What to do if not accepted

[oclor]

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I think this should be an official stickied thread but its not up to me to decide.

The point is that I'm starting to think I won't be accepted anywhere this year and I'm sure there are a lot of people just like me wondering what to do next. Of course the main thing is to improve your chances for acceptance next year. So what do we do?

Now I have no clue about what the options are. Can you continue to take classes after graduating to improve your GPA? Or do you have to enroll in some sort of grad program. And if you have to do the latter, is it too late to sign up at this point of the year? Do we have to take the GRE? Are there any other things we should do?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[sb1759]

i'm interested in this as well.....any thoughts would be great..

 

[soyungil]

What to depends on what your stats are.

Here is what I did. I did not get in last year with a 3.4 GPA, 3.3 SCI GPA, 19AA, 19TS, and 22PAT. I felt that my DAT scores were respectable while not spectacular. I did not bother to take the DAT again. I probably should have but I opted not too. What I did do was take more science classes after I graduated and also made sure to get A's in every single class had I left to take before graduation (I graduated in may '07). I was able to raise my GPA to 3.54 and SCI GPA to 3.45 for this cycle. I also did a lot more service. I got into three schools this time and will probably get into some more before the cycle is up.

In my opinion, do not do a Masters if your GPA is around or above a 3.3-3.4 ish. You will be wasting your time and money. Why spend $20,000 on a degree that you do not really want or do not need. If your GPA is at or below a 3.2, then you may want to think about a masters... I contemplated going the masters route, but it was just not worth it for me. Just raise your GPA with some more undergrad science classes or re-take your DAT. All the people on this website will make you think you have to be absolutely spectacular to get in, this is not true. Look at my stats, they are respectable but nothing special. Also you can't be choosy, be willing to aply to some schools that are near your first choice. Then if you end up with options, be happy!! I applied to 20 friggin schools this time and interviewed with 8, and accepted at 3. I spent lot of time and money, but it was worth it because I got in!! BUT I did not spend nearly as much money as I would have if I did a masters!!

 

[sportsplayer24]

What to depends on what your stats are.

Here is what I did. I did not get in last year with a 3.4 GPA, 3.3 SCI GPA, 19AA, 19TS, and 22PAT. I felt that my DAT scores were respectable while not spectacular. I did not bother to take the DAT again. I probably should have but I opted not too. What I did do was take more science classes after I graduated and also made sure to get A's in every single class had I left to take before graduation (I graduated in may '07). I was able to raise my GPA to 3.54 and SCI GPA to 3.45 for this cycle. I also did a lot more service. I got into three schools this time and will probably get into some more before the cycle is up.

In my opinion, do not do a Masters if your GPA is around or above a 3.3-3.4 ish. You will be wasting your time and money. Why spend $20,000 on a degree that you do not really want or do not need. If your GPA is at or below a 3.2, then you may want to think about a masters... I contemplated going the masters route, but it was just not worth it for me. Just raise your GPA with some more undergrad science classes or re-take your DAT. All the people on this website will make you think you have to be absolutely spectacular to get in, this is not true. Look at my stats, they are respectable but nothing special. Also you can't be choosy, be willing to aply to some schools that are near your first choice. Then if you end up with options, be happy!! I applied to 20 friggin schools this time and interviewed with 8, and accepted at 3. I spent lot of time and money, but it was worth it because I got in!! BUT I did not spend nearly as much money as I would have if I did a masters!!

How many schools did you apply to your first time?

 

[soyungil]

How many schools did you apply to your first time?

15

 

[sportsplayer24]

15

Wow and your stats aren't bad at all, Im looking at other threads like these and people are getting in with avg GPAs like yours..

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=480953
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=479843

 

[tamkhan]

the most important thing is to apply early. get your application in as soon as aadsas opens up. i can assure you, many people have made up for their low gpa and dat scores just by applying on the first day of applications. they might not be accepted at their top choice, but they all end up getting into a dental school (which is what matters in the end).

for the op, the applications are still running right now. at this point, it is not wise to think that you will not be accepted anywhere. have you applied to NYU and BU? both schools accept till may. i think NYU goes on till august sometimes.

 

[oclor]

the most important thing is to apply early. get your application in as soon as aadsas opens up. i can assure you, many people have made up for their low gpa and dat scores just by applying on the first day of applications. they might not be accepted at their top choice, but they all end up getting into a dental school (which is what matters in the end).

for the op, the applications are still running right now. at this point, it is not wise to think that you will not be accepted anywhere. have you applied to NYU and BU? both schools accept till may. i think NYU goes on till august sometimes.

I applied to NYU and was rejected a couple of weeks ago. I was also rejected from Arizona. I have had just one interview, at Iowa (my first choice, where I am a resident). My app there is due for a re-review in January and I thought I had a good chance since I was doing good this semester. I just found out that I am going to get a B in endocrinology due to me doing horrible on the final so my GPA will be around 3.4 this semester (instead of 3.7 something like I had expected). This pretty much has made me think there's no way I'll be accepted.

But anyway this thread isn't just about me. It's for all those who don't think they will be getting in. It's never too early to start planning for next year and I just don't want to get rejected later and think "Oh damn, if I only did this or that a month ago so I can get in next year".

 

[Suzan]

.

 

[Frederico Albin]

It all depends on your situation... some people take 4 years to take all their pre-requesites and others will have them finished by the end of their junior year. Me for example, I will apply for dental school in my sophomore year because all my pre-reqs will be finished by then. Another good reason to have all your pre-reqs done by your 3rd year, is that if you dont get accepted the first time.... you still have another year ahead of you, and you can take less classes if you want... work on research... or maybe even work if you want, but again, thats just me. 😛

 

[Suzan]

.

 

[tamkhan]

i dont think its a matter of pre-reqs for me...

Completed after this spring semester
Bio I
Bio II
G Chem I
G Chem II

Completed after this summer (summer before entering as a junior)
O Chem I
Physics I (not sure if its a pre-req for DAT?)

Completed after junior year fall semester
O Chem II
Physics II


it won't be a matter of pre-reqs before taking the DAT around Feb 2009, but deciding whether to hold off on taking the DAT to raise my GPA up to 3.6 after junior yr. spring semester or just take the DAT and settle with a 3.4 GPA


maybe i'm freaking out too early

provided your pre requisites are done with, it depends on what schools you are interested in. check out predents.com to get an idea of what the avg gpa of incoming students is for every school.