School List Critiques Please (3.98GPA/27AA)

[pre-DMD]

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Having a tough time deciding which schools to apply to. Any feedback is much appreciated!

Date of submission: N/A (will submit early next cycle)
Overall GPA: 3.98
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 27AA/27TS/21PAT
State of Residence: OR

Undergrad Attended: private research university in the Midwest
Major: Chem
Minor: Bio, Psych
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: ~50 now but will have ~100+ when I submit
Volunteering Experience: ~250 at a hospital, ~150 tutoring
Employment: worked at a restaurant 2 summers
Research: ~650 hrs, might get published but it won't be until after I submit
Other Extracurriculars: bio TA, religious involvement and leadership
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's List? idk if that counts
LOR type and strength: plan to ask my PI (good), 2 science professors (meh), 1 psych professor (meh), and 1-2 dentists (ok)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: No
School list: 16 schools seems like a lot but please give me feedback
OHSU
UNC
UCLA
UCSF
UCONN
Rutgers
Maryland
Stony Brook
Harvard
Penn
Columbia
UoP
Case
Boston U
Tufts
Loma Linda

 

[macsak]

Having a tough time deciding which schools to apply to. Any feedback is much appreciated!

Date of submission: N/A (will submit early next cycle)
Overall GPA: 3.98
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 27AA/27TS/21PAT
State of Residence: OR

Undergrad Attended: private research university in the Midwest
Major: Chem
Minor: Bio, Psych
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: ~50 now but will have ~100+ when I submit
Volunteering Experience: ~250 at a hospital, ~150 tutoring
Employment: worked at a restaurant 2 summers
Research: ~650 hrs, might get published but it won't be until after I submit
Other Extracurriculars: bio TA, religious involvement and leadership
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's List? idk if that counts
LOR type and strength: plan to ask my PI (good), 2 science professors (meh), 1 psych professor (meh), and 1-2 dentists (ok)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: No
School list: 16 schools seems like a lot but please give me feedback
OHSU
UNC
UCLA
UCSF
UCONN
Rutgers
Maryland
Stony Brook
Harvard
Penn
Columbia
UoP
Case
Boston U
Tufts
Loma Linda

16 schools may seem like a lot, but you have 7 of the top 10 or so most competitive schools on your list
plus the last 3 schools are very likely to not give you interviews because your stats are too high

why are your LOR only meh/ok?

 

[pre-DMD]

16 schools may seem like a lot, but you have 7 of the top 10 or so most competitive schools on your list
plus the last 3 schools are very likely to not give you interviews because your stats are too high

why are your LOR only meh/ok?

Gotcha. Seems like the last 4 are pretty similar to each other (private, similar GPA/DAT), so I will consider eliminating rid of one or two of them. LOR were tough to get. First 2 years classes were large and last year bc of covid stuff. I'm doing my best to get good ones this year but I'm not super hopeful. They won't be terrible but perhaps a bit generic (I'm guessing).

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I also think you can be much more selective with the statistics you are presenting. If your in-state and other near-regional schools don't seriously take a look at you, something else is wrong with your application. Yes, private schools will probably send you invitations so be picky where you want to go with that list.

That said, it is a great disappointment that someone with your GPA could only get modestly enthusiastic letters of recommendation. Dental education and training has a history of apprenticeship-mentor relationships, and showing you haven't been able to establish those connections is a bit surprising.

 

[PerioDont]

I would apply to less schools, you could probably get in anywhere

 

[umbtoothfairy]

Look at cost of attendance, location, environment, and get rid of at least 6 schools.
Try to build stronger relationships with faculty. Make yourself stand out, approach them now or early in the spring semester saying you are applying to dental school and will need good LOR. From my experience, they are willing to meet with you so the letter is more personal.

 

[SpadeElevator]

wow these are great stats and app from what you shown here. from my experience this cycle, i applied to too many schools and got ghosted by most of them because "my stats were too high". the same will happen with you.

i suggest taking off OHSU, UoP, Case, Boston U, Tufts, Loma Linda and Maryland. these schools will most likely ghost you and/or you'll get into better schools. i am pretty sure you'll get an interview with Penn, Columbia and you have a great chance at Harvard honestly. You'll definitely get an acceptance to an Ivy. not sure what type of school you are interested in or what your priorities are in a school, but personally, if i were you, my top schools (in order) would be Harvard, Columbia, UConn, UCSF because they are all P/F and unranked and great schools for specializing. Plus, you have amazing stats and i have no doubt you'll get into those schools. congrats!

 

[PerioDont]

wow these are great stats and app from what you shown here. from my experience this cycle, i applied to too many schools and got ghosted by most of them because "my stats were too high". the same will happen with you.

i suggest taking off OHSU, UoP, Case, Boston U, Tufts, Loma Linda and Maryland. these schools will most likely ghost you and/or you'll get into better schools. i am pretty sure you'll get an interview with Penn, Columbia and you have a great chance at Harvard honestly. You'll definitely get an acceptance to an Ivy. not sure what type of school you are interested in or what your priorities are in a school, but personally, if i were you, my top schools (in order) would be Harvard, Columbia, UConn, UCSF because they are all P/F and unranked and great schools for specializing. Plus, you have amazing stats and i have no doubt you'll get into those schools. congrats!

Agreed but I would keep your in state school as it will be much cheaper.

 

[GoDental101]

My stats weren't as good as yours and I applied to five schools. The only one who didn't accept was my "safety" school. They sent me an interview invite in January after acceptances went out...

If I were you I'd apply to your state school, UNC, UCONN, Penn, Case, and the Texas schools.

 

[SpadeElevator]

Agreed but I would keep your in state school as it will be much cheaper.

Definitely