What can I improve on?

[kc8pg]

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Hey guys,
It is nearing the end of the 2015 Cycle and I am being rejected from most of the schools I have applied to and I only interviewed at NYU and waitlisted. I am waiting on Tufts, BU, Temple and Harvard.
When looking at my application, I thought I had a solid application....but I do not know why I have been rejected from the schools (Stony, Buffalo, Rutgers, UConn, UPitts, Columbia).

Here is a summary of my stats:
DAT #1: AA/TS/PAT = 22/21/24
sGPA/oGPA = 3.54/3.6
Major: Chemical Engineering
University: Top Public University
Residency: NY

Research:
Researched for two summers at a chemical engineering lab (no publication) + (pharmaceutical/biomedical) capstone thesis

Employments:
1. 1.5 year at a leading healthcare IT company, working with doctors/nurses/dentists/pharmacists/perfusionist/etc. I learned a lot from working in this field and I was able to decide which healthcare career is best for me.

2. 1 year as lab assistant at medical school at my school

3. English teacher for two summers

4. Financial analyst for one summer (I am from a family of bankers, so I wanted to see if i would like this field...but I didn't.)

Shadowing:
1. Shadowing/working with Oral surgeons (40 hours)
2. Two general dentists (75 hours)

Volunteer:
370 hours community services at rehab/hospital/special Olympics.

LORs:
1 LOR from P.Chem professor
1 LOR from Chemical Reaction Engineering Professor
1 LOR from my lab assistant supervisor (bio/pharm professor)
1 LOR from one General Dentist

Is there anything I need to improve on my application? I even quit my job (healthcare IT) to take Biochemistry during Spring 2015...T_T

If i am not accepted during this cycle, I am not sure what to work on for the next cycle. Please help!

 

[yeslek88]

When did you apply? The only explanation I could come up with is that you didn't apply early enough. Either that or your personal statement. Do you have any misconduct or anything else on your app that could be considered a red flag?

 

[kc8pg]

I applied in October (it october late?)...and I believe my PS is pretty good. Had many people review it.
No mis-conduct or anything bad...but I did apply to 5 Medical schools 2 years ago (pushed by parents) and got rejected from them. After working in the healthcare IT field, I decided to pursue dentistry instead of medical school based on my experience with working with physicians and dentists.

 

[ajj70]

I could be off base but everything you listed points more toward a career in medicine and not so much dental. I know you said you want to be a dentist but your work and experience says otherwise. Maybe they saw something similar?

 

[sunnyani85]

I agree with @ajj70 .... There is 2 things that I think you should do.

1) Apply early. October is considered LATE.
2) Spend more time in dental offices. Increase your shadowing hours. You have spent a lot of time (370 hours) volunteering in hospital but not dental offices.

Good luck!

 

[ajj70]

I don't know how you have things listed on your resume or application, but even just listing "doctors" before dentist in your IT job or putting your LOR from a dentist last on your list, etc. sends off a bad message about the importance of those items. List anything dental related first.

 

[deleted659902]

To OP:

You should have applied like before August. So if you don't get in this time, plan on getting everything submitted by mid-July of next year.

 

[Greyangel6]

It looks pretty solid except that your application might be late and you have too many things medicine-related than you have dental-related things. I think putting in more hours of shadowing dentists, during more community services outside the hospital (soup kitchen, mobile dental units, dental clinics, etc.) would help a bit.
Doing something that shows excellent psycho-motor skills would also help. Another thing you can do is bringing that GPA to around 3.9 would also help but unrealistic and far-fetched. And of course, practice your interviewing skills. That's just how I see it can give you the maximal chance in the next round.

 

[kc8pg]

Thanks everyone! I thought 100+hrs of shadowing was enough. But i guess not.
I will look for more community services that are more dental related.

 

[kc8pg]

I agree - you need to apply earlier! Top applicants will submit everything by the end of June!!

Also, you applied to some REALLY tough schools to get into. Why not apply to some private schools and/or public schools that aren't quite as competitive but are just as good of quality? You can use the ADEA Guide to Dental Schools to research other schools.

Hhmm....i thought i had a good mix of schools and I wanted to stay north east to be closer to family. Do you have any recommendations of schools?

 

[kc8pg]

I don't know how you have things listed on your resume or application, but even just listing "doctors" before dentist in your IT job or putting your LOR from a dentist last on your list, etc. sends off a bad message about the importance of those items. List anything dental related first.

Never even considered that...thanks! I'll make sure I do that.

 

[yeslek88]

I think all of the above posts are helpful, but mainly you need to apply earlier and broaden your school list. UCONN and Rutgers are not very OOS friendly, even for NY residents. SB and Buff are extremely competitive state schools. Your app is competitive, but you really shot yourself in the foot by applying in October. Your app was probably not verified and available for review until some time in November. SB and Buffalo have wrapped up most of their interviews by then.

 

[kc8pg]

I think all of the above posts are helpful, but mainly you need to apply earlier and broaden your school list. UCONN and Rutgers are not very OOS friendly, even for NY residents. SB and Buff are extremely competitive state schools. Your app is competitive, but you really shot yourself in the foot by applying in October. Your app was probably not verified and available for review until some time in November. SB and Buffalo have wrapped up most of their interviews by then.

Duly noted! I took my DAT end of august...so i completed the app pretty late ㅠㅠ. I wanted to see what I got on the exam before I started the application. Thanks for your advice!

 

[sjv]

Your application looks pretty good to me, definitely apply earlier and you should fare much better this cycle.

 

[Garett24]

OP we have very similiar stats and shadowing hours. I also applied late September. It's a damn shame but I think timing is a big deal. Got two interviews.

 

[shonster460]

Others have said that you're app is too medical but I don't think that's the major factor. I worked as an EMT for a couple of years and shadowed physicians. I think these activities actually helped my app. Seems like the biggest factor here is the late submission. Also, 100+ shadowing hours is fine. I don't think that's holding you back but more hours would certainly help. Could it be your recommendation letters? Like others have said, apply early and broadly.

 

[kc8pg]

Others have said that you're app is too medical but I don't think that's the major factor. I worked as an EMT for a couple of years and shadowed physicians. I think these activities actually helped my app. Seems like the biggest factor here is the late submission. Also, 100+ shadowing hours is fine. I don't think that's holding you back but more hours would certainly help. Could it be your recommendation letters? Like others have said, apply early and broadly.

I thought it may be my LORs....but there is no way to confirm it because its confidential....>.<

 

[kc8pg]

Hey guys,
I am trying to think what I should be doing the next year if I do not get in this year and I have to apply again. I have yet to hear from other schools and I am still waitlisted at NYU.
The two options I am considering:

1. 1-year Postbacc/MS programs
2. Get another Healthcare IT job (several companies want to hire me already)

Money is pretty tight...and I do not want to spend 40-60k for a postbac/MS program when I would get more debt (if/when) get into dental school....but if that is the best route then I might consider it.
Do you guys think a postbac/MS program will be worth it for me, if i want to apply again for the 2015-2016 cycle?

Thanks for reading this thread. 🙂

 

[Tebros]

Hey guys,
I am trying to think what I should be doing the next year if I do not get in this year and I have to apply again. I have yet to hear from other schools and I am still waitlisted at NYU.
The two options I am considering:

1. 1-year Postbacc/MS programs
2. Get another Healthcare IT job (several companies want to hire me already)

Money is pretty tight...and I do not want to spend 40-60k for a postbac/MS program when I would get more debt (if/when) get into dental school....but if that is the best route then I might consider it.
Do you guys think a postbac/MS program will be worth it for me, if i want to apply again for the 2015-2016 cycle?

Thanks for reading this thread. 🙂

I honestly don't think you should, If I were in your situation, I'd rather work for a year (save money) and volunteer at a dental clinic to show that you still want to do dentistry, but with your resume, you look pretty good for this next up coming cycle, just be sure to APPLY EARLY as possible. Cheers.

 

[s2mySerendipity]

Your stats seem fine! They're a lot better/more impressive than mine. The ONLY factor IMO is you applied really late. I applied first week of August and was freaking out because people at my school apply June/July. Also, don't do any more schooling! Your grades are fine, really.

 

[Faux]

Applied really late. You even have two state schools.

 

[watermelon15]

your stats are absolutely fine!!
keep your IT job and save money
Do more dental volunteering/shadowing- make sure you get a good letter from a dentist
apply by july
you'll be golden
Good luck!

 

[bamtori]

I thought I was the only one...

My stats:
DAT: AA/TS/PAT = 23/23/26
sGPA/oGPA = 3.6/3.54
Major: Neuroscience
University: Top 10 Private University
Residency: CT

I won't go in depth on the extracurriculars/clubs/research/volunteer/shadowing, but you can take my word for it. I felt I had more than enough experience all across the board.

Applied late Sept.
AADSAS app approved Oct 8

Interviews: Columbia, Tufts -- in February (last batch...)
Rejected: UConn, UNC, NYU, Penn, Harvard, Tufts, UOP,
Waitlist: Columbia

I considered NYU masters in oral biology and BU's dental masters, both 1 year programs. Money IS an issue, as I do not want to shell out another $50k in loans.
The next best option for me is to look for paid jobs. With a major in neuroscience, not much else I can do other than research..
kc8pg PM me if you come up with some better ideas, or if you just need a shoulder to lean on. Looks like we showed up too late and missed the train to dental school this time around.

Get ready for another long and grueling application cycle. Let's keep our heads up, learn from our mistakes, and prepare to submit AADSAS on June 1.

 

[kc8pg]

I thought I was the only one...

My stats:
DAT: AA/TS/PAT = 23/23/26
sGPA/oGPA = 3.6/3.54
Major: Neuroscience
University: Top 10 Private University
Residency: CT

I won't go in depth on the extracurriculars/clubs/research/volunteer/shadowing, but you can take my word for it. I felt I had more than enough experience all across the board.

Applied late Sept.
AADSAS app approved Oct 8

Interviews: Columbia, Tufts -- in February (last batch...)
Rejected: UConn, UNC, NYU, Penn, Harvard, Tufts, UOP,
Waitlist: Columbia

I considered NYU masters in oral biology and BU's dental masters, both 1 year programs. Money IS an issue, as I do not want to shell out another $50k in loans.
The next best option for me is to look for paid jobs. With a major in neuroscience, not much else I can do other than research..
kc8pg PM me if you come up with some better ideas, or if you just need a shoulder to lean on. Looks like we showed up too late and missed the train to dental school this time around.

Get ready for another long and grueling application cycle. Let's keep our heads up, learn from our mistakes, and prepare to submit AADSAS on June 1.

Wow...similar boat lol >_<
I would be more inclined to getting a job over doing a masters and adding more debt. But sometimes I feel like admissions would prefer the Masters over a job bc it shows that one can do well with higher level biology courses and be commited in pursuing dental school. At the same time, not everyone has the luxury to afford masters....so getting a job in the healthcare field would be financially beneficial and you learn hands-on. I am now 90% sure I will just get a job while I apply again for the next cycle.

I was considering trying to find a research assistant position or a Healthcare IT position. I think research would be more beneficial for research-focused schools. But I will most likely stick with IT bc the pay is much higher. There are top healthcare IT companies that do hire pre-med/dental students so you should give those companies a try, if interested!

 

[kc8pg]

Hey guys,
I have another question about my being waitlisted at NYU.
Is it a good idea or futile to update NYU that I have an A (currently 100s on exam, quiz, lab reports) in Biochemistry, which is not required at NYU and that I got a part time job that will become a full time position after I finish biochem at a healthcare IT company as a EMR Design Specialist.

I already called NYU 2 weeks ago that I am still interested and will be attending if accepted. But now that its getting closer to April I want to reach out again reiterating my interest in attending NYUCD.

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks for reading this thread!

 

[kc8pg]

Hey guys,
I have another question about my being waitlisted at NYU.
Is it a good idea or futile to update NYU that I have an A (currently 100s on exam, quiz, lab reports) in Biochemistry, which is not required at NYU and that I got a part time job that will become a full time position after I finish biochem at a healthcare IT company as a EMR Design Specialist.

I already called NYU 2 weeks ago that I am still interested and will be attending if accepted. But now that its getting closer to April I want to reach out again reiterating my interest in attending NYUCD.

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks for reading this thread!

Bump^