Some insights Please

[hastytx]

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I am having a hard time figuring out what the next best step is! I graduated last May with 3.71 overall GPA and 3.59 Science GPA. 19 TS, 18 AA, and 18 PA. I applied to 9 schools but didn’t send the secondary applications to some of them for different reasons. So, technically I only applied to 6 (Marquette, Creighton, Tufts, Howard, NYU, and USC). I only got one interview w/ Creighton back in October but didn’t hear anything back Dec 1st. My application is on “HOLD” over at Marquette and under review at other schools. I know I made a lot of mistakes as far as applying and sending the secondary applications and all that. But a few questions: Do I have a chance getting into Creighton this year? Or getting any other interviews w/ the remaining schools? Also, I am not sure what the next best move is. A post bac program? Masters??? I am thinking about applying to the postbac program at Creighton but the deadline is January 1st for that! Some help please!
I appreciate any insights

 

[wondergirls]

If I were you I would go ahead and apply to the postbac. It's just in case you don't get in anywhere, then you have somewhere to fall back on. As long as its not to the point of binding, you should keep your doors open for any situation possible.

I don't know much about the postbac/masters route, but do something that's geared towards dentistry...but then most of them are for upping your GPA and yours seems to be pretty solid, so its your choice in the end. You could just wait another year and reapply.

 

[SuperTank]

I am having a hard time figuring out what the next best step is! I graduated last May with 3.71 overall GPA and 3.59 Science GPA. 19 TS, 18 AA, and 18 PA. I applied to 9 schools but didn’t send the secondary applications to some of them for different reasons. So, technically I only applied to 6 (Marquette, Creighton, Tufts, Howard, NYU, and USC). I only got one interview w/ Creighton back in October but didn’t hear anything back Dec 1st. My application is on “HOLD” over at Marquette and under review at other schools. I know I made a lot of mistakes as far as applying and sending the secondary applications and all that. But a few questions: Do I have a chance getting into Creighton this year? Or getting any other interviews w/ the remaining schools? Also, I am not sure what the next best move is. A post bac program? Masters??? I am thinking about applying to the postbac program at Creighton but the deadline is January 1st for that! Some help please!
I appreciate any insights

As long as they haven't rejected you, there is still a chance. I have 6 of the 10 schools that I applied to that haven't given me an interview or a rejection. They have been under review for about three months. I am thinking that we will start to hear stuff again after the New Year (I know this is true for USC, they updated their web portal with that info). It's tough to say what to do with your free time, especially without knowing if you will get in this year. My 2 cents, most people go on to a master's or post-bac program to try to improve their GPA. You don't need any help in that category, you're sittin' pretty. If I were in your shoes, I would get a job and start saving up for school. If you get in, that's great, if you don't, you have something to occupy your time. I would also suggest getting involved in some sort of community service. You'll help people, you'll feel good about yourself, and if you don't get into dental school, you will have a head start for the next application cycle.

 

[DrDDSman]

I am having a hard time figuring out what the next best step is! I graduated last May with 3.71 overall GPA and 3.59 Science GPA. 19 TS, 18 AA, and 18 PA. I applied to 9 schools but didn't send the secondary applications to some of them for different reasons. So, technically I only applied to 6 (Marquette, Creighton, Tufts, Howard, NYU, and USC). I only got one interview w/ Creighton back in October but didn't hear anything back Dec 1st. My application is on "HOLD" over at Marquette and under review at other schools. I know I made a lot of mistakes as far as applying and sending the secondary applications and all that. But a few questions: Do I have a chance getting into Creighton this year? Or getting any other interviews w/ the remaining schools? Also, I am not sure what the next best move is. A post bac program? Masters??? I am thinking about applying to the postbac program at Creighton but the deadline is January 1st for that! Some help please!
I appreciate any insights

Forget a postbac, with a 3.71 you dont need it. If nothing works out for you this year, and retake the DAT and continue shadowing or look into assisting? Maybe you need to re-examine your personal statement as well.

 

[Aceofspades]

Your GPA is fine so don't do a postbacc. Actually, your GPA is above the average matriculate at many dental schools. Needless to say you should have completed the secondaries for all your schools. Don't get too cocky, especially with that DAT. Your DAT is a bit lower than average, but you may be able to make it up with your GPA. Wait and see how things go and if you don't get accepted anywhere you can retake the DAT and apply smarter next time.

 

[doc toothache]

It would help if you brought your DAT in synch with your gpa.

 

[hastytx]

If I were you I would go ahead and apply to the postbac. It's just in case you don't get in anywhere, then you have somewhere to fall back on. As long as its not to the point of binding, you should keep your doors open for any situation possible.

I don't know much about the postbac/masters route, but do something that's geared towards dentistry...but then most of them are for upping your GPA and yours seems to be pretty solid, so its your choice in the end. You could just wait another year and reapply.

The problem is that I can't apply to the postbac right now because in the eligibility section of the program it says: Must have applied to and been declined entry into dental school. I think I have to wait a little longer and see what happens. Thanks for the input.

 

[hastytx]

As long as they haven't rejected you, there is still a chance. I have 6 of the 10 schools that I applied to that haven't given me an interview or a rejection. They have been under review for about three months. I am thinking that we will start to hear stuff again after the New Year (I know this is true for USC, they updated their web portal with that info). It's tough to say what to do with your free time, especially without knowing if you will get in this year. My 2 cents, most people go on to a master's or post-bac program to try to improve their GPA. You don't need any help in that category, you're sittin' pretty. If I were in your shoes, I would get a job and start saving up for school. If you get in, that's great, if you don't, you have something to occupy your time. I would also suggest getting involved in some sort of community service. You'll help people, you'll feel good about yourself, and if you don't get into dental school, you will have a head start for the next application cycle.

Yeah I think getting a job is the best way to go. but it's a tough economy and it's kind of hard to find a decent job specially because I spent most of my time job shadowing and volunteering in the past 4 years instead of doing some internships which I think could help me a great deal in finding a job. I like the community service idea, thanks SuperTank 🙂

 

[hastytx]

Forget a postbac, with a 3.71 you dont need it. If nothing works out for you this year, and retake the DAT and continue shadowing or look into assisting? Maybe you need to re-examine your personal statement as well.

I would love to do assisting, but don't I need to be certified to be a dental assistant?

 

[SuperTank]

Yeah I think getting a job is the best way to go. but it's a tough economy and it's kind of hard to find a decent job specially because I spent most of my time job shadowing and volunteering in the past 4 years instead of doing some internships which I think could help me a great deal in finding a job. I like the community service idea, thanks SuperTank 🙂

No problem, and don't let the job market get you down. I have been out of work for almost two months, but I just got a job today that starts tomorrow and will go until I leave for dental school. It is possible!😀

 

[hastytx]

Your GPA is fine so don't do a postbacc. Actually, your GPA is above the average matriculate at many dental schools. Needless to say you should have completed the secondaries for all your schools. Don't get too cocky, especially with that DAT. Your DAT is a bit lower than average, but you may be able to make it up with your GPA. Wait and see how things go and if you don't get accepted anywhere you can retake the DAT and apply smarter next time.

I know what you mean, and I definitely agree that I should have applied smarter. The problem wasn't me getting cocky though, it was my lack of knowledge of this whole process! I've only lived here for 5 years and technically I am a non-native speaker, so some of the schools wanted me to take the TOEFL test even though I got a 22 on my reading comprehension!!!!!!! and by the time I figured that out it was kind of too late (September).
I am still keeping my fingers crossed though.
Thanks Aceofspades 🙂

 

[hastytx]

No problem, and don't let the job market get you down. I have been out of work for almost two months, but I just got a job today that starts tomorrow and will go until I leave for dental school. It is possible!😀

Congrats! You are keeping me motivated 🙂

 

[hastytx]

I am still really nervous and haven't heard anything new from the schools, any other thoughts? Is anyone familiar with Creighton admission process for the second round????
Thanks

 

[hastytx]

What do you guys think of applying next year without retaking the DAT? just applying to more schools and really early!!!!
PLEASE help!

 

[jroque3313]

hey buddy reading this thread i see lots of similarities btwn you and I.....so I can totally relate to your situation....I got into Creighton and when talking to Dr. Ayers in my interview I brought up the idea of a post bac if I didn't get accepted this year. He said that was nonsense and I wouldn't need it....(again we have similar stats so I think you will be good without that.) About your GPA its pretty solid....I am about where your at. Everything happens for a reason man (I am speaking about you not following through with your 2ndaries.) I would wait to see what happens this year.....If you don't get in this cycle....there is always the next...I know it sucks to hear those words but like I said everything happens for a reason...there are plently of things you could be doing with the time off that will make you an even more polished applicant.....so forget about post bac....wait out and see what happens and follow up with the schools of choice in the future....best of luck

 

[hastytx]

hey buddy reading this thread i see lots of similarities btwn you and I.....so I can totally relate to your situation....I got into Creighton and when talking to Dr. Ayers in my interview I brought up the idea of a post bac if I didn't get accepted this year. He said that was nonsense and I wouldn't need it....(again we have similar stats so I think you will be good without that.) About your GPA its pretty solid....I am about where your at. Everything happens for a reason man (I am speaking about you not following through with your 2ndaries.) I would wait to see what happens this year.....If you don't get in this cycle....there is always the next...I know it sucks to hear those words but like I said everything happens for a reason...there are plently of things you could be doing with the time off that will make you an even more polished applicant.....so forget about post bac....wait out and see what happens and follow up with the schools of choice in the future....best of luck

Thanks jroque3313, I just looked at your profile on predents, and yes you are right, we pretty much have similar stats! You got accepted to two schools and I am happy for you, you deserve it. Congratulations! I just don't know how they make their decisions!!!! What is it based on? I don't understand what I did wrong!! 🙁 Wish me luck!!

 

[wantVCUdental]

hey buddy reading this thread i see lots of similarities btwn you and I.....so I can totally relate to your situation....

There are many similarities between your numbers, however, there is the most important factor that differs between the two of you: URM status!!!
URMs are evaluated on a separate scale, so there is absolutely no comparison that can be made between you two.

To the OP, congrats on the 22RC, i think you are capable of doing better, study and retake DAT (if needed) for now, just wait for creighton, never give up! if it hasn't rejected you then it can still accept you 🙂
Good luck

 

[hastytx]

There are many similarities between your numbers, however, there is the most important factor that differs between the two of you: URM status!!!
URMs are evaluated on a separate scale, so there is absolutely no comparison that can be made between you two.

To the OP, congrats on the 22RC, i think you are capable of doing better, study and retake DAT (if needed) for now, just wait for creighton, never give up! if it hasn't rejected you then it can still accept you 🙂
Good luck

Thanks wantVCUdental,
I thought I fall under the URM category, and I thought it's sort of an advantage. Even Dr. Ayers (the interviewer at Creighton) told me that they are looking for minorities!! How much of an effect does the URM status have when it comes to admission?
I'm potentially opening a can of worms here, but just because I need some clarification on this issue; I should probably mention that I am Persian/Iranian and have lived here for 5 years. Does that make me a minority?? I am starting to think many different things, someone please help me understand this whole URM status!

 

[wantVCUdental]

Thanks wantVCUdental,
I thought I fall under the URM category, and I thought it's sort of an advantage. Even Dr. Ayers (the interviewer at Creighton) told me that they are looking for minorities!! How much of an effect does the URM status have when it comes to admission?

I'm potentially opening a can of worms here, but just because I need some clarification on this issue; I should probably mention that I am Persian/Iranian and have lived here for 5 years. Does that make me a minority?? I am starting to think many different things, someone please help me understand this whole URM status!

URM status puts an applicant on a whole new admission bracket, many URM students come from a disadvantaged/low income families, so for them to even complete college, it's quite a feat in itself. If you check predents, you may notice there are some students with 16/17DAT and 3.0 gpa getting in, many of those are the URMs.

In the books of admissions, you do not qualify for URM status. Schools are looking for African Americans and Hispanic/Latino students.

In your case, i would suggest a retake of DAT. good luck