3.2 GPA, 26 DAT - chances?

[justin.shaw4324]

I looked up the stats for the schools I'm interested in. For each, my GPA (3.2) puts me in the bottom 5% of enrollees...but my DAT score (26 AA) is in the top 5% of enrollees.

How do these things weigh together, and how do you think these stats affect my chances?

I have a master's degree in genetics & epigenetics, and all other areas of my application are fairly average I believe.

Any insight is sincerely appreciated!

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[macsak]

I looked up the stats for the schools I'm interested in. For each, my GPA (3.2) puts me in the bottom 5% of enrollees...but my DAT score (26 AA) is in the top 5% of enrollees.

How do these things weigh together, and how do you think these stats affect my chances?

I have a master's degree in genetics & genetics, and all other areas of my application are fairly average I believe.

Any insight is sincerely appreciated!

what is your masters GPA?

 

[justin.shaw4324]

what is your masters GPA?

3.4, still not great.

 

[macsak]

3.4, still not great.

broaden the range of schools you are considering

 

[Bigjt1420]

I had lower stats than you just slightly 3.15 GPA, 3.35 masters GPA, 24 on my DAT. Got into 2 dental schools when I applied in 2017 (about to finish my first year of dental school currently and doing quite well -- higher GPA than I had in college!)

I applied to 20+ schools. Wish I had taken off about 8 of the schools I did because there was no chance I could ever get in -- I wasted money. If I were you, I would do your homework, apply to schools that are Out of State friendly, avoid Texas schools if you're not from Texas, and avoid USC/NYU (unless you want an absurd amount of debt at the end). Shoot for about 15 schools you ACTUALLY have a chance at getting in.

If you do all those, I think you actually have a fairly good chance. Your super high DAT score will definitely stand out, and will help carry you. Having a Masters (like I do) will help a ton as well, because schools know you can handle the rigors of a professional program since we both know college is nothing like it. Personally, I feel like Dental Schools NEED either a super high GPA, super high DAT, or preferably both.

Good luck!

 

[justin.shaw4324]

I had lower stats than you just slightly 3.15 GPA, 3.35 masters GPA, 24 on my DAT. Got into 2 dental schools when I applied in 2017 (about to finish my first year of dental school currently and doing quite well -- higher GPA than I had in college!)

I applied to 20+ schools. Wish I had taken off about 8 of the schools I did because there was no chance I could ever get in -- I wasted money. If I were you, I would do your homework, apply to schools that are Out of State friendly, avoid Texas schools if you're not from Texas, and avoid USC/NYU (unless you want an absurd amount of debt at the end). Shoot for about 15 schools you ACTUALLY have a chance at getting in.

If you do all those, I think you actually have a fairly good chance. Your super high DAT score will definitely stand out, and will help carry you. Having a Masters (like I do) will help a ton as well, because schools know you can handle the rigors of a professional program since we both know college is nothing like it. Personally, I feel like Dental Schools NEED either a super high GPA, super high DAT, or preferably both.

Good luck!

Thanks for the insight.

I'm still trying to narrow down out of state schools to apply to, but I am from Texas and am applying to all 3 here. Your story is certainly reassuring.

Do you have any recommendations for schools to apply to out of Texas?

 

[Bigjt1420]

Thanks for the insight.

I'm still trying to narrow down out of state schools to apply to, but I am from Texas and am applying to all 3 here. Your story is certainly reassuring.

Do you have any recommendations for schools to apply to out of Texas?

Sorry, I have been out of the game for a while, I don't know how it's changed over the last few years. Indiana and UNLV are the two schools I got into, so check them out. Outside that, I don't know

 

[justin.shaw4324]

Sorry, I have been out of the game for a while, I don't know how it's changed over the last few years. Indiana and UNLV are the two schools I got into, so check them out. Outside that, I don't know

Dont be sorry! You've been a huge help!

 

[catchandrelease]

Thanks for the insight.

I'm still trying to narrow down out of state schools to apply to, but I am from Texas and am applying to all 3 here. Your story is certainly reassuring.

Do you have any recommendations for schools to apply to out of Texas?

With your DAT and master degree, you are a very competitive applicant. I think you will get into one of the TX schools, so if I was in your shoes, I would only apply to public schools that offer instate after the first year. Add a few private schools to play it safe and you should be good to go.

 

[TheDentalSchoolCoach]

I looked up the stats for the schools I'm interested in. For each, my GPA (3.2) puts me in the bottom 5% of enrollees...but my DAT score (26 AA) is in the top 5% of enrollees.

How do these things weigh together, and how do you think these stats affect my chances?

I have a master's degree in genetics & epigenetics, and all other areas of my application are fairly average I believe.

Any insight is sincerely appreciated!

Which schools are you looking at? I'd be curious to see your Masters GPA. If it's good enough, you have a good shot at big name schools.


Otherwise, honestly you have a good shot at many other schools. One of students have the same profile (low GPA, high DAT), he got interviewed at 5-6 schools and got accepted at two.

 

[Life of Pablo]

Your best shot is Columbia

 

[justin.shaw4324]

Which schools are you looking at? I'd be curious to see your Masters GPA. If it's good enough, you have a good shot at big name schools.


Otherwise, honestly you have a good shot at many other schools. One of students have the same profile (low GPA, high DAT), he got interviewed at 5-6 schools and got accepted at two.

My master's GPA is fairly mediocre as well - 3.4

 

[TheDentalSchoolCoach]

My master's GPA is fairly mediocre as well - 3.4

Ok then, I'd select the schools very carefully to make sure that you are selecting enough "reach" schools and not too many "stretch" schools like Penn, columbia, UCLA etc.

 

[justin.shaw4324]

Ok then, I'd select the schools very carefully to make sure that you are selecting enough "reach" schools and not too many "stretch" schools like Penn, columbia, UCLA etc.

My goal is set on the 3 Texas schools...do you think those are any sort of stretch? (I'm a Texas resident)

I'm also applying to safer bets out of state.

 

[Life of Pablo]

Ok then, I'd select the schools very carefully to make sure that you are selecting enough "reach" schools and not too many "stretch" schools like Penn, columbia, UCLA etc.

Columbia loves high DATs regardless of GPA. Definitely apply to Columbia.

 

[princeafrica]

Columbia loves high DATs regardless of GPA. Definitely apply to Columbia.

Agreeeeed

 

[PreDenting]

The good news is that DAT scores are typically weighed more heavily than GPAs. That's because GPAs can vary widely between schools, courses, difficulties of professors, etc. However, the DAT is calibrated to be the same for everyone. It's an exam that allows committees to compare apples to apples.

Your DAT makes you competitive at all programs.

However, your GPA hinders your application, like you mentioned.

If the rest of your application is solid (and we recommend not settling for an "average" application), you have the ability to apply to some "reach" schools (which are the same as "stretch" schools), as long as you're able to tell a compelling story and frame your low GPA in the right way.

Explaining your shortcomings in the right way can influence the admissions committee to essentially ignore them and focus on the positives of your application. That's something that we do and the results have been phenomenal. Briefly stated, it allows people with 3.4's to get accepted to the most competitive programs in the nation. Of course, this is case-specific depending on why you got a relatively low GPA.

You've put a lot of hard work in to get that 26 DAT. Acknowledge that that can open a lot of doors for you. Like the others have said, definitely apply to Columbia, as they are one of the schools that put an overweight on the DAT, and don't be afraid to apply to a few "reach" schools as well!

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Side note to clarify the terms "reach school" and "stretch school" because another poster used the synonymous words in different contexts:

Safety School = A school in which your academic credentials exceed those of the average accepted student. Consequently, there is a higher probability that you will be admitted compared to other schools.

Target / Match School = A school in which your academic credentials mirror that of the average accepted student. While this will not guarantee an acceptance (especially considering that extracurricular activities, essays, etc. will come into play), you have a good shot.

Reach / Stretch / Dream School = Unlike a match, reach/stretch/dream schools are schools where your academic qualifications are below the average accepted student. When considering a reach school, it’s important to be realistic. It’s unlikely you will gain acceptance to a school with an average accepted GPA of 3.70 with a 3.20, but an extremely high DAT can sway opinions about your ability to handle the academic rigors of dental school. If you love the school, throw your hat into the ring. You never know what will happen.

 

[rectangle]

Can I ask which masters program you did?