Second Time Applyers....

[paradigm2200]

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Unfortuately this application process has been absolutely horrible...ever from the start registering for the DAT to the application processes with AADSAS - it sucked. I know the major reason of why I have not gotten many interview is that I have applied very late in the game (AADSAS sent out the applications in early October.). I would like to know the of the people who applied their second time....what things you did in the mean time (obviously most people did post-baccs and/or masters) but did anyone do anything unique??

Also...did any who got in the "Second time" find the application/interview process much easier...

sorry if this post is sounding more like a rant...but i'm at a point of utter frustration...

thanks

paradigm2200.

 

[xylashellx]

the second time should be ALOT easier. its like taking the same test for a second time. you already know the questions. so learn from your mistakes this year and apply early. i hope you saved all of your secondaries so you can only update them. also your application should be pretty easy to fill out because you will only have to update. my second time was alot easier and i got into usc and have interviewed at ucsf and unlv also, along with getting into NYU from the waiting list last year.

as far as your "off" time: i was just going to work and try to save money. i got back from my 5th europe trip and got offered the lead role in an indie film. then i filmed the movie for 3 months. then i was a substitute teacher for 3 months (best job ever haha). then i got the chance to move to europe and live (for free: that right no rent payment) and work with a dentist/oral surgeon. this was/is the best experience of my life and feel that it was truly a blessing to not get into dental school last year (until one week before nyu started). i have no regrets in my life now and truly feel satisfied. now all i have to do is get through dental school.

i was always against the "take a year off" crap. but since i have had this year off i wouldnt give it up for anything. it is true that i am loosing money by being here and not working but i figure what is another 4k when i will be in debt atleast 200k. i would rather have seen the world (living in germany and traveling to spain, portugal, england, sweden, norway, finland, australia, the ukraine) and not have 4k then have not seen the world and have 4k. thats how i think about it but thats just me.

by the end of my travels i will have been to 17 euopean and scandinavian countries: now thats what i call a year off.

good luck with next year!

 

[rjarvis]

I did feel like the application process was a little easier the second time around. I only applied to three schools though and did not use AADSAS. During my year off I am working at LSU's med school in shreveport researching antipsychotic drugs, i guess that's not too unique but it has been ok. I do think that dental schools like too see that you are still doing some sort mentally challenging tasks if you take a year off, just to keep the learning mindset. But of course, depending on you stats, you could probably still get in if you just waited tables or something.

GPA: 3.5
DAT: AA 20; TS 19; PA 24
Applied: LSU, Baylor, Marquette
Accepted: LSU

 

[utahdent123]

I did feel like the application process was a little easier the second time around. I only applied to three schools though and did not use AADSAS. During my year off I am working at LSU's med school in shreveport researching antipsychotic drugs, i guess that's not too unique but it has been ok. I do think that dental schools like too see that you are still doing some sort mentally challenging tasks if you take a year off, just to keep the learning mindset. But of course, depending on you stats, you could probably still get in if you just waited tables or something.

GPA: 3.5
DAT: AA 20; TS 19; PA 24
Applied: LSU, Baylor, Marquette
Accepted: LSU

What schools don't require AADSAS? I would love to bypass AADSAS if I have to reapply?

 

[Fulcrum77]

the second time should be ALOT easier. its like taking the same test for a second time. you already know the questions. so learn from your mistakes this year and apply early. i hope you saved all of your secondaries so you can only update them. also your application should be pretty easy to fill out because you will only have to update. my second time was alot easier and i got into usc and have interviewed at ucsf and unlv also, along with getting into NYU from the waiting list last year.

as far as your "off" time: i was just going to work and try to save money. i got back from my 5th europe trip and got offered the lead role in an indie film. then i filmed the movie for 3 months. then i was a substitute teacher for 3 months (best job ever haha). then i got the chance to move to europe and live (for free: that right no rent payment) and work with a dentist/oral surgeon. this was/is the best experience of my life and feel that it was truly a blessing to not get into dental school last year (until one week before nyu started). i have no regrets in my life now and truly feel satisfied. now all i have to do is get through dental school.

i was always against the "take a year off" crap. but since i have had this year off i wouldnt give it up for anything. it is true that i am loosing money by being here and not working but i figure what is another 4k when i will be in debt atleast 200k. i would rather have seen the world (living in germany and traveling to spain, portugal, england, sweden, norway, finland, australia, the ukraine) and not have 4k then have not seen the world and have 4k. thats how i think about it but thats just me.

by the end of my travels i will have been to 17 euopean and scandinavian countries: now thats what i call a year off.

good luck with next year!

I agree with everything you said, xylashellx.

I was a little discouraged about not getting into D-school on my first attempt because of a late application. The second time around it was easy to re-apply since I just copied my personal statement and had my teachers re-send their LORs. I also applied MUCH earlier and then it was just a matter of waiting for those nice phone calls.

In August, UoP sent me a letter saying that I had done well enough on my previous interview and I wouldn't have to interview again. Then the letter said that they anticipated my application would be looked at favorably in December. That was kind of cool. Before I knew it, that magical call came on December 1st and I was locked in.

After applying again, I decided to go out and get a job and have been making some cash since then. I've gone on numerous trips and visits to see my friends around the country. And with all the money I've saved up, I'm quitting my job early and heading to Europe for almost a month before school starts.

Looking back, I'm actually very happy I have had the opportunity for some time off from school. Don't look at that year off as time wasted. I'm just saying that you should use this time to make some money, spend time with your family and friends, and go on some trips! Basically, enjoy your life before you start D-school!

That is all.

 

[food4thots]

the second time should be ALOT easier. its like taking the same test for a second time. you already know the questions. so learn from your mistakes this year and apply early. i hope you saved all of your secondaries so you can only update them. also your application should be pretty easy to fill out because you will only have to update. my second time was alot easier and i got into usc and have interviewed at ucsf and unlv also, along with getting into NYU from the waiting list last year.

as far as your "off" time: i was just going to work and try to save money. i got back from my 5th europe trip and got offered the lead role in an indie film. then i filmed the movie for 3 months. then i was a substitute teacher for 3 months (best job ever haha). then i got the chance to move to europe and live (for free: that right no rent payment) and work with a dentist/oral surgeon. this was/is the best experience of my life and feel that it was truly a blessing to not get into dental school last year (until one week before nyu started). i have no regrets in my life now and truly feel satisfied. now all i have to do is get through dental school.

i was always against the "take a year off" crap. but since i have had this year off i wouldnt give it up for anything. it is true that i am loosing money by being here and not working but i figure what is another 4k when i will be in debt atleast 200k. i would rather have seen the world (living in germany and traveling to spain, portugal, england, sweden, norway, finland, australia, the ukraine) and not have 4k then have not seen the world and have 4k. thats how i think about it but thats just me.

by the end of my travels i will have been to 17 euopean and scandinavian countries: now thats what i call a year off.

good luck with next year!

for me.. while most of the application process (aadsas, dat, secondaries, etc.) was easier.. the waiting part was just as tough...


the second time around, you have more pressure on you. thoughts such as "what will i do, if i don't make it the second time around?" come up constantly. although you more experienced.. it's still pretty nerve-wrecking. plus, if they dental schools know u applied for the second time, they want to know what you did to improve your application. and this may be difficult for some who has taken every single science course and have plenty of experience.

 

[Dutchboy]

Last year I didn't have my bach. degree, so I finished that up with really good grades. It did the trick.