School List for Next Cycle

[BowlingDoctor]

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So now that I have officially been rejected from both schools I applied to I need to compile a list of schools I want to apply to. Since I did not get in I changed my degree from Chem BA w/ Bio Minor to a dual degree with a Chem BA and a Bio BS. So at least I get two expensive pieces of paper after all is done.

DAT - 19 AA 19 TS 24 PAT (will probably retake over the summer. 17 on BIO section hurt me. Hoping the BIO BS will help)
GPA - 3.1 About 4 years ago my gpa was 2.1. Going on my 6th year of undergrad right now...
Volunteer - 600 last cycle. Hopefully close to 700-750 by next cycle. I even got a spot on the pre-dental society board so I hope that helps.
Shadowing - 224 when I applied this cycle. Will be close to 250 by time of application.

I am doing an (unpaid) internship as a dental assistant when school lets out over the summer. I was told I didn't have any real dental experience with my volunteer hours.

I applied to UMKC and MOSDOH this cycle because I am a MO resident.

School List so far...

UMKC
MOSDOH
ATSU
Colorado

I'd like to apply to 10 - 15 schools. Not getting in this cycle really was a confident killer so I am hoping that this next year I can improve my application. I know I hurt my chances applying to only 2 schools but I have no financial support from family so Its what I could afford.

Thanks for your help 🙂

 

[887194]

Well, applying to only 2 schools is a gamble in itself regardless of your application. I see 2 things on your application that are holding you back: 1) DAT and 2)GPA. While you should do your best to improve your GPA, realistically it won't make a huge leap, but everything helps. The DAT can be largely improved. The average DAT of an entering student was just over a 20. Because your GPA is low, you should aim for a high DAT and rewrite it with the goal of getting a 22+. But you will probably be fine with a 21. Also, apply very broadly and include some private schools. I can relate to your financial situation as I had to pay for everything myself as well and I'm Canadian so add 25% to everything. Try to work as much as possible to be able to pay for the interview travel costs, they can really add up. Look into Uber, bar-tending, waiter/waitress, some of these can be quite profitable.

 

[BowlingDoctor]

Well, applying to only 2 schools is a gamble in itself regardless of your application. I see 2 things on your application that are holding you back: 1) DAT and 2)GPA. While you should do your best to improve your GPA, realistically it won't make a huge leap, but everything helps. The DAT can be largely improved. The average DAT of an entering student was just over a 20. Because your GPA is low, you should aim for a high DAT and rewrite it with the goal of getting a 22+. But you will probably be fine with a 21. Also, apply very broadly and include some private schools. I can relate to your financial situation as I had to pay for everything myself as well and I'm Canadian so add 25% to everything. Try to work as much as possible to be able to pay for the interview travel costs, they can really add up. Look into Uber, bar-tending, waiter/waitress, some of these can be quite profitable.

I knew applying to two schools was a gamble especially with my GPA and clearly it did not work out for me 🙁

I figured it would look better if I applied to more schools a second cycle because as a re-applicant I'm looked at more closely. At least thats what I have been told. And I agree with you. Will more than likely be retaking the DAT.

 

[887194]

I knew applying to two schools was a gamble especially with my GPA and clearly it did not work out for me 🙁

I figured it would look better if I applied to more schools a second cycle because as a re-applicant I'm looked at more closely. At least thats what I have been told. And I agree with you. Will more than likely be retaking the DAT.

Don't be too hard on yourself. As a re-applicant it is important to show admissions that you have been working on improving your applications, adding shadowing, volunteering hours, new experiences, etc. Getting a higher DAT score should be your priority and I think after that's done you will be in good shape for the next cycle. Goodluck 🙂

 

[Kingfish23]

Just murder the DAT (21+ AA and TS) and you’ll be solid. Your ECs look good. Throw some private schools in as well such as Tufts and BU.