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BlingBlingBoy

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Date of submission: 07/16/2025

Overall GPA: 3.48
Science GPA: 3.34
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.38
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 420 AA (20), 440 TS (20.5), 460 GC (22), 450 OC (21), 410 Biology (19), 450 QR (21), 350 RC (17.5), 390 PAT (18)
State of Residence: Alabama

Undergrad Attended: University of Alabama
Major: Biology
Minor: N/A
Minority? No
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience:
  • Endodontics (49 hours)
  • General Dentistry (40 hours)
  • Orthodontics (80 hours)
Volunteering Experience:
  • American Red Cross (54 hours)
    • Blood Transporter
  • Utah Food Bank (60 hours)
    • Sorting and Repackaging
Employment:
  • Orthodontic Chairside Assistant (1120 hours)
    • January 2024 - July 2024, M - F
  • Assistant Lab Tech (432 hours)
    • May 2021 - August 2021, M - F
Research:
  • Capstone Thesis – The Effect of Digital Dentistry on the Field and Patients (150 hours)
  • Endangered Species Recovery Plan Project (187 hours)
    • Reviewed endangered species recovery plans and extracted relevant data from online reports. Entered findings into an Excel database and completed detailed questionnaires for each organism to support data-driven conservation strategies.

Other Extracurriculars:
  • Chapter Officer – Fraternity (2900 hours)
  • Biology Outreach (45 hours)
    • Biology Outreach is a course offered at the University of Alabama that allowed students to serve as teachers for K–6th grade classes in biological sciences. Lesson plans were developed collaboratively and approved by the course professor
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools?
- No, other than meeting with differing schools and discussing aspects I could improve in
- Had interview with UAB in 2023
Relevant Honors or Awards:
  • Cum Laude (2023)
  • Dean’s List (Fall 2020, Spring 2021)
  • Presidential Honors Scholarship (Fall 2019)
LOR type and strength:
  • Dean, College of Graduate Studies
  • Professor and Director of Medical Student Research, College of Graduate Studies
  • Retired Endodontist, UAB SOD Professor
  • Orgo Chem Professor (Alabama)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
  • C in Calculus I, C in Ecology/Evolution, D+ in Genetics, C- in Histology of Vertebrates
  • Taken DAT total of 5 times (with most recent attempt being highest in every section other than RC - 17.5 & PAT - 18)
  • Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Roseman, 4.0 GPA)
School list:
Buffalo, Colorado, Creighton, LECOM, Lyon, Marquette, Midwestern AZ, NSU, Penn, Roseman, Temple, Touro, Tufts, UAB, UConn, UMKC, UNLV, Utah, VCU
 
Last edited:
BlingBlingBoy said:
Date of submission: 07/16/2025

Overall GPA: 3.48
Science GPA: 3.34
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.38
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 420 AA, 440 TS, 460 GC, 450 OC, 410 Biology, 450 QR, 350 RC, 390 PAT
State of Residence: Alabama

Undergrad Attended: University of Alabama
Major: Biology
Minor: N/A
Minority? No
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience:
  • Endodontics (49 hours)
  • General Dentistry (40 hours)
  • Orthodontics (80 hours)
Volunteering Experience:
  • American Red Cross (54 hours)
    • Blood Transporter
  • Utah Food Bank (60 hours)
    • Sorting and Repackaging
Employment:
  • Orthodontic Chairside Assistant (1120 hours)
    • January 2024 - July 2024, M - F
  • Assistant Lab Tech (432 hours)
    • May 2021 - August 2021, M - F
Research:
  • Capstone Thesis – The Effect of Digital Dentistry on the Field and Patients (150 hours)
  • Endangered Species Recovery Plan Project (187 hours)
    • Reviewed endangered species recovery plans and extracted relevant data from online reports. Entered findings into an Excel database and completed detailed questionnaires for each organism to support data-driven conservation strategies.

Other Extracurriculars:
  • Chapter Officer – Fraternity (2900 hours)
  • Biology Outreach (45 hours)
    • Biology Outreach is a course offered at the University of Alabama that allowed students to serve as teachers for K–6th grade classes in biological sciences. Lesson plans were developed collaboratively and approved by the course professor
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools?
- No, other than meeting with differing schools and discussing aspects I could improve in
- Had interview with UAB in 2023
Relevant Honors or Awards:
  • Cum Laude (2023)
  • Dean’s List (Fall 2020, Spring 2021)
  • Presidential Honors Scholarship (Fall 2019)
LOR type and strength:
  • Dean, College of Graduate Studies
  • Professor and Director of Medical Student Research, College of Graduate Studies
  • Retired Endodontist, UAB SOD Professor
  • Orgo Chem Professor (Alabama)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
  • C in Calculus I, C in Ecology/Evolution, D+ in Genetics, C- in Histology of Vertebrates
  • Taken DAT total of 5 times (with most recent attempt being highest in every section other than RC - 17.5 & PAT - 18)
  • Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences (Roseman, 4.0 GPA)
School list:
Buffalo, Colorado, Creighton, LECOM, Lyon, Marquette, Midwestern AZ, NSU, Penn, Roseman, Temple, Touro, Tufts, UAB, UConn, UMKC, UNLV, Utah, VCU
Click to expand...
how did you come up with this list?
 
macsak said:
how did you come up with this list?
Click to expand...
It’s honestly a mix of strategic, meaningful, and a few long-shot choices. I wanted to apply broadly since my stats aren’t as strong as some of the others I’ve seen posted here and on Reddit. So far, I’ve only applied to Colorado, Marquette, Roseman, and UAB. I tried to focus on schools that take a more holistic approach and value growth, but I’m still unsure if I’m fully on the right track. I really appreciate your response. If you have any suggestions, I’d be grateful to hear them.
 
BlingBlingBoy said:
It’s honestly a mix of strategic, meaningful, and a few long-shot choices. I wanted to apply broadly since my stats aren’t as strong as some of the others I’ve seen posted here and on Reddit. So far, I’ve only applied to Colorado, Marquette, Roseman, and UAB. I tried to focus on schools that take a more holistic approach and value growth, but I’m still unsure if I’m fully on the right track. I really appreciate your response. If you have any suggestions, I’d be grateful to hear them.
Click to expand...
when did you apply in 2023?
which schools?
what were the results?

did you only apply that one other time?
 
BlingBlingBoy said:
It’s honestly a mix of strategic, meaningful, and a few long-shot choices. I wanted to apply broadly since my stats aren’t as strong as some of the others I’ve seen posted here and on Reddit. So far, I’ve only applied to Colorado, Marquette, Roseman, and UAB. I tried to focus on schools that take a more holistic approach and value growth, but I’m still unsure if I’m fully on the right track. I really appreciate your response. If you have any suggestions, I’d be grateful to hear them.
Click to expand...
schools offer interviews and accept people because of mission fit
in addition, schools are more likely to select regionally, since they have limited interviews/acceptances to give out, so they need to be careful about who they select
you need to have a list with a few reaches, mostly in-range schools, and some safeties
however, since your gpa and dats are below the matriculant average, you are going to need to apply to a lot of schools, and mostly privates...
 
macsak said:
when did you apply in 2023?
which schools?
what were the results?

did you only apply that one other time?
Click to expand...
I applied on 6/9/2023 for that cycle, and applied to about 32 schools (which I ended up regretting due to the costs alone, and my second DAT attempt went down and caused my apps to immediately get put to the side, I believe). I will attach a picture of all of my scores at the bottom of this post for reference. I only got one in-person interview at UAB and got denied on decision day. Last cycle, I applied to closer to 20 (nearly identical list as above, but instead of Lyon and Touro was UF and UNC) and did not get a single interview invite, only a waitlist for an interview from Midwestern AZ. I am hoping that the additional volunteering/shadowing experience will help my case, on top of the new DAT, but at the same time am worried that the number of times it took me is going to be a red flag. I am also starting work for a dental laboratory that's in my hometown this upcoming Monday as a lab technician and will be adding it to my profile once I start.
IMG_8357 2.jpg
 
macsak said:
schools offer interviews and accept people because of mission fit
in addition, schools are more likely to select regionally, since they have limited interviews/acceptances to give out, so they need to be careful about who they select
you need to have a list with a few reaches, mostly in-range schools, and some safeties
however, since your gpa and dats are below the matriculant average, you are going to need to apply to a lot of schools, and mostly privates...
Click to expand...
What schools would you recommend keeping/removing from my current list?
 
Mr.Smile12 said:
Finishing at Roseman's MBS with a 4.0 is helpful, and you should get their program director's help to highlight your journey and preparation. I asked if they had input on the current list and suggested any to drop.
Click to expand...
Thank you, that helps clarify things. I plan to reach out to my program director first thing tomorrow morning. Would you happen to have any suggestions on the best approach to the conversation? I want to be respectful and avoid coming off as pushy, but I would definitely value their input.
 
BlingBlingBoy said:
Thank you, that helps clarify things. I plan to reach out to my program director first thing tomorrow morning. Would you happen to have any suggestions on the best approach to the conversation? I want to be respectful and avoid coming off as pushy, but I would definitely value their input.
Click to expand...
I guess you want their input on your school list. Given their awareness of similar applicants to you, what would they suggest regarding your list? Do they know which programs are going to be concerned about taking the DAT so many times?
 
Mr.Smile12 said:
Finishing at Roseman's MBS with a 4.0 is helpful, and you should get their program director's help to highlight your journey and preparation. I asked if they had input on the current list and suggested any to drop.
Click to expand...
there has been no mention thus far of the roseman mbs 4.0...
 
BlingBlingBoy said:
Yes, I completed it this past May. I also replaced my old LOR from my Physics professor at Alabama with the Dean from the same program, if that's relevant at all.
Click to expand...
i think if you apply wisely, you will have at least a decent chance at accpetance
i concur you should ask the leaders of your program for advice on your school list...
 
macsak said:
i think if you apply wisely, you will have at least a decent chance at accpetance
i concur you should ask the leaders of your program for advice on your school list...
Click to expand...
I went ahead and emailed the program director earlier this afternoon; hopefully I hear back sooner rather than later. Thank you so much for your advice and help, I appreciate you big time! 😊
 
Doesn't Roseman's Masters program give a priority admission to their own dental school if you meet specific requirements? which it seems like you have.
 
misfitdonuts said:
Doesn't Roseman's Masters program give a priority admission to their own dental school if you meet specific requirements? which it seems like you have.
Click to expand...
It's only a priority consideration to get an interview, but not admissions. That's the main reason why I'm trying to apply broadly.
 
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