screwed over?

[dentalguy]

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Hey all,

Have any of you been screwed over by a school. The reason I ask this is because of what happened to me this year. This is my second year applying to dental school. So last year I was rejected to this school (will rename nameless just in case anyone admissions person is reading this) After the rejection letter came I spoke with the director of admissions and he told me to take graduate course work to improve my application. I enrolled in a graduate program, a MA degree. It is only one year so I don't have any grades as of yet. Now heres the crappy part, I received another rejection letter from the same school already this year!!! They didn't even take the time to see my graduate grades. In fact I am under the impression that the program I am enrolled in may not be recognized as graduate work. This is bs because the school is accredited and I will receive a MA at the end of the year. DOes this sound fishy to anyone except me?

Let me know if this has happened to anyone else!!

dentalguy

 

[oldboy]

Colorado????

 

[SuperC]

I have to be honest. If you have no grades to show as of yet they really have nothing to go on other than what you already have grade-wise.

If I were on an adcom, it would be easy to make an assumption about your performance in your graduate program by looking at your previous grades.

It may be too late to do this, but this is what I would do....
If I were in a MA program and kicking butt, I would ask my one of my profs in the MA program to write me a LOR. I would have him/her discuss my performance thus far. Moreover, I would include my current class standing in the "Additional standing" sections of supplemental applications.

Also, there are other factors here. What is your DAT score? Did you retake? How are your ECs, Dental shadow time, research, ect?

If these other areas are weak, and you have done nothing to improve them that means to me (and adcoms) that you don't "really" want this.

If I had to reapply, I would revaluate my ENTIRE application package. Something that we always forget about the app process it that we are "packages" and EVERYTHING we do counts towards our desireability. So while grades and DAT are VERY important, there is a lot more about you that helps adcoms make admissions decisions.

One other thought.... There are a bunch of other schools out there, so apply to schools that fit your GPA and DAT scores. The bottom line here, it does not matter where you go to school, you can be a great dentist where ever you come from.

-C

 

[dentalguy]

I have to be honest. If you have no grades to show as of yet they really have nothing to go on other than what you already have grade-wise.

If I were on an adcom, it would be easy to make an assumption about your performance in your graduate program by looking at your previous grades.

Thats not fair at all because a graduate program was recommended to me so that I could gain acceptance for the following year...

It may be too late to do this, but this is what I would do....
If I were in a MA program and kicking butt, I would ask my one of my profs in the MA program to write me a LOR. I would have him/her discuss my performance thus far. Moreover, I would include my current class standing in the "Additional standing" sections of supplemental applications.

Yea, I was thinking of doing that but I already have 5 LOR's in.....do you think one more would be a bad thing??[/SIZE]

Also, there are other factors here. What is your DAT score? Did you retake? How are your ECs, Dental shadow time, research, ect?

DAT 17 PA 17 AA, I took the dang thing 4 times, dental shadow time I increased from 50 hours last year to 148.....I have a job as a dental assistant and next semester I am planning to do dental ethics research because the MA program I am enrolled in is Bioethics....Its obvious that I am working to make my application stronger and that is what is frustrating....I am meeting with the director of admissions next week however and will ask him his opinion...

If these other areas are weak, and you have done nothing to improve them that means to me (and adcoms) that you don't "really" want this.

YUP I really want this.....I have spent numerous amounts of dollars taking the DAT and Kaplan and reapplying....I also have new LOR's from two dentists and two science profs and my health professions advisory committee.....i don't know what else to do.....
If I had to reapply, I would revaluate my ENTIRE application package. Something that we always forget about the app process it that we are "packages" and EVERYTHING we do counts towards our desireability. So while grades and DAT are VERY important, there is a lot more about you that helps adcoms make admissions decisions.

One other thought.... There are a bunch of other schools out there, so apply to schools that fit your GPA and DAT scores. The bottom line here, it does not matter where you go to school, you can be a great dentist where ever you come from.


[COLOR=[SIZE=4]Red]Do you think that its a bad thing that I have not heard from any schools regarding interviews yet? I have received several secondaries (5)
-C

[/COLOR]


dentalguy

 

[phremius]

just because you worked hard doesnt' mean you did good work....

nonetheless, anyone can get into a d school if they want it bad enough and persist in it. are you just trying to get into that one school? or just D schools in general. if you're doing the former I have no sympathy.

 

[Slash]

To an admissions committee you are a very risky student. You probably have a lower-end GPA, which is most likely why they suggested you take some graduate courses. Also, the fact your DAT score is a 17 AA despite having taken the test four times already is a major red flag. These issues are very hard to overcome regardless of how many hours you have increased your shadowing or volunteer work. Dental school admission is tough and only getting more competitive. Keep your head up but be realistic and realize that admissions committees view you as a risk while they sift through many strong applications.

 

[Generallee]

Dentalguy,

I just wanted to encourage you and tell you to keep your head up! You seem geniunly determined to become a dentist and I admire that! It must be rough being in your position...indeed what a frustrating situation you're in...but hang in there because your determination and efforts will pull you through!

In my humble opinion, it's good that you are doing an MA and I would not think that you're doing it in vain. Since you've taken the DAT 4 times already, I don't know how Dental Schools will look at it if you took it a 5th time. The next best thing is to show that you can succeed in a Master's program which is why I agree with your choice to do an MA.

Again, keep your head up and remember we live in a country where you can be anything you wish as long as you work hard and are determined! 🙂

PM me sometime...you were in my Kaplan class.

 

[makwendo]

Dentalguy, I think i'm in a similar situation, rejection last yr...recommended to do a masters. I plan on kicking major butt this semester to reinforce my new and improved DAT scores; however, i haven't applied yet. Yes I'm taking a big risk in waiting for my fall grades but, like the previous poster said, if they have no new grades, they're going to make their decisions based upon your past performance as it is essentially the same (GPA-wise) aplication that you sent in last yr. Its killing my heart because I see a gazzilion interview invites for members of SDN but I know that I need to show them my best, not my mediocre AADSAS package if i'm going to stand a chance of interviewing/ admissions. Its the sad truth about doing a masters.

 

[luder98]

I'd say if you are interested in that school, keep them updated. Some schools re-review your application when they see (noticeable) improvement even after they rejected you. Good Luck.

 

[JessicaSimpson]

Sorry, I don't think the school screwed you over. Did they promise to accept you if you enrolled in a masters program? You really should have waited until next year to reapply, after you have new grades to show and improved your GPA. You can still do this. Besides, what alternative to more school did you have? If you didn't do something to enhance your academic record, you would have basically no improvement in your chances of going to dental school at all. The admissions officer gave you good advice - the opposite of screwing you over - unless what you want to hear is that maybe you should be looking at other professions.

 

[Slash]

The admissions officer gave you good advice - the opposite of screwing you over - unless what you want to hear is that maybe you should be looking at other professions.

And truth be told...I think they should be telling some people to seek out other professions. There seems to be this pervading thought here at SDN that as long as you have it in your heart to be a dentist, want it bad enough, and are as persistent as a cockroach that everyone is entitled to be a dentist. I'm sorry but that just doesn't cut it. Admitting someone into dental school is a major investment the dental school is making in a student's future. If that student has a sketchy track record with a low GPA, a poor DAT history, and a transcript blemished with withdrawals and C's you do not deserve to get into dental school. It's harsh, but it's life. If a student couldn't successfully handle undergrad and the DAT who's to say they aren't going to drown in the deep sea of dental school.

 

[makwendo]

Slash, I think you have it 1/2 correct regarding dentistry and persistance. It will pay off if you make an improvement albeit a very large one from a previously sketchy record. What I do agree with is that repeated failed attempts at track record improvement is a sign that you should be looking to other professions.

 

[WorcesterPHOBoy]

Hey all,

Have any of you been screwed over by a school. The reason I ask this is because of what happened to me this year. This is my second year applying to dental school. So last year I was rejected to this school (will rename nameless just in case anyone admissions person is reading this) After the rejection letter came I spoke with the director of admissions and he told me to take graduate course work to improve my application. I enrolled in a graduate program, a MA degree. It is only one year so I don't have any grades as of yet. Now heres the crappy part, I received another rejection letter from the same school already this year!!! They didn't even take the time to see my graduate grades. In fact I am under the impression that the program I am enrolled in may not be recognized as graduate work. This is bs because the school is accredited and I will receive a MA at the end of the year. DOes this sound fishy to anyone except me?

Let me know if this has happened to anyone else!!

dentalguy

change ur major

 

[dentalguy]

All i have to say is....this website/forum ticks me off......im so sick of the posts about do I have chance with a 25 DAT but 14 quantitative will I get in.....I have a 3.78 witha 26 DAT will I get in.....everyone on here needs to get a life......i will refrain from the profanity due to forum policy but seriously.....i will be a dentist no matter what any of you say......i will get accepted.....it may not be as soon as I would have liked but I will get in....motivation speaks.....while there may be a few credible sources on here most of the comments on here are worth ****....if i had to comment on this site I would say it is the most pessimistic site and if anyone is reading this, who is on the brink i would say stop reading the posts.....keep to yourself and keep at it....don't get down on yourself because some idiot says you have no chance.....while I may be a risk (previous post within this thread), I can guarantee I will make a great dentist....if anyone took offense to these comments stop reading because you need to get a life.....grow up and cheer others on.....and anyone who argues against giving false hope, stop thinking that.......its better to get false hope from non-credible people than to be shot down because people remember negative comments.....i know after this im not going to read any more posts on here....its a waste of my time....if anyone wants to ask me questions you can pm me cause Im done getting down on myself because of what a nobody says....good luck to all and hang in there, be positive

dentalguy


disclaimer: this post is by no means a slam on anyone.....although it may seem like that....its my opinion and Im entitled to it.....

 

[Slash]

All i have to say is....this website/forum ticks me off......im so sick of the posts about do I have chance with a 25 DAT but 14 quantitative will I get in.....I have a 3.78 witha 26 DAT will I get in.....everyone on here needs to get a life......i will refrain from the profanity due to forum policy but seriously.....i will be a dentist no matter what any of you say......i will get accepted.....it may not be as soon as I would have liked but I will get in....motivation speaks.....while there may be a few credible sources on here most of the comments on here are worth ****....if i had to comment on this site I would say it is the most pessimistic site and if anyone is reading this, who is on the brink i would say stop reading the posts.....keep to yourself and keep at it....don't get down on yourself because some idiot says you have no chance.....while I may be a risk (previous post within this thread), I can guarantee I will make a great dentist....if anyone took offense to these comments stop reading because you need to get a life.....grow up and cheer others on.....and anyone who argues against giving false hope, stop thinking that.......its better to get false hope from non-credible people than to be shot down because people remember negative comments.....i know after this im not going to read any more posts on here....its a waste of my time....if anyone wants to ask me questions you can pm me cause Im done getting down on myself because of what a nobody says....good luck to all and hang in there, be positive

dentalguy


disclaimer: this post is by no means a slam on anyone.....although it may seem like that....its my opinion and Im entitled to it.....

You only have to impress the admissions committees. But I maintain that dental school admissions are getting more competitive each passing year. Don't let the bus pass you by.

 

[Rube]

Hey all,

Have any of you been screwed over by a school. The reason I ask this is because of what happened to me this year. This is my second year applying to dental school. So last year I was rejected to this school (will rename nameless just in case anyone admissions person is reading this) After the rejection letter came I spoke with the director of admissions and he told me to take graduate course work to improve my application. I enrolled in a graduate program, a MA degree. It is only one year so I don't have any grades as of yet. Now heres the crappy part, I received another rejection letter from the same school already this year!!! They didn't even take the time to see my graduate grades. In fact I am under the impression that the program I am enrolled in may not be recognized as graduate work. This is bs because the school is accredited and I will receive a MA at the end of the year. DOes this sound fishy to anyone except me?

Let me know if this has happened to anyone else!!

dentalguy

If you had a sincere conversation with the Dean of Admissions then you need to immediately call up and talk about this situation. He/She recommened this coursework and it represents a considerable about of effort and money on your part. You are owed an evaluation on that if it was recommended.

All that being said, I'm suspicious that you never followed up with that admissions officer throughout the year. You should have kept up on e-mail ect to let them know "hey I enrolled just like you said, and things are going great and I'm hoping you'll evaluate me in light of my first semester grades."
It seems you did not do this and that is troubling.

 

[Rube]

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dentalguy

Dentalguy,

Have you volunteered at anything? ever? I see nothing in terms of service to others on your application. That would be my advice. Go and service others. It shows maturity and growth. I am far from a bleeding heart, but that would be my advice.

One other piece of advice if you have an in state school you are applying to: Remember state schools are taxpayer subsidized. For the low tutition priveledge you will enjoy you'll want to show you'll give back to the citizens of your state. Make sure they know you'll do just that. Volunteer in your community. It shows that admissions cmte that this guy is committed to what we are committed to. Think like they do.