Rolling admission

[rocky90]

Does rolling admission mean first come first serve? So somebody who applies with a 20 or 18 DAT and 3.5 gpa but applies early has a higher chance of getting selected or interviewed than someone over 3.8-3.9 gpa and 22-23 DAT and great ECs just because the person applied early?

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[PreDent321]

Not really. Almost all dental schools are some version of a rolling admissions. But the fact is thru many years of experience, schools can predict the quality of applicants that will apply throughout the cycle and thus they will reserve a bunch of spots for later applicants. The people with average stats applying in June who score interviews early have other "wow" factors in their app.

 

[rocky90]

Not really. Almost all dental schools are some version of a rolling admissions. But the fact is thru many years of experience, schools can predict the quality of applicants that will apply throughout the cycle and thus they will reserve a bunch of spots for later applicants. The people with average stats applying in June who score interviews early have other "wow" factors in their app.

I think you are right but still a bunch of slots means not as many spots, and the early applicant with lower stats might still win. Just trying to figure out whether schools prefer early students or better students.

 

[doc toothache]

I think you are right but still a bunch of slots means not as many spots, and the early applicant with lower stats might still win. Just trying to figure out whether schools prefer early students or better students.

It is hard to believe that there is a Dean of Admissions that would prefer an early applicant over a better student.

 

[MrAvicii]

It is hard to believe that there is a Dean of Admissions that would prefer an early applicant over a better student.

so whats the point to apply early? how come applicants with lower than average stats get interviews at schools where they clearly don't belong? thats the whole point of rolling admissions (first to apply, first to interview.)

yes schools want the best candidates, but its pretty clear from predents data, that there is an advantage to apply early. otherwise everyone would just apply in September and have the same exact chances for admission.

 

[Bereno]

I think you are right but still a bunch of slots means not as many spots, and the early applicant with lower stats might still win. Just trying to figure out whether schools prefer early students or better students.

I don't think its early vs better. The thing is, they try and take all the "good" ones in their pre dec 1st pool. However, they have to speculate and guess about how many more "good" applicants there is going to be after Dec 1st. If there is not as many as they had guessed, then they might dip back into that pre dec 1st pool and look at them again seeing if there are more there than they first saw.

 

[doc toothache]

so whats the point to apply early? how come applicants with lower than average stats get interviews at schools where they clearly don't belong? thats the whole point of rolling admissions (first to apply, first to interview.)

yes schools want the best candidates, but its pretty clear from predents data, that there is an advantage to apply early. otherwise everyone would just apply in September and have the same exact chances for admission.

In that case, why bother with stats?

 

[MrAvicii]

In that case, why bother with stats?

stats seem to matter less the earlier you apply 😀

 

[TheRoni]

I think applying early is so important because anyone can wait 3 months and beef up their app. For example, almost everyone would get a better DAT score if they take an extra 90 days to study.

Also, applying in June shows you have your ducks in a row and are organized enough to apply right away. It is no secret that applying early is a plus for most schools.

The other fact is that in the end even schools with lower DAT averages and GPA averages still produce a lot of great dentists. Personal traits such as excitement and drive seem to be a key factor too. Since we are all hounding predents, we all have drive and excitement!

Rolling admissions or not, I like that we are all passionate about the process! It is energizing! Good Luck to all!

 

[rocky90]

I think applying early is so important because anyone can wait 3 months and beef up their app. For example, almost everyone would get a better DAT score if they take an extra 90 days to study.

Also, applying in June shows you have your ducks in a row and are organized enough to apply right away. It is no secret that applying early is a plus for most schools.

The other fact is that in the end even schools with lower DAT averages and GPA averages still produce a lot of great dentists. Personal traits such as excitement and drive seem to be a key factor too. Since we are all hounding predents, we all have drive and excitement!

Rolling admissions or not, I like that we are all passionate about the process! It is energizing! Good Luck to all!

Actually if I had studied less and applied earlier I think I would have probably done better but oh well..and I am sure some other students who made the same mistake would agree.

 

[offtodent]

Based on my talks with admissions counselors at various dent schools.....wanted to shed some light here. A good number of schools have a certain GPA and DAT score that they deem as being the avg based on their previous matriculants. For rolling admissions purposes, these schools select a GPA and DAT slightly above their avg. If students applying early fit the bill, they are offered an interview right away. If students are on the fringe, they are placed on the wait list and those that are way off....are rejected.
Hope that helps!

 

[rocky90]

Based on my talks with admissions counselors at various dent schools.....wanted to shed some light here. A good number of schools have a certain GPA and DAT score that they deem as being the avg based on their previous matriculants. For rolling admissions purposes, these schools select a GPA and DAT slightly above their avg. If students applying early fit the bill, they are offered an interview right away. If students are on the fringe, they are placed on the wait list and those that are way off....are rejected.
Hope that helps!

Do all schools participate in rolling admissions or are there some who look at the total pool.

 

[stevesteve121]

Based on my talks with admissions counselors at various dent schools.....wanted to shed some light here. A good number of schools have a certain GPA and DAT score that they deem as being the avg based on their previous matriculants. For rolling admissions purposes, these schools select a GPA and DAT slightly above their avg. If students applying early fit the bill, they are offered an interview right away. If students are on the fringe, they are placed on the wait list and those that are way off....are rejected.
Hope that helps!

how about for acceptance?

yes getting interviews are great but i'm sure everyone;'s ultimate goal is to get that acceptance letter. it seem to be quite common for applicants with very mediocre stats (3.0/19 or stats that are well below the average accepted for a particular school) to get interviews if they apply early but how do these translate to acceptances?

i'm more curious as to whether the ad com seek to select the "best" applicant or good/historically acceptable applicants. The concept of rolling admissions seem to suggest the latter

so it makes sense to apply asap. no?

 

[doc toothache]

I think applying early is so important because anyone can wait 3 months and beef up their app. For example, almost everyone would get a better DAT score if they take an extra 90 days to study.

What an applicant could not accomplish in the course of 4+/- years miraculously will accomplish in a few months by delaying submitting the application. But isn't that option available to "anyone"?

 

[FairytaleDMD]

I think applying early is so important because anyone can wait 3 months and beef up their app. For example, almost everyone would get a better DAT score if they take an extra 90 days to study.

Also, applying in June shows you have your ducks in a row and are organized enough to apply right away. It is no secret that applying early is a plus for most schools.

The other fact is that in the end even schools with lower DAT averages and GPA averages still produce a lot of great dentists. Personal traits such as excitement and drive seem to be a key factor too. Since we are all hounding predents, we all have drive and excitement!

Rolling admissions or not, I like that we are all passionate about the process! It is energizing! Good Luck to all!

Being organized and applying early do not necessarily share a causal relationship. People apply later in the cycle for various completely valid reasons -- family emergencies/commitments, unforeseen problems on committee's end, summer school, etc. Likewise, applying early doesn't unequivocally corroborate one's organizational skills! We've all seen those June applicants with stray LORs and unmet requirements. They might also have poorly structured essays; for the most part, we don't know. This is an unfair statement, and I've never heard of an admissions officer berating an applicant for applying later.

 

[TheRoni]

What an applicant could not accomplish in the course of 4+/- years miraculously will accomplish in a few months by delaying submitting the application. But isn't that option available to "anyone"?

Sorry Doc,
I don't understand this post. I know I took my DAT before I had taken 50% of the prereqs. Now that I have taken them, I think my score would have been better... but apparently my score was good enough for some schools. I did however, show that even while deployed, I could get all my stuff together for the first AADSAS mailing.

I know stats are important, they get your feet in the door. The rest of the app lets the ADCOMS see who you are in greater detail. Just like dentistry is not just about teeth, applying is not just about stats.

 

[doc toothache]

Sorry Doc,
I don't understand this post. I know I took my DAT before I had taken 50% of the prereqs. Now that I have taken them, I think my score would have been better... but apparently my score was good enough for some schools. I did however, show that even while deployed, I could get all my stuff together for the first AADSAS mailing.
I know stats are important, they get your feet in the door. The rest of the app lets the ADCOMS see who you are in greater detail. Just like dentistry is not just about teeth, applying is not just about stats.

The multiple interviews you have may have more to do with your past experience and less with having clicked on the "submit" button one nanosecond after 12:00 midnight on June 1, 2011.

 

[wired202808]

The multiple interviews you have may have more to do with your past experience and less with having clicked on the "submit" button one nanosecond after 12:00 midnight on June 1, 2011.

june 1st is a LOT better than september 1st

 

[SEAirLand]

From personal experience, unless you are REALLY late into the cycle (post mid-sept), I don't think it matters.

A friend of mine literally destroyed the DAT. We're talking 25 (or 26)AA and a 28PAT, etc, etc. I'm not near his scores and submitted at least two months after he did (my file was complete 9/6/11). Within a week I had four interviews. Almost made me feel as if my "incomplete" file was "flagged" and they were just waiting on the scores.

Anyway. As of now, we have the same # of interviews. I even have one from a school that he applied to and didn't get.

So, who knows really what the "right" when is, or what adcoms look for. The thing is, you do want to get it in early or on time, but not too late.

I think getting close to October is really late.

Some schools deadlines are in Sept, I think OSU is the 16th of Sept.

 

[rocky90]

From personal experience, unless you are REALLY late into the cycle (post mid-sept), I don't think it matters.

A friend of mine literally destroyed the DAT. We're talking 25 (or 26)AA and a 28PAT, etc, etc. I'm not near his scores and submitted at least two months after he did (my file was complete 9/6/11). Within a week I had four interviews. Almost made me feel as if my "incomplete" file was "flagged" and they were just waiting on the scores.

Anyway. As of now, we have the same # of interviews. I even have one from a school that he applied to and didn't get.

So, who knows really what the "right" when is, or what adcoms look for. The thing is, you do want to get it in early or on time, but not too late.

I think getting close to October is really late.

Some schools deadlines are in Sept, I think OSU is the 16th of Sept.

I dont really think so. I have 3.85 s-gpa and 3.85 c-gpa but a lower DAT of 19. Agreed the DAT is average but at least a few interviews should be there. I have very good ECs and research experience. My application and secondaries were all complete by first week of Sep and so far haven't head from any of the schools I applied to. Which is very weird and I dont know why. I cant do much except wait at this point. In fact people with same and lower scores than mine have received interviews from schools I have applied to (as per predents) and this worries me even more.

 

[MrAvicii]

I dont really think so. I have 3.85 s-gpa and 3.85 c-gpa but a lower DAT of 19. Agreed the DAT is average but at least a few interviews should be there. I have very good ECs and research experience. My application and secondaries were all complete by first week of Sep and so far haven't head from any of the schools I applied to. Which is very weird and I dont know why. I cant do much except wait at this point. In fact people with same and lower scores than mine have received interviews from schools I have applied to (as per predents) and this worries me even more.

rocky, its hard to gauge your information without a predents profile or at least your stats. would you be so kind to do either one so we can access your info? granted your stats are amazing (gpa and DAT is good too) but it would be nice to see more info. if you care to share.

 

[rocky90]

rocky, its hard to gauge your information without a predents profile or at least your stats. would you be so kind to do either one so we can access your info? granted your stats are amazing (gpa and DAT is good too) but it would be nice to see more info. if you care to share.

Done..please let me know what you think...and what could be the possible reason. Thanks

 

[MrAvicii]

Done..please let me know what you think...and what could be the possible reason. Thanks

Ok here are the very weak points: Bio 17 and Total Science 18 is a bit scary. Bio and RC are the most important individual sections and that 17 is not good. The PAT is pretty low too, most schools seem to want a 19 or so (from what i've seen.) I dont think the PAT would kill your app, but your Bio is hurting you for sure. When did you submit? Are you sure your LOR writers wrote good stuff and are competent at writing letters?

 

[rocky90]

Ok here are the very weak points: Bio 17 and Total Science 18 is a bit scary. Bio and RC are the most important individual sections and that 17 is not good. The PAT is pretty low too, most schools seem to want a 19 or so (from what i've seen.) I dont think the PAT would kill your app, but your Bio is hurting you for sure. When did you submit? Are you sure your LOR writers wrote good stuff and are competent at writing letters?

Yeah the LORs are very good for sure. I know the bio is very low but I have a strong biology background which should take over the bio. My exam was full of plant biology, classification, labs and ecology (guess it was not my strongest despite being a bio major)- very little focus on human stuff (my strongest part). In between I have completed my post-doctoral training in advanced human biology and research which is kinda funny. Bio was my strongest but lowest on the DAT which surprised me too. Anyways despite that I was expecting at least some interviews. I submitted my secondaries in first week of sep. So I dont know whats going on.

 

[doc toothache]

Done..please let me know what you think...and what could be the possible reason. Thanks

Your gpa and DAT scores are out of sync. A case of grade inflation?

 

[rocky90]

Your gpa and DAT scores are out of sync. A case of grade inflation?

In fact I come from a very hard graded university. Since I am a post bac I am not taking most of the upper level courses and had taken the DAT without taking orgo classes too. I am taking orgo starting this semester since I get done with all the pre-reqs next semester, hence I had to apply this year. So I had not completed most of the courses when I took my DAT and had to study on my own. I am sure the ad coms are aware about my university since there must be other students applying too. All my courses are from the University too- no CC credits.

 

[MrAvicii]

Yeah the LORs are very good for sure. I know the bio is very low but I have a strong biology background which should take over the bio. My exam was full of plant biology, classification, labs and ecology (guess it was not my strongest despite being a bio major)- very little focus on human stuff (my strongest part). In between I have completed my post-doctoral training in advanced human biology and research which is kinda funny. Bio was my strongest but lowest on the DAT which surprised me too. Anyways despite that I was expecting at least some interviews. I submitted my secondaries in first week of sep. So I dont know whats going on.

thats the problem, you submitted very late with a low bio score and science score. that may be the issue, you should probably start to hear back mid to end of october. since it takes almost a month or more to process the application after the secondaries are submitted.

 

[rocky90]

thats the problem, you submitted very late with a low bio score and science score. that may be the issue, you should probably start to hear back mid to end of october. since it takes almost a month or more to process the application after the secondaries are submitted.

Thats the point there are students with similar and lower stats who have applied early and received interview so my guess is applying early is an edge over applying late despite that you might be a better candidate.

 

[MrAvicii]

Thats the point there are students with similar and lower stats who have applied early and received interview so my guess is applying early is an edge over applying late despite that you might be a better candidate.

yes rocky, ive been saying this since day one. I trust doc for his expertise in most areas, but to turn a blind eye to this is like ignoring gravity. predents and SDN clearly prove that. and when you think about it, thats the point of rolling admission. If each school was simply sorting their applicants in an Excel file by 2 columns: GPA and DAT. Then there would be no need for rolling admissions and it wouldnt matter if you submitted June 1st or November 1st. All in all it does matter, thats a fact that I believe is impossible to disprove. Now I am aware that it might not be the case for each and every applicant for each and every school, but for the majority of schools it seems that the "early bird does catch the worm."

 

[rocky90]

yes rocky, ive been saying this since day one. I trust doc for his expertise in most areas, but to turn a blind eye to this is like ignoring gravity. predents and SDN clearly prove that. and when you think about it, thats the point of rolling admission. If each school was simply sorting their applicants in an Excel file by 2 columns: GPA and DAT. Then there would be no need for rolling admissions and it wouldnt matter if you submitted June 1st or November 1st. All in all it does matter, thats a fact that I believe is impossible to disprove. Now I am aware that it might not be the case for each and every applicant for each and every school, but for the majority of schools it seems that the "early bird does catch the worm."

Yep I agree... hope we get to hear from some schools soon. Good luck on your interviews.. 🙂

 

[MrAvicii]

Yep I agree... hope we get to hear from some schools soon. Good luck on your interviews.. 🙂

Thank you sir! good luck to you as well, hopefully you will hear back from your schools of interest. I have my first interview in a little less than 2 weeks... nerves kicking into overdrive