WAMC Reapplicant (2nd Cycle)

[ARubberduck]

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First of all, I thank you for taking your time to read my post. Your time is as valuable as mine. I appreciate your help.

Date of submission: 06/16/25
Overall GPA: 3.03 (with letter of explanation, 3.27) AADSAS has my cGPA of 2.98
Science GPA: 3.51 AADSAS has my sGPA of 3.15
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.50
DAT score (include AA and all sections):
AA: 19 (410)
TS: 20 (430)
PAT: 22 (470)
BIO: 18 (400)
GC: 23 (480)
OC: 18 (400)
QR: 19 (420)
RC: 18 (360)

State of Residence: TX

Major: Pre-Med
Minor: N/A
Minority? Yes
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? Yes (Due to gap years)

Shadowing Experience: 450+ hours (3x General Dentist, 2x Endodontist, 1x Orthodontist)
Volunteering Experience: 450+ hours; Civilian & Military hospital volunteer hours. (Boston Brigham Women's Hospital and 4x Army Community Hospitals)
Employment: 10 years (5 yrs as Army Pharmacy Technician, 2 yrs as Field Artillery Officer, 3 yrs Environmental Science and Engineering Officer-Current)

I am an environmental science and engineering officer in the Army. I do not want to utilize my service time as a card in the admission process. I just wanted to emphasize that my job is closely related to public health, sanitation, and epidemiology. I work with most of the dental and vet clinics on post quite often since my team and I inspect all the hospital and clinical facilities in Garrison. I joined the Army as a pharmacy technician and used to compound at least 30-40 medications daily at the inpatient pharmacy. I input this information to highlight dexterity.

Research: None
Other Extracurriculars: Boston KDSAP (Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program), Campus International Student Program Ambassador, Army ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) program representative, Army Green-to-Gold program Cadre, The Army Performance Trial Program Cadre, Chaplain's Assistant, Kayaking Club
Army HPSP recipient (2022; However, I had to withdraw my scholarship due to deployment)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? None
LOR type and strength:
2x General Dentist
2x Science Professors (1x Microbiology & Cellular Biochemistry professor, 1x Preventive Medicine professor)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
I received my deployment order in the middle of my semester, which led to a significant decrease in my GPA. The rest showed an upward trend after. (Provided a letter of explanation for my GPA, with a copy of the official transcript) The transcript labeled the courses I could not complete with asterisks and did not count them in my GPA. However, AADSAS and TMDSAS do count everything. I am afraid that my application would be screened out, even with a letter of explanation.
Of course, there is no excuse. I do acknowledge that I already have red flags in my application. The DAT score is not high enough either. I am currently taking a couple of science courses and continuing my shadowing whenever I have spare time to keep my motivation. As you all know, it is a bit challenging (at least for me) to afford time to do extras since my duty hours fluctuate daily.

School list:
TAMU
UT San Antonio
UT Houston
Texas Tech
Tufts
BU
LECOM
Rutgers
Meharry
Creighton
ASDOH
MSDOH
Marquette
NOVA
Roseman
Temple
UF

How did I come up with my list:
I am from Boston, MA. Tufts and BU are my top choices since they are close to my hometown. All four TX programs, since I am currently stationed in TX, and I honestly liked their institutions. (Took quick tours). For NOVA and UF, I found out that they are military-friendly schools like the ones in TX. I was stationed in Georgia and Florida some years ago. I chose the rest after some research on their academic focus, missions, and curricula.

 

[macsak]

First of all, I thank you for taking your time to read my post. Your time is as valuable as mine. I appreciate your help.

Date of submission: 06/16/25
Overall GPA: 3.03 (with letter of explanation, 3.27) AADSAS has my cGPA of 2.98
Science GPA: 3.51 AADSAS has my sGPA of 3.15
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.50
DAT score (include AA and all sections):
AA: 19 (410)
TS: 20 (430)
PAT: 22 (470)
BIO: 18 (400)
GC: 23 (480)
OC: 18 (400)
QR: 19 (420)
RC: 18 (360)

State of Residence: TX

Major: Pre-Med
Minor: N/A
Minority? Yes
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? Yes (Due to gap years)

Shadowing Experience: 450+ hours (3x General Dentist, 2x Endodontist, 1x Orthodontist)
Volunteering Experience: 450+ hours; Civilian & Military hospital volunteer hours. (Boston Brigham Women's Hospital and 4x Army Community Hospitals)
Employment: 10 years (5 yrs as Army Pharmacy Technician, 2 yrs as Field Artillery Officer, 3 yrs Environmental Science and Engineering Officer-Current)

I am an environmental science and engineering officer in the Army. I do not want to utilize my service time as a card in the admission process. I just wanted to emphasize that my job is closely related to public health, sanitation, and epidemiology. I work with most of the dental and vet clinics on post quite often since my team and I inspect all the hospital and clinical facilities in Garrison. I joined the Army as a pharmacy technician and used to compound at least 30-40 medications daily at the inpatient pharmacy. I input this information to highlight dexterity.

Research: None
Other Extracurriculars: Boston KDSAP (Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program), Campus International Student Program Ambassador, Army ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) program representative, Army Green-to-Gold program Cadre, The Army Performance Trial Program Cadre, Chaplain's Assistant, Kayaking Club
Army HPSP recipient (2022; However, I had to withdraw my scholarship due to deployment)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? None
LOR type and strength:
2x General Dentist
2x Science Professors (1x Microbiology & Cellular Biochemistry professor, 1x Preventive Medicine professor)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
I received my deployment order in the middle of my semester, which led to a significant decrease in my GPA. The rest showed an upward trend after. (Provided a letter of explanation for my GPA, with a copy of the official transcript) The transcript labeled the courses I could not complete with asterisks and did not count them in my GPA. However, AADSAS and TMDSAS do count everything. I am afraid that my application would be screened out, even with a letter of explanation.
Of course, there is no excuse. I do acknowledge that I already have red flags in my application. The DAT score is not high enough either. I am currently taking a couple of science courses and continuing my shadowing whenever I have spare time to keep my motivation. As you all know, it is a bit challenging (at least for me) to afford time to do extras since my duty hours fluctuate daily.

School list:
TAMU
UT San Antonio
UT Houston
Texas Tech
Tufts
BU
LECOM
Rutgers
Meharry
Creighton
ASDOH
MSDOH
Marquette
NOVA
Roseman
Temple
UF

How did I come up with my list:
I am from Boston, MA. Tufts and BU are my top choices since they are close to my hometown. All four TX programs, since I am currently stationed in TX, and I honestly liked their institutions. (Took quick tours). For NOVA and UF, I found out that they are military-friendly schools like the ones in TX. I was stationed in Georgia and Florida some years ago. I chose the rest after some research on their academic focus, missions, and curricula.

first of all, thank you for your service

when did you submit last cycle?
where did you apply and did you get any interviews? result?

how come no howard?

 

[ARubberduck]

first of all, thank you for your service

when did you submit last cycle?
where did you apply and did you get any interviews? result?

how come no howard?

I submitted in early Sep 2022. Fairly late submission.

I did not receive any interviews because I notified schools that I will be withdrawing my HPSP application due to deployment. (Without Army HPSP, I cannot leave my current position/obligation years)

Howard is a great school. Unfortunately, DC is not on my move list.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for what you have done for our country.

Can you highlight the significant changes since 2022? I think 17 schools is too many, and I think your military/veteran status is going to help you. You already seem to identify the Texas schools as military friendly, and it wouldn't surprise me with Florida programs. Frankly, many dental schools should be doing more with veteran communities, so ask around among schools on your list.

Have you connected with SNDA or NDA? Do you know which schools won't look at your pharm tech background as some signal that you are "fleeing" pharmacy as a career path/vocation?

 

[ARubberduck]

Thank you for what you have done for our country.

Can you highlight the significant changes since 2022? I think 17 schools is too many, and I think your military/veteran status is going to help you. You already seem to identify the Texas schools as military friendly, and it wouldn't surprise me with Florida programs. Frankly, many dental schools should be doing more with veteran communities, so ask around among schools on your list.

Have you connected with SNDA or NDA? Do you know which schools won't look at your pharm tech background as some signal that you are "fleeing" pharmacy as a career path/vocation?

The most significant change since 2022 is that I got accepted to the Army ESEO (Environmental Science and Engineering Officer) program. I was in combat arms branch, but now I am in the Medical Service Corps. I also shadowed a general dentist and an orthodontist while I was deployed overseas. Did some volunteer at the combat support hospital as well.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with SNDA nor NDA.

I am not 100% sure how the schools would look at my career path since I started my Army career as a pharmacy technician, but the Military gave me the job. I was not able to choose other jobs when I signed the contract. The Army HPSP is no longer supporting pharmacy programs. Most importantly, I like dentistry more than pharmaceuticals. I hope my shadowing and volunteer hours display my passion to the field.

 

[ARubberduck]

Thank you for what you have done for our country.

Can you highlight the significant changes since 2022? I think 17 schools is too many, and I think your military/veteran status is going to help you. You already seem to identify the Texas schools as military friendly, and it wouldn't surprise me with Florida programs. Frankly, many dental schools should be doing more with veteran communities, so ask around among schools on your list.

Have you connected with SNDA or NDA? Do you know which schools won't look at your pharm tech background as some signal that you are "fleeing" pharmacy as a career path/vocation?

All the awesome tabs on your profile tells that you are an experienced advisor. Do you think I have a chance this cycle?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

All the awesome tabs on your profile tells that you are an experienced advisor. Do you think I have a chance this cycle?

Acceptance ultimately comes down to you and your fit with an institution, but without the details of your AADSAS application, I can only hope at least one of the Texas schools (who are going to be veteran-friendly) gives you a shot. If you originally grew up around Boston, I'd think BU, Tufts, and maybe UNE would consider you (given BU and Tufts large classes). We need good physicians and dentists representing all of our society, and we place much value on those who served our country. You will be shocked how few domestic minority dentists work in the US.

 

[ARubberduck]

Acceptance ultimately comes down to you and your fit with an institution, but without the details of your AADSAS application, I can only hope at least one of the Texas schools (who are going to be veteran-friendly) gives you a shot. If you originally grew up around Boston, I'd think BU, Tufts, and maybe UNE would consider you (given BU and Tufts large classes). We need good physicians and dentists representing all of our society, and we place much value on those who served our country. You will be shocked how few domestic minority dentists work in the US.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Hopefully I get an opportunity to place myself where I can provide the most. 🙏🏼

 

[ARubberduck]

first of all, thank you for your service

when did you submit last cycle?
where did you apply and did you get any interviews? result?

how come no howard?

Do you think I have a chance this cycle?

 

[macsak]

Do you think I have a chance this cycle?

it depends on how you define "a chance"
you applied broadly, so you have a chance, yes...

 

[ARubberduck]

it depends on how you define "a chance"
you applied broadly, so you have a chance, yes...

Thank you for your reply. I meant chance of getting accepted to a program this cycle. I acknowledge that dentistry is a very competitive field. I am just not sure where I stand and if I can get an acceptance letter from a school in the end, to be honest.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you for your reply. I meant chance of getting accepted to a program this cycle. I acknowledge that dentistry is a very competitive field. I am just not sure where I stand and if I can get an acceptance letter from a school in the end, to be honest.

Admissions is a stochastic process. I think being military helps you, but in the end, it's up to your interview, which hasn't happened.