Strategizing for "On The Fence" Applicants (2014-2015)

[psrano21]

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Hi all,

Recently took my DAT and am looking for any honest feedback I can get regarding my competitiveness as an applicant, and any other recommendations regarding next-step strategies for this current application cycle. Apologies in advance for the lengthy (and probably obvious) questioning in this post but hopefully others may benefit from this discussion!

DAT scores are as follows:
AA: 19
TS: 18
PAT: 17*
RC: 21
Bio: 19
GC: 19
OC: 18
QR: 16
*I clearly choked in PAT – having used Kaplan’s version to prepare (and consistently scoring 90th percentiles), I can honestly say that their PAT section (specifically angle ranking and hole-punching) was SIGNIFICANTLY easier than the real thing.

The general consensus on these SDN forums (as well as from my pre-dent advisers) seems to be that a 19AA is still considered decent as it is above the national average, and is the average among accepted enrollees at dental schools, which gives me some confidence.

My GPA however is definitely what makes me an “on the fence” applicant (Overall: 3.1; Science: 2.9; Non-Science 3.3), and I am really hoping the other aspects of my application will work to balance it out.

Application highlights include:
-A steady “upward trend” in my undergraduate grades (especially between the key science courses, and many upper-level courses)
-5 years of research experience (in academic, industrial, and clinical settings), including multiple publications and 2 achievement awards.
~100 hours of shadowing/volunteering in dental clinics
-Great letters of recommendations

My current application strategy for this cycle includes:
-Sending in my application early this cycle (by mid-July the latest)
-“Applying smart” (i.e. schools where my credentials fall within the appropriate range).
-Potentially taking another upper-level science course (for undergraduate credit) in time for the academic update, to boost my GPA
-Retaking the DAT when I am eligible (September) if recommended by advising committees

Any thoughts on how much the"well-roundedness" of my application balances out the deficits in my hard numbers, OR suggestions about my current strategic plan (specifically retaking the DAT vs. taking more upper-level science courses) would be much appreciated!

 

[Hailstorm]

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Any thoughts on how much the"well-roundedness" of my application balances out the deficits in my hard numbers, OR suggestions about my current strategic plan (specifically retaking the DAT vs. taking more upper-level science courses) would be much appreciated!

Your situation is far more dire than you appear to realize.

 

[Daneosaurus]

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Your situation is far more dire than you appear to realize.

?

 

[threemileisle]

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Your situation is far more dire than you appear to realize.

Agree completely. People overvalue the importance of ECs. In the end, it's all about the numbers. Adcoms group applicants based on GPAs and DATs -- ECs only come into play when adcoms start digging into those groups to differentiate applicants from each other. At the moment, unless you're URM, schools are gonna take one look at your numbers and immediately discard your app without even taking a look at your ECs.

Your AA/TS/PAT are all below the average for enrollees last year, which was 20 in all categories. You could get by with a 19AA if you had a great GPA, but your TS and PAT are huge drags, probably low enough to warrant a re-take. The problem is your GPA. Even if you managed a 22+ DAT, the odds would still be heavily against you. In my opinion, you're going to need to have 1-2 strong years of post-bacc/SMP, plus a DAT re-take, to even be in the conversation.

 

[psrano21]

Thanks guys, great feedback and much appreciated! I am definitely fully ready to retake the DAT and get that score up. Also hoping to get another upper-level science course under my belt in time for the academic update this upcoming Fall. My undergraduate GPA definitely could have benefited from having a clearer direction earlier on in my career, but that is water under the bridge at this point (I am now 2+ years post-grad), and nothing to do now but keep grinding it out!

I'm also trying to get a sense of whether or not schools tend to put early applications "on hold" after you e-submit while indicating that you will be retaking the DAT. Definitely going to be calling admissions officers directly about this, but does anyone have a good sense of this, or does it vary case by case?

Thanks!

 

[Hailstorm]

+100 hours shadowing/volunteering
Improved DAT
ugpa sci -> 3.0 if possible
some sort of masters/SMP type program

A course is good and all, but without specifics of your upward trend it's hard to quantify. If you can throw a 3.7-4.0 in a full load of upper-level science classes for a year or two, or bang out a SMP-type program you will have, to a forgiving person, demonstrated that you are capable of succeeding in professional school. It's not just the difficulty of the courses, but a function of quantity*diffiulty that you need to prove you can handle.

Your research experience is good, but a lot of the research heavy schools are extremely competitive, so it's hard to say how much it will benefit you - and it won't do anything for you if whoever is reviewing your app isn't 100% convinced that you can succeed in their school.

You certainly have the right attitude though, so go forth and conquer.

 

[MBlue16]

I think the easiest way to strengthen your application is just to retake and ace that DAT. I'm actually surprised that you didn't show any concern about the QR lol. It seems that QR (and AA) is a bigger deal than the PAT for a lot of schools.

You can always increase your volunteer/ shadowing hours. But, don't overdo it. Dental schools just want to make sure that you have enough exposure to dentistry. Putting too much time into it is a waste of time IMHO.

Edit: I meant to say AA, not TS. 🙂

 

[DentalDoge]

It seems that QR (and TS) is a bigger deal than the PAT for a lot of schools.

That's the first I've heard of it. (Except the TS) I've always heard that most schools weight QR alot less.

 

[MBlue16]

That's the first I've heard of it. (Except the TS) I've always heard that most schools weight QR alot less.

Hmm, I might not say it clearly, but what I meant was that QR affect AA (Edit: not TS as I mentioned earlier) and that AA is a bigger deal than PAT.

Nonetheless, I think the problem with OP's DAT was not only the PAT, but also the QR. That 16 doesn't look so good 🙁

 

[Glimmer1991]

Hmm, I might not say it clearly, but what I meant was that QR affect TS and that TS is a bigger deal than PAT.

Nonetheless, I think the problem with OP's DAT was not only the PAT, but also the QR. That 16 doesn't look so good 🙁

QR doesn't affect TS! Only OC, GC, and Bio factor into your TS.

 

[MBlue16]

QR doesn't affect TS! Only OC, GC, and Bio factor into your TS.

Oh shiz! What I meant was AA! Thanks for catching that error. Editing my previous messages now. 🙂

 

[psrano21]

All great points. QR was definitely more of a timing thing for me, and can definitely go up if I just work on speed.

As for how the retake will affect my application, it seems that indicating you will be retaking on your application opens the possibility of admissions committees putting your application on hold until those scores come in. The admissions officer I spoke with this morning did mention however that this is a common strategy, and that schools still might take an initial glance at my application in the interim.

Not that this will necessarily apply to my case, but has anyone ever been in the situation of applying early while indicating a DAT retake, but was extended an interview before retaking on account of admissions committees being satisfied with your first set of scores/the rest of your credentials?

 

[Glimmer1991]

Not that this will necessarily apply to my case, but has anyone ever been in the situation of applying early while indicating a DAT retake, but was extended an interview before retaking on account of admissions committees being satisfied with your first set of scores/the rest of your credentials?

I'm sure it can happen. I think I've seen it once or twice over the past 2 years.

That can be an awkward situation, though... like... do you ask them if they still want you to retake?

"Hey, guys, so uh... I see you've already invited me... so... uh... do I still need to do that retake I've indicated, or are you happy as is?"

😀

 

[psrano21]

^Hah...very true.

Would the strategy then be to NOT indicate a retake on my application, but personally plan on retaking anyways, and just submitting scores to schools after?

I feel I would then run the risks of leaving a bad impression (i.e. appearing to be content with my sub-par scores, and not showing initiative or motivation to improve them), or simply getting rejected right off the bat.

Do schools typically advise applicants to retake (if they make it to an interview for instance) if they are interested in an applicant who hasn’t indicated they will on their application?

 

[Glimmer1991]

Would the strategy then be to NOT indicate a retake on my application, but personally plan on retaking anyways, and just submitting scores to schools after?

I feel I would then run the risks of leaving a bad impression (i.e. appearing to be content with my sub-par scores, and not showing initiative or motivation to improve them), or simply getting rejected right off the bat.

Do schools typically advise applicants to retake (if they make it to an interview for instance) if they are interested in an applicant who hasn’t indicated they will on their application?

If you aren't retaking this cycle, then don't indicate a retake. September might not be the best time to retake if you still have school... Maybe late June/early July of next year would be a better time.

They might advise a retake even after an interview, but that would generally be for the next cycle.