Where to apply?

[hockey553]

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I am having trouble on where I should apply. My DAT scores are 23 AA 21 PAT 25 TS. I have a 4.0 GPA and am a Florida resident. I am planning on applying to all 3 Florida schools and UCLA/Harvard/Columbia. However, price is definitely a big factor in my decision. I also would like to specialize and am considering oral surgery.

 

[sumin5924]

With those scores and GPA, and assuming you have the ECs, LOR and PS of equal caliber, you can apply anywhere (well, besides schools like Howard and Meharry assuming you're not URM). For cost, explore options like the HPSP, NHSC, etc.

 

[DC206R]

Apply to anywhere you want.

 

[JLT223]

You know the answer already, why do you even need to ask?

 

[the6kid]

Maybe you should post this to the "Under 3.0 Club"...

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using SDN mobile

 

[redmau5]

If you're serious about OMFS, definitely consider adding UConn. Strict P/F (no honors), no class rank, biomedical curriculum (extremely helpful in terms of scoring well on the CBSE), and most importantly: in-state tuition after your first year! This is extremely important to consider because if you choose not to specialize, at least you won't be left with a boatload of debt.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

And if you're serious that price is a big factor, don't apply to Harvard and Columbia.

 

[sumin5924]

Maybe you should post this to the "Under 3.0 Club"...

Sent from my SM-N910W8 using SDN mobile

Hey, I am/was part of that club!😀

 

[redmau5]

And if you're serious that price is a big factor, don't apply to Harvard and Columbia.

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out HSDM. One thing that many applicants fail to consider is the type of financial aid provided. While most would group Harvard and Columbia together as overpriced private schools, the former offers generous grants as part of its financial aid packages. As it turns out, HSDM ended up being my cheapest option. From what I experienced during my interview, Columbia students are forced to rely almost entirely on loans to finance their education. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, but the distinction is important. Coincidentally, UConn is another school that offers need-based grants, and there are still others that do the same. I suppose the main takeaway here is that applicants should look into the different types of aid offered by each school to which they apply.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out HSDM. One thing that many applicants fail to consider is the type of financial aid provided. While most would group Harvard and Columbia together as overpriced private schools, the former offers generous grants as part of its financial aid packages. As it turns out, HSDM ended up being my cheapest option. From what I experienced during my interview, Columbia students are forced to rely almost entirely on loans to finance their education. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, but the distinction is important. Coincidentally, UConn is another school that offers need-based grants, and there are still others that do the same. I suppose the main takeaway here is that applicants should look into the different types of aid offered by each school to which they apply.

I didn't look into Harvard so I'm sure you're right. And that's cool that it ended up being your cheapest option! Then I'll rephrase: if cost is truly a huge concern (which it should be) for OP, I wouldn't apply to Columbia, UCLA, Penn (still expensive even with that half scholarship thing). He should definitely apply to UConn. That one's relatively cheap. Wasn't arguing with you there 😉
I'm also thinking from my own perspective; I wouldn't qualify for need-based grants. OP probably knows if he would so he can make his own call.

 

[shaken not stirred]

If you're serious about OMFS, definitely consider adding UConn. Strict P/F (no honors), no class rank, biomedical curriculum (extremely helpful in terms of scoring well on the CBSE), and most importantly: in-state tuition after your first year! This is extremely important to consider because if you choose not to specialize, at least you won't be left with a boatload of debt.

Do having no class rank and P/F help getting OMFS residency? I know that there is severe amount of competition to get a spot in OMFS residency anywhere in the country. So wouldn't having no class rank and just P/F grades put you at disadvantage (vs. people who are top of their class and have Hs or As)?

 

[Arabidopsis]

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out HSDM. One thing that many applicants fail to consider is the type of financial aid provided. While most would group Harvard and Columbia together as overpriced private schools, the former offers generous grants as part of its financial aid packages. As it turns out, HSDM ended up being my cheapest option. From what I experienced during my interview, Columbia students are forced to rely almost entirely on loans to finance their education. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that, but the distinction is important. Coincidentally, UConn is another school that offers need-based grants, and there are still others that do the same. I suppose the main takeaway here is that applicants should look into the different types of aid offered by each school to which they apply.

To elaborate on this, HSDM provides need-based grants that range from $5000 to $29025 per academic year that do not have to be repaid. Harvard also offers institutional merit scholarships (for example, $20000 awarded for first year). Given OP's stats, I think it is definitely worth applying and if accepted, a decision can be made after he receives the financial aid package.

 

[Queen Beach]

@The Flossoraptor If you qualify for need-based grants & got into Harvard, then I take my hat off to you. 🙂 I truly think you were trying to help OP.

Let the haters hate, it's their job.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

@The Flossoraptor If you qualify for need-based grants & got into Harvard, then I take my hat off to you. 🙂 I truly think you were trying to help OP.

Let the haters hate, it's their job.

lol calm down, no one was hating.
Schools like Columbia and Harvard are notoriously expensive (including cost of living in Boston and NYC), but people seem to choose them anyway for prestige. It's great that Harvard offers so much grant money to its students. If that makes it relatively affordable, that's awesome. However, if someone claims finances are a big concern for them, they probably shouldn't be taking out $400,000 worth of loans to go to Columbia 😉

 

[redmau5]

I didn't look into Harvard so I'm sure you're right. And that's cool that it ended up being your cheapest option! Then I'll rephrase: if cost is truly a huge concern (which it should be) for OP, I wouldn't apply to Columbia, UCLA, Penn (still expensive even with that half scholarship thing). He should definitely apply to UConn. That one's relatively cheap. Wasn't arguing with you there 😉
I'm also thinking from my own perspective; I wouldn't qualify for need-based grants. OP probably knows if he would so he can make his own call.

I agree with everything you wrote, especially the bolded. It's very important to consider your own situation, as not everyone is in the same position academically, financially, etc. All I was really trying to get across is that, sometimes, these decisions involve more nuance than "DON'T APPLY TO ANY PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH A LIST PRICE OF $350K+!"

Not that you were saying that. 😀

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I agree with everything you wrote, especially the bolded. It's very important to consider your own situation, as not everyone is in the same position academically, financially, etc. All I was really trying to get across is that, sometimes, these decisions involve more nuance than "DON'T APPLY TO ANY PRIVATE SCHOOL WITH A LIST PRICE OF $350K+!"

Not that you were saying that. 😀

It's probably a good general rule to follow if you don't qualify for need-based aid but also don't have $400,000 lying around, though lol. But yes everyone can read their own situation 🙂

 

[redmau5]

Do having no class rank and P/F help getting OMFS residency? I know that there is severe amount of competition to get a spot in OMFS residency anywhere in the country. So wouldn't having no class rank and just P/F grades put you at disadvantage (vs. people who are top of their class and have Hs or As)?

I'm going to have to defer to the OMFS residents on this one, but from what I've read, it really depends on the program. My understanding is that most applicants are judged based on four criteria: (1) CBSE score, (2) class rank/GPA, (3) recommendations, and (4) extracurriculars/research, with the first three factors being weighed most heavily. If an applicant has no class rank and/or no GPA, some programs simply don't consider those criteria for that applicant. In other words, it's one less thing you have to worry about. In other cases, the absence of a class rank and/or GPA is a legitimate negative simply due to the preference of the program. At the end of the day, though, Harvard, UConn, etc. seem to have no problem matching their students into top tier OMFS programs, and that's enough for me.

 

[redmau5]

To elaborate on this, HSDM provides need-based grants that range from $5000 to $29025 per academic year that do not have to be repaid. Harvard also offers institutional merit scholarships (for example, $20000 awarded for first year). Given OP's stats, I think it is definitely worth applying and if accepted, a decision can be made after he receives the financial aid package.

And if that weren't enough, there's no deposit, so the OP would really only lose out on the AADSAS and modest supplemental fees. In my opinion, it's worth a shot! Like you said, a final decision can be made after the preliminary financial aid package has been awarded.

 

[CareerNumTwo]

Do having no class rank and P/F help getting OMFS residency? I know that there is severe amount of competition to get a spot in OMFS residency anywhere in the country. So wouldn't having no class rank and just P/F grades put you at disadvantage (vs. people who are top of their class and have Hs or As)?

This is how ADEA and residency programs are getting around the increase in P/F schools without ranking systems: the Advanced DAT. Study up! http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education and Careers/Files/adea_update_dat_adat_2015.ashx