WAMC for next cycle 23-24.. what should i improve

[susule94]

Hey SDN, I graduated undergrad 2018. applied twice to dental school
the second time i applied was in 2021 with my 2nd attempt score at about 12 schools and did not receive any interviews.

What should I improve on beside my DAT to better my chances for next cycle?

Date of submission: n/a, next cycle (23-24)
Overall GPA: 3.9
Science GPA: 3.9
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 4.0
DAT score (include AA and all sections):

1st attempt
AA: 16 TS: 17
PAT: 21, 15 QR, 14 RC, 15 BIO, 18 CHEM, 20 OC

2nd attempt
AA: 19, TS: 19
22 PAT, 19 QR, 15 RC, 119 BIO, 19 GC, 22 OC.

3rd attempt
AA 18, TS 19,
23 PAT, 17 QR, 16 RC, 18 BIO, 18 GC, 21 OC.
State of Residence: GA

Undergrad Attended: in state of residence
Major: Biology
Minor: n/a
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 370 hrs general,
Volunteering Experience: 352 hrs tutoring children 50 hrs community kitchen, 20 hrs free dental clinic.
Employment: 160 hrs dental assistant + ~400 nail technician
Research: None
Other Extracurriculars: none
Relevant Honors or Awards: Dean’s list
LOR type and strength: 1 dentist, 2 science professors. All of moderate strength.

school list
creighton
DCG
lecom
LSU
Meharry
SIU
IOWA
UIC
kentucky UKY
UNMC
Boston GSDM

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Ryxndek]

Is there anything you’ve done since the last application cycle to improve your application? More volunteer work/shadowing, networking with dental schools, certifications, are you working full time? You have a great gpa but my only concern is your lower DAT score from your 3rd attempt. I know you don’t want much criticism on it, but it may hurt your app more than helping. If you can find a way to supplement your app so the lower score doesn’t affect you as much you should be okay. I’d make sure you cast your net wide and maximize your chances. Be sure to check if schools have cutoffs for subscores. The 16RC will hurt you if you aren’t a US citizen/English speaking native or if schools have 17 score minimums. So just make sure you have those covered before you spend a lot of money! Otherwise I hope you better luck this next cycle!

 

[susule94]

Is there anything you’ve done since the last application cycle to improve your application? More volunteer work/shadowing, networking with dental schools, certifications, are you working full time? You have a great gpa but my only concern is your lower DAT score from your 3rd attempt. I know you don’t want much criticism on it, but it may hurt your app more than helping. If you can find a way to supplement your app so the lower score doesn’t affect you as much you should be okay. I’d make sure you cast your net wide and maximize your chances. Be sure to check if schools have cutoffs for subscores. The 16RC will hurt you if you aren’t a US citizen/English speaking native or if schools have 17 score minimums. So just make sure you have those covered before you spend a lot of money! Otherwise I hope you better luck this next cycle!

unfortunately i have not done anything else to improve my application since last cycle. The only thing i did was studied and tried to improve my test but unfortunately that backfired.... I am a US citizen and did take into account on schools that have a 17 cutoff. What do you think I should focus on mainly from now until may which is the next cycle?

I was planning on shadowing more dentist, maybe specialized dentist and increasing my volunteer hours

 

[Ryxndek]

unfortunately i have not done anything else to improve my application since last cycle. The only thing i did was studied and tried to improve my test but unfortunately that backfired.... I am a US citizen and did take into account on schools that have a 17 cutoff. What do you think I should focus on mainly from now until may which is the next cycle?

I was planning on shadowing more dentist, maybe specialized dentist and increasing my volunteer hours

I’d honestly try to get some work experience as at least make it look like you’ve done things outside of trying to get into dental school. As a reapplicant they’re going to hold you to a higher standard and that will put you at a disadvantage if you haven’t done something to improve it. I’d try to get a job in a clinic to get more hours(as an assistant or working front office), maybe network with some schools to see if they can give you feedback on what you can do to improve, and yeah shadow more dentists. But schools prefer general over specialist to take that into account.

Volunteering would be good! If you can get into a lead volunteer role that would also be a good way to boost your app. Just anything you can do to make it better will benefit you in the long run. I’d also make sure you have everything ready for a First week of the cycle opening submission. Applying past June will lower your chances significantly if you haven’t done anything else. I hope this helps. I’m applying this cycle and have learned a lot since my submission in June!