Second Application: Which schools should I apply to? [With stats]

[afdshjkhn]

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I graduated with a B.A. in Biology.

Overall GPA: 3.44
Science GPA: 3.23
BCP GPA: 3.19

I had a rough sophomore year due to my leadership and extracurricular activities (priorities weren't straight). My GPA improved dramatically my junior and senior year.

DAT--
TS: 20
AA: 21
PA: 20

I have 200+ hours in shadowing and 500+ hours through volunteering. I have had 3 executive leadership positions. I am planning to volunteer and help with one of the dental researchers in my city.

Last application cycle, I applied to all of the schools, and it was way too expensive. I retook my DATs August 14th, so I'm assuming that held back my application process significantly.

I was only offered one interview with Minnesota. This was surprising considering the fact that my GPA stats were well below their mean.

I am concerned about how many schools to apply to. I figure that my early application this cycle will help my chances significantly because my late DAT scores really held back my application last time (right??). I am narrowing down the schools comparing my stats against the mean. What concerns me is the fact that I had an interview with Minnesota despite my GPA being below their mean. With this in mind, I don't want to lose out on any possible opportunities for interviews/acceptance if I were to mark out schools I'm far from the mean (UCSF, Boston, etc.) What is a safe number/schools for me?

I never took anatomy, should I still apply for Midwestern and Nevada?

Lastly, I have 3 academic letters of recommendation. One from a microbio teacher (Dr.), my experimental physiology instructor (certified teaching instructor), and my stats teacher (Dr.). My stats recommendation is amazing, but the other two are confidential. Should I send both of the science letters because they're science, or should I send the microbio and the stats because they both have PHDs (does it matter), and because I know the stats one is legit.

Thanks a lot guys! 👍

 

[two thirty]

You applied to every school? I'm really surprised you didn't get more interviews. Can't even imagine how much that wound up costing. Did you send secondary fees/apps to them all?

Anyway, theres a sticky at the top of this board that has a list of schools. Ignore the state schools in other states. They usually only allow a tiny minority of students from out of state, and their stats are usually incredible. Apply to your state school and the first 15 or 20 on the list.

 

[azimmer]

I didn't complete bio lab, micro bio lab, physio, and anatomy at the time I applied haha. I still got accepted to Midwestern so you'll be fine!
I think you should narrow down your list and apply to your state schools and a lot of private universities. I had a 20 DAT and some of the out of state schools I applied to were: LECOM, MWU-AZ, NYU, NOVA, USC, Western, Temple, and Buffalo

Your overall gpa is not that bad either. I have that had almost exactly the same states and she got accepted into NYU and Roseman

Take home message: Don't forget to apply to a lot of private schools!

 

[afdshjkhn]

Twothirty - I sent in secondary applications/fees for the majority of schools. I didn't for the schools I knew I didn't have a chance or didn't like (Harvard, Lecom, Creighton, etc). I shouldn't have applied to those schools in the first place; I didn't do my due diligence. I want to say the fees were $6,000+ =/

Azimmer - Did they ask you to take the courses though? Did you list anatomy and the required courses as courses you were planning to take? Or was it more, "hey, here's your acceptance letter, but you need to take these before you matriculate"?


Thanks a lot for the advice so far guys!

 

[afdshjkhn]

Would anyone have any insight or advice on which letter of evaluation I should send in?

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I have 3 academic letters of recommendation. One from a microbio teacher (Dr.), my experimental physiology instructor (certified teaching instructor), and my stats teacher (Dr.). My stats recommendation is amazing, but the other two are confidential. Should I send both of the science letters because they're science, or should I send the microbio and the stats because they both have PHDs (does it matter), and because I know the stats one is legit.

 

[afdshjkhn]

Texas application opens up tomorrow morning, so any last minute input would be much appreciated!

 

[Illfavor]

Texas application opens up tomorrow morning, so any last minute input would be much appreciated!

Your best science one (that you guess) and the stats, imo.

 

[ATG20]

With 200+ hours shadowing, why don't you have a dentist's LOR? You have one more space in your AADSAS, and if I was reviewing your file, that would stand out to me. It's not required for some schools, but to me, having a professional shine a positive light on an applicant would look good.

That said, focus on your DATs and aim for 22-23+ to make up for your lower BCP/sGPA. Applying to every school is a tremendous expenditure. If you have that kind of money to throw around, send some my way! I'll throw in a PS review and some interview coaching. 😉 (sort of serious, lol)

 

[afdshjkhn]

Your best science one (that you guess) and the stats, imo.

That's what I was leaning towards, too. Thanks 👍

With 200+ hours shadowing, why don't you have a dentist's LOR? You have one more space in your AADSAS, and if I was reviewing your file, that would stand out to me. It's not required for some schools, but to me, having a professional shine a positive light on an applicant would look good.

That said, focus on your DATs and aim for 22-23+ to make up for your lower BCP/sGPA. Applying to every school is a tremendous expenditure. If you have that kind of money to throw around, send some my way! I'll throw in a PS review and some interview coaching. 😉 (sort of serious, lol)

I forgot to mention, I have an awesome LOR from a dental specialist. My priority is to get into the first batch to truly see how I measure up. With my late application last cycle, I feel that my expectations are skewed. If not, I will definitely be taking the DATs again (third time). Thanks for the interview offer, if I get a few interview, I wouldn't mind paypaling a fellow member for their time/insight 😉