Reapplication Help!

[flyingforever]

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What should I do now? I got rejected recently. I am not sure where is the problem?

My stats are not that great, but I have done almost everything.

Extracurricular activities- teaching, hospital volunteer, fundraising, leadership position, etc.

DAT- 19/ 21

GPA- Undergrad- 3.1, Grad-3.4

380 hours of shadowing, 2000+ hours of research (with one publication), 5000+ of other work experience.

I worked 40 hours per week throughout my academic career.

Where do I need improvement?

I am planning to take DAT again
Taking two more grad courses in the summer.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

What should I do now? I got rejected recently. I am not sure where is the problem?

My stats are not that great, but I have done almost everything.

Extracurricular activities- teaching, hospital volunteer, fundraising, leadership position, etc.

DAT- 19/ 21

GPA- Undergrad- 3.1, Grad-3.4

380 hours of shadowing, 2000+ hours of research (with one publication), 5000+ of other work experience.

I worked 40 hours per week throughout my academic career.

Where do I need improvement?

I am planning to take DAT again
Taking two more grad courses in the summer.

where did you apply?

 

[flyingforever]

where did you apply?

I applied to 20 schools, all major ones- NYU, BU, Tufts, etc. and mostly on east coast. Never heard back from half of the schools yet.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I applied to 20 schools, all major ones- NYU, BU, Tufts, etc. and mostly on east coast. Never heard back from half of the schools yet.

Did you get any interviews?

 

[flyingforever]

Did you get any interviews?

Just my in-state school (courtesy- they invite all instate students).

 

[NguyenDDS]

How are your recommendation letters? A bad one will keep you out.

An old friend of mine had a professor who basically wrote "I'm writing this letter because Mr. X asked me to. This is my recommendation letter."

 

[flyingforever]

How are your recommendation letters? A bad one will keep you out.

An old friend of mine had a professor who basically wrote "I'm writing this letter because Mr. X asked me to. This is my recommendation letter."

I think all my recommendation letters were good, one was actually written by dental school professor. 🙁

 

[Smilemaker12]

What should I do now? I got rejected recently. I am not sure where is the problem?

My stats are not that great, but I have done almost everything.

Extracurricular activities- teaching, hospital volunteer, fundraising, leadership position, etc.

DAT- 19/ 21

GPA- Undergrad- 3.1, Grad-3.4

380 hours of shadowing, 2000+ hours of research (with one publication), 5000+ of other work experience.

I worked 40 hours per week throughout my academic career.

Where do I need improvement?

I am planning to take DAT again
Taking two more grad courses in the summer.

It might depend on where you did your masters and how many graduate units you took when you applied. Also, maybe working got in the way of a undergraduate high GPA?

 

[flyingforever]

It might depend on where you did your masters and how many graduate units you took when you applied. Also, maybe working got in the way of a undergraduate high GPA?

I applied with 30 credits and 3.4 graduate GPA. I didn't come from a rich and English speaking family so working is needed to survive.

 

[molar3]

haha what? anyway hmmm.....so wwait what is going to be different about your app this time?
more courses taken? Or is only your DAT going to be different?
I guess your only option at this point is to improve your DAT since you already did a masters?, and to apply EARLY aka take your DAT before/by june.
Also what is your sci gpa?/bcp?

is 3.1 your bcp or your overall?

 

[flyingforever]

haha what? anyway hmmm.....so wwait what is going to be different about your app this time?
more courses taken? Or is only your DAT going to be different?
I guess your only option at this point is to improve your DAT since you already did a masters?, and to apply EARLY aka take your DAT before/by june.
Also what is your sci gpa?/bcp?

is 3.1 your bcp or your overall?

I am taking two grad courses this Spring semester and getting good grades in both of them. My BCP is around 3.1. My grad GPA will be raised as well. I am planning to take my DAT in July, is that too late? I can't squeeze any study time between now and June.

 

[bing12]

what is ur DAT breakdown ?

 

[flyingforever]

It might depend on where you did your masters and how many graduate units you took when you applied. Also, maybe working got in the way of a undergraduate high GPA?

I did my master's degree at a local public university. I don't want to take loans. Does it matter where you finished your MS program?

 

[flyingforever]

what is ur DAT breakdown ?

Biology- 19
Chemistry- 18
Organic- 19
RC- 20
Math- 19
PAT- 21

 

[dentalWorks]

What should I do now? I got rejected recently. I am not sure where is the problem?

My stats are not that great, but I have done almost everything.

Extracurricular activities- teaching, hospital volunteer, fundraising, leadership position, etc.

DAT- 19/ 21

GPA- Undergrad- 3.1, Grad-3.4

380 hours of shadowing, 2000+ hours of research (with one publication), 5000+ of other work experience.

I worked 40 hours per week throughout my academic career.

Where do I need improvement?

I am planning to take DAT again
Taking two more grad courses in the summer.

Well, IMO, 3.4 masters GPA looks low. So taking more masters classes and 4.0-ing will look better.

Honestly, aside from more masters classes, a huge DAT score might do the trick.... I am not gonna recommend post-bacc because thats going backwards

If your stats look very similar to last application, I STRONGLY recommend you not apply this cycle and wait till next. You've already applied to 20 and got rejected from all (very shocking btw).... so at this point, if your stats are the same/similar, don't apply. Save your money and work on the masters GPA.

all the best

 

[flyingforever]

Well, IMO, 3.4 masters GPA looks low. So taking more masters classes and 4.0-ing will look better.

Honestly, aside from more masters classes, a huge DAT score might do the trick.... I am not gonna recommend post-bacc because thats going backwards

If your stats look very similar to last application, I STRONGLY recommend you not apply this cycle and wait till next. You've already applied to 20 and got rejected from all (very shocking btw).... so at this point, if your stats are the same/similar, don't apply. Save your money and work on the masters GPA.

all the best

I am doing two classes right now, will hit 3.5 grad GPA end of this semester. You still think I need to wait another year.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I am doing two classes right now, will hit 3.5 grad GPA end of this semester. You still think I need to wait another year.

I think you should just apply. Sure it's alot of money, but you know what? You never know what might happen. Apply early and don't look back.

Your GPA's not going to rise significantly overnight. It's probably going to take you a couple years to rise .3 where most people would think you would have a good chance. No, I think you apply and gamble.

Study for the DAT around July if you're not doing anything. If nothing happens around Dec. 1, retake the DAT and shoot for a 23. Then apply next cycle as your "for sure, all in, last chance forever" cycle.

I mean honestly, what more can you do? You don't need anymore extracurriculars, shadowing, research, any of that. Your GPA is kinda low, but its not TERRIBLE. DAT is decent. I think you should go for it right now and see what happens again.

 

[dentalWorks]

I am doing two classes right now, will hit 3.5 grad GPA end of this semester. You still think I need to wait another year.

if stats are similar to last years (DAT + GPA wise), then yes.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

if stats are similar to last years (DAT + GPA wise), then yes.

But he did get a courtesy interview at his state school. If anything, he should at least apply there again and most likely they'll give him another interview. If he can really WOW them during the interview, then I think that "chance you might get in" is better then sitting around a year with no hope.

 

[dentalWorks]

But he did get a courtesy interview at his state school. If anything, he should at least apply there again and most likely they'll give him another interview. If he can really WOW them during the interview, then I think that "chance you might get in" is better then sitting around a year with no hope.

Thats a valid point. I was referring to the 20 schools.

 

[Pennywisdom]

Well, IMO, 3.4 masters GPA looks low. So taking more masters classes and 4.0-ing will look better.

Honestly, aside from more masters classes, a huge DAT score might do the trick.... I am not gonna recommend post-bacc because thats going backwards

If your stats look very similar to last application, I STRONGLY recommend you not apply this cycle and wait till next. You've already applied to 20 and got rejected from all (very shocking btw).... so at this point, if your stats are the same/similar, don't apply. Save your money and work on the masters GPA.

all the best

Yes, but it depends on the program.

 

[flyingforever]

Yes, but it depends on the program.

I did rigorous Biochemistry undergrad and did hardcore grad program in Molecular Biology. I have this problem that I always take the harder route. I am always leaning towards challenging courses.

 

[bing12]

I did rigorous Biochemistry undergrad and did hardcore grad program in Molecular Biology. I have this problem that I always take the harder route. I am always leaning towards challenging courses.

Yea i have friends like you. I usually laugh at their decision making. Hard work alone does not get you into dental school, but efficiency and great decision making skills do. You put yourself at a disadvantage by doing these hardcore routes. Unfortunatly, the level of difficulty of major does not play enough of a factor to favor your situation, so I suggest you find the BEST, not HARDEST route to gain admissions.

 

[flyingforever]

Btw guys I have done so many courses in upper level division and never earned anything below B. I earned tons of Bs and very few 7-8 Cs.

Here is the list of upper level I did so far:

Microbiology section:
General Microbiology
Bacterial Physiology
Medical Biology
Immunology

Molecular Biology:
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Biochemistry- did three four hundred level courses

Neuroscience

Physiology:
Physiology
A&P I
A&P II
Endocrinology

Other Chemistry:
A-Chem
P-Chem
Toxicology
Dangerous Drugs in Chemistry

 

[kaDa]

Dude honestly stop working full time and take a year to get a 4.0 in upper level classes. However many hours it takes to boost your grad GPA to 3.7 or higher. Lower master's GPA seems to only fly at established SMPs. Also, 7-8 C's? That's not good, especially since you don't have many A's. Admissions is largely based on an academic track record. You need to really show class ain't no thang so adcoms have NO DOUBT you can handle D-school. My 2 cents, you should schedule an appointment with your top choice schools to see what they think.

 

[flyingforever]

Dude honestly stop working full time and take a year to get a 4.0 in upper level classes. However many hours it takes to boost your grad GPA to 3.7 or higher. Lower master's GPA seems to only fly at established SMPs. Also, 7-8 C's? That's not good, especially since you don't have many A's. Admissions is largely based on an academic track record. You need to really show class ain't no thang so adcoms have NO DOUBT you can handle D-school. My 2 cents, you should schedule an appointment with your top choice schools to see what they think.

I earned those C's in my undergrad years and none of my Pre-requisites have Cs. I can't quit my job otherwise I will not have money to live and eat.

 

[Maygyver]

I earned those C's in my undergrad years and none of my Pre-requisites have Cs. I can't quit my job otherwise I will not have money to live and eat.

Loans...You are going to need them for dental school anyway. And by taking more time to get started as a dentist you are losing plenty of income. Not everyone comes from a "rich white family."

Anyway, you seem to make excuses by saying you took the "tough route," but I've talked to quite a few people that took tough routes as well and they did fine. Just buckle down and set your priorities.

 

[flyingforever]

Loans...You are going to need them for dental school anyway. And by taking more time to get started as a dentist you are losing plenty of income. Not everyone comes from a "rich white family."

Anyway, you seem to make excuses by saying you took the "tough route," but I've talked to quite a few people that took tough routes as well and they did fine. Just buckle down and set your priorities.

I might cut down my working hours. Thanks for the advice. I might lose another year like that.

I am finishing my two classes and pretty I am getting As in both of them. Should I apply with my 3.5 graduate GPA? I am not a bad student. I might continue taking two courses every semester.

 

[Maygyver]

I might cut down my working hours. Thanks for the advice. I might lose another year like that.

I am finishing my two classes and pretty I am getting As in both of them. Should I apply with my 3.5 graduate GPA? I am not a bad student. I might continue taking two courses every semester.

I think schools want proof that you can handle a full load, not just 2 classes. A 3.5 grad GPA still sounds pretty low to me, but it's up to you.

 

[Dippi]

I completely understand where you are coming from Flyingforever, I have a very similar story to you..

I finished my undergrad with a real low gpa, much lower than urs, but finished a masters (Biomedical Science) in one year with 3.77 GPA. My DAT AA:19 TS:20 PA:23 Bio:21 GenChem:20 Orgo:20 Reading:19 QS:18

I have plenty of volunteer and shadowing hours in dental offices and clinics, aswell as lots of community service and some extracurriculars.

I am currently working in two research labs, in one as a Lab Manager, and in the other I am working towards publishing my results.

I interviewed at four schools, UF, Nova, Indiana, and Tufts. On the waitlist at three of those schools, denied from UF, and denied from a few more of the 18 i applied to, but the rest really just hung around till recently and then told me sorry they didnt have time/ space to interview me because of the competitive field.

i am also getting ready to start prepping for another round of applying, and Im getting ready to start studying for the DAT.- in addition to taking another chemistry course to complete a requirement for Tufts.

Keep at it, ur not alone. Ive had lots of people tell me also that they are surprised I have not heard, but at the same time, everytime I look at my GPA i know its holding me back.

my point is... Take it serisously if you still have the opportunity to improve it. I wish I still did.

 

[invictusx]

When did you apply? Did you apply late? If so, that could be a prime reason. Apply early!

 

[Dippi]

Yea I submitted in early july, and everything was complete and mailed in early august.

 

[flyingforever]

I applied pretty late, I applied in mid-August but I am planning to apply super early this time. Hopefully, I get more interviews this time around. Do you guys think Afghans are URM?

 

[Dippi]

i applied pretty late, i applied in mid-august but i am planning to apply super early this time. Hopefully, i get more interviews this time around. Do you guys think afghans are urm?

urm?

 

[flyingforever]

urm?

Under-represented minority.

 

[Maygyver]

I applied pretty late, I applied in mid-August but I am planning to apply super early this time. Hopefully, I get more interviews this time around. Do you guys think Afghans are URM?

I doubt it. Check their website. It will explicitly tell you.

 

[flyingforever]

I doubt it. Check their website. It will explicitly tell you.

I applied as Asian last year, but I might left this section black this time.

 

[Maygyver]

I applied as Asian last year, but I might left this section black this time.

I doubt it will matter. I doubt the reason you didn't get in was solely because of your race, but whatever makes you feel comfortable.

 

[flyingforever]

I doubt it will matter. I doubt the reason you didn't get in was solely because of your race, but whatever makes you feel comfortable.

I am completely fine with my race. Coming to US was the most beautiful thing happened to me. I grew up in a refugee camp, so I am pretty happy where I am and will be heading to.

 

[Maygyver]

I am completely fine with my race. Coming to US was the most beautiful thing happened to me. I grew up in a refugee camp, so I am pretty happy where I am and will be heading to.

👍 And you have a great story to tell in interviews/personal statement. Best of luck!

 

[dentalWorks]

I applied as Asian last year, but I might left this section black this time.

don't you mean BLANK?

 

[flyingforever]

don't you mean BLANK?

I meant blank, sorry 😀

 

[flyingforever]

How to study really good for DAT in eight weeks? I am aiming for 21 or above.

 

[sengineer]

wow....the stats look good to me and you still got turned down...this is rather depressing...

 

[flyingforever]

wow....the stats look good to me and you still got turned down...this is rather depressing...

I am not that depress, life is full of success and failures, but you gotta keep going 😀

 

[Maygyver]

wow....the stats look good to me and you still got turned down...this is rather depressing...

A 3.1 is pretty low.

As far as prepping for the DAT, look at the DAT forums for a post about 20+ scores. It has links to a lot of breakdowns. You will get more information there.

 

[porterhouse]

Just my 2 cents, but you should really plan on making contact with at least 4-5 of the schools you're planning on applying to. At the moment it appears as though you're throwing darts blindfolded hoping to hit the bullseye without a clue as to where it is. Call up these schools (or email them) and find out who's running the show regarding admissions. Start a relationship with them. Tell them your story, discuss your intentions, but most importantly, ask point blank, "what do I need to do to be a more competitive applicant?" If you fail to solicit advice from the admissions committee on how to improve your application you may (again) fall victim to being "lost in the shuffle".

Everyone (applicants/adcom members) is essentially in the off-season at the moment so it's a great time to get in touch with these people. If you're lucky enough to get some decent advice and/or recommendations on how to improve your application then jump on the opportunity. But, more importantly, follow up with the person you spoke with and let them know you took their advice to heart and acted on it...

"Greetings Mr./Mrs./Dr. Smith, thank you for the fantastic recommendations. As per your advice, I'm excited to report that I was able to accomplish this, that, and the other thing. Again, thank you for your interest in my candidacy for admission into your school, is there anything else you feel that may help improve my application at this point in time. Yada, yada, yada, so on and so forth."

Hope this was helpful. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[yappy]

At this point what can anyone do to improve their application? lol. But yes, after a rejection this sounds like great advice.

Just my 2 cents, but you should really plan on making contact with at least 4-5 of the schools you're planning on applying to. At the moment it appears as though you're throwing darts blindfolded hoping to hit the bullseye without a clue as to where it is. Call up these schools (or email them) and find out who's running the show regarding admissions. Start a relationship with them. Tell them your story, discuss your intentions, but most importantly, ask point blank, "what do I need to do to be a more competitive applicant?" If you fail to solicit advice from the admissions committee on how to improve your application you may (again) fall victim to being "lost in the shuffle".

Everyone (applicants/adcom members) is essentially in the off-season at the moment so it's a great time to get in touch with these people. If you're lucky enough to get some decent advice and/or recommendations on how to improve your application then jump on the opportunity. But, more importantly, follow up with the person you spoke with and let them know you took their advice to heart and acted on it...

"Greetings Mr./Mrs./Dr. Smith, thank you for the fantastic recommendations. As per your advice, I'm excited to report that I was able to accomplish this, that, and the other thing. Again, thank you for your interest in my candidacy for admission into your school, is there anything else you feel that may help improve my application at this point in time. Yada, yada, yada, so on and so forth."

Hope this was helpful. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[flyingforever]

Just my 2 cents, but you should really plan on making contact with at least 4-5 of the schools you're planning on applying to. At the moment it appears as though you're throwing darts blindfolded hoping to hit the bullseye without a clue as to where it is. Call up these schools (or email them) and find out who's running the show regarding admissions. Start a relationship with them. Tell them your story, discuss your intentions, but most importantly, ask point blank, "what do I need to do to be a more competitive applicant?" If you fail to solicit advice from the admissions committee on how to improve your application you may (again) fall victim to being "lost in the shuffle".

Everyone (applicants/adcom members) is essentially in the off-season at the moment so it's a great time to get in touch with these people. If you're lucky enough to get some decent advice and/or recommendations on how to improve your application then jump on the opportunity. But, more importantly, follow up with the person you spoke with and let them know you took their advice to heart and acted on it...

"Greetings Mr./Mrs./Dr. Smith, thank you for the fantastic recommendations. As per your advice, I'm excited to report that I was able to accomplish this, that, and the other thing. Again, thank you for your interest in my candidacy for admission into your school, is there anything else you feel that may help improve my application at this point in time. Yada, yada, yada, so on and so forth."

Hope this was helpful. I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you so much for this, I might do that. I should call few schools and ask them why I was rejected.

I am taking two classes right now- graduate GPA will be 3.5
Planning to do two more grad courses over the course of four weeks summer school staring on June 1st, another six credits (I know I can ace them 😀), hopefully I can apply with 42 credits with 3.57 GPA. I will drop another DAT exam. I am volunteering couple places and working on a publication (Yay).