What are my Next Steps at This point??

[dnz2]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I have applied for dental school this cycle - 0 acceptances and 1 interview (haven't heard back yet). My stats are: undergrad GPA: 2.56, Grad GPA: 3.8 DAT: AA/TS 21/21,lowest score is a 19 on PAT. over 500 hours of volunteering and shadowing

I have asked my top choice on ways to improve and they suggested that I do a masters (I will literally be graduating this semester lol). I am just confused what to do for next cycle? Should I retake pre-reqs I got a C+ in?? Should I take an additional semester of masters? Should I just go for a PhD? I am unsure what else to do and would appreciate any advice, thanks everyone.

 

[macsak]

So I have applied for dental school this cycle - 0 acceptances and 1 interview (haven't heard back yet). My stats are: undergrad GPA: 2.56, Grad GPA: 3.8 DAT: AA/TS 21/21,lowest score is a 19 on PAT. over 500 hours of volunteering and shadowing

I have asked my top choice on ways to improve and they suggested that I do a masters (I will literally be graduating this semester lol). I am just confused what to do for next cycle? Should I retake pre-reqs I got a C+ in?? Should I take an additional semester of masters? Should I just go for a PhD? I am unsure what else to do and would appreciate any advice, thanks everyone.

► TEMPLATE: How to Format your WAMC Thread ◄ | Student Doctor Network

do a full WMC template and we can see the picture more completely...

 

[dnz2]

► TEMPLATE: How to Format your WAMC Thread ◄ | Student Doctor Network

do a full WMC template and we can see the picture more completely...

Date of submission: 08/15
Overall GPA: 2.8
Undergrad GPA: 2.56
Master's GPA: 3.8
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 21AA/21TS/22OC/21GC/20BIO/20RC/22QR/19PAT



Undergrad Major: Biomedical Sciences
Undergrad Minor: Biology
Graduate: Masters in Biology, thesis in oral biology
Minority? NO
Reapplicant? NO
Nontrad? NO

Shadowing Experience: ~300 hours shadowing overall, shadowed general dentistry, paediatric dentistry, periodontist as well as oral and maxillofacial surgeon
Volunteering Experience: ~300 hours of volunteering overall
- volunteered at operation smile
- non profit organization for refugees
- dental care classes in homeless shelters

Research: ~600 hours research in undergrad --> cancer research at a research hospital and environmental research at a non profit organization.
~400 hours research for my masters thesis. Research in dental school with one of the faculty members. Goal is to be published by February (it was supposed to be December, but COVID threw things off a bit)

LOR type and strength: 1 LOR from my prof in the dental school (strong) , 1 LOR from the department head (strong), 1 LOR from genetics prof (medium)

MISC INFO: Currently in my last semester of masters - taking a full course load, one of the courses are with current D1 students, 1 is a microbio course and retaking Gen Chem 2 as a I got a C in it during undergrad.

School list:
NYU
LECOM
BU GDSM
UB
MEHARRY
TUFTS
RUTGERS
UDM
UNE
HOWARD
VCU
WVU
MWU-IL
TOURO
STONY BROOK

 

[dnz2]

wanted to add that I am a NY resident.

 

[1942]

3.8 masters GPA should show maturity and ability to handle graduate level science curriculum.

you applied relatively late which is one thing you can fix. Aim to apply early June next cycle

You should be able to get in somewhere with your profile. I would NOT spend any more money on PhD programs or an extra semester or whatever.

I would consider spending the time/money to kill the DAT since that’s one of the biggest drivers for admission. It’s already March and the application opens up in 3 months. You really don’t want to turn in the same application. A 23+ will make you very competitive and further address any potential weaknesses. I think you can get in without taking it and simply applying early and strategically. But this will increase your chances obviously

DM if you need help drafting a list on where to apply

 

[macsak]

3.8 masters GPA should show maturity and ability to handle graduate level science curriculum.

you applied relatively late which is one thing you can fix. Aim to apply early June next cycle

You should be able to get in somewhere with your profile. I would NOT spend any more money on PhD programs or an extra semester or whatever.

I would consider spending the time/money to kill the DAT since that’s one of the biggest drivers for admission. It’s already March and the application opens up in 3 months. You really don’t want to turn in the same application. A 23+ will make you very competitive and further address any potential weaknesses. I think you can get in without taking it and simply applying early and strategically. But this will increase your chances obviously

DM if you need help drafting a list on where to apply

sorry, i disagree with the need for a retake
apply early and broadly, making sure your PS is awesome and secondaries are on point

howard and meharry are HBCU and mostly take URM
i'd remove those and add a few more private schools...

 

[PerioDont]

Have you met with the faculty at the school you are currently at? I would reach out to them and ask specifics about your application.

How was your PS? Are you sure your LOR's are solid? I am thinking there may be a red flag somewhere there because the rest of your app looks okay

 

[dnz2]

3.8 masters GPA should show maturity and ability to handle graduate level science curriculum.

you applied relatively late which is one thing you can fix. Aim to apply early June next cycle

You should be able to get in somewhere with your profile. I would NOT spend any more money on PhD programs or an extra semester or whatever.

I would consider spending the time/money to kill the DAT since that’s one of the biggest drivers for admission. It’s already March and the application opens up in 3 months. You really don’t want to turn in the same application. A 23+ will make you very competitive and further address any potential weaknesses. I think you can get in without taking it and simply applying early and strategically. But this will increase your chances obviously

DM if you need help drafting a list on where to apply

thanks so much for your advice, will be DM'ing you

 

[dnz2]

Have you met with the faculty at the school you are currently at? I would reach out to them and ask specifics about your application.

How was your PS? Are you sure your LOR's are solid? I am thinking there may be a red flag somewhere there because the rest of your app looks okay

I think my PS was pretty good, I had it reviewed by two of my friends in med school, and another friend in dental school and one of my proffesors. I have contacted the school I am currently at - they said that I am still under review so fingers crossed I hear something soon. But their class is 90% full so I am unsure how likely it is for me to get an interview. I did get a rejection from NYU which surprised me so I contacted them and they basically said 'oh you should do a masters or post bacc!' so I think it's my UG GPA being significantly lower than the average student. and in terms of my LOR I definitely could be wrong, so perhaps that is an issue.

 

[PerioDont]

I think my PS was pretty good, I had it reviewed by two of my friends in med school, and another friend in dental school and one of my proffesors. I have contacted the school I am currently at - they said that I am still under review so fingers crossed I hear something soon. But their class is 90% full so I am unsure how likely it is for me to get an interview. I did get a rejection from NYU which surprised me so I contacted them and they basically said 'oh you should do a masters or post bacc!' so I think it's my UG GPA being significantly lower than the average student. and in terms of my LOR I definitely could be wrong, so perhaps that is an issue.

I would actually try to find some faculty and/or students in the dental school and go over your app with them if possible.

did you have research on your app last time? That seems very valuable of an experience to many schools

 

[1942]

sorry, i disagree with the need for a retake
apply early and broadly, making sure your PS is awesome and secondaries are on point

howard and meharry are HBCU and mostly take URM
i'd remove those and add a few more private schools...

Yeah I essentially agree and only mentioned it as a consideration if OP is confident they can improve on their score and have the means (time and money). But simply applying early and strategically and having a refined PS should be enough. Always room for improvement though.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

On your graduate GPA, when you applied last cycle, how many courses in your master's curriculum did you have in hand? Are they all going to be reported on your transcripts this next cycle? If you are trying to make an argument that your high grad GPA has meaning, you have to show that you can handle it. Complete your grad coursework strong, and do your homework with the schools you want to attend by talking with current students and admissions staff before you apply.

 

[dnz2]

On your graduate GPA, when you applied last cycle, how many courses in your master's curriculum did you have in hand? Are they all going to be reported on your transcripts this next cycle? If you are trying to make an argument that your high grad GPA has meaning, you have to show that you can handle it. Complete your grad coursework strong, and do your homework with the schools you want to attend by talking with current students and admissions staff before you apply.

I had 26 credits completed at the time of application. thanks for your advice.

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

Apply as early as possible next cycle, expand your list to include more private schools. Take off oos unfriendly schools (I’m guessing VCU and WVU) and howard, and meharry. Get your list to at least 14-15 after you removed the above.