2.5GPA, fair DAT, tons of extra stuff - chances??

[stingray]

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2.5GPA, fair DAT, tons of extra stuff, older student with family - chances??

ever hear of this matriculating anywhere in the US - I mean anywhere!!! Extra stuff incl publications, volunteering for a dentist for 3 years, service frat officer, great personality, etc. Is there an equal of a DO schools for dental schools? These are true stats of a close friend too scared to even post (not me). Helpful responses appreciated.

 

[jojo2280]

With a GPA under 3.0 I think it would be rather difficult to get into a California school. However, depending on how fair the DAT scores were, acceptance into certain schools may be possible. If (you) apply very early in the game, like June, then maybe Boston, NYU, and the like may be possible.
Under 3.0 undergrad isn't very impressive. I would suggest doing a postbac program, or even doing some classes through an extension program to boost that GPA. I suppose even if (you) do a few classes (hard science classes ie. histo, immuno, physio) and get A's that'll show adcomms you can do well.
JoJo

 

[yosemitesam]

I agree with jojo. Realistically, the chances of getting into a dental school with grades like that are slim to none. He would need to send out tons of applications - which gets expensive - to even get an interview. If he really wants to be a dentist, he would probably be best served by doing a postbacc or even trying to get into a master's program to show he's got the stuff before he applies.

If he's serious about it, what's another 1-2 years of school? 🙂

 

[tinker bell]

I agree with jojo and yosemite. You should do post-bac classes. Take at least 2 hard core science classes a semester, and get good grades (B and above). And shoot for a good DAT scores like above 20 for average, then your chance will be good to get in any descent school. So many people get 20 DAT now since the topscore cd available and has been helping a lot of test takers do well. You have to do everything to be above the average range to make admissions committee forgive your 2.5 undergrad.
At my Case interview, they asked me a lot about my gpa like why i got C in such and such class (they went over every single quarter of my junior year, the year that I did bad). So, I told them I was young and stupid. They should forgive it because I was doing well in my senior and post bac and DAT. I told them that I can't rewind the clock and redo my junior. But if they take me, I tend to do well on standardize test, and I will do well on boards. So, I get accepted.
And only apply to school that cares more about DAT scores.

Tinker Bell-TEMPLE DENTAL 007😎

 

[yosemitesam]

You also asked about the dental equivalent of D.O. schools; I'm afraid you're out of luck there. It's a U.S. DMD/DDS or nothin'. And those with foreign dental degrees (except for Canadians)have an impossibly difficult task trying to get into U.S. programs, so that's out of the question too.

Just let him know that a career in dentistry is not beyond his grasp if he is willing to work and sacrifice a little for it.

 

[stingray]

to all who posted - thanks,
the information was very helpful! (for my friend... really!)

 

[DesiDentist]

Tell your friend to apply to UCSF's post baccalaureate program for dental school. He/She will not regret it and they will make him/her an excellent candidate, if s/he does well. However, their requirement is that you get rejected from at least one dental school, though.

I wish your friend success.

DesiDentist

 

[tinker bell]

also, to qualify for the ucsf post-bac: CA residents, poor and your willingness to serve the underserved communities. Plus tons of community service.
Good luck

Tinker Bell-TEMPLE DENTAL 007😎

 

[kimchiro]

Hi guys...
I am also in similar boat.. I got gpa around 2.8 with post bac degree and 7 years of practice exp in alternative health care with lot of patient care experiences. And I am taking DAT in three weeks....I am 38 years old with 3 years of military experience.... I wonder what my chances would be...Currently I received secondaries from nova, meharry, arizona and email from howard to send in appl. fee.

 

[DesiDentist]

kimchiro,

More power to ya. Don't think negative now. All three of those schools may forgive your gpa if you do decently on the DAT. You have some great life experiences and you can add a couple years to the class age average (j/k). Just stay focused and positive.

Best of luck to ya.

DesiDentist

 

[EcoRI]

kimchiro

I PM'ed you.

 

[realysa]

unless you're an underrepresented minority, DON'T SEND MONEY TO HOWARD! GOOD LUCK WITH THE OTHERS

 

[Pre-Dent-David]

Is your friend blak or mexican? If so then he should be able to get in. If not you may need some post bacc to boost your gpa.

 

[kimchiro]

Thanks for reply guys....
I think I am over-represented minority ( I am asian). I heard that Asians are no longer minority in the dental application pool..

 

[DesiDentist]

Originally posted by kimchiro
Thanks for reply guys....
I think I am over-represented minority ( I am asian). I heard that Asians are no longer minority in the dental application pool..

You got that right. We are the majority now and are catching up to the Mormons. My plan is to invade Utah within the next 10 years and take over Mormon country.

DesiDentist

Full speed ahead.