Why did I get rejected from Loma Linda?

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Eddie17

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So, I just received my rejection letter from Loma Linda via snail mail...it was my 'last resort' school, but it still kind of affected me...I just want to know your thoughts about why I got rejected...this is a vague question, so let me be a little more specific...do you think I got rejected because of my religious affiliation?...I never lie on any application, and I know that Loma Linda is a Seventh-day Adventist Health Sciences Institution, but on their secondary I still expressed how I'm questioning my faith and religion...I'm a Christian Orthodox by default and I'm not too religious...did this keep me out?...I don't think it was my stats:

PA 21
AA 22
TS 23

UC Berkeley Graduate
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
sGPA: 3.83 oGPA: 3.85 [w/o (+/-): 3.9 and 3.92]
120 Hours working with Endodontist
50+ Hours shadowing
300 Hours as a Drafter

Just curious to know others' opinions...thanks
 
You stats look great, I think you should go to Loma Linda and ask them how you can make your application stronger. They will flat out tell you. I was told two years ago, that I was not competative enough. I too graduated from Berkeley in 2007 in IB. I ended up getting a Masters while teaching, and I re-took 14 science courses over at a 4 year University. I recieved an interview this cycle from Loma Linda and I am waiting to see if I got in.

Your stats and service hours look great, so I am guessing that there must be something in your personal statement that brought up a red flag. Loma Linda would still invite you for an interview even though your not SDA. I am Catholic myself, and I still got an interview. Also make sure that you meet all of the pre-reqs since some of your science courses might have expired after 5 years. Loma Linda wants to see what you have been doing since you graduated from Berkeley. If you have not been doing anything then that is maybe why they rejected you. Just shadowing and volunteering hours do not count, they want more than that since some student shadow or volunteer while working on a Masters Degree.
 
Eddie17 said:
do you think I got rejected because of my religious affiliation?...I never lie on any application, and I know that Loma Linda is a Seventh-day Adventist Health Sciences Institution, but on their secondary I still expressed how I'm questioning my faith and religion...I'm a Christian Orthodox by default and I'm not too religious...did this keep me out?
Click to expand...

They're technically not allowed to discriminate based upon your religion but I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reason why. Loma Linda wants applicants who are not only devoted to dentistry, but to their religion as well. With your stats I wouldn't think too about it. Maybe they felt you were too good for them and they didn't want to invest in you when they know you wouldn't pick them. 😉
 
juanatas84 said:
Loma Linda wants to see what you have been doing since you graduated from Berkeley. If you have not been doing anything then that is maybe why they rejected you. Just shadowing and volunteering hours do not count, they want more than that since some student shadow or volunteer while working on a Masters Degree.
Click to expand...

I just graduated in May 2009, so I haven't had ample time to do all sorts of great things...I'm currently just shadowing more and helping my dad out at work...and also just reading on my spare time...Einstein's Bio right now (probably the most interesting man that ever lived!).
 
tinman831 said:
They're technically not allowed to discriminate based upon your religion but I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reason why. Loma Linda wants applicants who are not only devoted to dentistry, but to their religion as well. With your stats I wouldn't think too about it. Maybe they felt you were too good for them and they didn't want to invest in you when they know you wouldn't pick them. 😉
Click to expand...

I don't actually agree with that at all. As I am looking at the stats they gave me. Applicants not of the Christian faith are accepted and welcomed. There are but so many slots in a school. Just because you didn't get in doesn't mean you weren't qualified at all. If an SDA with your same stats came in they of course would be accepted over you for the obvious reason.
 
tinman831 said:
They're technically not allowed to discriminate based upon your religion but I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reason why. Loma Linda wants applicants who are not only devoted to dentistry, but to their religion as well. With your stats I wouldn't think too about it. Maybe they felt you were too good for them and they didn't want to invest in you when they know you wouldn't pick them. 😉
Click to expand...

All these years LL, Meharry and Howard have been breaking the law and oblivious to it.
 
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juanatas84 said:
You stats look great, I think you should go to Loma Linda and ask them how you can make your application stronger. They will flat out tell you. I was told two years ago, that I was not competative enough. I too graduated from Berkeley in 2007 in IB. I ended up getting a Masters while teaching, and I re-took 14 science courses over at a 4 year University. I recieved an interview this cycle from Loma Linda and I am waiting to see if I got in.

Your stats and service hours look great, so I am guessing that there must be something in your personal statement that brought up a red flag. Loma Linda would still invite you for an interview even though your not SDA. I am Catholic myself, and I still got an interview. Also make sure that you meet all of the pre-reqs since some of your science courses might have expired after 5 years. Loma Linda wants to see what you have been doing since you graduated from Berkeley. If you have not been doing anything then that is maybe why they rejected you. Just shadowing and volunteering hours do not count, they want more than that since some student shadow or volunteer while working on a Masters Degree.
Click to expand...

Just curious, why you re-took all your science courses? Because I graduated december 07 and now I am taking upper divisions plus working as a dental assistant. When you said some science courses might have expired after 5 years, what do you mean by that? I did some searching on schools, the only thing i found out was about DAT score. Are you sure about that? My friend applied 4 years after her graduation(no masters) and she got into ucsf.
 
Eddie17 said:
So, I just received my rejection letter from Loma Linda via snail mail...it was my 'last resort' school, but it still kind of affected me...I just want to know your thoughts about why I got rejected...this is a vague question, so let me be a little more specific...do you think I got rejected because of my religious affiliation?...I never lie on any application, and I know that Loma Linda is a Seventh-day Adventist Health Sciences Institution, but on their secondary I still expressed how I'm questioning my faith and religion...I'm a Christian Orthodox by default and I'm not too religious...did this keep me out?...I don't think it was my stats:

PA 21
AA 22
TS 23

UC Berkeley Graduate
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
sGPA: 3.83 oGPA: 3.85 [w/o (+/-): 3.9 and 3.92]
120 Hours working with Endodontist
50+ Hours shadowing
300 Hours as a Drafter

Just curious to know others' opinions...thanks
Click to expand...

They just didn't like you. I had 3.95/4.0 and all 20 on DATs and got rejected from temple...
 
I really think it was the religion thing. I mean, their secondary is basically all questions regarding your faith and spirituality. That big of an emphasis means that most likely was the factor that made them reject you, especially since you have a great gpa.
 
It's not a matter of numbers for many schools. For a school like LL, I'd imagine they want someone who strongly values Christian values and principles, even if they weren't 7th Day Aventists themselves. Stop focusing solely on numbers and more on who you are and what you can do for others.
 
dentstd said:
It's not a matter of numbers for many schools. For a school like LL, I'd imagine they want someone who strongly values Christian values and principles, even if they weren't 7th Day Aventists themselves. Stop focusing solely on numbers and more on who you are and what you can do for others.
Click to expand...

Bagged cereal tastes exactly the same, but for a much better value. So state schools give same education for better value?? Not arousing an argument here, but curious if I am interpreting your analogy correctly..

If so, well said :laugh:
 
missy77 said:
Just curious, why you re-took all your science courses? Because I graduated december 07 and now I am taking upper divisions plus working as a dental assistant. When you said some science courses might have expired after 5 years, what do you mean by that? I did some searching on schools, the only thing i found out was about DAT score. Are you sure about that? My friend applied 4 years after her graduation(no masters) and she got into ucsf.
Click to expand...

That was because I started Berkeley in fall 2002, and I took chemistry and biology my freshman year. I took five years to graduate, so my science course expired according to Loma Linda. I was personally told by Loma Linda admissions counselor. Check it out on the school website about the classes expiring after 5 years.
 
juanatas84 said:
That was because I started Berkeley in fall 2002, and I took chemistry and biology my freshman year. I took five years to graduate, so my science course expired according to Loma Linda. I was personally told by Loma Linda admissions counselor. Check it out on the school website about the classes expiring after 5 years.
Click to expand...

One does wonder whether lets say a 4.0/25 would have made a difference.
 
I've heard that there are like 1 or 2 dental schools (I'm not sure which ones) that base your acceptance on your race. So even if other more qualified candidates apply, they are rejected! This is discrimination! Where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? They should speak out against this discrimination.
 
Eddie17 said:
So, I just received my rejection letter from Loma Linda via snail mail...it was my 'last resort' school, but it still kind of affected me...I just want to know your thoughts about why I got rejected...this is a vague question, so let me be a little more specific...do you think I got rejected because of my religious affiliation?...I never lie on any application, and I know that Loma Linda is a Seventh-day Adventist Health Sciences Institution, but on their secondary I still expressed how I'm questioning my faith and religion...I'm a Christian Orthodox by default and I'm not too religious...did this keep me out?...I don't think it was my stats:

PA 21
AA 22
TS 23

UC Berkeley Graduate
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
sGPA: 3.83 oGPA: 3.85 [w/o (+/-): 3.9 and 3.92]
120 Hours working with Endodontist
50+ Hours shadowing
300 Hours as a Drafter

Just curious to know others' opinions...thanks
Click to expand...

Getting in is not all about the numbers. If you don't fit the philosophy of a school, they're not going to invite you. They would more than gladly invite a 3.3 20AA student who is a perfect mold of the kind of dentist they want to produce than a 4.0 25AA student who does not fit their system at all. People always think its all about the stats, but many times, its not. Every school has a "mission statement" on their website. Read it and see if its for you. There's a reason why you're required to write a personal statement and go for an interview.

As for the person who mentioned howard/meharry, their mission is to produce dentists that will provide their services to the underserved communities. its really just coincidental that many of the "underserved" areas are composed of african americans and other minority groups. whos more likely to fullfill the school's goals, an african american student from detroit even if they have a 3.0, 17AA, or a affluent white student from beverly hills with a 4.0 and 25AA. There are exceptions, but more likely than not, it would be the former.
 
Last edited:
Eddie17 said:
So, I just received my rejection letter from Loma Linda via snail mail...it was my 'last resort' school, but it still kind of affected me...I just want to know your thoughts about why I got rejected...this is a vague question, so let me be a little more specific...do you think I got rejected because of my religious affiliation?...I never lie on any application, and I know that Loma Linda is a Seventh-day Adventist Health Sciences Institution, but on their secondary I still expressed how I'm questioning my faith and religion...I'm a Christian Orthodox by default and I'm not too religious...did this keep me out?...I don't think it was my stats:

PA 21
AA 22
TS 23

UC Berkeley Graduate
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
sGPA: 3.83 oGPA: 3.85 [w/o (+/-): 3.9 and 3.92]
120 Hours working with Endodontist
50+ Hours shadowing
300 Hours as a Drafter

Just curious to know others' opinions...thanks
Click to expand...


your stats are too high and loma linda think you are just applying there for backup. Rather than waste a spot interviewing you, might as well go with someone more within their range. 🙂
 
tinman831 said:
They're technically not allowed to discriminate based upon your religion but I wouldn't be surprised if that was the reason why. Loma Linda wants applicants who are not only devoted to dentistry, but to their religion as well. With your stats I wouldn't think too about it. Maybe they felt you were too good for them and they didn't want to invest in you when they know you wouldn't pick them. 😉
Click to expand...
Actually, being a completely private school that accepts no government funding or support allows them to accept or reject anyone by whatever guidelines the admissions committee chooses to use. I remember reading a thread awhile ago that listed the odds of being accepted if you were a SDA (something like 1 in 6) vs any other applicant (something like 1 in 90) Obviously if you are not SDA the competition is brutal there are way more applicants for fewer spots in the class. Do not be discouraged, Loma Linda is a great school, but it isn't for everybody because of the spiritual emphasis. Good luck, with your stats I'm sure some school will be happy to have you join their program.
 
Woah, woah, guys. Take it easy. Take your anger out on someone else (i.e. drill or extract someone's tooth :idea:).
 
LLUProf said:
No, I'm sure my dean and university president would be very interested to know if any laws were being violated.
Click to expand...

The "oblivious to it" should have been a clue but apparently not. Oh, well!
 
doc toothache said:
The "oblivious to it" should have been a clue but apparently not. Oh, well!
Click to expand...

If they are so "oblivious to it" as you state, then don't hesitate. Just come out and tell us why you feel they are breaking the law. You are avoiding telling us, so your words mean nothing if you aren't going to tell us why you feel this way. You are the one who decided to make the comment, so back your comment up with facts!
 
Doesn't this disprove doc toothache's point that they are law breaking:
LLUProf said:
Actually, being a completely private school that accepts no government funding or support allows them to accept or reject anyone by whatever guidelines the admissions committee chooses to use.
Click to expand...



NAVY DDS 2010 said:
You are the one who decided to make the comment, so back your comment up with facts!
Click to expand...
But here comes another excel spreadsheet with data supporting doc toothache's point. :laugh:
 
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DentalTrain said:
Woah, woah, guys. Take it easy. Take your anger out on someone else (i.e. drill or extract someone's tooth :idea:).
Click to expand...
Dude, no anger (that would have been clearly evident if that was my intention, not implied) I cannot speak for Meharry or Howard, I am very curious as to what laws were or are being violated by LLU.
 
LLUProf said:
Dude, no anger (that would have been clearly evident if that was my intention, not implied) I cannot speak for Meharry or Howard, I am very curious as to what laws were or are being violated by LLU.
Click to expand...

Same with me.
 
NAVY DDS 2010 said:
If they are so "oblivious to it" as you state, then don't hesitate. Just come out and tell us why you feel they are breaking the law. You are avoiding telling us, so your words mean nothing if you aren't going to tell us why you feel this way. You are the one who decided to make the comment, so back your comment up with facts!
Click to expand...

Apparently the "facts "you are looking for need to be spelled out: s-a-r-c-a-s-m. Is this "fact" sufficient or do you require further explanation?
 
doc toothache said:
All these years LL, Meharry and Howard have been breaking the law and oblivious to it.
Click to expand...

I caught it Doc, your sarcasm was quite obvious to a neutral party. Now everyone just calm down and make up. LLU is private, if they want to accept SDA candidates over others, then we just live with it. BYU charges non-LDS students higher tuition and have been for decades and they still haven't been indicted.
 
Gbrando2 said:
I caught it Doc, your sarcasm was quite obvious to a neutral party. Now everyone just calm down and make up. LLU is private, if they want to accept SDA candidates over others, then we just live with it. BYU charges non-LDS students higher tuition and have been for decades and they still haven't been indicted.
Click to expand...

Good thing. For a minute, it was beginning to look like sarcasm, as a form of expression, was dead, dying or archaic.
 
just remember that there are only 100 seats in the class. even those with stellar stats can be a victim of numbers.
 
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