WAMC 2nd Attempt

[Alessandra105]

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Date of submission: 07/04/2025
Overall GPA: 3.49

Science GPA: 3.40
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 19 AA, 19 TS, 19 RC, 16 PAT, 19 QR

State of Residence: IL

Undergrad Attended: UIUC

Major: Molecular and Cellular biology
Minor: none
Minority? yes
Reapplicant? yes
Nontrad? No (3 gap years)

Shadowing Experience: 100+ (With endodontist and general dentists; virtual ortho)
Volunteering Experience: 500+
Employment: Dental Assistant 1500+ (most recent) and Medical Assistant 4500+
Research: none
Other Extracurriculars: rec volleyball, photography club, philanthropy with sorority

Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? No
LOR type and strength: 2 Science Professors strong, 2 general dentist very strong

Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: none



School list:
Midwestern – IL

Midwestern - AZ
UIC
SIU
Marquette
Detroit

University of Kentucky

Considering:

Lincoln Memorial



Any Recommendations?

 

[macsak]

Date of submission: 07/04/2025
Overall GPA: 3.49

Science GPA: 3.40
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 19 AA, 19 TS, 19 RC, 16 PAT, 19 QR

State of Residence: IL

Undergrad Attended: UIUC

Major: Molecular and Cellular biology
Minor: none
Minority? yes
Reapplicant? yes
Nontrad? No (3 gap years)

Shadowing Experience: 100+ (With endodontist and general dentists; virtual ortho)
Volunteering Experience: 500+
Employment: Dental Assistant 1500+ (most recent) and Medical Assistant 4500+
Research: none
Other Extracurriculars: rec volleyball, photography club, philanthropy with sorority

Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? No
LOR type and strength: 2 Science Professors strong, 2 general dentist very strong

Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: none



School list:
Midwestern – IL

Midwestern - AZ
UIC
SIU
Marquette
Detroit

University of Kentucky

Considering:

Lincoln Memorial



Any Recommendations?

when and how many times have you applied previously (submission date)?
and where did you apply previously and what were the results (be specific)?

 

[Alessandra105]

This is my second cycle, I applied in 2024 and I submitted in early October (I now realize that was very late)
I applied to these schools:
UIC, Midwestern IL, Midwestern AZ, Colorado, Tufts, Maryland - no reponse from any of these schools
SIU - rejection

Since my last application I have strengthened my application by working as a dental assistant with a lot of patient interaction in a very diverse community. I also have about 8 hours of volunteering with deaf children at a dental clinic. 300+ hours of dental training provided by the dental office. My concern is with PAT score; will I automatically be dropped from interview consideration?

 

[macsak]

This is my second cycle, I applied in 2024 and I submitted in early October (I now realize that was very late)
I applied to these schools:
UIC, Midwestern IL, Midwestern AZ, Colorado, Tufts, Maryland - no reponse from any of these schools
SIU - rejection

Since my last application I have strengthened my application by working as a dental assistant with a lot of patient interaction in a very diverse community. I also have about 8 hours of volunteering with deaf children at a dental clinic. 300+ hours of dental training provided by the dental office. My concern is with PAT score; will I automatically be dropped from interview consideration?

how did you come up with your lists this year and last year?
did you reach out to the schools you applied to last year to see how you could imporve?

 

[Alessandra105]

List for this year and last year: 1st state schools. Second private schools with locations I would like to live and mission fit. Public that are OOS friendly (CO because I have family there).

I did reach out to state schools (email and phone calls) seeking improvement feedback; no response. Out of state schools I did not contact.

Would you suggest contacting schools before applying to ask if they auto filter on the PAT score?

 

[macsak]

List for this year and last year: 1st state schools. Second private schools with locations I would like to live and mission fit. Public that are OOS friendly (CO because I have family there).

I did reach out to state schools (email and phone calls) seeking improvement feedback; no response. Out of state schools I did not contact.

Would you suggest contacting schools before applying to ask if they auto filter on the PAT score?

you could reach out, but they would have been much more likely to reply if you contacted them between cycles...

 

[macsak]

List for this year and last year: 1st state schools. Second private schools with locations I would like to live and mission fit. Public that are OOS friendly (CO because I have family there).

I did reach out to state schools (email and phone calls) seeking improvement feedback; no response. Out of state schools I did not contact.

Would you suggest contacting schools before applying to ask if they auto filter on the PAT score?

you are going to have a broader list if you want to try and ensure you have the best chance possible...

 

[Alessandra105]

Yes, these are the schools I am considering based on OOS interviews to OOS applicants at 10% or greater. Based on my stats what are your thoughts? If I applied to all that would be 16 schools. Do you suggest adding/removing any?

PUBLIC:
University of Iowa
Indiana University
University of Louisville
University of Missouri - Kansas City
University of Utah

PRIVATE:
ASDOH
Tufts
Kansas City University
Lincoln Memorial

 

[macsak]

Yes, these are the schools I am considering based on OOS interviews to OOS applicants at 10% or greater. Based on my stats what are your thoughts? If I applied to all that would be 16 schools. Do you suggest adding/removing any?

PUBLIC:
University of Iowa
Indiana University
University of Louisville
University of Missouri - Kansas City
University of Utah

PRIVATE:
ASDOH
Tufts
Kansas City University
Lincoln Memorial

are you URM or ORM?
i count 8 public 8 private
you probably want a ratio with higher privates...

 

[Alessandra105]

URM - latina/hispanic;
I am not sure I am thinking about this the right way but some publics have a higher percentage of OOS applicants interviewed and higher percentage of interviewees offered a seat than the privates.
Will the privates still help with my odds?
Can you recommend other privates? Boston, Creighton, A.T. Still University Missouri are at 8%, 6%, 6% OOS interviews extended.

 

[macsak]

URM - latina/hispanic;
I am not sure I am thinking about this the right way but some publics have a higher percentage of OOS applicants interviewed and higher percentage of interviewees offered a seat than the privates.
Will the privates still help with my odds?
Can you recommend other privates? Boston, Creighton, A.T. Still University Missouri are at 8%, 6%, 6% OOS interviews extended.

publics are more stringent on OOS applicants, so increasing privates will help
look at average GPA/DAT to gauge competitiveness along with 5-95% ranges...

don't look only at % oos interviews, look at states who have a history taking hispanics and/or IL residents...

 

[Alessandra105]

publics are more stringent on OOS applicants, so increasing privates will help
look at average GPA/DAT to gauge competitiveness along with 5-95% ranges...

don't look only at % oos interviews, look at states who have a history taking hispanics and/or IL residents...

Where do I find out what schools have a history of taking hispanics and/or IL residents?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Why did you think you got a 16 on your PAT?

I think your in-state options are your best options, but I do believe a DAT retake should be on the table.

If you want to take a shot now, I agree you should drop Kentucky. Why did you drop Detroit Mercy?

Cross-check your list against the HDA student chapters list. You should be networking with them and SNDA.

All HDA Student Chapters

All HDA Student Chapters

www.hdassoc.org

I would also check entering class demographics if Hispanic/Latinx enrollees are significant relative to their class size. (I'd expect a huge class like NYU to have several Latinx students, but not so sure about Iowa.) Keep with the Illinois publics, though SIU will not look kindly at Chicago-area applicants unless they fit their rural mission.

 

[Alessandra105]

Why did you think you got a 16 on your PAT?

I think your in-state options are your best options, but I do believe a DAT retake should be on the table.

If you want to take a shot now, I agree you should drop Kentucky. Why did you drop Detroit Mercy?

Cross-check your list against the HDA student chapters list. You should be networking with them and SNDA.

All HDA Student Chapters

All HDA Student Chapters

www.hdassoc.org

I would also check entering class demographics if Hispanic/Latinx enrollees are significant relative to their class size. (I'd expect a huge class like NYU to have several Latinx students, but not so sure about Iowa.) Keep with the Illinois publics, though SIU will not look kindly at Chicago-area applicants unless they fit their rural mission

Why did you think you got a 16 on your PAT?

I think your in-state options are your best options, but I do believe a DAT retake should be on the table.

If you want to take a shot now, I agree you should drop Kentucky. Why did you drop Detroit Mercy?

Cross-check your list against the HDA student chapters list. You should be networking with them and SNDA.

All HDA Student Chapters

All HDA Student Chapters

www.hdassoc.org

I would also check entering class demographics if Hispanic/Latinx enrollees are significant relative to their class size. (I'd expect a huge class like NYU to have several Latinx students, but not so sure about Iowa.) Keep with the Illinois publics, though SIU will not look kindly at Chicago-area applicants unless they fit their rural mission.

Do you suggest a DAT retake to increase the AA score as well as the PAT?
Based on my stats, what do you think about the schools below?

PRIVATES
A.T. Still University of Arizona
Midwestern University (AZ)
(Midwestern University
Boston University
Tufts University
University of Detroit Mercy
A.T. Still University Missouri
Kansas City University - Joplin
Lincoln Memorial
Marquette University
University of Pike (Tanner College of Dental Medicine)
Lyon School of Dental Medicine

PUBLICS
Southern Illinois University
University of Illinois at Chicago
Indiana University
Northeast Ohio Medical

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Do you suggest a DAT retake to increase the AA score as well as the PAT?

2025 DAT Scoring Changes: What Pre-Dental Applicants Need to Know | SDN

Beginning in March 2025, the American Dental Association will implement a new scoring system for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Those who take the exam

www.studentdoctor.net

Yes, you should go for 420+ scores across the board if you can. Don't take the test until you are absolutely certain you have prepared. No excuses.

Based on my stats, what do you think about the schools below?

PRIVATES
A.T. Still University of Arizona
Midwestern University (AZ)
(Midwestern University
Boston University
Tufts University
University of Detroit Mercy
A.T. Still University Missouri
Kansas City University - Joplin
Lincoln Memorial
Marquette University
University of Pike (Tanner College of Dental Medicine)
Lyon School of Dental Medicine

PUBLICS
Southern Illinois University
University of Illinois at Chicago
Indiana University
Northeast Ohio Medical

It's too bad you have never visited any of these schools or attended recruitment events. @macsak has a better sense of how many of the schools' metrics fit yours. But you need to really understand your purpose as a dentist and why the schools on your list are best suited for you.

Can you tell me why you want to live in Arizona, Joplin, Pikeville, or Arkansas (Lyon)?

Your in-state publics should be on your list. Midwestern-IL should be on your list. I need to know why you are thinking about Bitonte NEOMED given their specific focus for rural underserved Ohio/Appalachia. Similarly for Pikeville/Tanner. Otherwise, I think it's a question of whether each program has a supportive HSDA or SNDA chapter and you feel confident you would be supported.

If you are desperate, look up High Point (this is a tepid recommendation since they haven't given more information about their program and don't play the typical AADSAS rules). But you really need to like central North Carolina (which I think just suffered some flooding).