Which Dental Schools to choose from this list

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saahilrtrivedi

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So I'm applying to dental school. I know that I am very late...if you are going to tell me to not apply this cycle then there is no point in posting on this thread.
That being said, I have a list of 20 schools I plan to apply to. I'd prefer to stay on the east coast. The closer to NY the better.
My stats are:
Non Science GPA: 3.60
Science GPA: 3.25
DAT:
Perceptual Ability: 21
Quant: 22
Reading Comp:22
Biology: 21
General Chem:20
Organic Chem:16
Total Science: 19
Academic Average: 20

I am not white...not sure if that matters. I'm Indian, which I guess counts as Asian.

The schools I plan to apply to:
UConn
LECOM
Nova
University of Florida
Boston University
Tufts
Harvard
University of Maryland
UNC
UMDNJ
Columbia
University of Buffalo
NYU
Stony Brook
Case Western Reserve University
University of Pittsburgh
Temple
UPenn
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Please let me know what you think about these schools. Whether I should remove or add any schools. While I would prefer to stay on the East Coast, I am willing to go anywhere in the country should I get into that dental school.
 
In terms of Dental Schools away from the East Coast I'm thinking:
Midwestern Arizona
Midwestern Illinois
University of Louisville
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Minnesota
Roseman University

Any other schools not on the East Coast that I should think about?
(i.e. Schools I have a high chance of getting into?)
 
saahilrtrivedi said:
In terms of Dental Schools away from the East Coast I'm thinking:
Midwestern Arizona
Midwestern Illinois
University of Louisville
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Minnesota
Roseman University

Any other schools not on the East Coast that I should think about?
(i.e. Schools I have a high chance of getting into?)
Click to expand...

add USC, UoP
 
saahilrtrivedi said:
So I'm applying to dental school. I know that I am very late...if you are going to tell me to not apply this cycle then there is no point in posting on this thread.
That being said, I have a list of 20 schools I plan to apply to. I'd prefer to stay on the east coast. The closer to NY the better.
My stats are:
Non Science GPA: 3.60
Science GPA: 3.25
DAT:
Perceptual Ability: 21
Quant: 22
Reading Comp:22
Biology: 21
General Chem:20
Organic Chem:16
Total Science: 19
Academic Average: 20

I am not white...not sure if that matters. I'm Indian, which I guess counts as Asian.

The schools I plan to apply to:
UConn
LECOM
Nova
University of Florida
Boston University
Tufts
Harvard
University of Maryland
UNC
UMDNJ
Columbia
University of Buffalo
NYU
Stony Brook
Case Western Reserve University
University of Pittsburgh
Temple
UPenn
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Please let me know what you think about these schools. Whether I should remove or add any schools. While I would prefer to stay on the East Coast, I am willing to go anywhere in the country should I get into that dental school.
Click to expand...

What's your residency? I'm guessing NY. Initial thoughts are that I believe Case is scheduled deep into spring. Columbia, Penn, Harvard might be a little bit of a reach, but it sounds like you want in, so I suppose it doesn't hurt. I'd hit up a couple if privates: one of the MWUs (AZ might be scheduled out a bit) and maybe Western or something.

Are your letters and all that stuff already in? If you have the money, I'm not against just trying your chances. Hope it works out for you.

Edit: typing while you were...
 
My residency is NY. My top choice is Stony or NYU. My mom went to NYU (not sure if they consider that).
The way I see it is that if I spend the 3 grand to apply to dental school now, and as a result of that I get in. Then its nothing compared to the money I will make when I practice dentistry. But if I decide to apply to less schools, and subsequently don't get in, that's a couple hundred thousand of lost income.
 
Yup I know, but I think it's worth a shot. At this point I have a list of 30 dental schools. And I am seriously considering applying to all 30.
 
if you have $$ to spend, and are hell bent on applying then go for it. my advice is to remove the ivies and add other private schools if you can.

...but at the same time realize that it is pretty late in the game for the current app cycle. i wish you the best of luck nonetheless
 
Not sure about other schools, but I know Roseman has a DAT cutoff of 17, they will ask you to retake because of that OC score.
 
It is a lot of money, but I think it's money well spent if I get in.
My big question is my chances of getting in and whether there are school that I left out that are relatively easy to get into (no dental school is truly easy). I understand that the Ivies are out of my reach but my parents really want me to try to apply to them. But they also would prefer that I go to Stony or NYU...if not those then Columbia
 
cwoodds said:
Not sure about other schools, but I know Roseman has a DAT cutoff of 17, they will ask you to retake because of that OC score.
Click to expand...

That is good to know about Roseman. Thanks!
I'm taking OC now so that is the reason for the low score. I will likely retake the DAT in the end of November. But I may reconsider Roseman now. I was under the impression that Roseman was one of the "easier" dental schools to get into.
 
saahilrtrivedi said:
It is a lot of money, but I think it's money well spent if I get in.
My big question is my chances of getting in and whether there are school that I left out that are relatively easy to get into (no dental school is truly easy). I understand that the Ivies are out of my reach but my parents really want me to try to apply to them. But they also would prefer that I go to Stony or NYU...if not those then Columbia
Click to expand...

Have you looked at the admissions statistics from 2011?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=899971
 
Well it seems like you pretty made up your mind and you don't really need our advices. Like you said, money would be well spent if you get in this cycle so go ahead and apply to all if you have the money. Gluck
 
koreano said:
Well it seems like you pretty made up your mind and you don't really need our advices. Like you said, money would be well spent if you get in this cycle so go ahead and apply to all if you have the money. Gluck
Click to expand...

Well I just added an extra 5 schools to my consideration because of this thread. So I'd say the advice was well taken.
 
I don't know about other schools, but Roseman has a DAT cutoff of 17. They will want you to retake because of that OC score, so if you're not planning on retaking you should save the $155.
 
cwoodds said:
I don't know about other schools, but Roseman has a DAT cutoff of 17. They will want you to retake because of that OC score, so if you're not planning on retaking you should save the $155.
Click to expand...

Yup I saw your post. Thanks for that!
I am planning to retake at the end of November to bump my OC score.
 
It seems like you're looking for schools to add instead of schools to take away, right?
If you have the money might as well just add all the schools on the east coast (if you haven't already) to secure your spot in dental school next year.

Apply soon! Don't let this thread be the thing holding you back from that submit button.
 
minafeet said:
It seems like you're looking for schools to add instead of schools to take away, right?
If you have the money might as well just add all the schools on the east coast (if you haven't already) to secure your spot in dental school next year.

Apply soon! Don't let this thread be the thing holding you back from that submit button.
Click to expand...

Haha at this point I think I have all the schools on the east coast barring Meharry, Howard and a couple others.
I plan to submit today or tomorrow. Finally got the committee letter uploaded today...
 
I would add OHSU for a couple reasons. They are extremely slow at interviewing - They interviewed OOS all the way into June last year. OHSU seems really interested in qualified OOS students. They will be moving into a brand new building on the waterfront and are probably trying to find the money to pay for it. OOS seats will be increased by 20 or so in a couple years. But even now I've heard they are sending out letters trying to get OOS students to apply there.
 
Forget Case. It's essentially all booked at this point. Same with Midwestern AZ.

Most schools do care about legacy. Definitely mention that for NYU.
 
timwatley said:
I would add OHSU for a couple reasons. They are extremely slow at interviewing - They interviewed OOS all the way into June last year. OHSU seems really interested in qualified OOS students. They will be moving into a brand new building on the waterfront and are probably trying to find the money to pay for it. OOS seats will be increased by 20 or so in a couple years. But even now I've heard they are sending out letters trying to get OOS students to apply there.
Click to expand...

I will definitely look into that! Thanks for the heads up.
 
saahilrtrivedi said:
Ah that's also helpful info. Good to know. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I applied in November last year and got a late February interview for Case..... I'd actually keep both MWU and Case personally.... more so Case

Your TS may hurt for MWU, but depending on your Financial situation I'd roll the dice......
 
So I have changed my list because of some Pre-reqs I didn't know about...
I am taking BioChem in Spring. That will satisfy a major requirement for a lot of schools.
In terms of other requirements like Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Genetics etc. I am planning to take those when I can tell a school is really considering me (i.e. when I get an interview or something on those lines).
Please look at first post for my grades.

Please give me your opinion of schools to remove or add to any of the following lists.
Thanks.

Also, does anyone know is University of New England accepts people out of Maine, New Hampshire etc?

These are the schools I am planning to apply to:
Western
Colorado
U CONN
LECOM
Nova
Boston
Tufts
Harvard
Maryland
Detroit Mercy
Missouri School of Dentistry
UNC Chapel Hill
Creighton
Nevada
UMDNJ
Buffalo
NYU
Stony Brook
Columbia
Case Western
Pitt
Temple
U Penn
South Carolina
Utah
Roseman
VCU
Washington
Marquette

These are schools that I am considering but are not a "Yes." These are a "Maybe":
Alabama
Arizona
USC
University of the Pacific
Loma Linda
U Cal LA
Florida
Illinois
Midwestern (Illinois)
Indiana
Louisville
Kentucky
University of New England
Minnesota
Nebraska
Meharry
West Virginia

These are Unlikely for my to apply to:
Midwestern (Arizona)
Howard
Southern Illinois
LSU
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

These are schools I am not applying to (I am not listing those for which the deadline has passed):
Mississippi
East Carolina University (Since I don't live in SC)
 
I don't think your DAT scores put you into that strong of a consideration for the Ivy League schools (Harvard = GPA and DAT aren't impressive enough, Columbia = DAT isn't going to impress, Penn = GPA and DAT aren't impressive enough). 16 really isn't too spectacular (but you said you'll be retaking, so you'll probably destroy orgo next time) and a 19TS/20AA is good but not "I'm going to get a pre-Dec interview when I submit in October" good.

Colorado, Washington, UNC, UCLA and UConn are way too regional. Don't bother unless from those states or a state with reciprocity.
I know Illinois takes less than <3 out of state students. Think about it.
- I interviewed at 2 state schools as an OOS and the staff there confirmed that in-state students 1) make up a majority of the class and 2) they have a high yield because who doesn't want to pay the discounted rate?

If MOSDOH is like ASDOH, then unless you have a lot of volunteer stuff, also not worth it.
If you aren't an Adventist, Loma Linda is too much of a stretch; from what I gather, they strongly consider religion.

From what it sounds like, Case Western/UoP (among others on your list) are done with interviews so save your cash.

Seeing that it is late in the game, I would really focus on Tufts. Apparently they are the most "rolling admissions" school out there, starting their interviews and reviews (from what it feels/sounds like).

If I were you, since you are applying sort of late in the game, keep the list small and gear up for next cycle. I understand with your motivation to hit up any and every school still taking an application because of lost opportunities, but realistically, I wouldn't kill the war chest to fund this steep of an uphill battle. Dental school is really expensive (as you're probably well aware of) and $2000 is like 3 months of rent... With a smaller list of more realistic schools (e.g. not Ivies or non-NY state schools and a number of privates) you can save up some change rather than pissing it into the wind. You are right, if you get in, the money will be well spent but I think applying smart > just shotgunning the AADSAS School Designation List/hoping that some spaghetti sticks to the wall. I don't mean to discourage you; just trying help you save cash.

Best of luck. Hope it all works out.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all that info PointEstimate. I will definitely look into those regional schools. I'm in NYC so I fall into the general UConn region. I will definitely reconsider those other ones. Illinois I will likely drop.
My parent want me to apply to the Ivy League schools so oh well.

I have a decent amount of community service.
I think I'm still competitive for NYU, UMDNJ, Buffalo etc. Not sure about Stony.
Those are schools I'd love to go to.
 
If your school's library has it, it may be worth your while to check out the ADEA Guide to Dental Schools. That's your best bet for reliable information (versus SDN's speculation). There's a table that breaks down residency for each school (e.g. how many OOS get interviewed, accepted, etc)

Also, the first page of this thread is pretty informative. While it isn't perfect, the UTHSCSA equation thing that the guy talks about does give you some idea of competitiveness. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046
 
Yeah I've looked into the UTHSCA. I applied to schools that were below my score (as long as they were atleast a little OOS friendly).
 
I am from NY. I have a higher GPA, with a 21AA/21TS and I have interviews at UMDNJ, NYU, BUFFALO, VCU, Indiana, Case, Detroit. Have not heard from UCONN, BU, Tufts, Pitt, Temple, Penn, Columbia, Stony Brook, Maryland, UNC.

Just to give you an idea.
 
What are your EC's and Shadowing hours like?
 
mmmsteakdinners said:
I am from NY. I have a higher GPA, with a 21AA/21TS and I have interviews at UMDNJ, NYU, BUFFALO, VCU, Indiana, Case, Detroit. Have not heard from UCONN, BU, Tufts, Pitt, Temple, Penn, Columbia, Stony Brook, Maryland, UNC.

Just to give you an idea.
Click to expand...

That is good to know thanks!
 
Sal427 said:
What are your EC's and Shadowing hours like?
Click to expand...

I have solid ECs. I volunteered in India for two years giving seminars about business. I also give business seminars in the states to dentists along with my father.
In highschool I was president of the science club and spent 10+ hours a week in Science Olympiad and all that stuff.
The problem with school related ECs is that they fell off in the last two years in college as I spent more time working and shadowing.
I have about 150 total of shadowing two dentists. I have worked in my parent's office for years, but I don't count that as shadowing.
 
I also studied the Indian Drums (Tabla) for 8 years until I got to highschool.
I MCed at my local cultural center. Including for their major fundraiser with 300 people and tickets going for $250.
 
The AADSAS explicitly asks that you only include ECs from after you started college. Your high school ECs were fodder for college admissions but now the playing field has changed.

What have you done for ECs while in college?

Additionally, have you done any volunteering that benefits your community? (i.e. where you live/go to school)
Based on the premed boards, adcoms don't give much weight to volunteering in foreign countries as it could all be made up; especially if you have parental/familial connections there.
 
Your shadowing hours are good. Make sure you can quantify your volunteering time because you have to explicitly state the hours in the application.

I remember it was hard for me to keep track of my hours.

Good luck!
 
Ah I didn't read that about the only College thing.
In terms of foreign country volunteering it is a major organization and I have a signed statement from them.
 
Sal427 said:
Your shadowing hours are good. Make sure you can quantify your volunteering time because you have to explicitly state the hours in the application.

I remember it was hard for me to keep track of my hours.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Yeah I have quantified it I just didn't open up the application to check right now. I'm sure its not exact but its close. I agree it is hard to keep track of it sometimes.
 
Saahil, did you apply yet? If not, there's no time to be wasted, if you actually want to be starting school next fall.

Forget UNC - it is highly competitive for OOS students, and you aren't likely going to get an even post-dec interview at this point.

I would erase the following from the list also - South Carolina (most southern schools are out of state no need to apply kind of deal), Case (I already told you Case has closed its interview window up to April by this point. I know cause I am interviewing there), Illinois (it's a state school. I'm 99% sure you won't be interviewed), VCU and Marquette are also state schools. Forget them.


If I were you, I'd submit the application TODAY. Your best bet is now to apply to all of the private schools except for Case and all of your state schools.
 
KittySquared said:
Saahil, did you apply yet? If not, there's no time to be wasted, if you actually want to be starting school next fall.

Forget UNC - it is highly competitive for OOS students, and you aren't likely going to get an even post-dec interview at this point.

I would erase the following from the list also - South Carolina (most southern schools are out of state no need to apply kind of deal), Case (I already told you Case has closed its interview window up to April by this point. I know cause I am interviewing there), Illinois (it's a state school. I'm 99% sure you won't be interviewed), VCU and Marquette are also state schools. Forget them.


If I were you, I'd submit the application TODAY. Your best bet is now to apply to all of the private schools except for Case and all of your state schools.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!
Do you know much about University of New England. I've heard it was regional but I also heard that new schools are easier to get into.
In addition, when I went to highschool it was a new school and maybe I can bring that up if I get an interview there...
 
^They SAY that they are New Englander exclusive, HOWEVER, I have seen multiple invites on this site extended to students far out of the New England circle. They are probably experiencing the LECOM phenomenon last year. LECOM's first cycle interviewed 500 some students, so much more than they had anticipated out of fear of not being able to fill up their class. New England is probably doing the same thing. If I were you, I would apply there as well and make follow up phone calls to see if all your files are complete and continue to show interest. Just be prepared to take out personal loans cause fed loans won't give you $ for a new school.
 
saahilrtrivedi said:
Thanks for the info!
Do you know much about University of New England. I've heard it was regional but I also heard that new schools are easier to get into.
In addition, when I went to highschool it was a new school and maybe I can bring that up if I get an interview there...
Click to expand...

i mean, i'm sure it wouldn't hurt to send them an app...but there are only 40 seats and there are other people (such as myself) who applied a lot earlier and haven't heard back at the moment. they interview into february (tentatively), so your chances might be slim
 
I'd also take away UCLA and UoP. UoP prefers VERY high DATs, like 21+, but you have some deal breaker 16 in there, and it's very late in the game to be considered for UoP. UCLA is a state school, it's cutthroat even for its own stellar in-state students so I doubt you'd have a chance as a very late out of state applicant. Not trying to be mean, just being honest.
 
KittySquared said:
I'd also take away UCLA and UoP. UoP prefers VERY high DATs, like 21+, but you have some deal breaker 16 in there, and it's very late in the game to be considered for UoP. UCLA is a state school, it's cutthroat even for its own stellar in-state students so I doubt you'd have a chance as a very late out of state applicant. Not trying to be mean, just being honest.
Click to expand...

You're not being mean, this is exactly what I wanted.
 
I'm banking on Stony Brook, Buffalo or NYU. Maybe UMDNJ.
Like I posted earlier, I think I have a competitive application for NYU and my mother went there. I also shadowed for a dentist who went there. The other dentist I shadowed for has ties to there.
 
Eh I wouldn't rely on being legacy way too much. I personally know of 3 legacies (one of whom is a pending 4th generation dentist) with decent stats who've been rejected 2 cycles in a row already. If your pure merit isn't good enough to get you an interview, then nagging your "connections" to get you an interview makes your "connection" and you look bad.
 
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