PS, ask for new LORs (if they're strong then don't bother), continue shadowing and maybe start volunteering or even find a job as a DA. I know this sucks 🙁 But don't lose hope! Another thing you can do is call/email/ask the schools you were waitlisted/rejected at to see how you could improve. Maybe it's not enough ECs or shadowing- those can be fixed. Maybe it's your sGPA, you can take a few classes like histology/immunology, etc (upper divs) at a state university and/or CC this summer to boost your sGPA a little more. Maybe it's your PS- maybe you need to rewrite it completely and ask more people to help you edit it (lots of members here on SDN are willing to help edit, including me!) So basically, first ask the schools to see how you can improve, then work from there. Don't lose hope, I wish you the best of luck!

 

[celtics-42]

Honestly, I know it will suck hearing this, but if you retake your DAT and keep pretty much all your scores the same except QR (raise this by 1pt to 17), your AA would jump up to 20 which is average. Since it's been your third time, what have you found to be your issues? Please don't lose hope, third time's the charm 🙂 I'd say revamp your PS, ask for new LORs (if they're strong then don't bother), continue shadowing and maybe start volunteering or even find a job as a DA. I know this sucks 🙁 But don't lose hope! Another thing you can do is call/email/ask the schools you were waitlisted/rejected at to see how you could improve. Maybe it's not enough ECs or shadowing- those can be fixed. Maybe it's your sGPA, you can take a few classes like histology/immunology, etc (upper divs) at a state university and/or CC this summer to boost your sGPA a little more. Maybe it's your PS- maybe you need to rewrite it completely and ask more people to help you edit it (lots of members here on SDN are willing to help edit, including me!) So basically, first ask the schools to see how you can improve, then work from there. Don't lose hope, I wish you the best of luck!

Thank you so much for your feedback and I just wanted to know if taking the DAT for another time, 4th, would be accepted by schools? Also, I will be adding a couple new LORs and ECs seem pretty strong imo, like I have volunteering at my church, volunteering at the hospital, shadowing for 120 hours, research, and worked as a research assistant at the autism center. I have also taken a dental class, Oral Immunology, with students at Rutgers Dental school and taken Histology, biochem, microbio, etc. I have reached out to some schools, like you advised, and just waiting on their response. Thank you, again.

 

[artist2022]

Thank you so much for your feedback and I just wanted to know if taking the DAT for another time, 4th, would be accepted by schools? Also, I will be adding a couple new LORs and ECs seem pretty strong imo, like I have volunteering at my church, volunteering at the hospital, shadowing for 120 hours, research, and worked as a research assistant at the autism center. I have also taken a dental class, Oral Immunology, with students at Rutgers Dental school and taken Histology, biochem, microbio, etc. I have reached out to some schools, like you advised, and just waiting on their response. Thank you, again.

Yes it will be accepted by schools, but I think you need permission from the ADA on taking it a 4th time and I also think you have to wait a year from your 3rd attempt. I think you should continue your volunteering and shadowing (didn't know you volunteered as it wasn't up there). I think just wait until the schools get back to you, and work from there. Focus on your DAT, and use this for helpful tips: DAT Breakdown Compilation Thread (future test takers, look here!)
Good luck!

 

[Medin2017]

I would shoot for an above average dat score. It's mostly memorization and breadth over depth, so a few months of hard studying should get you a 21+. A 19 won't cut it with that gpa unless you are fantastic elsewhere.

 

[deleted735879]

Increasing your shadowing hours. You have had extra time, an additional application cycle, and still only have 120 hours. I wouldn't be surprised if some schools might be questioning your interest/knowledge of the field.

Just my two cents.
Best of luck!

 

[Medin2017]

Increasing your shadowing hours. You have had extra time, an additional application cycle, and still only have 120 hours. I wouldn't be surprised if some schools might be questioning your interest/knowledge of the field.

Just my two cents.
Best of luck!

Don't think it's this in my personal opinion. A 19 is below average for matriculation at almost every school in the nation, and his/her GPA was not stellar either in undergraduate. Most people I know had around his/her hours of shadowing or less, so it should not be the problem. The PAT, QR, and RC are all very easy sections to improve with many practice tests as well.

 

[stressedscholar]

I agree with most of what was said. You're going to have to retake the DAT and absolutely kill it. While a 3.2 is a not terrible GPA, it is on the lower side and I wouldn't feel good about my chances unless you really counteract that GPA with a good GPA score.

I don't think your shadowing hours are on the low side. I only have ~140 hrs and got into plenty schools just fine. With that being said, I would really increase your shadowing hours cause it seems like you're lacking on the extracurricular side. Do you have any volunteering hours? Specific leadership positions? If not, you're going to have to get more extra curriculars (imo) especially since youre GPA and DAT are on the lower side.

Best of luck! You still definitely have a chance, even in this cycle.

 

[celtics-42]

I agree with most of what was said. You're going to have to retake the DAT and absolutely kill it. While a 3.2 is a not terrible GPA, it is on the lower side and I wouldn't feel good about my chances unless you really counteract that GPA with a good GPA score.

I don't think your shadowing hours are on the low side. I only have ~140 hrs and got into plenty schools just fine. With that being said, I would really increase your shadowing hours cause it seems like you're lacking on the extracurricular side. Do you have any volunteering hours? Specific leadership positions? If not, you're going to have to get more extra curriculars (imo) especially since youre GPA and DAT are on the lower side.

Best of luck! You still definitely have a chance, even in this cycle.

I will be increasing my shadowing hours to show my commitment and for volunteering I have 370 hours of service at my church, which involved helping organizing and assisting during events and there was leadership position I had during 2 summers of the work. Also, I was a senior volunteer during hospital volunteer work and have done 130 hours. Lastly, I plan on increasing my research hours to 100+ from the original 60. Also, I am planning on volunteering at soup kitchen to add on. But will be focusing on trying to increase my DAT score, which will be the key in this third cycle based on everyone's reply. Thank you all.

 

[stressedscholar]

I will be increasing my shadowing hours to show my commitment and for volunteering I have 370 hours of service at my church, which involved helping organizing and assisting during events and there was leadership position I had during 2 summers of the work. Also, I was a senior volunteer during hospital volunteer work and have done 130 hours. Lastly, I plan on increasing my research hours to 100+ from the original 60. Also, I am planning on volunteering at soup kitchen to add on. But will be focusing on trying to increase my DAT score, which will be the key in this third cycle based on everyone's reply. Thank you all.

Oh ok, that’s more than enough. I think you’re good in terms of ECs, just focus on improving that DAT!