Hello! If anyone has applied to this program, have you received an acceptance yet? If not, would you happen to know when they’ll start doing so? I’m kind of worried as March 6th is approaching and I haven’t heard back yet. Also, do they let you know if you’ve been accepted through email or do they call you?
Texas A&M Collegiate II Program - Summer 2020
- Thread starter isham55
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This is my second time applying and I've heard nothing. I checked this morning and was told they are still reviewing applications. I was ghosted last year too. I've been told by numerous people that I have no shot because I'm not URM. I'm hoping that is not the case.
This is my first time applying and I'm hoping for the best as I'm not URM as well. I wonder how many applicants they receive. Good luck to you though!
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They’re sending out emails today.
Yeah, I got a reject email. 🙁
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I’m sorry to hear that. Don’t be discouraged though, if you applied mainly for the DAT preparatory aspect of the program you’re still more than capable of studying effectively without spending six weeks in Texas during the summer— opportunities like this come and go.
I agree. Thanks for the encouragement. I not only applied to better prep myself for the DAT, but also because I wanted to show my commitment/relationship to Texas as an OOS applicant. I’m just going to self-study instead.
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When you do eventually apply to Texas A&M’s dental school, their adcom may recognize your interest as an OOS applicant just from your application to the SPEP Collegiate II program. With good specs, you could stand out among OOS applicants to the adcom through exhibition of your interest in that school prior to actually applying to Texas A&M. By saying you applied to this summer program and received a phone interview, you can leverage your appeal to them (especially when considered against OOS applicants who have similar specs but have not displayed any previous interest in the school).
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I got ghosted too. I fit all aspects of their disadvantaged status, academic and educational wise, just not URM. I honestly don't know what it will take at this point. I feel like giving up because A&M is the only school I can attend and they clearly don't want me. It sucks to feel like a complete failure.
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Without knowing you or your journey up to this point on personal enough level to make any plea that may resound with you, I can still confidently say that you are not a failure. Though your circumstances may seem extenuating, I believe one’s goals in life can never truly be unattainable until the day comes where that person should lay absent of the breath and warmth that so allows us to fulfill our yearnings. I would implore you, if you haven’t already, to call and email the program coordinator or director for a detailed synopsis of why you were not chosen as a participant (for all we know, it could simply have boiled down to you not being classified as an URM) and what you could do to improve your appeal to Texas A&M’s College of Dentistry.
As is, I would also look into the routes taken by others in similar predicaments to those you may presently find yourself battling which have led to some success for them— instances could be found on this forum and elsewhere. Hopefully this allots at least some resolve to your disheartment.
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They don't respond or give generic answers. My only chance is to do well on the DAT, but it's hard to find sufficient time to study because I work 4 jobs totaling 67-70 hours per week, plus another 15 commuting, and am a single parent to a middle school and high schooler. People who have had success have applied broadly, which I can't do, have participated in summer or postbacc programs, or done a master's. The master's near me will not allow you to work, and I can't justify taking out the $50k more in loans with the hopes of getting into a single school. It does not have a guaranteed admission. I am struggling to pay bills as it is now that my student loans are coming due (this is the first semester I've taken off because I am out of loan funds and can't afford classes on my own), so more than doubling what I owe with no admission guarantee is not a smart risk at my age. A&M does not recognize online master's degrees as having any value either. There comes a tipping point of tangible working years vs the number of loans I will have to pay back, and I am quickly reaching that day when it wouldn't make financial sense.
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I see, answers don’t always come simply. You are doing more than many people could by working ample hours a week to support your children and yourself while still pursuing your passion, which is quite commendable. All things considered, financial advisement could be beneficial for effectively reevaluating plans— though I’m sure you’ve looked into that already. I myself am not extensively versed in personal finance at the moment but there are experienced advisors online willing to impart their financial advice to those who inquire, without payment.
Reddit for example: r/personalfinance
Once again, your not a failure— just a human being.
Reddit for example: r/personalfinance
Once again, your not a failure— just a human being.
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I’m extremely knowledgeable in personal finance and actually use to teach classes on it, so I have definitely been running the numbers. The initial risk allowed significant gains and overall well being vs my career as a teacher, but having to go that next step and double my initial financial investment to do so is a calculated risk I can’t take.
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Unfortunately, it seems like A&M is very picky with what they want. You need to have the stats/coursework that they are looking for. Someone in the A&M specific forum mentioned that he/she had a 3.76, DAT 25AA, no section below 23 and still did not receive an interview. When she called Janet Pledger, she told this person that she wants to see more upper level biology courses. This honestly doesn't make sense given the stats, but there's nothing that we as students can do about their minimum requirements other than to meet them to be considered a competitive applicant. It's just what they want. Every school wants a student that meets their stats and then will consider other parts of the application (e.g. experiences/research/shadowing).
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That may be a case of assuming the student would go somewhere else. I’ve heard the “more upper level science course” stuff too. I have 72 hours, which is technically more than a bio degree, so I feel it’s just a canned answer.
I feel like the generic 'upper level science course' response is always misleading. I've noticed it's more of a pattern of 'upper level science classes that reflect dental curriculum' (such as histology, biochem 2, physiology, immunology etc) as opposed to an upper level class focused on something like plants/other/bio PhD specific.
I don't think you're a failure - getting into dental school is hard. You're doing a lot and your circumstances are unique and can make this journey even harder compared to a traditional pre-dent
Best of luck