When to start planning for next year?

[Stalkyyy]

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Hey all, this may be a bit premature but I'd like to hear some opinions!

I was mailed out 9/4 with a 3.58 ogpa, 3.43 sgpa, 20AA nothing below 18. I have 400 volunteer hours, 220 shadowing, good letters and extra cirriculars (college golfer too). The only thing I've gotten thus far is a waitlist and MWU-AZ. I applied to 15 schools as well, just silent since. I was wondering when I should start thinking of what I'm going to do next year if I get nothing this cycle. I'll be graduating from undergrad in the spring (gpa should come up too) and I really have no idea what'd I'd do different or what I'd do with another year of nothing. Will schools advise you on what you can do to help your application?

I know its still not that late, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Thanks!

 

[kholley25]

If it comes to you getting rejected from everywhere, you need to identify your worst weak spots and spend your immediate future attempting to resolve those issues. Yes, I would ask schools for advice on how to improve your application, especially the ones at which you interview(ed). Since you don't seem to have any glaring weaknesses from your post, it may be something as simple as writing a better PS or interviewing better. Also realize that your stats are on par with the average matriculate; this means 2 things:

1.Your chances of getting in are as competitive as the next applicant and

2. Your chances of getting in are as competitive as the next applicant.

See what I mean? You have a good shot, but there is a chance that you will be overlooked because there are more qualified applicants than spots available. What makes you stand out? If you're not unique, you may need to overcome that with better stats or more unique experiences.

If you do end up having to take an extra year, you should have a plan B ready. If your interested in research, apply to research positions. If you decide to be a dental assistant, ID a dentist that would be willing to teach you on the job. Just have a plan; the absolutely WORST thing you could do is NOTHING with your time.

Be honest with yourself and be prepared for anything. This motto has suited me well in my life.

Just my 2c.

 

[pikachurro]

Hey all, this may be a bit premature but I'd like to hear some opinions!

I was mailed out 9/4 with a 3.58 ogpa, 3.43 sgpa, 20AA nothing below 18. I have 400 volunteer hours, 220 shadowing, good letters and extra cirriculars (college golfer too). The only thing I've gotten thus far is a waitlist and MWU-AZ. I applied to 15 schools as well, just silent since. I was wondering when I should start thinking of what I'm going to do next year if I get nothing this cycle. I'll be graduating from undergrad in the spring (gpa should come up too) and I really have no idea what'd I'd do different or what I'd do with another year of nothing. Will schools advise you on what you can do to help your application?

I know its still not that late, but I'd like to hear some opinions. Thanks!

First, I think it's a little premature for you to be thinking that you won't get anything. It is still early in the cycle, and many people with post-dec interviews get into dental school. Just be patient!

If you do want to improve your application, dental schools will most certainly advise you on how to. Just email admissions at the schools you're interested in and ask them what you can do.

 

[Stalkyyy]

First, I think it's a little premature for you to be thinking that you won't get anything. It is still early in the cycle, and many people with post-dec interviews get into dental school. Just be patient!

If you do want to improve your application, dental schools will most certainly advise you on how to. Just email admissions at the schools you're interested in and ask them what you can do.

Thanks for the information! Ahh yes I know, I keep thinking emails will come but nothing has haha. Fingers crossed!

 

[Stalkyyy]

If it comes to you getting rejected from everywhere, you need to identify your worst weak spots and spend your immediate future attempting to resolve those issues. Yes, I would ask schools for advice on how to improve your application, especially the ones at which you interview(ed). Since you don't seem to have any glaring weaknesses from your post, it may be something as simple as writing a better PS or interviewing better. Also realize that your stats are on par with the average matriculate; this means 2 things:

1.Your chances of getting in are as competitive as the next applicant and

2. Your chances of getting in are as competitive as the next applicant.

See what I mean? You have a good shot, but there is a chance that you will be overlooked because there are more qualified applicants than spots available. What makes you stand out? If you're not unique, you may need to overcome that with better stats or more unique experiences.

If you do end up having to take an extra year, you should have a plan B ready. If your interested in research, apply to research positions. If you decide to be a dental assistant, ID a dentist that would be willing to teach you on the job. Just have a plan; the absolutely WORST thing you could do is NOTHING with your time.

Be honest with yourself and be prepared for anything. This motto has suited me well in my life.

Just my 2c.

Thanks for the response! I totally agree. I hope I get something this cycle, but if I don't i'll most likely work in a dental office for my gap year and apply earlier next year. I don't think a masters is needed right?

 

[wjc]

I think you have a decent shot this year since you seem pretty solid as an applicant. Continuing to prepare can do nothing but help you and you have good advice above. Plus it will give you something to do while you are nervously waiting.

Personal experience: I contacted my local school after not receiving an interview last year. They had a few questions about my volunteer work. I had 200+ hours, but some of it was old and they wanted to see variety. I put a stop date in for one activity (so that they could see that it was done over a span of ~5 years or so) and did a couple of new activities over the spring/summer.

I had an interview last Friday which I think went pretty well and I am cautiously waiting for Dec. 1.

 

[Surf Prescription]

What do you think is the weakest aspect of your application?

 

[pgex2t]

From what you've provided about your stats and ECs, I think the aspect of your application you can improve the most is your DAT. (Your GPA won't improve too much with more classes and your ECs already seem solid that further volunteer/shadowing might just seem a tad redundant) That being said, I would think you'd be able to get interviews in the near future. If you haven't heard back by Feb or March, then you might want to start studying for the DAT again, crush it, and apply early next cycle. But like I said, I think it's a little premature for you to start panicking atm.

 

[Stalkyyy]

What do you think is the weakest aspect of your application?

I really don't know, haven't thought much about it. Maybe my DAT? I know 19-20 isnt like amazing or anything. I think my GPA is fine and only going to go up this year, Ive taken a ton of upper levels and worked my butt off to get it there. I have a variety of volunteers and extra cirriculars. *shrugs

 

[Stalkyyy]

From what you've provided about your stats and ECs, I think the aspect of your application you can improve the most is your DAT. (Your GPA won't improve too much with more classes and your ECs already seem solid that further volunteer/shadowing might just seem a tad redundant) That being said, I would think you'd be able to get interviews in the near future. If you haven't heard back by Feb or March, then you might want to start studying for the DAT again, crush it, and apply early next cycle. But like I said, I think it's a little premature for you to start panicking atm.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking as well. I'm scared to take it again and risk doing worse haha. I applied to a lot of private schools too, I don't really care where I go to be honest. I already have a practice waiting for me I just have to get in ahhhhhh

 

[OhHamburgers]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking as well. I'm scared to take it again and risk doing worse haha. I applied to a lot of private schools too, I don't really care where I go to be honest. I already have a practice waiting for me I just have to get in ahhhhhh

I have to agree with pgex tho. DAT is easier way to improve chances. gpa doesn't weigh as highly as DAT score. It is doable to increase GPA with extra classes, post-bac or master however it takes forever to increase them not to mention you have to spend tons of money doing so. DAT is probably the quickest, cheapest, and most effective way to improve one's application. 20 is a respectable score, you should get a good news before next spring, however if nothing happens I strongly recommend pour your souls into studying DAT and get better score if you have to reduce working hours at the practice to study, please do so.

 

[Rambunctious]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking as well. I'm scared to take it again and risk doing worse haha. I applied to a lot of private schools too, I don't really care where I go to be honest. I already have a practice waiting for me I just have to get in ahhhhhh

Ask the schools what they want you to improve on. Don't go an retake the DAT without advising with them. You actually don't have a bad score.

 

[BeaverLover]

Since when did a 20AA require a retake?

 

[Rainy day tales.]

.

 

[danchoi03]

Since when did a 20AA require a retake?

My thought exactly. Don't retake until you speak to dental school admissions. SDN people are just gunners.