Although you may each be at a separate phase of aspiration (for example, I just wanted to fill a seat anywhere) - no need to panic, and no need to pray.
As an average-to-slightly-above-average-ish application for the 2011 cycle, I made an empty promise to myself (or whoever was up there) that I would improve myself if I could just make it this year. If I just made it to dental school, I would no longer skip my classes or leave my assignments behind. My work ethic throughout undergrad (and before that, let's be honest) was abysmal at best. I know most young adults can relate to my constant struggle to find motivation and remain undistracted. I wanted to go out with my friends, spend time with family, or even just sit on my ass and watch useless TV or bicker with my then-boyfriend; I would prioritize this over studying for exams and my achievements suffered for many years. Because I didn't realize I wanted to apply to dental school, I hadn't a goal to work toward and thus I became the "average applicant" at the end.
Many people told me I wouldn't make it, because my grades weren't good enough, I didn't have any experience, and that I couldn't prove that this was where my passion was. I was so close to scrapping my plans to apply because I was faced with too much discouragement. I researched entrance stats and listened to other peers' stories of a lifelong commitment to dentistry and was convinced I didn't make the cut. In my second year of graduate studies performing laboratory research, all I knew was that I didn't want to stop at a dead end. Even while I felt there would be a huge chance of rejection, I went ahead and filled my requirements for dental school anyway. At this point, my time was limited. While putting in my 9-5 for gradschool, I studied for the DAT and killed it off within 2 months, took a couple weeks off to shadow as many hours as I could, and signed up and fulfilled my missing prerequisite courses - all within a span of 6 months, in order to make the June 1 AADSAS opening day. I wrote several drafts of my personal statement and kept in close contact with my 4 LORs. With my application in, I continued with my life (with as much normalcy as I could being anxiety-ridden) and just waited it out. I admit that I was so shocked when my first interview invite came at the end of August. Even more surprised when the rest of them came.
Looking back, I wish someone had convinced me that I could have confidence in myself and not worry about every stat, sentence, or story that I submitted. I wish I had the discretion to read everything with a grain of salt and believe that if I wanted something, I could have it.
They told me I couldn't make it, and I made it on my first try.
As for you, whether you are the top contender or the underdog - if your heart is in the right place, you'll get there. Whether you are one of those "lifelong committers" or a late bandwagon hopper like me, our aspirations are to help people (hopefully written in a less cliche manner in your application). I admit, most days I am wasting my time on Facebook while in class and drowning behind in the current in terms of studying - not the most rewarding experience at the moment. But once in a while when I have the opportunity to work with patients, I'll get a reminder here and there that my work getting here was worth it.
From the free pediatric mouth guard clinic in my 1st year, a patient wrote us:
As per the words in our application, making a little bit of a difference brought us to where we are, and that makes us in exactly the right place.
Believe it! xx
