WAMC? (First time applicant)

[CherylSwoops]

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Date of submission: 06/27/2023
Overall GPA: 2.7 Undergrad & 3.85 Post-Bacc
Science GPA: 2.8 Undergrad & 3.90 Post-Bacc
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 2.7 Undergrad & 3.9 Post-Bacc
DAT score (include AA and all sections):

1st Attempt:

15 AA

17 PAT

16 QR

15 RC

13 BIO

15 GC

14 OC

14 TS

2nd Attempt:

17 AA

19 PAT

18 QR

17 RC

16 BIO

17 GC

18 OC

17 TS



State of Residence: Colorado

Undergrad Attended: Creighton University
Major: Exercise Science Pre-Dental
Minority? Yes, Middle Eastern
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 160 hrs with General Dentist and 50 hrs with Endodontist
Volunteering Experience: 105 hrs total (5 dissection club at Middle school and 100 doing covid testing in underserved population.
Employment: ~3,500 hrs working as DA
Research: 112 hrs and publication
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? Yes, one impressions day and one ASDA event
Relevant Honors or Awards: Iranian American Academics And Professionals Scholarship and Deans List during post-bacc
LOR type and strength: 3 strong LORs from science teachers (Bio 2, biochem, and micro) and 1 strong LOR from dentist


Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Sturggled in undergrad and low DAT but turned it around…upward trend.


School list:

• CU
• Pacific
• Columbia
• Iowa
• Western U
• Creighton
• Tufts
• AT Still AZ
• Boston U
• KCU
• UMKC
• Roseman
• AT Still MO
• Augusta
• New England
• Detroit
• Meharry
• MWU-AZ
• Marquette

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Your list is too long, but with your DAT results, that's probably a sign of panic to expand your list and your chances. That said, many of these are donations if you submitted your application.

How did you do a "postbac"? Was it a formal program with advising or informal DIY? I presume it is not a special master's program.

So here are the problems with your list:
1) Meharry: HBCU, so unless you grew up in a very low SED or are Black (sub-Saharan African, Caribbean), it's probably not a good match even if the DAT medians are closer to your best attempt
2) Roseman and Pacific are 3-year programs. I'm not sure if they reward your post-bac GPA's, but your DAT's don't give confidence you can handle intense curricula like theirs.
3) State schools that don't really take OOS appplicants: August/DCG, Iowa?, UMKC will be donations, especially given your low DAT.
4) I am fine with the remaining privates you chose except Columbia, Tufts, Boston, New England for geography and DAT. The closer your application shows a mission fit with the remaining privates, your chances for getting noticed would go up.

I think this puts your list down to 9 schools that make more sense with geography. I kept Detroit due to the high Muslim-American population. Marquette is similar enough as a university to Creighton (your undergrad and likely where you attended ASDA and SNDA events, right?).

Did you do any networking with schools like CU and Creighton prior to applying? What feedback have you received before applying?

 

[georgegosali]

what classes did you take for your post bacc? also if i do a post bacc at CC is that ok?

 

[OncePreDent]

Did you take your post bacc at Creighton? Also, I would consider adding MN with your background, I would most likely take the DAT again if I were you with your gpa.

 

[Ryxndek]

I don’t know if a 17AA is enough for admission. I would consider retaking if you haven’t heard anything yet. A decent 3rd attempt combined with the solid post bacc should make up for it

Is your GPA above 3.0 after the post bacc? It could be that you got screened out automatically if it was under 3.0 even with a solid post bacc.

Also your list will need more refinement. As alluded to above, a lot of schools were donations

 

[CherylSwoops]

Hey guys quick little update! I retook my DAT and scored pretty well. Where do you think I stand? I’m planning to apply broadly again.

 

[Ryxndek]

Much better score! Good work!

 

[macsak]

Hey guys quick little update! I retook my DAT and scored pretty well. Where do you think I stand? I’m planning to apply broadly again.

are your GPAs over 3.0 when you include the postbacc?

congrats on the improvement!

let us know when you complete your list...

 

[CherylSwoops]

are your GPAs over 3.0 when you include the postbacc?

congrats on the improvement!

let us know when you complete your list...

Yeah it’s 3.1

 

[macsak]

Yeah it’s 3.1

did you get any interviews last cycle?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Did you follow up on any of the above we gave?

WAMC? (First time applicant)

Date of submission: 06/27/2023 Overall GPA: 2.7 Undergrad & 3.85 Post-Bacc Science GPA: 2.8 Undergrad & 3.90 Post-Bacc Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 2.7 Undergrad & 3.9 Post-Bacc DAT score (include AA and all sections): 1st Attempt: 15 AA 17 PAT 16 QR 15 RC 13 BIO 15 GC 14 OC 14 TS 2nd...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[CherylSwoops]

did you get any interviews last cycle?

Yeah I had 2 interviews. WesternU and Creighton. WesternU rejected me bc of DAT and Creighton still has me on the waitlist bc they think I can’t handle the academic rigor, hopefully this DAT score changes their mind for this new cycle.

 

[CherylSwoops]

Did you follow up on any of the above we gave?

WAMC? (First time applicant)

Date of submission: 06/27/2023 Overall GPA: 2.7 Undergrad & 3.85 Post-Bacc Science GPA: 2.8 Undergrad & 3.90 Post-Bacc Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 2.7 Undergrad & 3.9 Post-Bacc DAT score (include AA and all sections): 1st Attempt: 15 AA 17 PAT 16 QR 15 RC 13 BIO 15 GC 14 OC 14 TS 2nd...

forums.studentdoctor.net

I will follow up. My application is complete and just need DAT scores to be verified. I have strong connections with CU and Creighton. But will still apply broadly, and when I have my list ready I’ll post it in here.

 

[CherylSwoops]

Although my GPA is low, I feel like I can be a very competitive applicant with my new DAT score and strong overall application. I truly believe that beyond my DAT and GPA, I have a compelling profile. With that said, I still plan to apply broadly, including taking some risks by applying to dream schools. My top realistic choices are Colorado and Creighton. I was born in Iowa, raised in Colorado, and attended undergrad at Creighton. I'd love to stay close to home or go somewhere in California. My list includes some dream schools like Harvard and Columbia, as well as safety net schools where I would be happy to attend if my top choices don’t work out.


Here is my list so far:

• ATSU-AZ
• MWU-AZ
• Boston University
• Tufts
• USC
• UCLA
• WesternU
• UoP
• UCSF
• Creighton
• Nebraska
• KCU
• UMKC
• Detroit Mercy
• Michigan
• Iowa
• MWU-IL
• Harvard
• Columbia

side note: my family understands that it’s expensive to apply broadly but they fully support it and will help me. Shoutout mom and dad 😅 (I will pay them back eventually😂)

 

[macsak]

Although my GPA is low, I feel like I can be a very competitive applicant with my new DAT score and strong overall application. I truly believe that beyond my DAT and GPA, I have a compelling profile. With that said, I still plan to apply broadly, including taking some risks by applying to dream schools. My top realistic choices are Colorado and Creighton. I was born in Iowa, raised in Colorado, and attended undergrad at Creighton. I'd love to stay close to home or go somewhere in California. My list includes some dream schools like Harvard and Columbia, as well as safety net schools where I would be happy to attend if my top choices don’t work out.


Here is my list so far:

• ATSU-AZ
• MWU-AZ
• Boston University
• Tufts
• USC
• UCLA
• WesternU
• UoP
• UCSF
• Creighton
• Nebraska
• KCU
• UMKC
• Detroit Mercy
• Michigan
• Iowa
• MWU-IL
• Harvard
• Columbia

side note: my family understands that it’s expensive to apply broadly but they fully support it and will help me. Shoutout mom and dad 😅 (I will pay them back eventually😂)

you sure your list is correct?
colorado is not on there
are you missing any others?

 

[CherylSwoops]

you sure your list is correct?
colorado is not on there
are you missing any others?

oops! Yeah Colorado is suppose to be on there! So far that’s my rough draft list at the moment. I’m definitely open to looking into other programs as well if you have an suggestions that fit my situation 🙂

 

[macsak]

oops! Yeah Colorado is suppose to be on there! So far that’s my rough draft list at the moment. I’m definitely open to looking into other programs as well if you have an suggestions that fit my situation 🙂

really big reaches
UCLA
UoP
UCSF
Michigan
Harvard
Columbia

publics
Iowa
colorado
Nebraska
UMKC

privates
Creighton
KCU
Detroit Mercy
WesternU
MWU-IL
ATSU-AZ
MWU-AZ
Boston University
Tufts
USC

as you said, colorado and creighton are your best chances (creighton is actually relatively cheap for a private)
you have a lot of reaches though, so it's good you have a big list...

 

[CherylSwoops]

like less than 50% chance with the reach schools? Isn’t a 23AA like 90th percentile? I was hoping that could offset my gpa red flag.

 

[macsak]

like less than 50% chance with the reach schools? Isn’t a 23AA like 90th percentile? I was hoping that could offset my gpa red flag.

23 AA may be a high percentile nation wide, but it's not a high percentile at the reach schools...

 

[macsak]

23 AA may be a high percentile nation wide, but it's not a high percentile at the reach schools...

for example, this is harvard averages
Class of 2026 (ADEA Guide) General Stats:
Overall GPA: 3.94
Science GPA: 3.92
DAT: 24.7AA, 24.3TS, 23.1PAT

 

[macsak]

this data can be found by viewing the first post in each school's thread here:

Current Dental School-Specific Discussions

Dental school-specific discussions of secondary prompts, interview invites, and experiences, and general discussions of the admissions process at a particular institution

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[CherylSwoops]

this data can be found by viewing the first post in each school's thread here:

Current Dental School-Specific Discussions

Dental school-specific discussions of secondary prompts, interview invites, and experiences, and general discussions of the admissions process at a particular institution

forums.studentdoctor.net

do you think DAT boosters Dental school stats are reliable? Specifically the 5th percentile and 95th percentile enrollees stats?

 

[macsak]

do you think DAT boosters Dental school stats are reliable? Specifically the 5th percentile and 95th percentile enrollees stats?

not sure, but they don't have anything to gain by posting incorrect stats...

 

[toothfairyyyy]

Hi pre-dents,
I was just sent the link for the Kira assessment, and the email explained that I have to complete my interview within 2 weeks of receiving the invitation. I have never completed the Kira assessment before, and I am a little confused. Once I click the link will it allow me to register a specific time and date for the interview or does it make you take the interview immediately once you click check-in? I just want to be prepared.

 

[CherylSwoops]

not sure, but they don't have anything to gain by posting incorrect stats...

So far I’ve sent applications to….

Colorado
Creighton
Nebraska
WesternU
MWU-AZ
USC
ATSU-AZ
Iowa
Marquette

I still want to add more. I’m also interested in OHSU, UCSF, UoP, UNLV, Washington, BU, Tufts, Detroit, Michigan, Marquette and Oklahoma. Any suggestions?

 

[macsak]

So far I’ve sent applications to….

Colorado
Creighton
Nebraska
WesternU
MWU-AZ
USC
ATSU-AZ
Iowa
Marquette

I still want to add more. I’m also interested in OHSU, UCSF, UoP, UNLV, Washington, BU, Tufts, Detroit, Michigan, Marquette and Oklahoma. Any suggestions?

i've already said that UCSF and UOP are really big reaches
michigan is also a really big reach
UW also is a big reach

you are kinda light on publics, so OHSU and UNLV are reasonable choices
i really don't know much about oklahoma, sorry
any of those privates would be appropriate for you...

 

[macsak]

i've already said that UCSF and UOP are really big reaches
michigan is also a really big reach
UW also is a big reach

you are kinda light on publics, so OHSU and UNLV are reasonable choices
i really don't know much about oklahoma, sorry
any of those privates would be appropriate for you...

how come you took off UMKC?

 

[CherylSwoops]

how come you took off UMKC?

Tbh just really avoiding the Kira 😂 but will consider.

 

[CherylSwoops]

i've already said that UCSF and UOP are really big reaches
michigan is also a really big reach
UW also is a big reach

you are kinda light on publics, so OHSU and UNLV are reasonable choices
i really don't know much about oklahoma, sorry
any of those privates would be appropriate for you...

I believe my journey/story can help me get into a reach school like UCSF. I spoke with them and they said they like the upward trend in GPA. But we’ll see

 

[macsak]

Tbh just really avoiding the Kira 😂 but will consider.

why are you worried about kira?
it's no more or less stressful than any other interview...

 

[macsak]

I believe my journey/story can help me get into a reach school like UCSF. I spoke with them and they said they like the upward trend in GPA. But we’ll see

if they liked your journey at ucsf, you should defs try ohsu IMO

 

[CherylSwoops]

why are you worried about kira?
it's no more or less stressful than any other interview...

I prefer human interaction tbh. I still got ptsd from the Roseman Kira, not the fastest/best typer either for the essay response portion.

 

[macsak]

I prefer human interaction tbh. I still got ptsd from the Roseman Kira, not the fastest/best typer either for the essay response portion.

ok, got it...

 

[CherylSwoops]

So how many more schools would you recommend I add to my list?

So far I’ve applied to:
Colorado
Creighton
WesternU
USC
Iowa
MWU-AZ
ATSU-AZ
Nebraska
Marquette

I have zoom meeting lined up with KCU, UoP, UNLV, and UW to discuss my competitiveness.

 

[CherylSwoops]

Also I will prolly get rejected from UCSF bc of the Psych prereq. Have had some conversation with BU and OHSU, so I’m waiting to hear back from them regarding a brief chat.

 

[SDDSDDM]

@macsak Do most applicants reach out to schools to discuss competitiveness? And are admissions committees receptive to that given they are receiving potentially 1000+ applications and are swamped?

 

[macsak]

@macsak Do most applicants reach out to schools to discuss competitiveness? And are admissions committees receptive to that given they are receiving potentially 1000+ applications and are swamped?

"most" do not do this
in fact, only a few do this

but you are correct in assuming that now is not the time to be asking questions of admissions offices...

 

[drDental_]

Also I will prolly get rejected from UCSF bc of the Psych prereq. Have had some conversation with BU and OHSU, so I’m waiting to hear back from them regarding a brief chat.

UCSF does not waive their psychology requirement just as UCLA does not. I assume that you know that, so why apply?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi pre-dents,
I was just sent the link for the Kira assessment, and the email explained that I have to complete my interview within 2 weeks of receiving the invitation. I have never completed the Kira assessment before, and I am a little confused. Once I click the link will it allow me to register a specific time and date for the interview or does it make you take the interview immediately once you click check-in? I just want to be prepared.

Preparing for Recorded Interviews: RVI Survey Insights | SDN

Since 2020, applicants for health professional programs have had to prepare for online and on-campus interview formats. While the public is focused on

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