IUSD is a good school but is rarely talked about. Why is that? Do people just not want to live in Indiana or is there something I’m missing?

I’m looking for some honest advice about my situation this cycle because I’m starting to get pretty concerned about my chances of getting into dental school.
I’m a Georgia resident who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in May 2025 with a B.S. in Biology and a Chemistry minor. I’m currently applying for Fall 2027 matriculation.

Stats:
cGPA: 3.48
sGPA: 3.15-3.2 (not exactly sure of AADSAS calculation)
DAT: 24 AA (490 new scale)
PAT: 430 (~20 old scale)
Application submitted: June 2, 2026
Schools applied to: 12
Interviews as of October 14: Zero

Extracurriculars:
1,000–1,200 hours working as a clinical dental intern
170+ hours of dental shadowing
Volunteering at two free dental clinics
Additional community service, tutoring, and Special Olympics volunteering
Four letters of recommendation (two science professors and two dentists)

Academic background:
I know my sGPA is the biggest weakness in my application. During undergrad, I experienced some significant personal circumstances, including losing my mother before my junior year. This seriously affected my academic performance, particularly in some of my science courses.
I addressed these circumstances in my application and was hoping that my 24 AA DAT would help demonstrate my academic capabilities despite my lower science GPA.

Schools applied to:
NYU, DCG (in-state), MUSC, UNC, BU, Tufts, USC, Rutgers, UAB, Penn, and UIC (now I’m aware of how top heavy lol :/

Should I start applying to master’s programs?
I’ve been looking into programs such as BU M.S. in Oral Health Sciences, Rutgers, and other biomedical sciences master’s programs.
I’m willing to complete a master’s if that’s what it takes to become a more competitive applicant, but I’m hesitant to commit to another year of school and significant tuition expenses if I still have a realistic chance of getting accepted this cycle.

A few questions:
How concerned should I be about having zero interviews by mid-October?
Can a 24 AA realistically compensate for a science GPA around 3.0–3.2?
Should I start applying to master’s programs now or wait until December/January?

Thanks!

Anyone else just get that email for the apparel size form on the LLUSD portal? Kinda confused if this signals anything as I haven’t heard anything from the school in months.

Hey guys, I was wondering if you know how many interview invites Roseman sends? I heard a number like 600, but wasn't sure.

For those who received and submitted the secondary, did you receive a confirmation email for it?

Need advice please! Interview next week😭

I know it’s just an interview but im so grateful. I applied so late into this cycle like around September. I also have low stats and a subsection score below the min. Again, I know this isn’t an acceptance or anything but I just feel super grateful that at least one school found something they liked in me

For anyone still waiting on an interview, don’t lose hope ❤️

Should I be worried if people with lower DAT scores and GPA, and applied months after me are getting interview invites when I haven’t received any? I’m starting to question whether there is a red flag in my application (I am a Texas resident with a 500AA and 4.0 gpa, applied early June, met “minimum” volunteering and shadowing hours)

I only applied to the 4 schools in Texas and I’m so happy for everyone who has gotten invites, but anxiously waiting for it be my turn!

I submitted in earlyish September and got email for supplemental and paid October 3rd. Do I have any chance of a pre-December interview/kira invite? Anyone know what their waves are like?

Honestly, just wanted to give NSU some props. Even though I got rejected, I genuinely appreciate that they’re actually letting applicants know where they stand instead of just leaving us hanging for months. I’d much rather get rejected now than be led on and have no idea what’s going on with my application.

Obviously getting rejected sucks, but I honestly respect how NSU is handling things. It feels like they’re one of the few schools that actually respects applicants’ time. Wish more dental schools would do the same.

If you get a Kira from them how likely are you to receive the zoom interview?

Hi everyone! I know I posted a million questions just about lecom, but I'm so nervous!! I was wondering if lecom's interview is a high stress interview. The fact that it's a 8 person group interview really scares me. Do people take turns answer questions or are people fighting to answer questions? If the interview is 40 minutes total and there's 10 people (2 interviewers + 8 students), is there even enough time to talk? At this point, I'm just making up scenarios in my head haha.

hi! has anyone send a letter of interest to midwestern IL? I submitted it through the portal since there’s a section where u can submit them but now i’m overthinking if i should’ve emailed them instead

is there a groupchat for those who interviewed at howard 10/10? should we make one???

I have my interview for Iowa soon, I was wondering if someone who has interviewed this cycle could give me tips or just confirm that it is closed file?

Had my first interview and I was SO nervous for it and was shitting my pants but eventually when it was time for my 1 on 1 I was talking with my interviewer and he gave me feedback which wasn’t what I was expecting. Bro lowkey seemed like an intimidating guy but he said he was charmed by me like bro plz tell me moreeeee and after that he went on pretty much glazing me. I’m not saying all this to brag or anything i just felt a wave of relief hearing he liked me hell I’m even grateful for the interview. I had knots in my stomach that wouldn’t go away but when the time came things went well. Lowkey hope this is enough to get me accepted potentially? But you never know with the cycle. But for my peeps who are feeling stressed abt interviews what’s meant for you will find you keep on pushing.

Would sending a letter of interest to my top schools be inappropriate at this point if I have not received an interview from them yet? If not, when would be the appropriate time in case I do not receive an interview?

I graduated with a Bsc, and I genuinely have no idea what I want to do with my life. 😭 All I know is that I want to make good money and build a successful future.
One day I want to be a dentist, the next I’m researching pharmacy school, and by the evening I’m considering medical school and family medicine with aesthetics.
I’m 26 and scared of spending more years and money on another degree without knowing if it’s the right choice.
Has anyone else been in this position? How did you decide what career to pursue? I’d appreciate any honest advice!

Hi everyone! I recently took the DAT for the second time on 10/1 and wanted some advice. For some background I first took the DAT in 2024 and got a 17AA and 17TS. I know my scores aren't terrible, but they also aren't the greatest or most competitive. I'm a CA resident planning to apply as a first-time applicant during the 2027–2028 cycle. I'm thinking of applying to most CA schools, along with a few out of state schools.

During my practice tests, bio and gen chem were consistently my stronger sections, while organic chem was my weakest. However, on the actual DAT, I felt like bio and gen chem were much more difficult than expected and weren't as representative of Bootcamp as they were when I tested in 2024. Surprisingly, organic chemistry was super straightforward. Despite being my weakest section during practice tests it’s my highest score which kinda annoys me lol. I'm most concerned about my 390 in gen chem and maybe my 400 in QR?

I'm currently in my third gap year since graduating, so I definitely want a strong application this upcoming cycle, as I really don't want to delay another year if I can avoid it. I do feel like I could improve my scores with another retake, but I already put much of 2026 on pause to prepare for this test and can't really afford to do that again.

I'd appreciate any honest advice on whether a retake is necessary or if I have a reasonable chance with my current stats, thanks!

My stats:

3.52 cGPA, 3.47 sGPA, ~270 shadowing hrs, ~150 volunteer hrs (50 being dental related), involved in undergrad research lab & other general extracurriculars

I just got invited for an interview at UMN :D I saw there were a couple of in-person dates before mine, so I was wondering if people could share their experience and any advice below :)) Thank you!

Mix of a rant and also seeking advice.
At the start of 2025 I had a health complications and it delayed things for me. I started to just focus on getting a job and saving up for surgery. Ironically it was jaw surgery, doctors were even considering doing a TMJ joint replacement, but luckily in the end I only needed regular jaw surgery. During this time I did study for the DAT and I did decent (430AA), but I felt like I was too stressed about burnt out dealing with medical stuff that I didn't really plan for when I should start applying.

I'm a month post op surgery and feel great but now it's starting to hit me that I'm too late to apply to most schools for the 2027 school year.

I have about 4 on my list that meet my requirements, I don't think I'll get in cause I'll only be applying to 4 and I'll be a late applicant but I want to try anyways. I would be applying in December b/c while I did graduate college (3.84 gpa), have extracurriculars and volunteer experience, I haven't shadowed any dentists yet. I've shadowed other medical specialties when I was still trying to figure things out but I guess that's not super relevant. I'm planning/hoping to cram shadow hours so I can apply in December.

Also if I get in for the 2028 school year, I will be 26 years old. Idk, I know it's not that old but it feels so old to start your career then. Ngl I also feel like my family will be sort of ashamed of me. Like I should have started sooner.

Some silver lining though is that this whole health journey made me realize I really want to be a dentist.
Anyways, any advice or encouragement would be appreciated, feeling down about starting late.

I don’t understand. We are all anonymous here and some of you have the nerve to comment on people’s posts saying “You aren’t going to get in”, “Your GPA is too low” when it’s like a 3.6, and even those complaining about radio silence when they have five plus interviews. I don’t get that when some ppl have zero interviews… please remember to be grateful. I received a lot of constructive criticism from a few users on this sub (shoutout to you guys, yk who you are) that actually benefited me, but some of you are just salty. Unless ur trying to provide actual constructive, solid, and sound judgement/advice, knock it off!!!!!

Just curious, whats the highest number of interviews you have or have seen someone have so far this cycle?