What should I do? Only one waitlist.

[samantha05]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

Thus far I only have one waitlist at Touro. I am confused on if I’ll get in this cycle and what I need to do to improve my application (besides volunteering which I’m already working on). My gpa although had a upward trend, was overall mediocre due to my earlier years in undergrad.

Date of submission: June 2020
Overall GPA: 3.1 undergrad
Science GPA: 3.1undergrad (masters 3.5), overall 3.2
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.1 (masters 3.5)
DAT score: 20AA/21TS
State of Residence: NY


Major: Bio
Minority? Asians (forgotten minority)
Reapplicant? Yes
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 110 (all general dentist)
Volunteering Experience: 110 (this will increase). Volunteered as a mentor and a tutor. Currently volunteering to distribute food to people most affected by Covid.
Employment: Over 5000 hours. Worked in three hospital positions, current one being in clinical research.
Research: 1500 hours, 1 publication
LOR type and strength: Very strong from PI, strong from dentist, strong/good from grad molecular prof, good from bioethics prof

School list:
Touro
Buffalo
Rutgers
LECOM
UNE

Should I retake my DAT? I was really hoping to get into my state school (Buffalo) but I didn’t even get a interview.

 

[macsak]

Hi everyone,

Thus far I only have one waitlist at Touro. I am confused on if I’ll get in this cycle and what I need to do to improve my application (besides volunteering which I’m already working on). My gpa although had a upward trend, was overall mediocre due to my earlier years in undergrad.

Overall and science: 3.1 undergrad, 3.5 masters (biology)
DAT: 20AA/21TS
1 research publication with over 1500 hours
Worked in three different healthcare positions, current one being in clinical research. A lot of work hours overall.
Volunteer hours: 110 (this will increase). Volunteered as a mentor and a tutor. Currently volunteering to distribute food to people most affected by Covid.
Shadowing: 110 (all general dentist)

Should I retake my DAT? I was really hoping to get into my state school (Buffalo) but I didn’t even get a interview.

please follow the WAMC template...

 

[samantha05]

please follow the WAMC template...

Changed

 

[macsak]

Changed

what is your dat score breakdown?

any reason you only applied to 5 schools?

 

[samantha05]

what is your dat score breakdown?

any reason you only applied to 5 schools?

20GC
20OC
22 Bio
20 Math
20 RC
18PAT

I want to avoid going to a ridiculously expensive school. I’d rather not get in an reapply one more time than pay loans for the rest of my life.

 

[macsak]

20GC
20OC
22 Bio
20 Math
20 RC
18PAT

I want to avoid going to a ridiculously expensive school. I’d rather not get in an reapply one more time than pay loans for the rest of my life.

if you don't get in this cycle, contact the schools you applied to and ask what you can do to improve

my recommendation would be to expand your school list next year...

 

[samantha05]

if you don't get in this cycle, contact the schools you applied to and ask what you can do to improve

my recommendation would be to expand your school list next year...

I appreciate your input. I probably will have to do that but I still won’t be applying to any crazy expensive school. Do you think I still have a shot at getting off the waitlist at Touro?

 

[macsak]

I appreciate your input. I probably will have to do that but I still won’t be applying to any crazy expensive school. Do you think I still have a shot at getting off the waitlist at Touro?

you always have a shot...

 

[2thPirate🦷]

Like it was said above, talking to these schools you applied to about what you can do to improve your app can go a long way. Your ECs are great and your DAT score is good. And while your GPA isn’t perfect, it shouldn’t hold you back too much with everything else on your application. Definitely expand your school list, look for schools that allow you to get in-state tuition after your first year, that way “crazy expensive” goes down to reasonable.

 

[t00thdoctor]

Did you write a letter of intent to Touro? I would recommend doing that to show continued interest for the school.

I think with your stats applying to 5 schools was just not enough. I think a more comfortable number would have been to apply to 12-18 schools in total. I have seen a few people get accepted with your stats, but since your overall/undergrad GPA is low, I would possibly consider retaking the DAT to shoot for a 21 AA or +. I see you plan on increasing your volunteering, which is good.

Are you considering applying to schools in the west coast? I think with your stats it may be difficult to get accepted to a cheaper school as they are very competitive. Consider UNLV (instate tuition after 1 year), Minnesota (OOS friendly), Detroit Mercy (accepts lower stats), Midwesterns, and possibly UCSF. UCSF is an extremely competitive school, but they view their application holistically. You can also get in state tution after 1 year. As you have a publication and have a large amount of employment hours, it could be possible to get an interview.