So... what now?

[RUlaxin]

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Long story short, I am wait listed at two schools and formulating my next move. I have another interview in January and will attend that, but I really have my heart set on the schools that wait listed me. In the event I don't get accepted to either school, I want to improve my application for next year.

While looking for areas of improvement, my GPA is the first thing that sticks out. I took most of my pre-reqs at a community college where I didn't do that great, but then had significant improvement at my state school (with a full load of upper level science courses). I have no interest in wasting my time and money in an SMP, but have thought about possibly taking a few extra upper levels to bring up the GPA a bit.

Next is the DAT... I scored 20AA/22Bio/21OC/20Chem/19PAT/19RC/18QR and am seriously contemplating retaking it sometime in early 2014. I feel that studying for the DAT on my own time will still allow me to work FT, where if I take a few courses next semester, I would have to cut back my hours to focus on getting A's.

Last are my extracurriculars, which I feel are pretty solid... I was a college athlete. I coach youth sports. I work in the ER (medical scribe). I was a teacher assistant. Have plenty of shadowing, with several specialties. Have a great committee letter and several supporting letters. I am currently applying to some entry level research positions, which I hope will help my situation.

I have already reached out to the schools I'm wait listed at with the hopes of portraying my determination... and will continue to do so until they just accept me already!

Thank you all for taking the time to read this! Accepting any and all advice.

 

[Alekshura2]

Why in the world would you retake your DAT. your scores are great! focus on raising your GPA instead.

 

[predentalgirl]

Do not retake the DAT. Those are a good set of scores!

Maybe an SMP is what needs to happen? How low is your GPA?

 

[RUlaxin]

Why in the world would you retake your DAT. your scores are great! focus on raising your GPA instead.

Do not retake the DAT. Those are a good set of scores!

Maybe an SMP is what needs to happen? How low is your GPA?

Thanks for the replies... and compliments 🙂

I didn't want to take more classes because I'm focused on working right now while trying to put away as much as humanly possibly for when I potentially enroll in D-school. I also want to work on getting a FT research job in case I don't get accepted off the wait lists. Not sure how much A's in two upper levels would help out, but I was considering taking physiology and immunology.

Total oGPA is 3.2 and sGPA is 3.1... At my state school alone, I have combined overall and science of 3.5

 

[predentalgirl]

Thanks for the replies... and compliments 🙂

I didn't want to take more classes because I'm focused on working right now while trying to put away as much as humanly possibly for when I potentially enroll in D-school. I also want to work on getting a FT research job in case I don't get accepted off the wait lists. Not sure how much A's in two upper levels would help out, but I was considering taking physiology and immunology.

Total oGPA is 3.2 and sGPA is 3.1... At my state school alone, I have combined overall and science of 3.5

I mean, I feel like if you applied broadly those GPAs should get you in somewhere? Maybe?
Maybe you didn't apply early in the cycle? I have a lower sGPA, and the same-ish oGPA, and snagged one acceptance. State school, though.

I honestly can't comment on the whole pre-reqs at CC, because I was never in that situation. Maybe someone else in that situation can help with that aspect.

Your ECs seem fine, and your DAT too. As long as your personal statement can come off strong, I think you should be able to get in somewhere!
(Plus, there still is hope for this cycle)

 

[jdye]

Looks like everything is in shape, maybe your interview or personal statement wasn't what the schools were looking for.

 

[RUlaxin]

maybe your interview or personal statement wasn't what the schools were looking for.

That's definitely hard for me to accept, if that's the case... but I guess anything is possible.

Considering my GPA and DAT weren't stellar, I knew I had to make the other elements stand out. This includes spending a long time on my personal statement. I went to career services at my school, as well as received feedback and criticism from friends, family, and doctors. Also put a lot of preparation into my interviews, including multiple mock interviews.

 

[Dent001]

I had similar gpa and dat scores as you and was waitlisted at 3 schools. I worked full time and studied to retake my dats. I scored much higher my second time taking it, 23aa. I was gonna reapply for the next round but i managed to get off the waitlist for oneof the schools after i talked to them and faxed in my new dat scores weeks before school began. As for those who say letters and interview didnt shine enough, dont mind those people..honnestly lor's arent weighted that heavily and as long as your not ridiculously nervous or an dingus at your interview then your fine. Unless you cured cancer or had some amazing life experience the interview is really a crapshoot.

Just be sure you have the ability and the availabilty to score better the 2nd time. I tutored chem my gap year so i was basically paid to study and know the info well. You can do it too, just plan it right and work hard.

Good luck

 

[jdye]

That's definitely hard for me to accept, if that's the case... but I guess anything is possible.

Considering my GPA and DAT weren't stellar, I knew I had to make the other elements stand out. This includes spending a long time on my personal statement. I went to career services at my school, as well as received feedback and criticism from friends, family, and doctors. Also put a lot of preparation into my interviews, including multiple mock interviews.

Sorry, that wasn't supposed to come off as negative. I meant schools look for different things. Some look for a humanities based person, some want academically focused, etc. Maybe the personal statement you wrote just didn't match the schools you applied to.

 

[Blake1e]

I have to disagree with others. The quickest way for you to boost your chances for next cycle would be for a DAT retake and score 22AA or higher. But only do this if you think you can do better and will put in the time for studying.

 

[Minion]

Do you think I should retake my DAT? I have a 20 AA and TS 21, however i made a 17 on PAT.

My overall GPA is around 3.60-3.65, along with my science GPA.

I know I can at least do better, but I am debating since the DAT is changing 2014.

 

[HaverfoodsDDS]

Do you think I should retake my DAT? I have a 20 AA and TS 21, however i made a 17 on PAT.

My overall GPA is around 3.60-3.65, along with my science GPA.

I know I can at least do better, but I am debating since the DAT is changing 2014.

I wouldn't retake. I got into many schools with a 17PAT (21AA/22TS)..... your scores and GPA are fine. I doubt the PAT will hold you back.