25AA DAT, Low GPA chances?

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DogeDDS

DogeDDS

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Hey guys! I am in need of advice from you fine people. My situation:

My GPAs are quite ugly. My first 2 years were atrocious but I've done much better during my final semesters (~4.0 avg during my last 2 semesters) to bring my GPAs to an oGPA of 3.2 and sGPA (w/ BCP) of 3.15. I've also got good letters, 100+ shadowing hours, 200+ research hours, and international community service experience.

I recently took my DAT and got these scores:
PAT: 23
QR: 22
RC: 25
BIO: 26
GC: 25
OC: 25
TS: 26
AA: 25

I worked my butt off studying for the DAT knowing that I had to offset my GPAs. My question is do you think it is necessary for me to take a post-bacc/SMP or do I have a decent chance? Obviously, doing such a program would greatly help as long as I did very well but if I don't have to go this route, I don't want to as it would save time and money.
Thoughts? Anyone else in similar situations that can provide some insight? Thank you!
 
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Do you mind explaining what UTSA score is?
 
Solid DAT. Apply broadly. I would put my money on you landing some interviews.
 
What else do you do at school for extracurriculars?
 
Same situation. Kinda nervous bc I know I have to kill the DAT like you did. Did you find that you understood the material better studying it a second time (for the DAT) than in school?

And if u had to do it over again would u buy odyssey again or not worth it?
 
SLDENTAL said:
Same situation. Kinda nervous bc I know I have to kill the DAT like you did. Did you find that you understood the material better studying it a second time (for the DAT) than in school?

And if u had to do it over again would u buy odyssey again or not worth it?
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I did understand it better the second time but it wasn't a matter of my capacity for scientific literacy; rather I was just a bad student with poor study habits. I'm sure if I tried, I could have done well.

If I had to do it again, I probably wouldn't buy Odyssey just because Destroyer and other programs are enough on their own but I will say it helped me with some of the more annoying concepts like stereochemistry.
 
number of research hours doesn't matter as long as you did research. Was it basic science/bench research? That always looks good. You ECs are fine except I think if you have some hobbies, I would list that. The ECs you listed are very standard and don't give insight into your character or passion. A lot people have some form of that. If you could list 3 activities you couldn't live without, what would it be?
 
I'm in the same boat buddy and I've been told on SDN to mention that the last 2 years of classes were stellar on the personal statement so the Adcoms are fully aware of that high trend. I'm going to retake the DAT but I think its safe to say that for you, you should be ok.
 
Masterus said:
number of research hours doesn't matter as long as you did research. Was it basic science/bench research? That always looks good. You ECs are fine except I think if you have some hobbies, I would list that. The ECs you listed are very standard and don't give insight into your character or passion. A lot people have some form of that. If you could list 3 activities you couldn't live without, what would it be?
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Dancing was a big part of my life. I danced for several University-based teams competitively (I've highlighted this in my PS).
 
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If you have a passion for dancing, then make sure you put that down in your extracurriculars because I think once you have the base amount of volunteering and shadowing, dancing will substantiate you from other applicants. If you do something in school for fashion or fitness, that is probably important too
 
Apply to at least 10 schools and 15-20 if you have the money. You'll get interviews from those ridiculous DAT scores. Just be prepared to talk about how much you've matured. Apply early and you should be good as long as your not awkward in person.
 
your DAT is definitely really good, GPA on lower side, and E.C. are really good. I think you have a good chance in getting into a decent amount of schools.
 
ICUrunning said:
I'm in the same boat buddy and I've been told on SDN to mention that the last 2 years of classes were stellar on the personal statement so the Adcoms are fully aware of that high trend. I'm going to retake the DAT but I think its safe to say that for you, you should be ok.
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Can you elaborate what you meant by "stellar on the personal statement" and what trend you are talking about?
 
i say definitely go for it. apply broadly tho. youll land some interviews, then its up to you to land the acceptances
 
I think you have a great shot, but definitely apply broadly and to 15-20 schools. My scores, coupled with a GPA of 3.97 and lots of EC/work hours, did not even land me an interview at UConn. Strange things happen, and you want to have a buffer.
 
DogeDDS said:
Can you elaborate what you meant by "stellar on the personal statement" and what trend you are talking about?
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Mention in your PS that you did really well your last 2 years of college so they know and see an upward trend from crap gpa to excellent gpa
 
You will be fine. I was around there, low GPA, high DAT. I received 5 interviews this cycle. My DAT was slightly lower around 23 aa so you will have a good chance
 
rasda said:
You will be fine. I was around there, low GPA, high DAT. I received 5 interviews this cycle. My DAT was slightly lower around 23 aa so you will have a good chance
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May I ask what schools you applied to? Did you get into your state school?
 
OP, you'll be fine. I was in a similar boat as well. Low upward trending GPA with 25DAT. 5 interviews - > 4 acceptances, (my state school, Penn, Pitt, ucsf) . Just to reiterate everyone, apply broadly and be prepared to answer a question about your GPA/grade if it comes up. One of my interviewers asked me... "so tell me about biochemistry." (the class I didn't do so hot in) anyways, make sure you've a banging ps. Dance seems like it's your thang. Music was my thang. Pm me if you've any questions! Good luck! 🙂
 
my god that is a solid DAT!
I think you have a really good chance of get into dental school
I went to a dental impression program last month and talked with the people who do the interview. They told me that you are competitive as long as they see an improvement !! so you did great on the last 2 semester plus great DAT score, you will be fine! they said students planing onto applying for dental school need to have LEAST 230 hrs of shadowing ( the more the better) 100 is not enough.
Anyway, im planning to retake the DAT soon, I was wondering if you could share w me what are the materials did you use for studying?
Thanks and GL!
 
Kend said:
my god that is a solid DAT!
I think you have a really good chance of get into dental school
I went to a dental impression program last month and talked with the people who do the interview. They told me that you are competitive as long as they see an improvement !! so you did great on the last 2 semester plus great DAT score, you will be fine! they said students planing onto applying for dental school need to have LEAST 230 hrs of shadowing ( the more the better) 100 is not enough.
Anyway, im planning to retake the DAT soon, I was wondering if you could share w me what are the materials did you use for studying?
Thanks and GL!
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Good to know, thanks!

Here is my breakdown: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/such-breakdown-25aa-26ts-23pat-wow.1063267/
 
I was in the same situation. Got 8 interviews, went on 4, accepted to 3. Your good to go. I applied early to 20 schools and had a committee letter. I think you'll be ok if you do what others have said and "apply broadly". Not only to schools you want to go to but schools you wouldn't mind going to. (If that makes sense)
 
hitmans45 said:
I was in the same situation. Got 8 interviews, went on 4, accepted to 3. Your good to go. I applied early to 20 schools and had a committee letter. I think you'll be ok if you do what others have said and "apply broadly". Not only to schools you want to go to but schools you wouldn't mind going to. (If that makes sense)
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Thanks for the advice. Did you at least get accepted into once of your top choices?
 
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