What is going on here??

[johadd]

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Hi guys,

I feel something is wrong with schools on the east coast. ( BU, Tufts, NYU, Temple)

My stats are as follow

Overall GPA- 3.6 W/O +- (3.53 with +-)
Non scinece GPA 3.58
Science GPA 3.58 W/O +- (3.43 with +-)
BCP GPA 3.32 W/O +- (3.48 with +-)

I'm on track for an A in Biochemistry this semester (not finished yet) so should raise it to 3.4 and 3.55 at least


Dat scores as follow

RC-18
PAT-18
QR-20
BIO-19
GC-21
OC-24

TS-20
AA-20

Why haven't I landed an interview atbany east coast schools?

If you were in my situatuion what would you do?

I called the schools I'm interested in and they all said my aplication is under review, I sent it in July, it's been over 5 months they had my application.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[SES0112]

Hmm that is strange... Good stats and everything. If you aren't admitted this year I would def call the schools you are interested in and see why not. Good luck hopefully you will hear something

 

[monkeyteeth]

My PGA is a bit higher than yours . My DAT is some what identical. I got rejected without an interview from NYU, under review at BU. I am in the first batch. Believe me when I said our applications are average at best. The schools you applied for are known for their high volume of apps, they will pick the best one first then if those people decline then come our apps. Beside, they are more like back up schools so don't get discourage. ( typing on iPhone, pardon the grammar)

 

[johadd]

Hmm that is strange... Good stats and everything. If you aren't admitted this year I would def call the schools you are interested in and see why not. Good luck hopefully you will hear something

Don't get me wrong, I got into a dental school on the west coast already, but I was hoping for those schools since I live on the east coast.

 

[johadd]

My PGA is a bit higher than yours . My DAT is some what identical. I got rejected without an interview from NYU, under review at BU. I am in the first batch. Believe me when I said our applications are average at best. The schools you applied for are known for their high volume of apps, they will pick the best one first then if those people decline then come our apps. Beside, they are more like back up schools so don't get discourage. ( typing on iPhone, pardon the grammar)

Oh boy, that's bad, makes me think my rejection is in the mail as we speak.

When do you think they'll be sending that second wave of interviews to people with stats like us?

It's getting later and later in the cycle and there comes a certain point where we have to come to terms in regards to not hearing from these schools?

 

[monkeyteeth]

Oh boy, that's bad, makes me think my rejection is in the mail as we speak.

When do you think they'll be sending that second wave of interviews to people with stats like us?

It's getting later and later in the cycle and there comes a certain point where we have to come to terms in regards to not hearing from these schools?

huh, it's not a big deal really. I wasn't upset when I got my rejection letter from NYU or when I haven't heard any thing from BU (aside from the fact that I wasted couple hundreds dollars). I don't have HPSP scholarship nor currently living in NY or Boston so attending those schools would be my last resort. Dude, you already got an acceptance, even if it's not your first choice, so don't worry about it too much. Even if they send you an invitation now, interview would be likely in Feb or March for alternate spot. Alternate spot at a safety school would be an option only when I get desperate. I got waitlisted at 3 schools and am still waiting for others 3 so you are in a much better position than I am. Come to think about it, I may just be the world best second choice. Six schools and haven't had an acceptance (Shame on me)

 

[tooth knockn]

Hi guys,

I feel something is wrong with schools on the east coast. ( BU, Tufts, NYU, Temple)

My stats are as follow

Overall GPA- 3.6 W/O +- (3.53 with +-)
Non scinece GPA 3.58
Science GPA 3.58 W/O +- (3.43 with +-)
BCP GPA 3.32 W/O +- (3.48 with +-)

I'm on track for an A in Biochemistry this semester (not finished yet) so should raise it to 3.4 and 3.55 at least


Dat scores as follow

RC-18
PAT-18
QR-20
BIO-19
GC-21
OC-24

TS-20
AA-20

Why haven't I landed an interview atbany east coast schools?

If you were in my situatuion what would you do?

I called the schools I'm interested in and they all said my aplication is under review, I sent it in July, it's been over 5 months they had my application.

Thanks in advance for your help

Do you have any experience in the dental field ?

Did you have good referrals ?

How was your personal statement ?

Things to consider , in my opinion!

 

[johadd]

Do you have any experience in the dental field ?

Did you have good referrals ?

How was your personal statement ?

Things to consider , in my opinion!

First off thanks for your responses.

My personal statement is solid, I have over 350 hours of shadowing hours and even went on a mission trip to Lima, Peru in the summer to give free health care to patients of the Peruvian navy. I'm not worried about if I have enough shadowing hours or if I have experiences in dentistry. Not many applicants go to Lima, Peru like I did.


My referrals I'm sure were good, I've known the people who've written them for over 3 years each.

What else could it be then?

 

[charmingdds]

First off thanks for your responses.

My personal statement is solid, I have over 350 hours of shadowing hours and even went on a mission trip to Lima, Peru in the summer to give free health care to patients of the Peruvian navy. I'm not worried about if I have enough shadowing hours or if I have experiences in dentistry. Not many applicants go to Lima, Peru like I did.


My referrals I'm sure were good, I've known the people who've written them for over 3 years each.

What else could it be then?

Did you say "give free health care to patients"? What kind of health care can you offer patients without having a license to practice medicine? maybe the way you said it sounded weird? like were you giving flu shots, vaccinations or something? or administering medicine or writing prescriptions, suturing people?.. If you wrote that on your essay is automatically " rejections" unless you are certified to do so....

 

[autoclavemonkey]

Hi guys,

I feel something is wrong with schools on the east coast. ( BU, Tufts, NYU, Temple)

My stats are as follow

Overall GPA- 3.6 W/O +- (3.53 with +-)
Non scinece GPA 3.58
Science GPA 3.58 W/O +- (3.43 with +-)
BCP GPA 3.32 W/O +- (3.48 with +-)

I'm on track for an A in Biochemistry this semester (not finished yet) so should raise it to 3.4 and 3.55 at least


Dat scores as follow

RC-18
PAT-18
QR-20
BIO-19
GC-21
OC-24

TS-20
AA-20

Why haven't I landed an interview atbany east coast schools?

If you were in my situatuion what would you do?

I called the schools I'm interested in and they all said my aplication is under review, I sent it in July, it's been over 5 months they had my application.

Thanks in advance for your help

Ask the schools. Some schools are willing to go over your application with you. Also talk to some advisers and see if your personal statement and secondary app essays are well written and convincing. Also your stats seem ok, what about your ECs? There isn't much after that.

 

[johadd]

Ask the schools. Some schools are willing to go over your application with you. Also talk to some advisers and see if your personal statement and secondary app essays are well written and convincing. Also your stats seem ok, what about your ECs? There isn't much after that.

I have over 250 hours shadowing a residency hospital upstate NY and over 100 hours with two other dentists.

I volunteered over 400 hours with special needs.

 

[Shazzam]

Doesn't seem like there is any basis for neglecting your application. Its probably just bad luck.

 

[NhuPT]

They are probably very slow. I haven't heard anything from BU, Tufts or NYU either ( didn't apply to Temple). I applied the end of October though. I am from east coast too and also have a couple acceptances already. I am not very crazy about them because of the price so probably won't even attend the interviews if I get invited.

 

[jetman207]

H

 

[johadd]

They are probably very slow. I haven't heard anything from BU, Tufts or NYU either ( didn't apply to Temple). I applied the end of October though. I am from east coast too and also have a couple acceptances already. I am not very crazy about them because of the price so probably won't even attend the interviews if I get invited.

Maybe, but I've only heard back from 3 schools and one of those I won't know the answer until after my interview on January 25.

Seems like all the schools are going slow? Doesn't make sense. I haven't heard back from 15 schools approximately and wondering what's going on?

 

[NhuPT]

Maybe, but I've only heard back from 3 schools and one of those I won't know the answer until after my interview on January 25.

Seems like all the schools are going slow? Doesn't make sense. I haven't heard back from 15 schools approximately and wondering what's going on?

I applied to 20 schools - invited for 5, 1 school canceled my application because I didn't send in official international transcript, so I haven't heard back from 14 schools as well.

 

[DentVols17]

I would say the only pitfall would be that you submitted in July. The east coast schools receive a significant amount of OOS applications, much like Creighton in the midwest and California schools. Those places simply do not have the staff/time to review 2500+ apps per year. Getting in the first batch (first week of June) is key if you are applying to OOS schools OR private schools. Typically, the general trend of an in-state public school system is to have a slow administration. On the bright side, your scores are great and the GPA is where it needs to be! Good Luck!

 

[xbite]

There are so many factors. Interviews are not simply a computer-generated algorithm based on GPA. Your personal statement could have been weak, your letters of recommendation could have been subpar (knowing them for 3 years doesn't mean they will write you a strong one.), maybe you had "pre-med" written all over your application, or your courses were lacking a strong science background, maybe you failed a few courses, maybe you don't have the pre-reqs, maybe you don't have enough extra-curricular stuff, maybe your application fee wasn't received/bounced, etc. Competition is tough, especially on the east coast. There are many factors to consider. Keep your head up. It'll happen for you. If you're really worried, then perhaps follow up with the school(S)

 

[tooth knockn]

Hi guys,

I feel something is wrong with schools on the east coast. ( BU, Tufts, NYU, Temple)

My stats are as follow

Overall GPA- 3.6 W/O +- (3.53 with +-)
Non scinece GPA 3.58
Science GPA 3.58 W/O +- (3.43 with +-)
BCP GPA 3.32 W/O +- (3.48 with +-)

I'm on track for an A in Biochemistry this semester (not finished yet) so should raise it to 3.4 and 3.55 at least


Dat scores as follow

RC-18
PAT-18
QR-20
BIO-19
GC-21
OC-24

TS-20
AA-20

Why haven't I landed an interview atbany east coast schools?

If you were in my situatuion what would you do?

I called the schools I'm interested in and they all said my aplication is under review, I sent it in July, it's been over 5 months they had my application.

Thanks in advance for your help

you dont have to answer but . . . . . .. were you convicted of crime/felony ?

this could be a reason of not getting accepted to a school !

 

[johadd]

There are so many factors. Interviews are not simply a computer-generated algorithm based on GPA. Your personal statement could have been weak, your letters of recommendation could have been subpar (knowing them for 3 years doesn't mean they will write you a strong one.), maybe you had "pre-med" written all over your application, or your courses were lacking a strong science background, maybe you failed a few courses, maybe you don't have the pre-reqs, maybe you don't have enough extra-curricular stuff, maybe your application fee wasn't received/bounced, etc. Competition is tough, especially on the east coast. There are many factors to consider. Keep your head up. It'll happen for you. If you're really worried, then perhaps follow up with the school(S)

Thanks for your reply.

I followed up with them on several different occasions and the most recent one was this past Thursday. They all said my application was under review still!

 

[johadd]

you dont have to answer but . . . . . .. were you convicted of crime/felony ?

this could be a reason of not getting accepted to a school !

That's the thing. I've never got in trouble with the law. The only thing I have is speeding tickets lol.

I've never been in trouble with the law so that can't be it.

 

[chrispyy]

I'm waiting on a bunch of east coast schools too! It's driving me crazy

 

[johadd]

I'm waiting on a bunch of east coast schools too! It's driving me crazy

What were your stats? DAT score GPA?

 

[teethlove]

i am in the same situation. 8th batch (finalized&mailed 08/24)
stats are below.

have yet to hear from:
BU
Uni of Pitt
UNC
VCU
Columbia
Stony Brook
UMDNJ
Tufts
Uni of Illinois, Chicago (not East Coast, but thought to include anyway)

150+ hrs shadowing + volunteering
research experience
2 jobs
no criminal record

I'm just waiting it out. 🙁

 

[KittySquared]

^Forget Stony Brook (unless you're in state), UMDNJ and UIC. The latter two are very in state specific and UMDNJ is essentially interviewing for waitlist spots from what I hear. UIC accepts less than 10 people from out of state each year.

 

[pinpoint212]

Doesn't seem like there is any basis for neglecting your application. Its probably just bad luck.

I agree. The only option for you is to just play the waiting game and cross your fingers. Good luck!

 

[johadd]

I agree. The only option for you is to just play the waiting game and cross your fingers. Good luck!

True, but we've seen people with lower scores and EC's than us get interviews back in October and we have better stats and everything's better, and we haven't heard a peep from those east coast schools.

We prefer the east coast, since we live here.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=875430

 

[chrispyy]

What were your stats? DAT score GPA?

TS: 22 AA: 21 GPA 3.3. Waiting on Columbia, NYU, Tufts, BU, Temple 🙁

 

[johadd]

TS: 22 AA: 21 GPA 3.3. Waiting on Columbia, NYU, Tufts, BU, Temple 🙁

Wow, and you still didnt hear from those schools with those scores?

I shouldn't complain then, I had only a AA of 20 and TS of 20 with a bit higher GPA

 

[chrispyy]

Wow, and you still didnt hear from those schools with those scores?

I shouldn't complain then, I had only a AA of 20 and TS of 20 with a bit higher GPA

Did you get any interviews outside of the east coast?

 

[johadd]

Did you get any interviews outside of the east coast?

Yes. I had 2 pre-dec interviews, UNLV and MWU-AZ.

Got accepted to UNLV, wait listed at MWU-AZ.

I have an interview at WVU on January 25. That's the only east coast school I heard back from.

 

[iDentastic]

There are a ton of factors involved and a good bit of luck, too.

I got an interview invite from Tufts when they sent out their second batch of invites in November. I'm pretty sure something on my application caught their attention that fit with their school because I only had a 3.25~ overall gpa. For example, I had absolutely amazing letters of recommendation from the dentist and endodontist that I shadowed. None of that shadow-twice-and-ask-for-a-letter-of-rec stuff. I went in at least 10-15 times and really got to know them before having them write those letter of recommendations. I shadowed with 5 different dentists (2 general, 2 perio, 1 endo, 1 OMFS at the university hospital) because I wanted to make sure I had a diverse amount of shadowing, too. I wrote a pretty nice personal statement that took me a few weeks to do (and delayed my application to the end of August). I did well on my DATS (22/22/25). I went to a pretty tough university which was actually a "feeder schools" listed on their website under their statistics of accepted students. Research. Volunteering. Leadership positions. The infamous Tufts Syndrome probably had something to do with it. It really depends on a lot of things. Having nice numbers are huge, but if your numbers are only average... something has to stand out.

 

[bakigf]

I think ......getting into dental school depends on

40% : your stats
20% : good timing
40% :.....department of mystery

=_=;;;;;

your stats and ECs are much better than mine (except that I applied in June)....and I got interview in September and got acceptance in Dec3....😛

and you are not the only one who hasn't gotten an interview with better stats than mine....
(assuming our referrals and PS are equally good..)

....mysteries, mysteries........

 

[cdndds]

yeah same position here.. 22AA, 21TS, 3.9... nothing from BU/NYU

 

[johadd]

yeah same position here.. 22AA, 21TS, 3.9... nothing from BU/NYU

Wow, that's a bit rediculous.

NYU, BU, Tufts and Temple are all my top choices and haven't heard anything back from them either but with a 20 dat score!

Something is going on, it doesn't make sense at all!?

 

[flipflopreverse]

yeah same position here.. 22AA, 21TS, 3.9... nothing from BU/NYU

nothing from BU either.

 

[emorypredent]

22 AA, 21TS, 19 PAT. 3.6ish gpa

Nothing from tufts/bu. rejection from NYU. 16th batch.

 

[kpark112233]

...

 

[emorypredent]

22 AA, 21TS, 19 PAT. 3.6ish gpa

Nothing from tufts/bu. rejection from NYU. 16th batch.[/QUOT

When did you apply?

16th batch.....which means 10/12 mail date.

 

[cleary21191]

22 AA, 21TS, 19 PAT. 3.6ish gpa

Nothing from tufts/bu. rejection from NYU. 16th batch.

That's strange, I have a 3.45/3.35; AA 20 TS 19 PAT 20, and already received interviews at BU (1/8) and Tufts (1/28). I had a personal statement that I worked on for months, extensive EC's, and a great pre-health committee letter pieced together by multiple letters of recommendation and a mock "dental interview". I still find it odd that great stats like that haven't caught their attention at all! Hang in there because both schools are sure to be giving out interviews/acceptances well into February.

Good luck!

P.S. I also applied somewhat late; my application was sent out 9/28, my scores were received around 10/15, and my committee letter was received on 10/26.

 

[emorypredent]

That's strange, I have a 3.45/3.35; AA 20 TS 19 PAT 20, and already received interviews at BU (1/8) and Tufts (1/28). I had a personal statement that I worked on for months, extensive EC's, and a great pre-health committee letter pieced together by multiple letters of recommendation and a mock "dental interview". I still find it odd that great stats like that haven't caught their attention at all! Hang in there because both schools are sure to be giving out interviews/acceptances well into February.

Good luck!

P.S. I also applied somewhat late; my application was sent out 9/28, my scores were received around 10/15, and my committee letter was received on 10/26.

Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I would say my PS is average/above average for accepted studets. My recomendations were good (not sure about 1 though) and my EC are excellent (well above average for accepted students)

It might be that I got a bunch of Cs in Chem classes. But I retook both orgos (got As) and I got a 23 on both chem sections on the DAT. Also I haven't taken many biology classes.

 

[Menthol]

me neither 🙁

 

[cleary21191]

Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I would say my PS is average/above average for accepted studets. My recomendations were good (not sure about 1 though) and my EC are excellent (well above average for accepted students)

It might be that I got a bunch of Cs in Chem classes. But I retook both orgos (got As) and I got a 23 on both chem sections on the DAT. Also I haven't taken many biology classes.

I received a C+ in Orgo II, and only scored a 17 on the Orgo section of the DAT, so it's not likely that the C's are holding you back, especially with your scores. I am pretty sure the BU and Tufts both "look down" on pre-recs that were taken a community colleges, but I can't imagine they would look down on someone retaking a course to improve their stats. If anything, I think it shows how much you care. I do have to say that both BU and Tufts seem to love my undergrad institution and that could potentially impact their decision. Students from my school tend to do very well in their programs and I can only imagine that is why my application was "more attractive". I also haven't received any rejections from the six other school I applied to, so I can't speak on how much of an impact this truly has.

I'd say be patient and you should be getting interviews soon!

 

[emorypredent]

I received a C+ in Orgo II, and only scored a 17 on the Orgo section of the DAT, so it's not likely that the C's are holding you back, especially with your scores. I am pretty sure the BU and Tufts both "look down" on pre-recs that were taken a community colleges, but I can't imagine they would look down on someone retaking a course to improve their stats. If anything, I think it shows how much you care. I do have to say that both BU and Tufts seem to love my undergrad institution and that could potentially impact their decision. Students from my school tend to do very well in their programs and I can only imagine that is why my application was "more attractive". I also haven't received any rejections from the six other school I applied to, so I can't speak on how much of an impact this truly has.

I'd say be patient and you should be getting interviews soon!

I took a good chunk of "extra" classes at community colleges (like during the summer and stuff). But all my pre-reqs except Gen Bio 2 were at 4 year schools and I always took more than a full load during the semester at my 4 yr school.

 

[HopefulDMD88]

I've read numerous times that some of the schools that accept students with more modest stats (BU, Tufts, NYU, etc.) tend to not interview students with very competitive stats (22+ DAT with 3.75+ GPA, as an example). They figure these applicants will have offers from higher tier schools or their state schools, and would have a low chance of attending the lower tiered programs. They'd rather interview a student that matches their average matriculants.

So in some cases, not getting an invite from these schools can be seen as a compliment.

This can be a problem, however, if you are a borderline strong applicant and also don't get much consideration from higher teir schools OR if you really want to attend one of the lower teired schools regardless of your competetiveness. In these cases, I would recommend extending your interest to the school(s) directly and you may be reconsidered. I've read situations like this and an invite was made promptly after.

Either way, best of luck.

 

[Dentalkid434]

Hi guys,

I feel something is wrong with schools on the east coast. ( BU, Tufts, NYU, Temple)

My stats are as follow

Overall GPA- 3.6 W/O +- (3.53 with +-)
Non scinece GPA 3.58
Science GPA 3.58 W/O +- (3.43 with +-)
BCP GPA 3.32 W/O +- (3.48 with +-)

I'm on track for an A in Biochemistry this semester (not finished yet) so should raise it to 3.4 and 3.55 at least


Dat scores as follow

RC-18
PAT-18
QR-20
BIO-19
GC-21
OC-24

TS-20
AA-20

Why haven't I landed an interview atbany east coast schools?

If you were in my situatuion what would you do?

I called the schools I'm interested in and they all said my aplication is under review, I sent it in July, it's been over 5 months they had my application.

Thanks in advance for your help

The entire application process is a crap shoot. I still have not heard back from one of my state schools and other schools within the vicinity. Mind you that I am from the east coast myself. Perhaps I should have applied to west coast schools. Sigh.

 

[johadd]

The entire application process is a crap shoot. I still have not heard back from one of my state schools and other schools within the vicinity. Mind you that I am from the east coast myself. Perhaps I should have applied to west coast schools. Sigh.

I know what you mean

I only heard back from west coast schools and nothing from the east coast-where I'm from