What to do the second time around?

[deebog01]

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Hello. This is my first posting on SDN, so please forgive me for the length of this entry. Around August of 2004, I submitted my dental applications through AADSAS to all three dental schools in Texas. I debated application to the DDS/PhD programs at each school only to decide that I wasn't ready to commit to a PhD track. I was certain about dental school, but not about what four years of study in a clinical environment could do to my research ambitions. So no matter how late it was, I took the DAT (studied for about a week) and sent in my applications to the dental schools alone, deciding to make future-decisions about my career… in the future. Of the three schools, I got interviews at Baylor (scheduled for Jan 10) and UT-San Antonio (Dec 7 - top-choice). Since the Baylor invite, I haven’t heard anything and I can’t help but think: "If I have to do this again next year... besides getting my apps in early, what should I change?" Is it possible that by stating that my career goals revolve around a life of clinical research rather than general dentistry - I was not taken as seriously as I could have been (considdering that I didn't apply through the DDS/PhD programs)?

My DAT was as follows: (Should I take it again for the sciences and RC?)
AA: 20
Sciences: org chem. – 17, chem. – 19, bio – 18
QR: 20
RC: 17
PA: 22
GPA: 3.5
Science GPA: 3.55

Also wondering: Do schools have previous applications on file (letters of rec, essays, etc…) for students applying for a second time?

Thankz.

 

[deebog01]

Thanks. I couldn't help but notice your screen name... nice to get a response from a fellow geneticist. (or at least someone who apreciates it). Yeah... for my Baylor interview, I will be spending a little more time talking about my clinical goals - as long as they don't ask me too much about my projects... that was the biggest problem at UT-San An. both interviewers wanted to know about my research... and explaining all the projects I've been involved on was not very easy to condense for a 30 min interview. In the faculty interview, I kinda just gave up on the explanation and gave him some copies of my abstracts so I could ask a few questions before I ran out of time. But anywho, good luck to you, my friend (need it or not).

-Deebo

 

[j8587]

i'm an alternate at MCG, where i would like to end up going. i may be faced with applying again this summer... how do you make your application more attractive than before??? Especially rewriting the personal statement????

 

[j8587]

i was also wondering if anyone thinks if i were to Voulenteer at the Dental School (in the clinic or elsewhere) it would help my chances for the upcoming year??

 

[Dentist 2 be]

I don't know how much it would help if you were a volunteer at the dental school's clinic. However, it might be very beneficial if you meet some high ranking individuals who would be willing to put in a good word for you or write a recommendation for you come application time.

 

[hockeydentist]

Hello. This is my first posting on SDN, so please forgive me for the length of this entry. Around September of 2004, I submitted my dental applications through TMDSAS to all three dental schools in Texas. I debated application to the DDS/PhD programs at each school only to decide that I wasn't ready to commit to a PhD track. I was certain about dental school, but not about what four years of study in a clinical environment could do to my research ambitions. So no matter how late it was, I took the DAT (studied for about a week) and sent in my applications to the dental schools alone, deciding to make future-decisions about my career… in the future. Of the three schools, I got interviews at Baylor (scheduled for Jan 24) and UT-San Antonio (Dec 7 - top-choice). Since the Baylor invite, I haven’t heard anything and I can’t help but think: "If I have to do this again next year... besides getting my apps in early, what should I change?" Is it possible that by stating that my career goals revolve around a life of clinical research rather than general dentistry - I was not taken as seriously as I could have been (considdering that I didn't apply through the DDS/PhD programs)?

My DAT was as follows: (Should I take it again for the sciences and RC?)
AA: 18
Sciences: org chem. – 17, chem. – 18, bio – 19
QR: 19
RC: 17
PA: 22
GPA: 3.42
Science GPA: 3.45

Also wondering: Do schools have previous applications on file (letters of rec, essays, etc…) for students applying for a second time?

Thankz.

I'll see you at the January 24th interivew at baylor.
HD