Third time's the charm..?

[Blake1e]

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1st time applying: no interviews. 2nd: 4 interviews, 3 waitlists.

-1st cycle stats: cum/sciGPA=3.0/2.7; 20AA 22TS RC16 & low QR (I knew applying would be pointless, but parents insisted)

-Last cycle: 3.2/3.0; 24AA 25TS, all sections at least 20; doubled shadow hours to ~250

-Improvements for this cycle: 3.3/3.2, continued straight A streak; ~100hrs of research; new upper lvl sci recommendation; 4 months of min wage full-time; and some other smaller stuff.


After last cycle's epic failure, I racked my brain to figure out what went wrong, no immediate answer came. Pretty much everyone (forum, undergrad & dental school advisers) said my DAT was good enough to make up for my low GPAs, so I was unsure if this was the culprit or not. Despite not knowing exactly why last cycle didn't work out, I executed a blitzkrieg to improve everything I could.

When the new dental school guidebook came out, it became apparent where I went wrong. Many of the schools I applied to wanted at least a 3.2 sciGPA.

I'm going to apply to about 15 schools again, but I'm going to submit my app a little late, in the first week of July, when my summer classes end.

Now with my new and improved GPAs and extracurriculars, will lady luck stand by me this 3rd time around? What do you think? As usual I'm optimistic, but then again I also was last cycle.

 

[ktran17]

Add 5-10 more schools to ensure you'll get in. If I was applying my third time, I would apply to 25-30 schools.

 

[Mediumrare]

You might want to call the schools that you were rejected from and ask I they do an application review. I know it's late but DO IT!! with your dat score it may have been an interview issue? They will absolutely tell you if that is the issue as well as what they suggest you should do to make yourself a more competative applicant. Good luck! I'm pulling for you!

 

[HaverfoodsDDS]

I'm not so sure there's a big red-flag in your application if you were granted 4 interviews last time. I'd focus more on your interviewing than anything else....

 

[Illfavor]

I'm not so sure there's a big red-flag in your application if you were granted 4 interviews last time. I'd focus more on your interviewing than anything else....

I agree. Learn to close the deal.

 

[BillyJoel]

1st time applying: no interviews. 2nd: 4 interviews, 3 waitlists.

-1st cycle stats: cum/sciGPA=3.0/2.7; 20AA 22TS RC16 & low QR (I knew applying would be pointless, but parents insisted)

-Last cycle: 3.2/3.0; 24AA 25TS, all sections at least 20; doubled shadow hours to ~250

-Improvements for this cycle: 3.3/3.2, continued straight A streak; ~100hrs of research; new upper lvl sci recommendation; 4 months of min wage full-time; and some other smaller stuff.


After last cycle's epic failure, I racked my brain to figure out what went wrong, no immediate answer came. Pretty much everyone (forum, undergrad & dental school advisers) said my DAT was good enough to make up for my low GPAs, so I was unsure if this was the culprit or not. Despite not knowing exactly why last cycle didn't work out, I executed a blitzkrieg to improve everything I could.

When the new dental school guidebook came out, it became apparent where I went wrong. Many of the schools I applied to wanted at least a 3.2 sciGPA.

I'm going to apply to about 15 schools again, but I'm going to submit my app a little late, in the first week of July, when my summer classes end.

Now with my new and improved GPAs and extracurriculars, will lady luck stand by me this 3rd time around? What do you think? As usual I'm optimistic, but then again I also was last cycle.

In your second cycle, did you apply with a 3.2/3.0 gpa? Or was that after the academic update?

 

[Blake1e]

Add 5-10 more schools to ensure you'll get in. If I was applying my third time, I would apply to 25-30 schools.

Seems a little overkill to me. I'm barely putting together a list of 15 schools as is, but I'll take your advice to add a few more, maybe have 17-20 in total.

You might want to call the schools that you were rejected from and ask I they do an application review. I know it's late but DO IT!! with your dat score it may have been an interview issue? They will absolutely tell you if that is the issue as well as what they suggest you should do to make yourself a more competative applicant. Good luck! In pulling for you!

I called a bunch of schools back in April, they either didnt answer the multiple times I called, told me they don't review over phone, or only have partial access to apps and person that does have full-access isnt around. The senior director of admissions of one school that was awesome enough to call me back themselves gave no direct answer but hinted at my GPA. But still your advice is good, Im definitely going to call the 4 schools that interviewed me.

@Mediumrare @HaverfoodsDDS @Illfavor I doubt my interview was an issue. I was prepared, felt good and anxiety was at a low level. No exaggeration, all the interviewers complimented my personality at least once and laughed or giggled at a joke I made. But who knows, maybe I did something wrong I wasnt aware of or forgot about, I really hope youre right (Mediumrare) and they tell me straight up when I call.

I'm not so sure there's a big red-flag in your application if you were granted 4 interviews last time. I'd focus more on your interviewing than anything else....

I agree. Learn to close the deal.

In your second cycle, did you apply with a 3.2/3.0 gpa? Or was that after the academic update?

I applied with those gpas; after the academic update the first 2 digits remained the same for both.

 

[distressstudent]

Aside from your GPA, do you have any big "risk factor" that should be considered? You're obviously competent enough to handle dental school courses and pass the boards because of your DAT score, but what about your dedication and commitment to dentistry? Also if you have any big risk factor (like ability to handle course rigor for years), then the interview is more than just a personality test. I think for 3.7 DAT 23 applicants, the interview can be nothing more than a personality test. But for riskier applicants like yourself, you are going to have to demonstrate to adcom what you can offer them other than just another nice and charming dentist. Because from their point of view, adcom would rather admit a nice and charming dentists with a 3.7 than one with a 3.3; you have to show them you are more than just an applicant with a nice personality.

 

[soydentista]

Stay positive 🙂 the third time IS THE CHARM!!! Just apply to as many schools as your can afford...Good luck

 

[Blake1e]

Aside from your GPA, do you have any big "risk factor" that should be considered? You're obviously competent enough to handle dental school courses and pass the boards because of your DAT score, but what about your dedication and commitment to dentistry? Also if you have any big risk factor (like ability to handle course rigor for years), then the interview is more than just a personality test. I think for 3.7 DAT 23 applicants, the interview can be nothing more than a personality test. But for riskier applicants like yourself, you are going to have to demonstrate to adcom what you can offer them other than just another nice and charming dentist. Because from their point of view, adcom would rather admit a nice and charming dentists with a 3.7 than one with a 3.3; you have to show them you are more than just an applicant with a nice personality.

Pretty sure I dont have any big "risk factor." I shadowed (more than 200hrs in total) for many specialties in the clinic of a dental school and at a general dentist's private business. I dont think my dedication is in question, heck I don't even have backup plan b/c this is the only thing I want. Though on 2nd thought, I was a volunteer/intern at a small pharmacy for many hrs but only for the business management side of it (I never had plans to be a pharmacist). I thought I made that clear enough in the description, but maybe b/c of the word "pharmacy" schools still questioned my commitment? Hmmm might be in my best interest to cut down the amount of hours I'll write for it on this cycle's app. On 3rd thought, Im pretty sure my intent was clear during interviews, Im very driven and my words and energy convey that. To be safe, Ill still trim down those hours.

I could handle large courseloads, this past semester I took 21 credits (12 were upper sci courses other rest were low lvl sci courses) , did research and still managed a 3.95 GPA (got 1 "A-"). My GPA is low b/c I did bad in freshman and sophomore year. Junior year my grades began to rise. Senior year and the subsequent two years of post-bac I received straight "A"s (GPAs at 4.0 or close to it), only did bad in one semester where I took only 8credits and got 3.3 or 3.4 b/c I was obsessed with studying for the DAT.

Stay positive 🙂 the third time IS THE CHARM!!! Just apply to as many schools as your can afford...Good luck

Thanks for the support, Im crossing my fingers and eating plenty lucky charms cereal to build up my stores of good luck for this 3rd cycle.

 

[BabyShades]

You will get in this year, update us.

 

[Dentadude]

Is a 3.2 BCP really necessary? I've got a 3.1 ogpa and 3.0 BCP. This is after taking 1 year of post bacc of nothing but a full course load and getting A's and A-'s. I'm asking because I'm not sure how much more I can improve my BCP. Will this be good enough to get in somewhere? My DAT is 21/23/20.

 

[jokersmiles]

where are you attending? would like to hear about the conclusion of your journey

 

[1passbbsSHAVE]

I feel you my man. I have 24AA24TS (though pat is 18), and slightly higher GPA at 3.4 ish.
Last year, interviewed at 5 schools, waitlisted at all of them.
This cycle, interviewed at 5 schools, 4 waitlists, 1 rejection after interview(thanks for that), and 1 more interview to go.

I feel like what they could consider red flag on my application is that I have been out of school for a very long time and my classes are old and I've only been taking classes like 1 at a time.
I do work full time, but I don't know if they take that into consideration.
Unlike you, I don't know if my interviews were ever great. on Some of them, I felt pretty good, some other ones, I felt like I bombed them, so not sure if it was solely interview problem either.

If this cycle doesn't pan out, I am considering doing 1 year post-bac program designed for pre-health students.
As much as I'd hate to waste another year or two getting ready, but if that's what I hve to do, I will do it.

 

[jokersmiles]

I feel you my man. I have 24AA24TS (though pat is 18), and slightly higher GPA at 3.4 ish.
Last year, interviewed at 5 schools, waitlisted at all of them.
This cycle, interviewed at 5 schools, 4 waitlists, 1 rejection after interview(thanks for that), and 1 more interview to go.

I feel like what they could consider red flag on my application is that I have been out of school for a very long time and my classes are old and I've only been taking classes like 1 at a time.
I do work full time, but I don't know if they take that into consideration.
Unlike you, I don't know if my interviews were ever great. on Some of them, I felt pretty good, some other ones, I felt like I bombed them, so not sure if it was solely interview problem either.

If this cycle doesn't pan out, I am considering doing 1 year post-bac program designed for pre-health students.
As much as I'd hate to waste another year or two getting ready, but if that's what I hve to do, I will do it.

You received 5 interviews in 2 cycles, your application is perfect, I think the issue here is your interview performance.
But if you want to make sure yeah just do that one year post bac to prove to them that you can still handle rigorous coursework.
Although I believe that what you truly need to do is practice mock interviewing with friends and family. Good luck to you.