What are my chances?

[drpeaches]

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Hello, this is my first post. I'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice because I'm a nontraditional student and I'm worried about getting into dental school.
I graduated from undergrad in 2011 with a BS in Biology. I originally did not want to go to dental school and was very unmotivated, so I graduated with a GPA of 3.2 and a science GPA of 2.9. I worked as a teacher for a few years, and this past summer I decided that I want to go back for dental. I retook every core science class that I didn't get an A or B in and got A's in everything. I got my GPA up to 3.5 and science GPA up to 3.1. I rushed and took the DAT last summer so that I could apply this cycle and got an 18 AA and 21 PAT with only studying for one month and not having a science class in 5 years. I am currently taking a class to try to get a higher score. I have not heard from any schools yet, which I expected for my first time applying. Here is what I have to add to my next application:
I work 30 hours a week assisting for a dentist that will write me a letter of recommendation
I am in the process of getting a committee letter from my school
I have about 100 new volunteer hours
about 80 hours shadowing different dental specialists
and hopefully after this class, a much higher DAT score.
Can anyone tell me, honestly, if I have a chance of being accepted next cycle? What can I do to improve my chances because I am doing everything I can think of.

 

[acesofseven]

I don't understand your timeline. How did you take the DAT last summer without having taken a science course within the past 5 years? Didn't you retake the science classes you didn't do well in some time during that time period? Also, if said class that you are talking about to improve your DAT score is Kaplan, I would invest that money somewhere else and get the proper prep material (Chad's Vids, Cliffs 3rd, Feralis Notes, Destroyer, Bootcamp subscription). Best of luck!

 

[743291]

Hello, this is my first post. I'm wondering if anyone can give me some advice because I'm a nontraditional student and I'm worried about getting into dental school.
I graduated from undergrad in 2011 with a BS in Biology. I originally did not want to go to dental school and was very unmotivated, so I graduated with a GPA of 3.2 and a science GPA of 2.9. I worked as a teacher for a few years, and this past summer I decided that I want to go back for dental. I retook every core science class that I didn't get an A or B in and got A's in everything. I got my GPA up to 3.5 and science GPA up to 3.1. I rushed and took the DAT last summer so that I could apply this cycle and got an 18 AA and 21 PAT with only studying for one month and not having a science class in 5 years. I am currently taking a class to try to get a higher score. I have not heard from any schools yet, which I expected for my first time applying. Here is what I have to add to my next application:
I work 30 hours a week assisting for a dentist that will write me a letter of recommendation
I am in the process of getting a committee letter from my school
I have about 100 new volunteer hours
about 80 hours shadowing different dental specialists
and hopefully after this class, a much higher DAT score.
Can anyone tell me, honestly, if I have a chance of being accepted next cycle? What can I do to improve my chances because I am doing everything I can think of.

If you need to have your hands some DAT destroyer I have the math and everything destroyer for $120 for both books let me know

 

[fogorvostan]

DAT score: You were on the lower end and you're working to improve that already. It sounds like you are doing Kaplan though. I would highly suggest heading over the DAT discussion boards and learning what else to use. Kaplan will not be enough. Check out Chad's videos, Feralis's bio notes, DAT Bootcamp, DAT Destroyer, etc.

GPA: You have done some repair. My GPA is almost identical to yours: 3.5 overall and 3.1 science.

ECs: You seemed to have improved those + your shadowing hours as well.

LORs: You're working on getting a committee letter and I'm assuming that your other one that usually needs to be from a dentist will be strong since you're assisting.

Honestly, your app doesn't sound too far off from mine (even the teaching part!), except I had a 20AA. I received 5 interview requests (went to 3 of them) and 3 acceptances. I would also make sure that you select a good list of schools and apply early in June. Unfortunately, I applied a bit late and didn't have the best list of schools.

Where have you applied?

 

[drpeaches]

I don't understand your timeline. How did you take the DAT last summer without having taken a science course within the past 5 years? Didn't you retake the science classes you didn't do well in some time during that time period? Also, if said class that you are talking about to improve your DAT score is Kaplan, I would invest that money somewhere else and get the proper prep material (Chad's Vids, Cliffs 3rd, Feralis Notes, Destroyer, Bootcamp subscription). Best of luck!

Sorry for the confusion, I didn't want to make my post too lengthy so I did leave some things out and tried to shorten as much as possible. I took the DAT in the summer of '15 and started taking my science classes fall of '15. I am still currently enrolled in some science classes while I'm working part time. As for the DAT class, I was going to take the Kaplan class but everyone on here is advising me against it so I think I might take another route. I already have the Kaplan DAT book, the DAT destroyer, the math destroyer and was going to sign up for DAT bootcamp.
Thank you for replying.

 

[drpeaches]

DAT score: You were on the lower end and you're working to improve that already. It sounds like you are doing Kaplan though. I would highly suggest heading over the DAT discussion boards and learning what else to use. Kaplan will not be enough. Check out Chad's videos, Feralis's bio notes, DAT Bootcamp, DAT Destroyer, etc.

GPA: You have done some repair. My GPA is almost identical to yours: 3.5 overall and 3.1 science.

ECs: You seemed to have improved those + your shadowing hours as well.

LORs: You're working on getting a committee letter and I'm assuming that your other one that usually needs to be from a dentist will be strong since you're assisting.

Honestly, your app doesn't sound too far off from mine (even the teaching part!), except I had a 20AA. I received 5 interview requests (went to 3 of them) and 3 acceptances. I would also make sure that you select a good list of schools and apply early in June. Unfortunately, I applied a bit late and didn't have the best list of schools.

Where have you applied?

I applied to NYU, Pitt, Temple, Louisville, Midwestern IL, ASDOH, OHSU, WESTU, Dalhousie and Touro. My adviser suggested that I expand my list next cycle. Do you have any suggestions? Do you mind if I ask where you got your interviews?

 

[pgex2t]

My stats and ECs are similar to those you have now, difference being the DAT score. I have 5 interview invites thus far so as long as you ace that DAT you should be good to go. Applying early and broadly wouldn't hurt either.

 

[fogorvostan]

I applied to NYU, Pitt, Temple, Louisville, Midwestern IL, ASDOH, OHSU, WESTU, Dalhousie and Touro. My adviser suggested that I expand my list next cycle. Do you have any suggestions? Do you mind if I ask where you got your interviews?

I was offered interviews to NYU, LECOM, MWU AZ, Tufts, and UNE.