Dealing with Dental School Rejection.
Q. Hi everyone. In light of investigating all I could about the dental profession, especially from this newsgroup, my goal of becoming a dentist, at least this year, will unfortunately be to no avail. Despite an interview at Columbia University, I guess a 2.7 GPA in the sciences will not make it in these competitive times for I had just received the dreaded thin letter. My question to all is how does one perceive me reapplying? Last year, I applied quite late - coupled with my poor GPA (although I have a 3.0+ overall in biology/history at UCLA, great dental experience and upper percentile DAT's) I did not start the application process on the right foot. Should I just reapply again? Since I would applying June, there is not much I can do from now till then to bolster my application. Speaking to others, who have stats similar to mine, their early reapplications proved to be fruitful.
A. You are not alone! I myself got accepted to dental school this year. This was the third time applying. Unfortunately, because of some troubles i went through long time ago I don't have those high GPAs either. Our problem is that the number of applicants has dramatically increased over the past few years. Some schools receive up to 3000 applications today compare to may be 6 or 700 a few years ago. So where does that leave you and me? In the lower half of the population of applicants that are cut off because admissions committees really don't have time or the resources to evaluate each application. Don't give up, if you really want to continue dentistry keep on applying and try to keep in personal contact with the schools that you think may accept you in the future. Visit them, ask them how you can improve and then deliver. If they ask you to repeat courses, or get a masters or.... If you are really dedicated show it to them. they will take you. Some one gave me this advice a few years ago when I was in your situation and I'll give it to you: the squeaky wheel gets the grease! I was curious how Northwestern's closing has affected you. We just had a few transfers from Northwestern to OHSU because the students didn't want to graduate from a dental school that was going to close the day after receiving their diplomas. It sounds like all you really need to do is to keep trying. Retake courses if you must to bring up your GPA, and write an honest essay describing how YOU feel you can contribute to the dental profession. Why do you really want to join this profession? Do you have family members who are dentists? What special skills and talents do you think you can offer? BTW, one's undergrad GPA really does not determine who will be a great, and caring dentist. Some of the so-called best and the brightest applicants can be total self-centered jerks. Dentistry requires a lot of people skills as well as technical and academic smarts. Don't feel dejected, and down and out . If you really want it badly enough, someone somewhere will admit you . Your applying late , or submitting scores later in the year is probably the biggest reason for being passed over. The next time around , be sure to be early and submit your essays . Visiting the admission's committee is not a bad idea if they will allow a visit. Get to know the people in charge of admissions and ask for help. Do whatever it takes to show that you are serious. Offer your services to free dental clinics , and help em out. Dentistry is a very tough profession , and can be loaded with both emotional and financial stress. Simply getting into Dental School is not enough , and it is just the beginning of a long journey. The rewards are great if you can afford it. I am very serious about this fact. Having good grades is just the tip of the iceberg. One must be prepared to weather the storm for the next several years. It will require great mental and financial discipline to succeed. If you have the financial resources to reapply, and are willing to go anywhere in the country to get your dental education, then go for it. Never give up if you really really want it.
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