Hello all. I submitted my application back in July and haven't heard anything back from schools other than 1 denial and 1 Kira Assessment from Roseman. I've been getting pretty worried and beginning to doubt any interviews. However, I am trying to maintain a positive mindset and continuing to work at my research job!
Please let me know if you have any advice on how I can improve this for next year's cycle. If it comes to that, I will surely submit day 1! My ideas are as follows:
-Re-take DAT and try to get 25+ (I am confident I can do it if I study hard enough)
-Post bacc (this doesn't seem like a possibility for me because the financial cost is too great)
-Become a dental assistant (the only problem is it is so hard to find a position without needing a license which takes several months of time. Also I would feel guilty leaving my research position)
Date of submission: July 16, 2021
Overall GPA: 3.25 (but with strong upward trend)
Science GPA: 3.17
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 23AA. 23 BIO. 20 GC. 20 OC. 19 PAT. 27 QR. 24 RC. 21TS. (First attempt)
School: UC Davis
Minority? No, white (but I am from single parent home with low income, and have been 100% financially independent since 17)
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes, took 2 gap years to work and pay off loans. Also I used this time to study for the DAT near the end.
Shadowing Experience: 160 hours
Volunteering Experience: 200+ Volunteer Hours at various organizations.
Employment: Junior Specialist in cardiology lab, Junior Specialist in molecular/cellular bio lab, Medical Transcriptionist for Radiology clinic, Rite Aid Cashier, Server, etc.
Research: 2 junior specialist jobs, with 1 publication in the works.
Other Extracurriculars: Pre-Dental Club, another dental club focused on serving homeless, wrote feature pieces for college's faculty, research writing internship, cross-country running, weight lifting (hobby).
Relevant Honors or Awards: $13,500 of scholarships awarded from 6 organizations during undergrad.
LOR type and strength: 3 Letters (1 dentist, 1 research employer & professor, 1 professor)
Red Flags: did VERY poorly my first year of college- straight C's in Gen Chem. As a result, my GPA is very low. Also 2 gap years probably doesn't look great.
School list:
Roseman (passed initial screening and completed Kira Assessment - basically a preliminary interview. Haven't heard back since)
UOP
UCSF (Denied 10/1)
UCLA (unrealistic so I highly expect a denial)
USC
AT Still
LECOM
Tufts
Temple
I appreciate any feedback ya'll can give. Do you think I might have a chance of an interview this cycle? What would you recommend I do to improve for next year's cycle? Also any school recommendations are appreciated.
Please let me know if you have any advice on how I can improve this for next year's cycle. If it comes to that, I will surely submit day 1! My ideas are as follows:
-Re-take DAT and try to get 25+ (I am confident I can do it if I study hard enough)
-Post bacc (this doesn't seem like a possibility for me because the financial cost is too great)
-Become a dental assistant (the only problem is it is so hard to find a position without needing a license which takes several months of time. Also I would feel guilty leaving my research position)
Date of submission: July 16, 2021
Overall GPA: 3.25 (but with strong upward trend)
Science GPA: 3.17
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 23AA. 23 BIO. 20 GC. 20 OC. 19 PAT. 27 QR. 24 RC. 21TS. (First attempt)
School: UC Davis
Minority? No, white (but I am from single parent home with low income, and have been 100% financially independent since 17)
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes, took 2 gap years to work and pay off loans. Also I used this time to study for the DAT near the end.
Shadowing Experience: 160 hours
Volunteering Experience: 200+ Volunteer Hours at various organizations.
Employment: Junior Specialist in cardiology lab, Junior Specialist in molecular/cellular bio lab, Medical Transcriptionist for Radiology clinic, Rite Aid Cashier, Server, etc.
Research: 2 junior specialist jobs, with 1 publication in the works.
Other Extracurriculars: Pre-Dental Club, another dental club focused on serving homeless, wrote feature pieces for college's faculty, research writing internship, cross-country running, weight lifting (hobby).
Relevant Honors or Awards: $13,500 of scholarships awarded from 6 organizations during undergrad.
LOR type and strength: 3 Letters (1 dentist, 1 research employer & professor, 1 professor)
Red Flags: did VERY poorly my first year of college- straight C's in Gen Chem. As a result, my GPA is very low. Also 2 gap years probably doesn't look great.
School list:
Roseman (passed initial screening and completed Kira Assessment - basically a preliminary interview. Haven't heard back since)
UOP
UCLA (unrealistic so I highly expect a denial)
USC
AT Still
LECOM
Tufts
Temple
I appreciate any feedback ya'll can give. Do you think I might have a chance of an interview this cycle? What would you recommend I do to improve for next year's cycle? Also any school recommendations are appreciated.
