So what's the edge??

[GLxY88]

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First of all, to all those accepted to Dental School... CONGRATS! 😀
and to those currently attending... LOTS OF LUCK!! 😀

Okay, so I was just curious... For each one of you, what do you think gave you the edge to get accepted and, furthermore, what do you think hindered you from getting accepted to certain schools?

I mean, do you think that in some cases it was either your GPA, experience, interview, etc. that helped or hindered??







By the way, I'm a new user, and very interested in hearing about the lives of pre-dental and dental students (and dentists!). Feel free to chat with me via email or AIM ( [email protected])

 

[w3chen99]

DAT - 25A/23P : Edge.

GPA - 3.3 : average. Nothing too special except that I finished strong with my upper division science classes.

Interview : I interviewed in October and November at the schools I looked at so I think that the interview didn't really make a difference. Supposedly, if you get interviewed early, you're pretty much in unless you turn out to be a complete ***** or you offend them in some way. Interviews make more of a difference the farther along you go in the application cycle.

Experience : Edge. Spent a lot of time shadowing a dentist (+100hours for about a year) and got a really good reccomendation from him. Getting a letter of recc from a professional can make a big difference I think. Also, did lots of microbio/genetic research.

Age (24): Edge. I think that when you take some time off from undergrad, it serves to be an advantage. I think that schools know that when you go out in the real world and after some time decide that you want to commit to a profession, you are probably pretty serious. They know that you can't fool around anymore and that this is something that you have probably put a lot of thought into. Keep in mind that average age for entering students is 25-26 years of age.

 

[juan7677]

DAT - 24A/23P: Edge

GPA - 3.8: Edge. All of my interviewers complemented my gpa

Interview: Average. I felt that this was my weakest aspect of my application. I don't think I did bad but I don't think I blew anyone away either.

Experience: Edge. I did alot of volunteering at a dental clinic (150+ hours). Also I researched for 2 years.

 

[agutier3]

I guess some of the obvious factors that give an applicant the "edge" has already been stated (high DAT, high GPA).

But along with that, I would argue that you make yourself a "well-rounded" person. I've attended 14 interviews....and in my experience many (if not all) of the dental schools I interviewed at, wants applicants who can offer more than just great numbers. Stats ARE very important....but it's not everything.

I personally would recommend that anyone applying be able to display on your AADSAS application a clear understanding of your motivation, passion, and knowledge of the dental profession (and at the same time be able to illustrate this fact through action). It's one thing to SAY it, and a completely different thing to SHOW it.

I would also suggest that if you are able....try to make your application stand out from the rest. Be creative and original. You would be surprised at the things you can come up with. Remember that many applicants do the same types of things (ie. dental experience, etc). But if you can bring something fresh and/or unique to the table, you will definately be noticed by many admissions committees. The more you can offer, the better.

To get to your question....

My definate edge was getting involved in campus/community service and being confident of myself at the interviews.

The only schools that I did not get interviewed or accepted at was Marquette, UCLA, and Harvard. And here are MY speculations why:

Marquette - they probably saw all the schools that I applied to and figured that I would accept an offer from a more "well-known" school before them. (Waitlisted)

UCLA - probably because of my average/below average GPA of 3.1. (Never heard from again -> unofficially rejected)

Harvard - probably due to a combination of not having extensive research experience/publications and GPA. (Rejected)

All in all, I've been pretty successful with acceptances. Can't complain! Best of luck to everyone applying this year!

 

[PashaJ]

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[GLxY88]

You guys have offered some wonderful things that I could truly take advantage of! Even though my overall GPA is average (3.325) and my DATs are (to say the... most...) average (17/20), I have alot going on in my life!

I do see myself as a VERY well rounded individual. For example, I was a research lab assistant to one of my professors who studied nueroscience (and wrote me, what he called, a GOLDEN letter of rec), and even if my DENTAL experience isn't as great as a would like it, I feel I've had the advantage of understanding different aspects of it (i.e. 24 hour predental course making dentures , observing dental school students in their own clinics, and sitting chairside with a General Dentist). And my volunteer/extracurricular activities range from penpals with elders at a nursing home, to trip guide for children, to volunteering packaging groceries for the needy.

So, I guess what I finally want to ask is... do you think all this helps or hinders me? Personally, I feel that if I have TOO much going on, admissions will look at me like I'm the type of person who CAN'T make up her mind and commit to something, when it certaintly is not that at all!! I just like to try different things whenever I caN!!!

 

[Supernumerary]

GlxY88, I definitely don't think you have too much going on. Adcomms wanna see that you're a real person with interests outside of just getting into dental school. A successful dentist has to be able to relate well with his/her patients. All those extracurricular activites make you sound like a nice person to be around.

I think you're definitely gonna get in somewhere. Are you applying for admission in 2004? If so, I would probably try the DAT one more time; 17 isn't horrific, but it's kinda on the low side.

If you've already applied for 2003 and are just waiting, best of luck. Let us know when that acceptance letter comes. 🙂

 

[Yah-E]

With my 2.3 - 2.4 undergraduate GPA, I have to say that my "edge is my determination and persistance. As an applicant, I contacted admissions directors to all the dental schools of my choice via email years prior to my AADSAS application submission. By the time my AADSAS was received by the admissions offices, the admission directors/coordinators already knew who I was and that I was applying to their school.

My recommendation for "average" applicants is to be active and assertive in your application process. You obviously have to have some "proof" of academic excellence to back you up, but a little determination and assertiveness will carry you a long way.

What hindered me from more acceptances were:

1) applied late (I submitted my AADSAS in late November and schools did't receive my AADSAS until mid- January due to holidays)

2) my low undergraduate cumulative GPA at 2.3!

 

[tinker bell]

My Edge: DAT scores, personal statement, AADSAS detail answers to those questions in the back of the application.
Research experience, volunteer, and most important is the letter of rec. from my post-bac program. The dean letter was very important. CASE, BU, UOP and Temple accepted me because of my DAT scores and the letters. They know my post-bac program and former post-bac did very well at their school currently. They also know the post-bac program director. And they all talked about my program very positive.

Also, we practiced interview. Therefore, I am very confident at interviews. I asked many questions...like board scores, clinical exposure for students...And I always show my genuine interest at every school.

Remember that every school has its own positive aspect. And you need to look at every school in a different way. And show your interviewers that you understand their positive, they will like it. And they will impress with your knowledge about their school.

CALL every school frequently to check on your application status until you get accepted.

GOOD LUCK TO THE CLASS OF 2008

 

[mcataz]

My Props to Tinkerbell, Yah-E, Aguttier etc. for responding to this post. This is some excellent advice that I haven't heard anywhere else. I really appreciate all of you for taking the time to answer this post.

Thanks everyone.