Where to Apply - NY Res

[Sisero68]

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Like many of you I am applying to dental schools this June. Narrowing down what schools I am not a fit for was easy at the beginning with most the forums and stickys on SDN, and the ADEA dental school guide. However now I am at a crossroads. There seem to be 20 schools that are within reason for me to submit an application to, however economically 10 to 12 applications is what I am aiming for. I would greatly appreciate any advice on why some of these schools are a good fit or not a good fit based on my credentials. Especially trying to determine where to cut off the schools I will not apply to. Thank you, for your advice, in advance and if any other information is needed just let me know.

New York resident: all classes at a SUNY university

DAT: (I will be taking the DAT at the end of June) 6 weeks to study after this semester

GPA:
3.0 < oGPA < 3.1
3.6 < sGPA < 3.7

Undergrad (2001-2005) 128 credits (2.8) – only science was Calc freshman year (D)
Post-bacc 56 credits since Jan 2010 (3.7 +/-) – 48 science, retook calc (A-)

Post-bacc classes: (will be taking physics, Biochem, micro, anatomy next 2 semester)
Bio I - A
Bio II - B
Chem I - A
Chem II – A-
O-Chem I - A
O-Chem II – (in progress)
O-Chem Lab - (in progress)
Calc I – A-
Statistics - (in progress)
Art (2 credits) – A
Writing – B+
Physiology – B
Cell Bio – A-
Mol Genetics – (in progress)
Neuro Bio – (in progress)

Shadowing: (still shadowing as time allows) will have over 150 by application submission
General Practice – 40+
Pediatric – 40+
Oral Surgeon – 16+
Orthodontist – 8+

Volunteering: (400+ hours since 2004, mostly all non medical – habitat, food pantry)

Please find below my current list of dental schools: the order is based on my projected chance of acceptance, with the schools at the top being the best, and the schools at the bottom being the hardest to gain acceptance. (For my credentials)



USC
Boston
Western
Arizona* (volunteering is huge)
Tufts
NYU
UOP* (21+ DAT)
Temple
Buffalo
Midwestern AZ
Maryland
Columbia* (21+ DAT)
Virginia
San Francisco* (21+ DAT)
Michigan
UMDNJ
Midwestern IL* (unknown)
Stony Brook
Penn
Pitt

 

[dentalWorks]

I think you have the highest chance with buffalo. They are non-traditional friendly, and have a preference for NY residents:

Have you checked out this sticky

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046

 

[Sisero68]

Dentalworks,

that sticky was key to creating my list.

if anyone is interested this is how i created the list:
1) i assumed my sGPA would be good for all schools
2) i ranked all NYS friendly schools in order of lowest to highest oGPA of enrollment
3) i factored in seats available to a NYS resident. (my own statistical math)
4) i moved up some schools that favor high levels of EC, and volunteering
5) i made some minor changes based on contacting some of the schools and asking questions about how to become a better applicant.

 

[dentalWorks]

Dentalworks,

that sticky was key to creating my list.

if anyone is interested this is how i created the list:
1) i assumed my sGPA would be good for all schools
2) i ranked all NYS friendly schools in order of lowest to highest oGPA of enrollment
3) i factored in seats available to a NYS resident. (my own statistical math)
4) i moved up some schools that favor high levels of EC, and volunteering
5) i made some minor changes based on contacting some of the schools and asking questions about how to become a better applicant.

I see you've done your homework lol

My only suggestion now is... include detroit mercy in that list... they HEAVILY favor the BCP GPA (above all others) and are pretty non-trad friendly.... I am assuming your BCP is high

 

[wired202808]

hey Sisero and Dentalworks, I dont mean to piggyback on your thread but I had a question: I'm also a NY resident with an overall GPA over about 3.38 and science GPA of about 3.4 (this is esitmated based on this semesters grades). Post-bacc grades should be at least a 3.6 to 3.75 (I also have some masters courses but they are very low averages about 2.5 and a 2.1) I will be taking the DAT either early to mid June; what do you feel are the best schools for me to apply to? Do you feel Buffalo is doable? I would really want to go there. Would I need a 20 or higher to get in?

I had a similar list to Sisero, I just includes schools like UNLV, USC, maybe even USN.

 

[dentalWorks]

hey Sisero and Dentalworks, I dont mean to piggyback on your thread but I had a question: I'm also a NY resident with an overall GPA over about 3.38 and science GPA of about 3.4 (this is esitmated based on this semesters grades). Post-bacc grades should be at least a 3.6 to 3.75 (I also have some masters courses but they are very low averages about 2.5 and a 2.1) I will be taking the DAT either early to mid June; what do you feel are the best schools for me to apply to? Do you feel Buffalo is doable? I would really want to go there. Would I need a 20 or higher to get in?

I had a similar list to Sisero, I just includes schools like UNLV, USC, maybe even USN.

Its hard to make any assignments without a DAT... but assuming you get a 20AA/20TS... I say you have a good shot at buffalo.

Are you aiming at 20+ schools? cause with your status and that many schools = alot of interviews

 

[wired202808]

hey dentalworks, you mean with my stats? I'm assuming I should apply to all the schools I can right? (even 20+)

 

[dentalWorks]

hey dentalworks, you mean with my stats? I'm assuming I should apply to all the schools I can right? (even 20+)

If you can afford it... sure why not....

I don't think you need to hit beyond 20 schools (and even 20 might be a bit much)... but really its so hard to tell without a DAT score.

If you end up with a 23AA, obviously, you won't need 20 schools.

Do your best to first aim at schools that WILL allow you to change your residency status to that state so your tuition changes to in-state. There are 5 schools that do this, here:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=807260&highlight=buffalo

 

[Sisero68]

Dentalworks,
thanks for the info on Detroit Mercy, i will have to look into it BCP = 3.62. somehow i dont see my list getting much smaller. would anyone make any changes to the order i have them in (besides bumping buffalo to the top?)

 

[wired202808]

Dentalworks, when do you think is the latest I should take the DAT by? I wanted to do the first week of June (and I hope to be ready.) but in case I need more time when would be the "drop dead date" to take it and be considered an early application. I want to maximize my chances.

 

[dentalWorks]

Dentalworks, when do you think is the latest I should take the DAT by? I wanted to do the first week of June (and I hope to be ready.) but in case I need more time when would be the "drop dead date" to take it and be considered an early application. I want to maximize my chances.

Honestly, there is no clear answer to this question. The BEST time to take it is late May / early June.... but I think taking it in mid June should still qualify you as an early applicant.

I mean, My AADSAS was sent out on July 9th (I was 3rd round of applications sent out).... I believe I was still early, I had 8 pre-december interviews.....

 

[Sisero68]

Wired,

i have read it takes around 4 weeks for AADSAS to process our applications. (verifying GPA, getting LOR ect.) this is why i am planning to take the DAT the last day of June. in my opinion giving me the longest time to study and still be in one of the first cycles. (i can have my DAT sent directly to many schools, so hopefully they will arrive at the same time) and then be confirmed through AADSAS a few weeks later.

 

[dentalWorks]

Wired,

i have read it takes around 4 weeks for AADSAS to process our applications. (verifying GPA, getting LOR ect.) this is why i am planning to take the DAT the last day of June. in my opinion giving me the longest time to study and still be in one of the first cycles. (i can have my DAT sent directly to many schools, so hopefully they will arrive at the same time) and then be confirmed through AADSAS a few weeks later.

Its more like 2-4 weeks. I think for me, it took them like 16 or 17 days (don't remember exactly)

The problem with taking the DAT late June is.... it takes AADSAS 3-4 weeks to receive the official DAT score. So really, your application will be ready 3-4 weeks after the DAT.

 

[Sisero68]

Dentalworks,

Correct me if i am wrong, AADSAS will send out our applications without DAT scores, or so i thought? and the DAT asks us for 5 schools we want to send our scores to so wouldn't i be able to send my DAT scores directly to at least my top 5 schools to limit a later review? i may be missing something in the process though.

 

[dentalWorks]

Dentalworks,

Correct me if i am wrong, AADSAS will send out our applications without DAT scores, or so i thought? and the DAT asks us for 5 schools we want to send our scores to so wouldn't i be able to send my DAT scores directly to at least my top 5 schools to limit a later review? i may be missing something in the process though.

Correct. AADSAS sends out your application without DAT....THE PROBLEM IS, your application will be considered "incomplete" at the schools..... and schools have a reputation of not looking at incomplete applications until everything is turned in (status = complete)...

You can fax over a copy of your unofficial scores (you get them at the end of your test on same day)... problem with that is, many schools still won't consider your scores until the Official scores are turned in from AADSAS..... and AADSAS doesn't get the official report until 3-4 weeks (generally) after DAT date