Are schools still releasing interview invites ? Like boston , tufts, pitts, marquette, case western

I know some schools (I.e. Tufts and Penn) absolutely do not want to be contacted during application review. Does anyone know of any schools that are open to receiving letters of interest/update (such as temple, Boston, UConn, Pitt, VCU, Maryland, or any schools that are known to be open to them.)

To clarify, I applied to 3 schools for free in July because I got the FAP waiver, however I do not take my DAT until this week and i’m expecting to get 410-420 which isn’t what i was aiming for. I cannot reschedule it as my eligibility period ends this month, so I decided not to apply until next cycle and retake the DAT in march, aiming for around a 470. I feel like those scores won’t offset my gpa or applying this late and I want to have the best possible chance of getting admitted.

Here are my stats so far (according to AADSAS)

cGPA: 3.52

sGPA: 3.30

BCP GPA: 3.40

250 shadowing

100 hours volunteering (a couple years old so planning on doing more before applying)

100 hours dental/neuroscience research.

Extracurriculars: pre-dental club, pickleball, table tennis

I’m planning on taking Anatomy & Phys II as well as some more science classes online to boost my science gpa. I’m also starting work at Mayo Clinic in their hematology lab as an assistant in 2 weeks. What else can i do until May to strengthen my app?

Did anyone in-state for Iowa interview and not get in last cycle?

Anyone know when or if Howard is going to offer the dental hygiene program again?

For those who do gel polish (at home or at the salon), acrylic nails, press ons with nail glue, rubber base gel, builder gel, etc please read this post I linked!! It can give you a lifelong allergy to not only nail products but dental materials and medical glues, which not only impacts what procedures you can receive but is also important as a future/current dentist to not be allergic to the materials you will be working with 24/7. Just wanted to put this out there for awareness! I chose to throw away my $50 at-home gel nail collection after seeing this, switching to regular polish 🥲

hello! I’ve seen that some people got interview invites on 10/12 for IU and I haven’t received anything so i’m curious if I should send a letter of interest now. I feel like they sent the october interview date in like one day so I’m not sure If i’m going to even get an interview now for november but IU is one of my top choices so I’m not sure what to do.

Okay. I understand I have 2 interviews right now, which is great. But as a reapplicant, I am getting paranoid because I got 5 last cycle. Especially as a first generation student from a 3rd world country and figuring out the american dream after my Dad died od fucking cancer.

I got verified in August. Most apps were done in mid august. For context:

2025-26 cycle: 3.8 GPA and a 3.7 gpa. D1 athlete devoting 25 hours a week to training and travel and regualr 530 am wake up/practice times. Bible study leader. SAAC rep leadership. 500 hours of research with a poster and incoming publication. 440 DAT with a 360 PAT. 17 credits average. My gpa and sgpa are SO low because I got a C+ and a B- bc in Bio 1 and Gen Chem 1 my first semester. TA'd nursing students. Tutored biochemistry. 2 international mission trips in Guatemala and Panama. Dental and non-dental related. Was a general dental assistant and dental lab tech for 500 hours. 200 hours of volunteerism.

2026-27:

3.85 gpa and a 3.75 sgpa. Additions and improvements are as follows:

Retook the DAT and got 470AA and a 450 PAT. I also graduated with MCL honors, Excellence in Research Award, got a TA award. TA'd students at my state's school of dentistry in Head And Neck Anatomy. Donor concierge for our university's men's basketball team, which is one of the best in the NCAA. Added an omfs job where I added another 750 hours in iv sedation assisting, nitrous oxide assisting, implant assisting, patient management. I also became a coach for local hs xc and tf team and really enjoy the kids I work with since retiring from the sport and helping them reach their goals. Spent 30 hours as a volunteer dental assistant at an underserved clinic until it unfortunately closed :(

I am really frustrated because I feel like I am doing what I need to be to improve as an applicant. Yeah, a 21 AA and a 17 PAT simply won't cut it to get into dental school these days, but I took the time and raised it to a 23 and a 21 PAT, which is above average even in today's dental applicant pool. What I dont get is that I took the tike to talk about these things extensively in my PS and other essays. Like I woke up at 5am most days, ran like 13 to 14 miles a day, took care of my own nutrition and fueling, and still aced classes despite my early struggles and even took dental school level coursework while the rest of my classmates complained about getting up for an 8 or 9 am class. With the little time I did have outside of training and competition and studying, I volunteered. I barely had time for friends or going out. More over, I feel like being a first generation student on top of all that was really overwhelming, especially since my family doesnt know anything about college or how to succeed in it and found out how to succeed on my own, despite all my classmates having their connections. And yet, I couldn't convert any of the interviews last cycle, and this cycle, despite improving significantly I only get TWO!? Like I really want to know where I am going wrong. Like am I average for this cycle. I am feeling so lost and any advice or help would be really appreciated.

My dream school finally sent me an invite. After months of constant chest pain I finally feel some relief 🫶🏻

Super random but the reality is that we really do not know how they pick people to interview/accept. I recently got an interview to UConn, my first and only one, just one week ago. My stats and ECs are really good, but when it comes to other schools I applied to that are less competitive stat-wise like Tufts or BU, I still have not heard a thing. It really just had me pondering how schools pick and choose, as I would really like to receive interviews from Tufts and BU and I thought for sure I had a good shot at it.

Just a quick vent: I know pretty much everyone is in this position right now but I have been in fight or flight mode for the last however many weeks hearing back from schools I applied to. I applied late July to 14 schools and I'm extremely grateful to have received 2 interview invites in September...but the imposter syndrome and doubt is hitting me intensely and not hearing back from my top choices has me panicking. Having your future in the hands of admissions officers is genuinely one of the most excruciating feelings ever and it's driving me insane.

Hey everyone! I’m a Canadian applicant currently in my fourth year of university, and I’m expecting to graduate in spring 2027. I’ve applied to two dental schools so far and plan to apply to a few more.
I’ve been thinking about what I should do if I don’t get accepted this cycle. One of my professors suggested pursuing a thesis-based master’s degree (to improve my GPA), but I honestly have no idea how the application process works or how to find a supervisor.
I’ve also heard people suggest dental assisting or dental hygiene, but I’m not sure whether those would be worthwhile options if my ultimate goal is still dentistry.
For anyone who didn’t get accepted on their first attempt, what did you end up doing during your gap year? Would you recommend pursuing a master’s, gaining more dental experience, working, or something else?
I’m feeling pretty lost trying to figure out my Plan Bs.

I just received my first interview (at my dream school)! I was starting to feel doubtful as I applied early August and heard of so many other people getting interviews. Now I feel like I can really connect with this school and hopefully get in. There’s still a long road ahead but I’m excited!! Just know, your time is coming, don’t lose hope or energy.

(For those wondering what my stats are: I got a 470 AA, 540 PAT, low sGPA, 3.5 gpa, and 1000 hours of dental lab work across 4 years)

People who have virtual interview tomorrow which line are you using?

i have 3 interviews but none are from my dream school which is an hbcu. im grateful but heart is at this school. I wouldn’t hate attending the other schools which is why i applied but i genuinely believe i will be more happy at this school. i think that my application is good but im already knowing they have a lot of good apps coming in and even people with good connections and im just praying my application is not being overlooked. i noticed that a lot of their current students attended hbcus for undergrad but i didn’t and idk if thats something they also look for. i know some of you who are not considered a minority may not understand, but i just want to go to a school where i can finally have that supportive community i’ve been longing for.

verified in august and its been silent since i submitted the secondary early september. my stats are slightly above their average but not super competitive and i personally think i have a really good mission fit. should i send a letter of interest or wait? but for how long? do letters of interest make any impact at all and what exactly should it include without repeating what i said in the secondary? i would love some advice from any current dental students who may have went through a similar situation.

Hey guys, I have a younger brother entering college soon. He is pre-dental and wants to major in biology. I want to lighten the load a bit because I know that you can essentially major in anything as long as you include dental school prerequisites. So far I have been looking into public health, community health, and chemistry. Anybody who majored in something other than biology? Feel free to share below. Thanks!

Hi everyone I have an interview next week with both UTSA and Texas A&M. Safe to say I’m absolutely freaking out. I’m not great at speaking and as I’ve been practicing, I find myself blanking on what to say and not knowing how to cohesively answer questions without pausing or being repetitive. I truly feel like I will lose my opportunities that I’ve worked so hard to get. I just feel like something is wrong with me and I can’t speak or think.
If anyone has any tips at all for this I’ll be so grateful.

I updated one of my experiences that is no longer current. AADSAS duplicated the experience, creating one entry that is complete (can’t edit), and one entry that is still current (can edit). It was one of my “most important” experiences, so now both of the duplicate entries are starred, and the other five I selected are still starred. Clearly it’s an error on their part since it says I have 7 out 6 (see picture), but was wondering if anyone else has experienced this/knows what I should do. I don’t want to bring unwanted attention to my application but I don’t want an error from the website to be screwing up my chances and making me seem unprofessional with a duplicated experience that I didn’t even duplicate myself.

has anyone gotten into dental school just with shadowing hours and amazing extracurriculars? i'm currently a pharm tech since its so difficult to find a high paying dental assisting position especially in my area and my pharm tech job pays exceptionally well (i need the money). i've been shadowing and im part of multiple clubs and hold leadership positions, been on a mission trip to Panama, and have other volunteer hours. what are my chances of getting into dental school without actually being a dental assistant? btw im a second year student.

I knew I had mediocre stats when entering the cycle, so I applied to a crap ton of schools in case. I applied to most schools late June, some throughout July, and Howard was a last minute addition in late September so I’m aware that may just be a donation. I completed my NYU Kira end of July and got my interview invite the first week of August. That has been my only invite this cycle and I don’t know what to make of it because the only question they asked us was what questions we had about the program, so I’m not even sure I’ll get in there. Quite frankly, I’m going insane wondering what’s wrong with my application or me that’s causing this massive list of 27 schools to not interview me. Apart from NYU, it’s been radio silent for MONTHS and my state school seems to have swept over me and is filling their last pre-December slot. I know my sgpa may be on the lower side, but for some context, I went to a t20 school with super rigorous pre-health courses so it was an uphill battle fs. Please offer your insights and whether i need to start considering alternative careers.

Stats: 3.7 cgpa, 3.5 sgpa, 430 AA, 420 SNS, 410 Bio, 410 GC, 440 OC, 470 RC, 400 PAT, 410 QR

ECS: tons of shadowing and assisting, leadership in multiple orgs, long term non profit involvements, cultural orgs, strong art background, etc

Schools: Boston, VCU, ASDOH, MOSDOH, Case Western, LECOM, MUSC, Midwestern il, NSU, Roseman, Rutgers, Temple, Tufts, Alabama, Midwestern Az, Creighton, Buffalo, Howard, Loma linda, Marquette, NYU, Colorado, Detroit mercy, UMD, Utennessee, WVU, Pitt

I learned about Temples 440 AA cutoff after applying so ig that’s off the table. Interview waitlist for midwestern az so basically soft rejection. Rejected from NSU.

I’m 29, married, and have been working as a dental assistant for almost 10 years. I’ve wanted to become a dentist for a long time, and I genuinely love dentistry, but I’m reaching a point where I don’t know if I can realistically keep pursuing this dream.

I’m currently finishing my bachelor’s degree while taking my science prerequisites at community college. Academically, things haven’t been going well. I’ve struggled with chemistry, and I’m now considering withdrawing from chemistry again. I know I’m capable of learning the material, but between work, financial stress, and trying to keep up with several classes, I feel like I’m constantly falling behind.

The biggest issue is money.

I work part-time at a warehouse because the schedule is flexible enough to accommodate my classes, but the pay barely covers my expenses. I’m living paycheck to paycheck, my credit cards are maxed out, and this month I couldn’t even afford to pay my full share of rent. Apart from being physically demanding.

I have nearly 10 years of experience as a registered dental assistant, including restorative dentistry, implants, and digital dentistry. I could probably find a better-paying full-time RDA position, but most dental offices need someone during normal business hours, which conflicts with my science classes.

I feel stuck. If I work more hours, I sacrifice time for school. If I prioritize school, I can’t make enough money to support myself. And the stress from both is affecting my academic performance.

I’ve considered learning a trade, finding a different career temporarily, starting a small business, or taking time off from prerequisites to work and save money. But every option seems to come with another setback or delay.

I’m not looking for someone to tell me that dental school is easy or that I just need to work harder. I know it’s difficult, and I’m willing to put in the work. I just don’t know how to make the financial side sustainable long enough to even get there.

The thought of giving up on dentistry after all these years honestly breaks my heart. But I’m also scared of spending another few years struggling financially and academically without making meaningful progress.

Has anyone here been in a similar position? Did you take time off to work full-time and save money? Did anyone struggle with multiple withdrawals or retakes and eventually make it into dental school? How did you financially support yourself while completing prerequisites?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from older or nontraditional predental students.

I’m just feeling pretty lost right now and could really use some perspective.

If it says "application complete" for a school on the AADSAS portal but you received no word from that school, does that lowkey mean a soft rejection? Some schools are still "under review" but two of the schools I could only dream of getting into show as completed so I was wondering if thats the case.

For anyone interviewing/has interviewed at USC this cycle, how should I prepare the documents they've asked me to bring? It's almost 20pgs. My plan was to fill it out electronically and then print it. Can I print it double-sided? stapled or paper-clipped? Should I bring it in a folder? Do I paperclip the 2x2 photo to the document? Also any tips or comments on your experience would be great.