WAMC 2024 -2025 Cycle

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tootharchives

tootharchives

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2+ Year Member
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Date of submission: planned end of june or beginning of july
Overall GPA: 3.12
Science GPA: 3.04
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.02
Post-Bacc GPA: 3.90
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 21 AA, 21 TS, 20 PAT, 20 QR, 23 RC, 24 Bio, 20 Gen Chem, 20 Orgo
State of Residence: California (Bay Area)

Undergrad Attended: UC Santa Cruz
Post-Bacc: Temple University
Community College: De Anza College, Foothill College
Major: Biology BS
Minor:
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No-- first time applicant
Nontrad? No- took a gap year during 2020, post bacc 22-23, current post-bacc retaking classes at community college and UC extension

Shadowing Experience: 250
(230 general dentist, 20 general dentist - federally qualified health center)
Volunteering Experience: 250
(soup kitchen 100 , educating children at kids tech museum 40, community garden 100, habitat for humanity 10)
Employment: 2450
(general dentist front desk, pediatric dentist front desk, and pediatric dental assistant)
Research: 50 vivarium animal handler - no publications/presentations
Smith Labs - environmental toxicology of manganese in drinking water
Other Extracurriculars: 50 Academic Chair (club), 50 Scrapbook Chair (service club)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? WesternU ADEA Club Pre-Dental Day, WesternU Preview Day & Open House, Temple U Interest Meeting (in-person), Temple-U Pre-Health Summit, A.T. Still Interest meeting (zoom), University of CO Interest Meeting (zoom)
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's Honors 1 time
LOR type and strength: Committee Letter (strong?), dentist (strong), anatomy professor (strong), genetics/cancer cell bio prof (strong), community service (medium), spiritual letter (medium)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: will be writing a disadvantaged essay -- struggled a lot during undergrad due to having to self-provide. withdrew from UC Santa Cruz during covid due to failing and not passing courses in biology (planned to take as grade booster) and ochem (retaking as grade booster). a great upward trend in grades -have had more A's than B's since 2021. my physics series was completed at community college so i have concerns for schools that require pre-req's taken at a four year university.
School list:
  • My #1 - Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, Pomona, CA
  • Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale, AZ
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
  • Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA
  • Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Los Angeles, CA
  • University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA
  • University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA
  • University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Aurora, CO
  • The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University
  • Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, FL
  • Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College
  • Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine – South Jordan, Utah
  • Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, MA
  • New York University College of Dentistry
  • Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, MA
  • Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Members don't see this ad.
 
Last edited:
xtoothfairyx said:
Date of submission: planned end of june or beginning of july
Overall GPA: 3.12
Science GPA: 3.04
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.02
Post-Bacc GPA: 3.90
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 21 AA, 21 TS, 20 PAT, 20 QR, 23 RC, 24 Bio, 20 Gen Chem, 20 Orgo
State of Residence: California (Bay Area)

Undergrad Attended: UC Santa Cruz
Post-Bacc: Temple University
Community College: De Anza College, Foothill College
Major: Biology BS
Minor:
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No-- first time applicant
Nontrad? No- took a gap year during 2020, post bacc 22-23, current post-bacc retaking classes at community college and UC extension

Shadowing Experience: 250
(230 general dentist, 20 general dentist - federally qualified health center)
Volunteering Experience: 250
(soup kitchen 100 , educating children at kids tech museum 40, community garden 100, habitat for humanity 10)
Employment: 2450
(general dentist front desk, pediatric dentist front desk, and pediatric dental assistant)
Research: 50 vivarium animal handler - no publications/presentations
Smith Labs - environmental toxicology of manganese in drinking water
Other Extracurriculars: 50 Academic Chair (club), 50 Scrapbook Chair (service club)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? WesternU ADEA Club Pre-Dental Day, WesternU Preview Day & Open House, A.T. Still Interest meeting (zoom), University of CO Interest Meeting (zoom)
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's Honors 1 time
LOR type and strength: Committee Letter (strong?), dentist (strong), anatomy professor (strong), genetics/cancer cell bio prof (strong), community service (medium), spiritual letter (medium)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: will be writing a disadvantaged essay -- struggled a lot during undergrad due to having to self-provide. withdrew from UC Santa Cruz during covid due to failing and not passing courses in biology (planned to take as grade booster) and ochem (retaking as grade booster). a great upward trend in grades -have had more A's than B's since 2021. my physics series was completed at community college so i have concerns for schools that require pre-req's taken at a four year university.
School list:
  • My #1 - Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, Pomona, CA
  • Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale, AZ
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
  • Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA
  • Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Los Angeles, CA
  • University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA
  • University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA
  • University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Aurora, CO
  • The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University
  • Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, FL
  • Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College
  • Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine – South Jordan, Utah
  • Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, MA
  • New York University College of Dentistry
  • Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, MA
  • Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Click to expand...
what is your last 2 years' gpa (overall and science)?
 
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tootharchives said:
Hello thank you for responding so quickly!
overall GPA: 3.90
science GPA: 3.87
Click to expand...
ok
great

it's not a bad list
2 reaches- UOP and UCSF
2 publics- colorado and UNLV
and 12 privates

how come you didn't attend any events at Temple D School?
 
macsak said:
ok
great

it's not a bad list
2 reaches- UOP and UCSF
2 publics- colorado and UNLV
and 12 privates

how come you didn't attend any events at Temple D School?
Click to expand...
i'm glad to hear that my list is okay!
i know that considering my stats my chances are quite low, would applying this cycle still be worth it?

oh yes, i attended an interest meeting for temple u through the post-bacc program and pre-health summit during spring 2023.
 
tootharchives said:
i'm glad to hear that my list is okay!
i know that considering my stats my chances are quite low, would applying this cycle still be worth it?

oh yes, i attended an interest meeting for temple u through the post-bacc program and pre-health summit during spring 2023.
Click to expand...
note: i never said your list is okay...
edit: sorry if that came off as harsh, it was not meant to be, simply stating facts. it's not up to me to OK your list

was your post-bacc formal?
can you supply a link to the program?
did they provide help with study skills? DAT prep? mock interviews?
 
Last edited:
Here's the link to the program, and I presume you did ACHS since you came in with Biology coursework.

To me, you have a good profile. Your last 60 credit hours/postbac will help you.

I'm unsure about are schools where the region doesn't make sense given where you were (California) and are/did your postbac (Philadelphia). You have at least done your due diligence with recruitment events and being near the dental school to see facilities so you can compare. Specifically why:
Midwestern-IL? (I guess if Midwestern-AZ doesn't work out?)
Colorado? (Why there, from your Zoom recruitment event)
Roseman?
LECOM?

Of course, we warn you about the sticker price for USC and NYU. Make sure you are okay with Loma Linda's religious-centered culture (spiritual LOR).

You did say Western is your preference, so I presume you would rather return to California rather than stay out in the Northeast. You've "visited" their program so make sure you talk with students whose journey resembles your own there and at other programs.
 
Mr.Smile12 said:
Here's the link to the program, and I presume you did ACHS since you came in with Biology coursework.

To me, you have a good profile. Your last 60 credit hours/postbac will help you.

I'm unsure about are schools where the region doesn't make sense given where you were (California) and are/did your postbac (Philadelphia). You have at least done your due diligence with recruitment events and being near the dental school to see facilities so you can compare. Specifically why:
Midwestern-IL? (I guess if Midwestern-AZ doesn't work out?)
Colorado? (Why there, from your Zoom recruitment event)
Roseman?
LECOM?

Of course, we warn you about the sticker price for USC and NYU. Make sure you are okay with Loma Linda's religious-centered culture (spiritual LOR).

You did say Western is your preference, so I presume you would rather return to California rather than stay out in the Northeast. You've "visited" their program so make sure you talk with students whose journey resembles your own there and at other programs.
Click to expand...
thanks for the link

OP said NOVA, not LECOM
but i have similar geographic issues with either
i have less of an issue with the mountain state schools, i think they are reasonably close to CA

perhaps OP could consider creighton if they have religious inclination...
 
macsak said:
thanks for the link

OP said NOVA, not LECOM
but i have similar geographic issues with either
i have less of an issue with the mountain state schools, i think they are reasonably close to CA

perhaps OP could consider creighton if they have religious inclination...
Click to expand...
and yes, doing well in postbacc helps a lot...
edit to add: the fact that you were willing to travel so far from CA to do a postbacc opens up more of the northeast schools to you
 
Last edited:
macsak said:
and yes, doing well in postbacc helps a lot...
Click to expand...
it's not unreasonable for you to apply this cycle
just make sure you have enough schools on your list and check on the community college allowances at each school
 
tootharchives said:
Date of submission: planned end of june or beginning of july
Overall GPA: 3.12
Science GPA: 3.04
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.02
Post-Bacc GPA: 3.90
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 21 AA, 21 TS, 20 PAT, 20 QR, 23 RC, 24 Bio, 20 Gen Chem, 20 Orgo
State of Residence: California (Bay Area)

Undergrad Attended: UC Santa Cruz
Post-Bacc: Temple University
Community College: De Anza College, Foothill College
Major: Biology BS
Minor:
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No-- first time applicant
Nontrad? No- took a gap year during 2020, post bacc 22-23, current post-bacc retaking classes at community college and UC extension

Shadowing Experience: 250
(230 general dentist, 20 general dentist - federally qualified health center)
Volunteering Experience: 250
(soup kitchen 100 , educating children at kids tech museum 40, community garden 100, habitat for humanity 10)
Employment: 2450
(general dentist front desk, pediatric dentist front desk, and pediatric dental assistant)
Research: 50 vivarium animal handler - no publications/presentations
Smith Labs - environmental toxicology of manganese in drinking water
Other Extracurriculars: 50 Academic Chair (club), 50 Scrapbook Chair (service club)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? WesternU ADEA Club Pre-Dental Day, WesternU Preview Day & Open House, Temple U Interest Meeting (in-person), Temple-U Pre-Health Summit, A.T. Still Interest meeting (zoom), University of CO Interest Meeting (zoom)
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean's Honors 1 time
LOR type and strength: Committee Letter (strong?), dentist (strong), anatomy professor (strong), genetics/cancer cell bio prof (strong), community service (medium), spiritual letter (medium)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: will be writing a disadvantaged essay -- struggled a lot during undergrad due to having to self-provide. withdrew from UC Santa Cruz during covid due to failing and not passing courses in biology (planned to take as grade booster) and ochem (retaking as grade booster). a great upward trend in grades -have had more A's than B's since 2021. my physics series was completed at community college so i have concerns for schools that require pre-req's taken at a four year university.
School list:
  • My #1 - Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, Pomona, CA
  • Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Glendale, AZ
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV
  • Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA
  • Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, Los Angeles, CA
  • University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA
  • University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA
  • University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Aurora, CO
  • The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University
  • Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, FL
  • Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College
  • Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine – South Jordan, Utah
  • Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, MA
  • New York University College of Dentistry
  • Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, MA
  • Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
Click to expand...
you went to the at still meeting, but they are not on your list
why not?
 
Mr.Smile12 said:
Here's the link to the program, and I presume you did ACHS since you came in with Biology coursework.

To me, you have a good profile. Your last 60 credit hours/postbac will help you.

I'm unsure about are schools where the region doesn't make sense given where you were (California) and are/did your postbac (Philadelphia). You have at least done your due diligence with recruitment events and being near the dental school to see facilities so you can compare. Specifically why:
Midwestern-IL? (I guess if Midwestern-AZ doesn't work out?)
Colorado? (Why there, from your Zoom recruitment event)
Roseman?
LECOM?

Of course, we warn you about the sticker price for USC and NYU. Make sure you are okay with Loma Linda's religious-centered culture (spiritual LOR).

You did say Western is your preference, so I presume you would rather return to California rather than stay out in the Northeast. You've "visited" their program so make sure you talk with students whose journey resembles your own there and at other programs.
Click to expand...
hello, yes I did the ACHS program. the main reason why i went to PA was because my mentor who I've been shadowing was an alumni there and told me about their program. at the time of post-bacc applications i did not meet the minimum gpa for a lot of the post-baccs in california.
i really liked the achs program because even to this day i am in contact with the dean and advisors there. they offerred DAT prep, study skills prep, and personal statement review. in addition to shadowing a federally qualified health center as well which helped give me a unique experience meeting patients from an intercity in philadelphia.

midwestern-il i've heard through my mentor's friends that she went there and had a good experience there. she has a similar experience as me and currently practices in CA.

colorado - i was genuinely curious about the program and i liked the ACTS program they offerred which is similar to westernu's externship that they do during D4. (i like getting as many different experiences as possible)

roseman - honestly, this school is more of a safety school to me because it is a 3 year program so one year less of experience. i do like their learning model and team based collaboration.

lecom - it's not necessarily a linkage but the temple u's post-bacc program allows students to apply and they will put in a word for us as long as we have met their minimum requirements. maybe linkage in the future but as of right now it's more communication/word of mouth by the dean

yes, thank you for letting me know about the costs for those schools and i do have a spiritual LOR ready for loma linda.
i'll be sure to reach out to the students i met at westernu's events.

thank you so much for the feedback!
 
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macsak said:
you went to the at still meeting, but they are not on your list
why not?
Click to expand...
hello, thank you so much for the advice!

it was advice through my mentor that one of their other mentees remediated and was eventually let go of the program. they did not offer a lot of resources for them to continue their program so in order to avoid that situation happening to me i was advised not to apply.

i think i have a better idea on what i should focus on in terms of choosing my schools and to whether to apply this cycle. i greatly appreciate it!
 
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