User2601
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Hi everyone!
This is my second time applying and I recently earned my Bachelor's degree from Rutgers New Brunswick. I applied to 13 schools last time in the North-East area mainly and did not get any interviews. I know my stats are really low and when I applied last time it was really rushed as I was taking 2 hard Bio-electives over the summer, studying for the DAT, and prepping my application all at the same time. Since then I have gained experience working as a Dental Assistant for about a year now with a general dentist and a periodontist. I am also applying to a Master's program as Rutgers Dental School. which is designed for Pre-dental students. I am also re-taking my DAT by mid-august and I know I can perform way better than I did last time because this time I can fully focus on it.
I recently spoke to someone at Rutgers Dental School to get feedback on my application from last time and the person that I spoke to was very discouraging and very negative (which I understand my stats are really low I shouldn't have even applied). But she basically convinced me to quit this path as I am not capable of succeeding in it. She said no matter how well I do on my DAT it will not make up for my low GPA and that I may not even qualify to get into any Master's programs. 🙁
I got accepted the post-bacc program at Temple University but it was really expensive for me so I did not pursue that option.
Date of submission: Mid-June
Overall GPA: 3.1
Science GPA: 2.9
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: don't know
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 17AA //16 PAT//16 QR//19 RC//18 BIO//15 GC//18 OC//17TS
State of Residence: NJ
Undergrad Attended: Rutgers University
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
Minority? No (Indian)
Reapplicant? yes
Nontrad? No
Shadowing Experience: 130+ between two general dentists and one of them wrote me a rec.
Volunteering Experience: 30+ volunteering at dental clinic, 200+ non-dental volunteering.
Employment: employed through most of undegrad working as Pharmacy Technician for 1 year and Dental Assistant 1 year (still continuing).
Research: none
Other Extracurriculars: committee member of a non-profit organisation called Pathways for Hope - which organizes events for rescued pets adoption and fostering. Volunteered at events held by pre-dental club at Rutgers. I play the piano as a hobby but never performed at event. Occasionally volunteer as student teacher at Kumon where I was employed during high school.
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? No
Relevant Honors or Awards: none
LOR type and strength: 2 science professors, 2 General Dentist (worked for one, and shadowed/volunteered with the other), 1 science TA.
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Had to Re-take Gen chem II as I failed my first time when I took it over the summer. Began shadowing January of Last year. Went to community college during covid-19 for first 2 years where I got my AS before transferring and graduating from Rutgers.
I am also an immigrant and this is only my 7th year living in the US. I do not have a medical background so most of my schooling and college here has been self-navigation. I am still learning a LOT of new things that I wish I knew earlier.
This is my second time applying and I recently earned my Bachelor's degree from Rutgers New Brunswick. I applied to 13 schools last time in the North-East area mainly and did not get any interviews. I know my stats are really low and when I applied last time it was really rushed as I was taking 2 hard Bio-electives over the summer, studying for the DAT, and prepping my application all at the same time. Since then I have gained experience working as a Dental Assistant for about a year now with a general dentist and a periodontist. I am also applying to a Master's program as Rutgers Dental School. which is designed for Pre-dental students. I am also re-taking my DAT by mid-august and I know I can perform way better than I did last time because this time I can fully focus on it.
I recently spoke to someone at Rutgers Dental School to get feedback on my application from last time and the person that I spoke to was very discouraging and very negative (which I understand my stats are really low I shouldn't have even applied). But she basically convinced me to quit this path as I am not capable of succeeding in it. She said no matter how well I do on my DAT it will not make up for my low GPA and that I may not even qualify to get into any Master's programs. 🙁
I got accepted the post-bacc program at Temple University but it was really expensive for me so I did not pursue that option.
Date of submission: Mid-June
Overall GPA: 3.1
Science GPA: 2.9
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: don't know
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 17AA //16 PAT//16 QR//19 RC//18 BIO//15 GC//18 OC//17TS
State of Residence: NJ
Undergrad Attended: Rutgers University
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
Minority? No (Indian)
Reapplicant? yes
Nontrad? No
Shadowing Experience: 130+ between two general dentists and one of them wrote me a rec.
Volunteering Experience: 30+ volunteering at dental clinic, 200+ non-dental volunteering.
Employment: employed through most of undegrad working as Pharmacy Technician for 1 year and Dental Assistant 1 year (still continuing).
Research: none
Other Extracurriculars: committee member of a non-profit organisation called Pathways for Hope - which organizes events for rescued pets adoption and fostering. Volunteered at events held by pre-dental club at Rutgers. I play the piano as a hobby but never performed at event. Occasionally volunteer as student teacher at Kumon where I was employed during high school.
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? No
Relevant Honors or Awards: none
LOR type and strength: 2 science professors, 2 General Dentist (worked for one, and shadowed/volunteered with the other), 1 science TA.
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Had to Re-take Gen chem II as I failed my first time when I took it over the summer. Began shadowing January of Last year. Went to community college during covid-19 for first 2 years where I got my AS before transferring and graduating from Rutgers.
I am also an immigrant and this is only my 7th year living in the US. I do not have a medical background so most of my schooling and college here has been self-navigation. I am still learning a LOT of new things that I wish I knew earlier.
