Successful reapplicants, can you share your stories?

[SchrutesBeets]

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I am reapplying to dental school in 2018. For those who re-applied and successfully matriculated, what'd you do to strengthen your application?

In addition, can you help me figure out how to strengthen my application?

I interviewed at a few places this past cycle but failed to stick any of them. Of course, improving interviewing is a must. Other than that, what should I be doing from now until June 2018 to be successful?

My GPA is strong, and I think my DAT scores are okay (23 OC, 22 Bio, 21 GC, 19 PAT, 18 RC, 22 QR). Other than that, I did a bit of research during college, worked part-time a lot, and shadowed for about 100 hours. I think my college letters are okay as well since I did get a few interviews. I do think I didn't volunteer enough.

During the next 13 months, I will shadow more dentists and volunteer every few weekends. I also work full-time and am the sole source of income so I will continue with work of course. Is there anything else I should be doing to be a competitive applicant?

 

[mOlar1!]

How come you didn't get in anywhere because it seems like your stats are strong and your Ecs seem aright too. Is it just the interview skills?

 

[LBagel]

.

 

[SchrutesBeets]

How come you didn't get in anywhere because it seems like your stats are strong and your Ecs seem aright too. Is it just the interview skills?

Since I got interviews I'm assuming it's just that my interviews didn't go well.

 

[SchrutesBeets]

Where did you apply last cycle, and where have you interviewed?

I applied to many schools in the NE and a few on the west coast. (e.g. Rutgers, Penn, Columbia, UConn, UCLA, NYU, etc.)

 

[Master Yoda]

What is you GPA? How are you EC? Have you done anything during the past year to improve your application?

 

[Craig_Sherwood234]

Why reapply when you can get in the first time?

I can't imagine not getting accepted after 4 yrs of hard work because of a botched interview. I would be pissed.

 

[Kareful]

Why reapply when you can get in the first time?

Yeh ok man. No need for that!

 

[mOlar1!]

I don't see why you should wait a whole year to apply. If your Ecs are fine, apply this June and apply broadly. Until then, just put in more volunteering hours and more shadowing. Do as many mock interviews as possible. There is a book on dental interviews too. Read that and you aren't good to go!

 

[SmileItsLife]

I don't see why you should wait a whole year to apply. If your Ecs are fine, apply this June and apply broadly. Until then, just put in more volunteering hours and more shadowing. Do as many mock interviews as possible. There is a book on dental interviews too. Read that and you aren't good to go!

Maybe they are worrying about there not being much difference in their app? I agree with you, though. I would just reapply EARLY.

 

[mOlar1!]

Maybe they are worrying about there not being much difference in their app? I agree with you, though. I would just reapply EARLY.

I think you have two months until June 1st. Do diff volunteering activities in this time and try to find a part time research even if it's for few hours a week. And apply June 1st. You'd be good to go imo. Def work on your interview skills but you don't need 13 months to work on that. You can fix that in two months.

 

[SchrutesBeets]

Both my overall and science GPA is 3.8+. I took alot of upper level courses in college as well. I think my ECs are okay. I did the usual - shadowing, dental events, some volunteering, a lot of working. For the past year, I've been doing what I had done since I first applied. I work as an engineer and can't really step away from that because I need to pay the bills.

Also, I want to apply in 2 months but can't right now because of some family obligations. On paper, I think my application is okay so until then, I am trying to figure out how I can improve my application so I get in for sure next time (with the condition my interviews are better). As of now, I think the clear thing is to shadow more and volunteer more. But since this will be my first time reapplying, I'm not so sure if only shadowing and volunteering more is enough.

 

[SmileItsLife]

Both my overall and science GPA is 3.8+. I took alot of upper level courses in college as well. I think my ECs are okay. I did the usual - shadowing, dental events, some volunteering, a lot of working. For the past year, I've been doing what I had done since I first applied. I work as an engineer and can't really step away from that because I need to pay the bills.

Also, I want to apply in 2 months but can't right now because of some family obligations. On paper, I think my application is okay so until then, I am trying to figure out how I can improve my application so I get in for sure next time (with the condition my interviews are better). As of now, I think the clear thing is to shadow more and volunteer more. But since this will be my first time reapplying, I'm not so sure if only shadowing and volunteering more is enough.

Did you try asking the schools why they rejected you? Also when did you apply?

 

[SchrutesBeets]

Did you try asking the schools why they rejected you? Also when did you apply?

I haven't formally gotten my rejection letters yet even though not hearing anything by now is pretty much a rejection. Since I didn't get a formal notice, I haven't really reached out.

I applied in July. After verification and all, I believe it was done at the end of July.

 

[blablabla1]

I am reapplying to dental school in 2018. For those who re-applied and successfully matriculated, what'd you do to strengthen your application?

In addition, can you help me figure out how to strengthen my application?

I interviewed at a few places this past cycle but failed to stick any of them. Of course, improving interviewing is a must. Other than that, what should I be doing from now until June 2018 to be successful?

My GPA is strong, and I think my DAT scores are okay (23 OC, 22 Bio, 21 GC, 19 PAT, 18 RC, 22 QR). Other than that, I did a bit of research during college, worked part-time a lot, and shadowed for about 100 hours. I think my college letters are okay as well since I did get a few interviews. I do think I didn't volunteer enough.

During the next 13 months, I will shadow more dentists and volunteer every few weekends. I also work full-time and am the sole source of income so I will continue with work of course. Is there anything else I should be doing to be a competitive applicant?

Pretty similar position as you. Interviewed at many schools, didn't get in anywhere, will be improving my interview skills over the next few months and reapplying in June. Don't worry too much about trying to make your app seem super different. For me, I will be finishing up my last year of undergrad this semester so I'll have a full year's worth of grades on my app compared to last year, I started up a part time job, added some volunteer hours over the course of the year, will get a new recc, and rewrite my personal statement. Overall though, if people ask what's different about my application, I'll talk about how this past app cycle taught me so much about dentistry. I suggest listening to dental podcasts and expanding your knowledge. Showing that you know about the big issues in dentistry will impress admission committees.

 

[gogoclever]

Apply this upcoming cycle if you can, I don't think you have to wait another year to apply since you have good stats and you got interviews.
I'd work, volunteer, take some classes during 17-18 so that you can constantly update the schools