Reapplying for 2007

[jbeaner]

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If we haven't received acceptances yet and we plan on reapplying for 2007, does anyone know what we can reuse? Can we use the same personal statement? I can't imagine that they would recognize it out of 3000 applicants. Or should it be rewritten to emphasize your status as a "reapplicant?" I know they don't save the letters of recommendation. But can we have our teachers send the same ones from last year (2006)? Oh my - I can't even imagine doing this all over again... 🙁

 

[Toothdoc2b]

If we haven't received acceptances yet and we plan on reapplying for 2007, does anyone know what we can reuse? Can we use the same personal statement? I can't imagine that they would recognize it out of 3000 applicants. Or should it be rewritten to emphasize your status as a "reapplicant?" I know they don't save the letters of recommendation. But can we have our teachers send the same ones from last year (2006)? Oh my - I can't even imagine doing this all over again... 🙁

There are absolutely no rules that say you cannot use the same personal statement... it wont be considered plagiarism. A lot of advisors will tell you to rewrite it and add anything you have been doing recently. Some schools save things for an additional year but most dont. Since you will be sending rec letters to some, you may as well send them to all. Good luck...

 

[fightingspirit]

...

 

[MC4]

I reused mine. I only added 3 or 4 sentances detailing what I had done for the past year.

 

[jbeaner]

oh yeah....i hear ya...i totally hear ya 🙁 🙁 🙁 🙁

You haven't heard anything either? 🙁 I applied to 16 schools and only 2 interviews. I still have hope, but slim to none. Did you apply late or was your DAT or GPA low? I am just wondering how I can improve my application.

 

[fightingspirit]

....

 

[appleonius]

Bump. any help about reapplying is appreciated.
seems like this is def. a possibility for me.
applied late in the game.

AA: 18
PA: 19
GPA: 3.2
LOTS of EC (leadership, shadowing, honor societies, etc.)
no research exp.
Pretty good LORs.
Applied late Sept or early Oct to UM, NSU, UF, BU, Tufts, Pitt, Marq, Louisville.

interviewed at UF, got denied.
passed over by UM, Louisville is filled.

 

[PDizzle]

Well, if I were to reapply I would strengthen every part of my application. Piece by piece, I would try to improve everything. If that means re-writing your essay, then so be it. On the other hand, if you think you didn't get in because you were a late app and you already said everything you wanted to say, then use your old one.

There is no way they will know it's the same as the previous year nor would they really care even if they did.

 

[Qtn2x]

Well, if I were to reapply I would strengthen every part of my application. Piece by piece, I would try to improve everything. If that means re-writing your essay, then so be it. On the other hand, if you think you didn't get in because you were a late app and you already said everything you wanted to say, then use your old one.

There is no way they will know it's the same as the previous year nor would they really care even if they did.

There is no way they will know it's the same? I thought that they keep your application for records and if you reapply, they will know you are a reapplicant and will pull the old application to check out?

 

[table]

I used the same essay, I only added a paragraph at the end on how I improved myself over the past year. I didn't see a reason why I had to rewrite my essay; it was based on the idea how I want to become a dentist. My first time I applied in July, but my stats were low, I received couple of interviews but nothing else. This year I retook DAT, took upper division science classes, which helped me to get higher GPA. I also talked to my advisor, and asked her to concentrate her committee letter on how I improved and matured over the year. This year I applied in June, and retook DAT in September, asked for new letters of rec. The most interesting thing about reapplying for me was that I didn't receive any interviews from schools that I interview last year. Reapplying is easier than I thought it will be, because you know what to expect. Improve you application in the areas where it is possible and definitely apply early!

Good Luck

 

[jorUW]

For those of you that are reapplicants: How many of you were able to talk with an admissions person from the schools that you aplied to post rejection? More specifically, were you able to talk about what the adcom thought your weaknesses were? Is this a normal practice? Any thoughts would be helpful.

 

[BrotherofAbe]

If we haven't received acceptances yet and we plan on reapplying for 2007, does anyone know what we can reuse? Can we use the same personal statement? I can't imagine that they would recognize it out of 3000 applicants. Or should it be rewritten to emphasize your status as a "reapplicant?" I know they don't save the letters of recommendation. But can we have our teachers send the same ones from last year (2006)? Oh my - I can't even imagine doing this all over again... 🙁

Yes. You can use the same personal statement.

If I could give you some advice on your political approach to your application. I know that you have probably worked extremely hard to get to where you are in the application process. However, there is always more to be done. You need to remember that you're stuck in a sea of applications that look almost identical to yours. Whether or not you are re-applying for 2007, you could strengthen your odds of being called for an interview and for being accepted by paying more attention to your political approach (understanding that you may have already focused on this).

Don't underestimate the power of the people in administrative positions at many of the dental schools. MANY OF THEM, have the power to grant you an interview (they may not make the decision to ACCEPT you, but many can put your file in the, "invite for interview" pile. Make friends. Call A LOT. After EACH TIME you talk to a receptionist etc. sit down and write a short letter thanking that person for being so very kind and explain how it isn't always easy to get answers. Make them feel important. The most important thing...repetition. Do this over and over and over and...you get the point. YOU WILL STICK OUT IN THE CROWD.

If you can, find someone to talk to at EVERY school. If you end up re-applying, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Lastly, DON'T GIVE UP. People like me have put down deposits at many schools to buy more time to make very important decisions. I will be sending out letters to schools tomorrow that will free up seats at the schools I have decided not to attend. There are many people out there that have done the same. There are still seats to fill, you just may not see them yet. People get accepted even up until the the first week of classes. Let me repeat, DO NOT GIVE UP! Do not counsel with your fears. I remember a sign that was on the window of the testing center when I took the DAT, 95% of all failures are due to fear, not underpreparation!!! You will get in! 👍 👍

Good luck and God speed!

 

[HermeytheElf]

Yes. You can use the same personal statement.

If I could give you some advice on your political approach to your application. I know that you have probably worked extremely hard to get to where you are in the application process. However, there is always more to be done. You need to remember that you're stuck in a sea of applications that look almost identical to yours. Whether or not you are re-applying for 2007, you could strengthen your odds of being called for an interview and for being accepted by paying more attention to your political approach (understanding that you may have already focused on this).

Don't underestimate the power of the people in administrative positions at many of the dental schools. MANY OF THEM, have the power to grant you an interview (they may not make the decision to ACCEPT you, but many can put your file in the, "invite for interview" pile. Make friends. Call A LOT. After EACH TIME you talk to a receptionist etc. sit down and write a short letter thanking that person for being so very kind and explain how it isn't always easy to get answers. Make them feel important. The most important thing...repetition. Do this over and over and over and...you get the point. YOU WILL STICK OUT IN THE CROWD.

If you can, find someone to talk to at EVERY school. If you end up re-applying, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Lastly, DON'T GIVE UP. People like me have put down deposits at many schools to buy more time to make very important decisions. I will be sending out letters to schools tomorrow that will free up seats at the schools I have decided not to attend. There are many people out there that have done the same. There are still seats to fill, you just may not see them yet. People get accepted even up until the the first week of classes. Let me repeat, DO NOT GIVE UP! Do not counsel with your fears. I remember a sign that was on the window of the testing center when I took the DAT, 95% of all failures are due to fear, not underpreparation!!! You will get in! 👍 👍

Good luck and God speed!

Anyone who would write a thank you note to a secretary for answering the phone is pathetic and desperate. That's on the level of a thank you cake post-interview. If you are that much of brown noser then please don't go to dental school...I don't think any of us wants someone like that as a colleague and from what I hear, you could do much better for yourself in the corporate world as there are countless openings for well qualified yes-men. In my opinion, the best way to improve your application is to do it the old fashioned way...up your GPA and DATs as much as humanly possible. Let's face it, those are the two major determining factors for admission so it makes sense to focus most of your efforts on those. Don't completely ignore the other parts, but realize that you have a limited amount of time in which to improve your application, so don't waste it writing letters to secretarys or volunteering for several thousand hours down at shady acres nursing home.

 

[L8DYV]

I would reuse mine totally! Save me a bunch of time.

 

[littlepepe]

I've the same situation...
I completed my application in mid-October and I was invitied for interview from one school only. I planned to reapply for cycle 2007. I think the weakness I've is my DAT score. Probably, I will retake it in a month.

My stat:
Overall GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.59
DAT: AA 19 / TS 20 / PAT 20
Applied: BU, Tufts, Columbia, UNLV, UCSF, UOP, UCLA, USC, LLU
Interviewed: USC (only!)
Rejected: UNLV

 

[heshyn2000]

Yes. You can use the same personal statement.

If I could give you some advice on your political approach to your application. I know that you have probably worked extremely hard to get to where you are in the application process. However, there is always more to be done. You need to remember that you're stuck in a sea of applications that look almost identical to yours. Whether or not you are re-applying for 2007, you could strengthen your odds of being called for an interview and for being accepted by paying more attention to your political approach (understanding that you may have already focused on this).

Don't underestimate the power of the people in administrative positions at many of the dental schools. MANY OF THEM, have the power to grant you an interview (they may not make the decision to ACCEPT you, but many can put your file in the, "invite for interview" pile. Make friends. Call A LOT. After EACH TIME you talk to a receptionist etc. sit down and write a short letter thanking that person for being so very kind and explain how it isn't always easy to get answers. Make them feel important. The most important thing...repetition. Do this over and over and over and...you get the point. YOU WILL STICK OUT IN THE CROWD.

If you can, find someone to talk to at EVERY school. If you end up re-applying, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Lastly, DON'T GIVE UP. People like me have put down deposits at many schools to buy more time to make very important decisions. I will be sending out letters to schools tomorrow that will free up seats at the schools I have decided not to attend. There are many people out there that have done the same. There are still seats to fill, you just may not see them yet. People get accepted even up until the the first week of classes. Let me repeat, DO NOT GIVE UP! Do not counsel with your fears. I remember a sign that was on the window of the testing center when I took the DAT, 95% of all failures are due to fear, not underpreparation!!! You will get in! 👍 👍

Good luck and God speed!

Brotherofabe, I'm glad I'll be sharing time with someone like you !

 

[BrotherofAbe]

Anyone who would write a thank you note to a secretary for answering the phone is pathetic and desperate. That's on the level of a thank you cake post-interview. If you are that much of brown noser then please don't go to dental school...I don't think any of us wants someone like that as a colleague and from what I hear, you could do much better for yourself in the corporate world as there are countless openings for well qualified yes-men. In my opinion, the best way to improve your application is to do it the old fashioned way...up your GPA and DATs as much as humanly possible. Let's face it, those are the two major determining factors for admission so it makes sense to focus most of your efforts on those. Don't completely ignore the other parts, but realize that you have a limited amount of time in which to improve your application, so don't waste it writing letters to secretarys or volunteering for several thousand hours down at shady acres nursing home.

I agree with your assessment to work on strengthening DAT scores and/or GPAs...definitely! And I appreciate that you have made it into dental school(as have I). Congratulations (to us both)! I've been blessed in that I have had my choice of schools to attend and I hope that you have experienced the same. But I'm sure it really stinks to only see that as a dream. Your assessment is very simple and basic. Anyone could come to that conclusion...it's the obvious. However, GPAs and DAT scores are the easiest part of the application and they don't (anymore) set you apart in any way because almost all people have nearly the same scores (ie. 3.6 and above & 19 and above). These measures are very objective and are in the same category now as BINGO and the lottery. They are requirements, but they don't set you apart. Subjective measures are becoming more and more essential as scores continue to rise. I know many applicants with 17s and 3.2s who are getting in because they are doing the hard work when it comes to applying. Furthermore, I know a student that just received his acceptance to Arizona with a 16 and a 3.3. On the other hand, I know students who have 19s and above (one with a 21) who are absolutely shocked that they haven't heard anything. And the common underlying factor that these "objectively less qualified" share...they pushed the political ticket. If you see this as a corporate strategy, that's cool, but it doesn't change its effectiveness. The question for most people (I include you and I in this category) is how do I get in? You're in so you don't have to worry about it nor do I. But for people who are still trying... I appreciate your assessment but your feedback is analogous to telling a person with a broken car who has asked your opinion to "fix it." Well no kidding! Good luck with getting in everyone else even if you do use the "corporate strategy." 😀

 

[BrotherofAbe]

I've the same situation...
I completed my application in mid-October and I was invitied for interview from one school only. I planned to reapply for cycle 2007. I think the weakness I've is my DAT score. Probably, I will retake it in a month.

My stat:
Overall GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.59
DAT: AA 19 / TS 20 / PAT 20
Applied: BU, Tufts, Columbia, UNLV, UCSF, UOP, UCLA, USC, LLU
Interviewed: USC (only!)
Rejected: UNLV

Great stats man (or woman). Your DAT is still pretty solid. If (and I hope it isn't the case) you have to re-apply do so a little earlier it is a big part of applying. But I'm still surprised you haven't heard. Don't give up you'll get in. Your AA and PAT are fine. It never hurts to retake if you are re-applying but yikes, I hated the smell of my testing center (nice proctor though). Applying to more schools will help you as well (strength in numbers). Tufts should take you and although UNLV has seen a lot of applications I'm surprised you were rejected. UOP, they're supposedly looking for an AA of at least 21 (I know, I know). I have friends there one of whom is numero uno in his class (by far) and he has been working closely with Dr. Dugoni and that was his actual statement, "We're looking for at least a 21 now." If you're interested in UOP it'll have to likely be next year. However, I do know a few who have got into UOP with 19s (they went and met with Dr. Dugoni himself and said he was amazing...two weeks later they were accepted...they are brothers). Good luck, but don't give up!!

 

[HermeytheElf]

I agree with your assessment to work on strengthening DAT scores and/or GPAs...definitely! And I appreciate that you have made it into dental school(as have I). Congratulations (to us both)! I've been blessed in that I have had my choice of schools to attend and I hope that you have experienced the same. But I'm sure it really stinks to only see that as a dream. Your assessment is very simple and basic. Anyone could come to that conclusion...it's the obvious. However, GPAs and DAT scores are the easiest part of the application and they don't (anymore) set you apart in any way because almost all people have nearly the same scores (ie. 3.6 and above & 19 and above). These measures are very objective and are in the same category now as BINGO and the lottery. They are requirements, but they don't set you apart. Subjective measures are becoming more and more essential as scores continue to rise. I know many applicants with 17s and 3.2s who are getting in because they are doing the hard work when it comes to applying. Furthermore, I know a student that just received his acceptance to Arizona with a 16 and a 3.3. On the other hand, I know students who have 19s and above (one with a 21) who are absolutely shocked that they haven't heard anything. And the common underlying factor that these "objectively less qualified" share...they pushed the political ticket. If you see this as a corporate strategy, that's cool, but it doesn't change its effectiveness. The question for most people (I include you and I in this category) is how do I get in? You're in so you don't have to worry about it nor do I. But for people who are still trying... I appreciate your assessment but your feedback is analogous to telling a person with a broken car who has asked your opinion to "fix it." Well no kidding! Good luck with getting in everyone else even if you do use the "corporate strategy." 😀

Very well written response. To an extent I will agree with you, that politics does play a role in the admission process, though usually it takes the form of legacies or knowing the right people; in my opinion secretaries in the admissions office don't fall into the category of "the right people". I disagree when you say that my advice was like telling someone with a broken car merely to fix it. The DAT is a simple test and I believe that anyone can do well on it if they put in some time studying. The same goes for GPA...if you had a bad time your first couple years in college and that dragged your GPA down, then do a post bacc and get a 4.0 to prove you've changed your ways. GPA and DAT will get you into dental school, the extra curriculars/personal statement/LORs are all important but are secondary to your grades. The point is that dental schools will not accept someone who they feel cannot handle the academic load. Retaking the DAT's and scoring well as well as doing a post bacc are ways to prove that you can handle dental school.

 

[BrotherofAbe]

Brotherofabe, I'm glad I'll be sharing time with someone like you !

Thanks for the comment. Are you attending Buffalo or did you mean in general. Either way good luck friend.

 

[gansey]

If we haven't received acceptances yet and we plan on reapplying for 2007, does anyone know what we can reuse? Can we use the same personal statement? I can't imagine that they would recognize it out of 3000 applicants. Or should it be rewritten to emphasize your status as a "reapplicant?" I know they don't save the letters of recommendation. But can we have our teachers send the same ones from last year (2006)? Oh my - I can't even imagine doing this all over again... 🙁

I wouldnt dream of reusing a personal essay that did not work the first time, no way, no how.

 

[gansey]

Anyone who would write a thank you note to a secretary for answering the phone is pathetic and desperate. That's on the level of a thank you cake post-interview. If you are that much of brown noser then please don't go to dental school...I don't think any of us wants someone like that as a colleague and from what I hear, you could do much better for yourself in the corporate world as there are countless openings for well qualified yes-men. In my opinion, the best way to improve your application is to do it the old fashioned way...up your GPA and DATs as much as humanly possible. Let's face it, those are the two major determining factors for admission so it makes sense to focus most of your efforts on those. Don't completely ignore the other parts, but realize that you have a limited amount of time in which to improve your application, so don't waste it writing letters to secretarys or volunteering for several thousand hours down at shady acres nursing home.

your dental class will probably have tons of these brown nosers in it. better get ready to confront them.

 

[lovechild404]

on another note....

i will be reapplying in 2007 and i want to apply very early (May-ish) however my spring quarter grades will not be available until mid june. i really want these grades to be calculated into my cum gpa, b/c they'll have a huge effect. so what do you guys suggest i do? wait till mid june to apply or apply in may and then send in my grades?