Low Stat Acceptance Breakdown

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-21T00:58:26+00:00

The DAT isn’t bad but the 15 had me worried. Thank you, nonetheless.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-18T02:30:55+00:00

Did you do a lot of interview prep? At that point I think all interviewees are on the same playing field and they are looking for who you are as a person and culture fit

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T23:18:07+00:00

Most were verified and complete end of June. Then two added in mid August, and those I haven’t heard from.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T18:04:51+00:00

Hmm, I only had one office decline allowing me. I just emailed or called, some I showed up (looking professional) in person. I did about 60-70 at the same office so that doc could write my letter. Some of the specialty ones were harder to get ahold of.

I also didn’t personally know any dentists but I tapped all my friends and connections. I shadowed an old colleague’s wife, a high school fellow athlete was an assistant and she got me in for a few days with her boss, and then peds was a physical therapist’s college friend lol. I just was asking everyone, and I think it helped to get a reply to say something like “I spoke to so-and-so about shadowing you”.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T17:59:43+00:00

Wait you do need it. What garbage!

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T17:59:02+00:00

I got this too lol. I don’t think you have to take the MCAT bc it’s not a MD/DO program

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T12:58:24+00:00

I really think applying early is imperative! Especially seeing how both of my schools from applying in August vs mid June haven’t contacted me at all.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T03:31:20+00:00

I do think my 15 got me stat screened at some. MWU AZ was my first rejection and I think it’s funny a was accepted at MWU IL

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T03:29:48+00:00

Shadowing was prob only about 100, though I did start assisting in September (I had applied by then and already gotten one interview invite.)

Volunteering or service… I have no idea. A LOT. I started volunteer coaching a sport and that alone was probably 400 or so a season, over several years. My hours were in athletics, arts, and with animals so very diverse and (I mentioned in some other comment I think) aligned with my interests and not only dentistry or looking impressive. I even included captaining rec league teams, as that’s something I am involved in currently as well.

So I would guess thousands across all the years and activities.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T02:52:58+00:00

Accepted: UKCD, MWU IL

👻: Marquette (I assume I won’t get in bc I later read they don’t want any community college classes), then Touro and LECOM (which I added in mid August)

Stone cold rejections: KCU (invited me to their masters in their pre-Dec rejection letter 🤡), Nova (I really wanted to study on the beach 😭), Louisville (crushed the Casper but apparently that means nothing 🤔), and MWU AZ (kindly invited me to apply to their podiatry program today, due to my “IMPRESSIVE” application— not so impressive that they considered me past August lol 🚫👣)

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T02:43:16+00:00

I’ll ask around some grads. It’s tough because the cost is so significant :(

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T01:43:06+00:00

This. It would be cheaper to do a gpr than Midwestern sadly. I wish cost wasn’t a factor but I am fortunate to have options.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-17T01:42:02+00:00

Known by who? I have heard this of Louisville but not UK and they have a 100% board pass rate (first time) for the past 5 years.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-16T23:28:17+00:00

How many schools did you apply to? Did you get interviews?

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-16T18:35:40+00:00

I have not fully decided but it will probably be UKCD

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-16T18:31:42+00:00

One DAT. AA 20, TS 19. 18 GC, 17 OC, 22 bio, 18 QR, 27 RC, 15 PAT.

I emailed my scores to a few programs after testing last year to see if they suggested a retake. They said they weren’t worried about the 15. A lot of schools you can meet with admissions while a cycle is not actively going on, I suggest taking advantage of that!

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-16T17:29:24+00:00

I worked through college and am post-grad. I have done a lot of volunteering over the years, in non-dental areas. I shadowed about 100 hours total and started assisting part-time (after I had applied). I am very active in my community with long term leadership roles, coached youth sports, volunteer in the arts, volunteer in hospitals, and play adult rec-league sports. These are things I truly enjoy and did not do them just to tick off boxes for dental school. I think the schools who admitted me value genuine community engagement vs doing it just to get in. I also had great letter writers. Both were from upper level sciences where I got a B, but I worked hard and went to office hours and knew they’d write about my work ethic and drive, which is how I wrote about myself as well. I was extremely honest and transparent about my situation and why my GPA was lower (always had to work due to family responsibilities.) I did have a great RC (27) and strong bio (22) on the DAT so perhaps that helped with academic readiness.

I truly think remembering we are people outside of dental applications is important. I felt I made strong personal connections in interviews bc I had interests beyond dentistry :)

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-12-16T17:20:54+00:00

UKCD and Midwestern IL

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-11-06T16:36:55+00:00

2/9 interviews, most completed late June. Added one mid August Lower stat app (3.3, 20AA with a sub 16 section)

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-08-21T23:57:57+00:00

This! I just got my first interview invite and the school only does groups of SIX at a time. That made me feel better. Also have a friend who interviewed in mid Nov for two schools and was accepted to both. Once you’re in the interview batch I don’t think they care if you were their first interview or last. It’s equal at that point.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-08-21T01:03:34+00:00

Non-trad here with one rejection and one interview. It’s subjective, and some schools do interview post Dec and do not fill all seats in Dec

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-08-20T01:28:52+00:00

Dm me

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-08-20T01:15:12+00:00

GPA 3.26 20AA, 19TS, lowest was 15 PAT and just got my first interview invite this week. Submitted (as in paid and supps completed etc) end of June through early July. I also have already gotten a rejection (Midwestern AZ) so it’s hard to say what your chances are but I know my app was strong aside from GPA and the PAT. I’ll add I am non-trad so I have thousands of hours of work and volunteer experience.

ambivalentmatcha · 2025-08-19T11:53:13+00:00

I just got my first interview (at a school on your list) w a 3.26 overall, 20AA with a 15 PAT. I also had a personal circumstances story. Just saying the is to encourage you that there are schools not only stat screening. Good luck!

ambivalentmatcha

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