What are my chances?

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Dentalman54

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Date of submission: 7/04/2019
Overall GPA: 3.95
Science GPA:
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA:
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 19 AA TS 19 GC 19 OC 19 BIO 19 RC 20 PAT 16 QR 16
State of Residence:
Undergrad Attended: Major University
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Sociology
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No
Shadowing Experience: 87 2 local dentist and pediatric dentist
Volunteering Experience: 150 hours
Employment: Assistant to Orthodontist 170 hours
Research: No
Other Extracurriculars: Play club sport in college. Won national champ/ Runner up/ division champ
Relevant Honors or Awards: Presidents list/ Deans list/ Scholarship
LOR type and strength: Strong letters I assume.
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere: Took a semester studying abroad. Traveled the world.

Do I have any chance of getting into Dental school this cycle 2019-2020?

Applied to 6 schools including my state school. Do I have a shot at getting some interviews this cycle?
 
Last edited:
Dentalman54 said:
Date of submission: 7/04/2019
Overall GPA: 3.95
Science GPA:
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA:
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 19 AA TS 19 GC 19 OC 19 BIO 19 RC 20 PAT 16 QR 16
State of Residence:
Undergrad Attended: Major University
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Sociology
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No
Shadowing Experience: 87 2 local dentist and pediatric dentist
Volunteering Experience: 150 hours
Employment: Assistant to Orthodontist 170 hours
Research: No
Other Extracurriculars: Play club sport in college. Won national champ/ Runner up/ division champ
Relevant Honors or Awards: Presidents list/ Deans list/ Scholarship
LOR type and strength: Strong letters I assume.
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere: Took a semester studying abroad. Traveled the world.

Do I have any chance of getting into Dental school this cycle 2019-2020?

Applied to 6 schools including my state school. Do I have a shot at getting some interviews this cycle?
Click to expand...
what is your school list and what is your state of residency?
 
State of Residency is NC

School List
ECU
Western
LECOM
Kentucky
Lousville
Marquette
 
Dentalman54 said:
State of Residency is NC

School List
ECU
Western
LECOM
Kentucky
Lousville
Marquette
Click to expand...

while your GPA is awesome, your 19 DAT with 2 sections of 16 may be an issue
especially when you only are applying to 6 schools, 2 of which are OOS publics
i'd recommend picking some more schools to ensure you get more chances at interviews/acceptances
 
Any suggestions? Thank you for offering advice. From your response seems like it is going to be up hill climbing. And then depression set in.....LOL
 
Dentalman54 said:
Any suggestions? Thank you for offering advice. From your response seems like it is going to be up hill climbing. And then depression set in.....LOL
Click to expand...

I wouldn't put it exactly that way
you will likely get interviews from your list as long as your LOR and PS don't suck
it's up to you to do well on the interviews
i'd recommend adding schools to try and get a few to a bunch of interviews and at least a couple of acceptances
 
If I were you I would apply to UNC, great school, very IS friendly. Good luck.
 
I have two thoughts about this post. On one hand, 19 AA/TS is below average for acceptance and the two 16's will be a problem for certain ADCOMs. On the other hand, your two 16's are in the least important subjects, and students with outstanding GPAs, ECs, and LORs get into dental school with lower DAT scores than you. I think it's up to you but here's a couple of options:

Scenario A: Take an academic break this summer (you can still work). Assuming you're going into senior year, I would load up any difficult courses in the fall semester and wait for interviews/acceptances to come in. If this happens then congrats -- you made it. If schools are silent and you're in February of next year, then prepare to retake the DAT. I would contact schools that have not given you a decision at this point but March/early April is generally when the interview season ends. DAT studying should be from March - May 2020, absolutely demolish the exam, and then reapply in June 2020. Gap year can be spent working and then traveling/relaxing once you've been accepted.

Scenario B: Start studying for the DAT again in a week. Follow a rigorous schedule and take easier courses in the fall so you can kill the DAT in early September. Make sure you notify schools of your new score.

That's the best advice I could give, and I'd probably go with option A because it's less stress along with less potential for burnout. And even if you don't get in this cycle a gap year is an awesome way to properly relax before dental school starts.
 
Thank you for your thoughts and that was my plan. Do you think I will get some interviews?
 
Dentalman54 said:
Thank you for your thoughts and that was my plan. Do you think I will get some interviews?
Click to expand...

I don't think anybody on this forum can guarantee an interview, acceptance, or rejection no matter the pre-dent. Certain members on ADCOMs will fight for you to get an interview and others will look at the score and say no way. I know it's tough but if you're sticking with not retaking the DAT this cycle then there's nothing you can do except wait and finish with a strong senior year.
 
My friend I have no other choice at this moment. I am locked in summer job. The only thing to do is play the hand that I gave myself. I wish it was stronger and as I reflect I could have done much better had I spent more time preparing. But everyone always has an excuse when they fail. The only thing I can do is self reflect and try to fix it next. year. The following Fall will be my senior year. I am very heavy in subjects in the fall and lighter in the spring. However I play a sport and travel during the spring semester. So learning the lessons from this first cycle. I supposed I would aim to take the DAT at the end of June which would allow me 7 weeks to prepare compared to the 3 weeks of 12 hour days and then some. Thank you for posting your thoughts. We will just see how it goes. On the bright side this can be a life lesson.
 
I think the only school that might be a reach is kentucky. They really like high volunteer hours. But other than that, I think you got a great shots at all the other schools on your list. You probably should add UNC too since you are instate. If money is a issue, remove Kentucky and add UNC.
 
Dentalman54 said:
Thank you catch and release for taking the time to review and add your thoughts. Thanks for the positive thoughts.
Click to expand...
if you add more schools, perhaps you won't have to retake DAT and apply again next year...
 
Dentalman54 said:
Thank you macsak do you have any suggestions?
Click to expand...
apply to as many private schools as you can afford the application fees
research them for the best fit and areas where you can see yourself living for 4 years (be sure to check cost of attendance too)
you have a really strong GPA
 
I was thinking of applying to Nova.... What do you think? The other ones my pre-reqs don't fit. And thank you for the advice.....
 
Dentalman54 said:
I was thinking of applying to Nova.... What do you think? The other ones my pre-reqs don't fit. And thank you for the advice.....
Click to expand...
there are over 40 something private schools and you only meet the pre-reqs for 4 of them?
you don't have to have the pre-reqs when you apply, you only have to have them finished by the time you start school
 
Dentalman54 said:
Do you think they would even interview me if I don't have all pre reqs?
Click to expand...
that's what I just said
you don't need to have pre-reqs complete when you apply, just before you start school
i believe there's only one school that specifically says you need to have them complete before applying
 
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