WAMC low science subsection

[rodma6r]

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Date of submission: Late August
Overall GPA: 2.98 / Undergrad: 2.93/ Post-bacc: 3.27/ SMP (first semester): 3.68
Science GPA: Undergrad: 2.76/ Graduate: 3.68
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: Undergrad: 2.86/ Graduate: 3.68
DAT score (include AA and all sections):
(First Retake): 16 , TS:15, PA:17, QR:17, RC:19, BIO: 16, GC: 13, Orgo: 15
(Second Retake): 17, TS:16, PA:16, QR:15, RC:21, BIO: 17, GC: 16, Orgo: 15
(Third Retake)AA: 20, TS:18, PA:18, QR:17, RC:26, BIO: 19, GC: 20, Orgo: 16,
State of Residence: Illinois

Undergrad Attended: Community College/Roosevelt University
Major: Political Science
Minor: N/A
Minority? Yes (Hispanic)
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? Yes

Shadowing Experience: General Dentist (multiple clinics/Same Dentist)/ ~216 hours
Volunteering Experience: Crisis text line ~ 70 hours/ Verizon Volunteering department ~ 65 hours/ Nursing Rehab center ~ 190 hours (total: 325 hours)
Employment: Verizon Wireless (sales): ~24-32 hours/ ~4100 hours
Research: N/A
Other Extracurriculars: N/A
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? N/A
Relevant Honors or Awards: N/A
LOR type and strength: General Dentist: Very good/ Organic Chemistry Professor: Good / Biochem professor: Good/ Physics Professor: Good
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: I had a very terrible first year of college which made my GPA drop <1.00. Eventually had a decent upward trend. I also withdrew from my first organic class but retook again and received an A as well as an A in organic 2 but did poorly on this section on the DAT as I emphasized the other sections more. I know it is very late in the cycle, but does anyone recommend I apply to any other school whose deadline has not passed?

School list:

• Meharry
• Midwestern (Illinois)
• University of Illinois (UIC)
• Roseman
• Western (California): Received a rejection from the school back in December

 

[Mr.Smile12]

How much networking with the Illinois schools did you do before applying? Did you apply without your SMP grades?

 

[rodma6r]

How much networking with the Illinois schools did you do before applying? Did you apply without your SMP grades?

Hello, I didn’t do any networking with the schools. I also didn’t apply with my SMP grades but did mentioned to the schools that I was in a program. I just updated my ADEA application about two weeks ago after my first semester grades posted and became official. The schools were also emailed about the update.

 

[macsak]

i wouldn't advise applying to any more schools this cycle
get as close to a 4.0 as possible next semester and apply right when the cycle opens to a broader list of schools
does your SMP offer DAT prep and retake?

Date of submission: Late August
Overall GPA: 2.98 / Undergrad: 2.93/ Post-bacc: 3.27/ SMP (first semester): 3.68
Science GPA: Undergrad: 2.76/ Graduate: 3.68
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: Undergrad: 2.86/ Graduate: 3.68
DAT score (include AA and all sections): AA: 20, TS:18, PA:18, QR:17, RC:26, BIO: 19, GC: 20, Orgo: 16,
State of Residence: Illinois

Undergrad Attended: Community College/Roosevelt University
Major: Political Science
Minor: N/A
Minority? Yes (Hispanic)
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? Yes

Shadowing Experience: General Dentist (multiple clinics/Same Dentist)/ ~216 hours
Volunteering Experience: Crisis text line ~ 70 hours/ Verizon Volunteering department ~ 65 hours/ Nursing Rehab center ~ 190 hours (total: 325 hours)
Employment: Verizon Wireless (sales): ~24-32 hours/ ~4100 hours
Research: N/A
Other Extracurriculars: N/A
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? N/A
Relevant Honors or Awards: N/A
LOR type and strength: General Dentist: Very good/ Organic Chemistry Professor: Good / Biochem professor: Good/ Physics Professor: Good
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: I had a very terrible first year of college which made my GPA drop <1.00. Eventually had a decent upward trend. I also withdrew from my first organic class but retook again and received an A as well as an A in organic 2 but did poorly on this section on the DAT as I emphasized the other sections more. I know it is very late in the cycle, but does anyone recommend I apply to any other school whose deadline has not passed?

School list:

• Meharry
• Midwestern (Illinois)
• University of Illinois (UIC)
• Roseman
• Western (California): Received a rejection from the school back in December

 

[macsak]

i wouldn't advise applying to any more schools this cycle
get as close to a 4.0 as possible next semester and apply right when the cycle opens to a broader list of schools
does your SMP offer DAT prep and retake?

where is your SMP?
have you received any advising from the SMP advisors?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hello, I didn’t do any networking with the schools. I also didn’t apply with my SMP grades but did mentioned to the schools that I was in a program. I just updated my ADEA application about two weeks ago after my first semester grades posted and became official. The schools were also emailed about the update.

So you committed the typical error of anyone applying when they are starting the SMP. If you are trying to argue that you are academically prepared, the programs want at least one term of grades before considering you, and by that time, schools may be more comfortable putting you on waitlist until they see all of your grades (if there is room left in the class). This is why you must leverage linkage agreements if you go to an SMP.

Many SMP directors I know will tell you this explicitly and will tell you they can't give you recommendations until your first term of grades comes through, which would be too late for a regular decision application. This is especially important for you given your sub 3.0 undergrad GPA.

 

[rodma6r]

So you committed the typical error of anyone applying when they are starting the SMP. If you are trying to argue that you are academically prepared, the programs want at least one term of grades before considering you, and by that time, schools may be more comfortable putting you on waitlist until they see all of your grades (if there is room left in the class). This is why you must leverage linkage agreements if you go to an SMP.

Many SMP directors I know will tell you this explicitly and will tell you they can't give you recommendations until your first term of grades comes through, which would be too late for a regular decision application. This is especially important for you given your sub 3.0 undergrad GPA.

Understandable. Can you elaborate what you mean by linkage agreements? Would you also recommend reaching out to the schools directly or any advice of what my next steps be? Also, thank you for your advice it is greatly appreciated.

 

[rodma6r]

where is your SMP?
have you received any advising from the SMP advisors?

My SMP is at Roosevelt University.
I currently have not received any advise from my SMP advisors.

 

[rodma6r]

I also updated my post with my first 2 DAT attempts

 

[macsak]

My SMP is at Roosevelt University.
I currently have not received any advise from my SMP advisors.

they should be advising you folks on a regular basis
you haven't answered my previous question

M

Post in: 'WAMC low science subsection'

Jan 5, 2025

i wouldn't advise applying to any more schools this cycle
get as close to a 4.0 as possible next semester and apply right when the cycle opens to a broader list of schools
does your SMP offer DAT prep and retake?

Date of submission: Late August
Overall GPA: 2.98 / Undergrad: 2.93/ Post-bacc: 3.27/ SMP (first semester): 3.68
Science GPA: Undergrad: 2.76/ Graduate: 3.68
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: Undergrad: 2.86/ Graduate: 3.68
DAT score (include AA and all sections): AA: 20, TS:18, PA:18, QR:17, RC:26, BIO: 19, GC: 20, Orgo: 16,
State of Residence...

• macsak

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I also updated my post with my first 2 DAT attempts

That does not answer my question, and I presume these attempts were taken before your SMP.

You are paying a ton of money on a high-risk, high-reward program that you can succeed in dental school, including using all available advising resources.

Master’s in Biomedical Sciences, MA | Roosevelt University

With a master’s in biomedical sciences, build a stand-out application to continue your health care education. Strengthen your science background in one year.

www.roosevelt.edu

 

[rodma6r]

That does not answer my question, and I presume these attempts were taken before your SMP.

You are paying a ton of money on a high-risk, high-reward program that you can succeed in dental school, including using all available advising resources.

Master’s in Biomedical Sciences, MA | Roosevelt University

With a master’s in biomedical sciences, build a stand-out application to continue your health care education. Strengthen your science background in one year.

www.roosevelt.edu

My apologies. That is correct, those attempts were taken before my SMP. My third attempt was taken in the beginning of August last year.

My program does offer DAT prep.However, they do not pay for your retake. I have a DATbooster membership still available that I have paused since retaking the test.

 

[macsak]

Understandable. Can you elaborate what you mean by linkage agreements? Would you also recommend reaching out to the schools directly or any advice of what my next steps be? Also, thank you for your advice it is greatly appreciated.

linkage is a formal agreement between the SMP and dental schools for acceptance of students that meet certain minimums or automatic interviews...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You also should find mentors. Look up

Greater Chicago Hispanic Dental Association

Greater Chicago Hispanic Dental Association

www.hdassoc.org

Hispanic Student Dental Association, (HSDA) | College of Dentistry | University of Illinois Chicago

dentistry.uic.edu

Most schools will likely not interview you until you are finished with your SMP. Try to finish above 3.7, and the more A's you get in the spring the better your argument.