WAMC Winemaker to dentist?

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magicd53

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This whole application process I've felt siloed because I'm older (27), years out from undergrad, and making a serious career change. I worked hard to build a strong application but I have no way of knowing if its enough. Do I have shot? Questions welcome, advice appreciated!

Date of submission: Aadsas verified 6/16
Overall GPA: 3.74
Science GPA:
3,74
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA:
DAT score (include AA and all sections):
AA 26, TS 26, OC 30, GC 24, BIO 26, RC 25, QR 23, PAT 20
State of Residence: ME, originally from NC

Undergrad Attended: UNCW
Major: Chemistry
Graduate: UVM
Major: Chemistry
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes -

Shadowing Experience: General dentist 100hrs
Volunteering Experience: Hospital, community clean ups, 5k race volunteer 90hrs
Employment: Environmental chemist, agricultural chemist, winemaker, health and safety specialist
Research: 3 semesters undergrad chemistry, 2 years graduate research. Honestly not sure how many hours...probably lot.
Other Extracurriculars: Marathon runner, furniture maker, neon light maker, undergrad chemistry tutor, panel speaker on PFAS, guest microbiology lecturer on winemaking
Relevant Honors or Awards: deans list, undergrad organic chemistry award
LOR type and strength: 1 dentist(good), 1 graduate biochem(great), 1 undergrad calculus(great), 1 microbiology postbacc/recent prereq(good)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
Left PhD early with no masters - the short of it is I began the program right before the pandemic, and just after starting research, labs were closed. Ultimately I was unhappy with the program and languished just TA'ing online. I stuck it out another year to complete all the coursework, but left without a degree.

Currenlty working in health and safety at a university. Prior to that I spent several years working as a wine chemist and other odd science jobs. I know my work history don't exactly scream dental. I've always just wanted to use science to do some good in the world. In graduate school I loved the academic intestistiy but literally everyone was gunning for pharma. I loved working with the agricultural communities the NE wine industry introduced me to, but I always felt like there was more I could do. I didn't consider dental until I found myself wondering how to combine my science education and hand skills. I'm a weekend woodworker and have also picked up neon light production.

School list:
I'd love to stay in NE for school, but I realize I don't get that much say.

UNE
UCONN
TUFTS
BU
HARVARD
MARYLAND
VCU
UNC
UMICH
UF
CO
Utah

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I think you have a strong app, but I would stress that you might want to remove/swap a couple schools as they don't make as much sense regionally - Utah, CO, and UF all stand out to me. I would maybe look into adding Buffalo (For IS Tuition), Case Western/Ohio State, and maybe Louisville. It's just being from the upper east coast you might find it harder to explain to schools that are much further away from you regionally.

Otherwise I think everything looks okay. Good luck this cycle! It's never too late to pursue your dreams, so don't be discouraged being older than most applicants. You will provide a different viewpoint for your class.
 
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