WAMC 24-25 Avg GPA - Advice on school list and overall app needed

[teethhehehehhe]

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Date of submission: mid July
Overall GPA: 3.50
Science GPA: 3.49
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.31
DAT score:
1st: 20AA 18TS 21PAT 19BIO 17GC 18OC 23QR 21RC
2nd: 22AA 22TS 25PAT 22BIO 23GC 21OC 22QR 22RC
State of Residence: Washington due to military relocation but permanent address in Florida

Undergrad Attended: USF
Major: Biomedical science
Minority? No? (asian, immigrated to the US in college)
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes? 2 gap years but selected Traditional on application

Shadowing Experience: 150 hours at 2 different GP's, 50 hours at ortho
Volunteering Experience: 100 hours at food pantry, 50 hours at hospital/community clinic
Employment: restaurant server (500 hours) and campus office's admin assistant (800 hours) in college; medical lab tech (1000 hours) and dental assistant (500 hours) in gap year
Research: undergrad research during one summer, ~ 50 hours, no publication
Other Extracurriculars: Program coordinator of Math club in college, Event days/Shadowing days with Pre-dental club
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? went to Pitt Dental info day
Relevant Honors or Awards: merit-based undergrad scholarship for 4 years
LOR type and strength: 1 Biochem, 1 Gen Chem, 1 Calc (for Nova's req) professor, 1 dentist - all possibly very average, my fault for not focusing on this sooner
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: 4 withdrawn courses (3 general Bio classes, 1 Physics)
School list:
UW
Oregon Health & Science
U Colorado
Pitt (lived here for 1 year postgrad + network with faculty)
Temple
U Louisville
UF (family based, husband in army? - very reach school)
LECOM
Nova Southeastern
Virginia Commonwealth
U Maryland
Rutgers
Boston U
Touro
NYU

 

[macsak]

Date of submission: mid July
Overall GPA: 3.50
Science GPA: 3.49
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.31
DAT score:
1st: 20AA 18TS 21PAT 19BIO 17GC 18OC 23QR 21RC
2nd: 22AA 22TS 25PAT 22BIO 23GC 21OC 22QR 22RC
State of Residence: Washington due to military relocation but permanent address in Florida

Undergrad Attended: USF
Major: Biomedical science
Minority? No? (asian, immigrated to the US in college)
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes? 2 gap years but selected Traditional on application

Shadowing Experience: 150 hours at 2 different GP's, 50 hours at ortho
Volunteering Experience: 100 hours at food pantry, 50 hours at hospital/community clinic
Employment: restaurant server (500 hours) and campus office's admin assistant (800 hours) in college; medical lab tech (1000 hours) and dental assistant (500 hours) in gap year
Research: undergrad research during one summer, ~ 50 hours, no publication
Other Extracurriculars: Program coordinator of Math club in college, Event days/Shadowing days with Pre-dental club
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? went to Pitt Dental info day
Relevant Honors or Awards: merit-based undergrad scholarship for 4 years
LOR type and strength: 1 Biochem, 1 Gen Chem, 1 Calc (for Nova's req) professor, 1 dentist - all possibly very average, my fault for not focusing on this sooner
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: 4 withdrawn courses (3 general Bio classes, 1 Physics)
School list:
UW
Oregon Health & Science
U Colorado
Pitt (lived here for 1 year postgrad + network with faculty)
Temple
U Louisville
UF (family based, husband in army? - very reach school)
LECOM
Nova Southeastern
Virginia Commonwealth
U Maryland
Rutgers
Boston U
Touro
NYU

citizen or green card?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

State of Residence: Washington due to military relocation but permanent address in Florida
Nontrad? Yes? 2 gap years but selected Traditional on application

Could you explain further? I'm missing a lot of information somehow... why is dentistry your purpose?

 

[teethhehehehhe]

citizen or green card?

I have green card. It won’t be until 2026 that I can apply for citizenship

 

[teethhehehehhe]

Could you explain further? I'm missing a lot of information somehow... why is dentistry your purpose?

Of course, my bad for not being more concise.

I was an international student and got US permanent residency through my husband who is citizen. I have been on pre-dental track throughout college (backstory of why dentistry started during childhood), but decided to apply a year after graduation (and when I got permanent resident status) to improve on my application and avoid having to apply as an international student.

Husband and I just moved to WA last month on his military change of station order (he is active duty in the army), but we get to keep FL (his hometown and where I established my residency since coming to the US) as our legal residency.

Hope that clears it up! Advice is much appreciated on how to address my situation better on my application (if necessary at all), because I don’t want to digress too much from my academic/professional pursuit of dentistry.

 

[macsak]

I have green card. It won’t be until 2026 that I can apply for citizenship

ok thanks
how did you come up with this list?

 

[macsak]

ok thanks
how did you come up with this list?

how come application will be done mid-july?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Just sharing. How many admissions offices have you talked to?

Any other military wives trying for med school?

I have been following a lot of the forums and articles on SDN for about a year now, although this is my first time posting. I'll give you my background before asking any questions. I'm 29 years old, I live in Okinawa, Japan right now, my husband is Army Special Forces (Green Beret), and I'm...

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[teethhehehehhe]

ok thanks
how did you come up with this list?

UW and OHSU since I'm in WA currently; schools in FL and PA because I have ties in those states. The rest is a mix between OOS-friendly or in-range private schools.

 

[teethhehehehhe]

how come application will be done mid-july?

I'm just hearing back from professors for LOR, and they can send in letters beginning of July so...

 

[teethhehehehhe]

Just sharing. How many admissions offices have you talked to?

Any other military wives trying for med school?

I have been following a lot of the forums and articles on SDN for about a year now, although this is my first time posting. I'll give you my background before asking any questions. I'm 29 years old, I live in Okinawa, Japan right now, my husband is Army Special Forces (Green Beret), and I'm...

forums.studentdoctor.net

Military dentist husband + civilian dentist wife?

Hello I’m a dental student on the Army HPSP. I’m in a serious relationship with someone who is also in dental school, with plans to get married. However, she’s not in the military. She wants to come with me wherever I’m stationed, if possible. I had a few questions: Has anyone here been in a...

forums.studentdoctor.net

From Army Wife to Army Doctor

Lt. Col. Julie Hundertmark, M.D., realized her dream of becoming a physician in the military and now is encouraging others to follow her path.

www.aafp.org

UT Austin Research Initiative Focuses on Unique Needs, Hardships of… | Dell Medical School

UT Austin's Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness has launched a pilot intervention to help foster resilience and improve quality of life for the spouses of active-duty military service members.

dellmed.utexas.edu

Wow these are very helpful, thank you for sharing.

I only talked to the faculty of Pitt Dental during info day... What would be the best way to contact the school's office? Do you recommend coming to UW admission office and get in touch with someone since I'm nearby? Other schools I guess via email...?

 

[macsak]

UW and OHSU since I'm in WA currently; schools in FL and PA because I have ties in those states. The rest is a mix between OOS-friendly or in-range private schools.

you need mission fit to get interviews and acceptances
"ties in those states" "oos friendly" and "in-range private schools" are not mission fit

your BCP is lower than average, but hopefully, your DAT will make up for it
your list is long, but really public school heavy...

 

[teethhehehehhe]

UT Austin Research Initiative Focuses on Unique Needs, Hardships of… | Dell Medical School

UT Austin's Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness has launched a pilot intervention to help foster resilience and improve quality of life for the spouses of active-duty military service members.

dellmed.utexas.edu

Is it worth a shot applying to UT Austin with my stat based on this 🤣

 

[teethhehehehhe]

you need mission fit to get interviews and acceptances
"ties in those states" "oos friendly" and "in-range private schools" are not mission fit

your BCP is lower than average, but hopefully, your DAT will make up for it
your list is long, but really public school heavy...

that makes sense a lot, and i really didn't realize that about my list from just my pov... should i remove VCU & OHSU and add Creighton & UNE stat-wise?

do you recommend removing more reach schools (UF/Rutgers besides VCU & OHSU - makes sense situationally but i get it can seem random) on my list? i feel like these schools are what make my list seems long

 

[macsak]

that makes sense a lot, and i really didn't realize that about my list from just my pov... should i remove VCU & OHSU and add Creighton & UNE stat-wise?

do you recommend removing more reach schools (UF/Rutgers besides VCU & OHSU - makes sense situationally but i get it can seem random) on my list? i feel like these schools are what make my list seems long.

the problem is not specific schools (although you should leave OHSU and UF)
the first issue is the number of schools
a general rule is 15 schools is too many, unless you have really low stats
the second issue is the amount of publics (9 or 10, depending on how you classify temple) vs privates
you need to have a range of schools, preferably in closer proximity to where you reside/have residency that you have MISSION FIT with
you should have a few reach schools, the majority in-range schools, and some safety schools

 

[teethhehehehhe]

the problem is not specific schools (although you should leave OHSU and UF)
the first issue is the number of schools
a general rule is 15 schools is too many, unless you have really low stats
the second issue is the amount of publics (9 or 10, depending on how you classify temple) vs privates
you need to have a range of schools, preferably in closer proximity to where you reside/have residency that you have MISSION FIT with
you should have a few reach schools, the majority in-range schools, and some safety schools

Cool I think this is what I have so far with some adjustments:

Reach school:
OHSU (public)
UF (public)
LECOM
Pitt (state-related)

In-range:
UW (public)
Colorado (public)
Maryland (public)
Temple (?)
Nova
Touro
UNE
Creighton

Safeties:
Boston
NYU

It looks a little better I think. Should I remove Maryland and add a closer private safety school (Western/Cal Northstate)? Or how do I scale down my list a little more while maintaining the school range?

 

[macsak]

Cool I think this is what I have so far with some adjustments:

Reach school:
OHSU (public)
UF (public)
LECOM
Pitt (state-related)

In-range:
UW (public)
Colorado (public)
Maryland (public)
Temple (?)
Nova
Touro
UNE
Creighton

Safeties:
Boston
NYU

It looks a little better I think. Should I remove Maryland and add a closer private safety school (Western/Cal Northstate)? Or how do I scale down my list a little more while maintaining the school range?

why do you think LECOM is a reach?

 

[teethhehehehhe]

Cool I think this is what I have so far with some adjustments:

Reach school:
OHSU (public)
UF (public)
LECOM
Pitt (state-related)

In-range:
UW (public)
Colorado (public)
Maryland (public)
Temple (?)
Nova
Touro
UNE
Creighton

Safeties:
Boston
NYU

It looks a little better I think. Should I remove Maryland and add a closer private safety school (Western/Cal Northstate)? Or how do I scale down my list a little more while maintaining the school range?

Or I think my better question is how do I scale down my list to make it better mission-fit?

I think I'm having a hard time elaborating on how my mission specifically fits certain school's vision. As far as I can research, I do align my purpose with most of these schools's core values and mission: clinical education, patient care, community service, collaboration, innovation, professionalism,...

Should I simply choose and spend more time researching/getting in contact with fewer schools to connect on a deeper level, and narrow down my list accordingly?

@macsak @Mr.Smile12 Would really appreciate your advice 🙏

 

[macsak]

Cool I think this is what I have so far with some adjustments:

Reach school:
OHSU (public)
UF (public)
LECOM
Pitt (state-related)

In-range:
UW (public)
Colorado (public)
Maryland (public)
Temple (?)
Nova
Touro
UNE
Creighton

Safeties:
Boston
NYU

It looks a little better I think. Should I remove Maryland and add a closer private safety school (Western/Cal Northstate)? Or how do I scale down my list a little more while maintaining the school range?

why do you think nova, touro, and UNE are in-range?

 

[teethhehehehhe]

why do you think LECOM is a reach?

I think the mean overall GPA of 3.69 and 5th-95th percentiles of 3.30-3.99 (according to ADEA Guide 2023-24) makes my overall GPA on quite a bit low end. Now that I think about it, a lot of USF (my undergrad) pre-dentals do go to LECOM so maybe I can focus on that community aspect to make my app better mission fit?

why do you think nova, touro, and UNE are in-range?

Honestly, for their mean overall GPA/DAT AA ratio and % offer made for OOS applicants... Though I may consider UNE a safety for lower mean DAT.

Also, I just realize by this logic I might consider NYU/Boston my in-range because they have a bit lower % offer made for OOS applicants and higher mean DAT despite "safety" GPA range.

 

[macsak]

I think the mean overall GPA of 3.69 and 5th-95th percentiles of 3.30-3.99 (according to ADEA Guide 2023-24) makes my overall GPA on quite a bit low end. Now that I think about it, a lot of USF (my undergrad) pre-dentals do go to LECOM so maybe I can focus on that community aspect to make my app better mission fit?


Honestly, for their mean overall GPA/DAT AA ratio and % offer made for OOS applicants... Though I may consider UNE a safety for lower mean DAT.

Also, I just realize by this logic I might consider NYU/Boston my in-range because they have a bit lower % offer made for OOS applicants and higher mean DAT despite "safety" GPA range.

wow
i didn't know LECOMs mean gpa was that high...

 

[teethhehehehhe]

wow
i didn't know LECOMs mean gpa was that high...

Yeah I was surprised too. My DAT scores should be in ~95th percentile which make it little more reachable but still that average GPA is quite high. I think in that sense, LECOM kind of contrast NYU/Boston which have the lower GPA/higher DAT combo.

 

[macsak]

Or I think my better question is how do I scale down my list to make it better mission-fit?

I think I'm having a hard time elaborating on how my mission specifically fits certain school's vision. As far as I can research, I do align my purpose with most of these schools's core values and mission: clinical education, patient care, community service, collaboration, innovation, professionalism,...

Should I simply choose and spend more time researching/getting in contact with fewer schools to connect on a deeper level, and narrow down my list accordingly?

@macsak @Mr.Smile12 Would really appreciate your advice 🙏

you have to realize that all schools list those as core values because they are expected to list them as core values
look at their actions, not their words

much like the schools will be doing the same to your application...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Following up with @macsak , look at what each school says they do well outside of the Admissions page.

Building Your Best School List | SDN

Your success in any application cycle depends on how well you match a school’s metrics profile and the schools where you send your application - your

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Beyond MSAR: Additional Resources for Building Your School List | SDN

Compilations like the MSAR, the ChooseDO, the VMSAR, or the ADEA DSE are essential tools to compare your application profile against historical trends,

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[potatokitten24]

If cost is a concern, I would remove NYU from your list