3rd time applicant - do I have a shot?

[pjpbs]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey guys. Im a 27 year-old 3rd time applicant. Applied twice a couple years ago with terrible grades and low DAT scores because I was very immature and naive. My undergrad cGPA 2.6, same with science GPA. College transfers, bad grades, changed majors, etc. Anyway, I maintained a 3.1 cumulative and science GPA in all upper level bio courses my last 2 years before receiving my Bio degree.

After, I stayed on for a post bach year where I maintained a 3.5 in all upper level science courses.

Currently, I just finished my first year of a Bio M.S. degree holding a 4.0

I just took the DAT for the third time AA20/TS19 - PA21--QR19--RC22--B19--GC18--OC21

I am very active in my clubs, elected to the executive board of one. Plenty shadow hours. Dental mission trip out of the country, and other volunteer and service hours.

I'm really passionate about this, and I fear my undergraduate F-up will haunt me forever. Shoot it to me straight, please. Thanks

 

[Kouneko]

What is your overall cumulative and science GPAs now? (including undergrad, post-bacc, and master's)?

 

[pjpbs]

if i just lump it all together? between two undergrad institutions and my graduate school my cumulative would be 2.8 and my science would be 2.7 i think. Saying that makes me even more worried but I try to stay positive with my 4.0 in my masters program and a decent dat score

 

[Kouneko]

if i just lump it all together? between two undergrad institutions and my graduate school my cumulative would be 2.8 and my science would be 2.7 i think. Saying that makes me even more worried but I try to stay positive with my 4.0 in my masters program and a decent dat score

That doesn't add up... Assuming you take a similar amount of units each year, you should have close to 3.0 now from the information you gave... The reason I asked is because I believe many schools still have cutoffs based on overall GPA no matter how well you did in your grad school (SMP is an exception). Also your DAT is just about average.. I wouldn't apply just yet.

edit: You should look into SMPs with good linkages if you know you can do well in them like you did with your masters program. SMPs basically overlook your undergrad GPA and if you do really well in the SMP and develop a good relationship with the faculty there you have a great chance to get into their dental school directly.

 

[pjpbs]

i took a ton of courses in my undergrad and its heavily weighted by poor grades. That science is with all bio, chem, physics, and math. If that still follows the rules for a science GPA? My masters program has consisted of quite a few seminar courses that are Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory so the only amount of actual letter graded credits i have is 12.

 

[wildzodiac]

I believe you have a chance. I don't buy into this whole "cut off" stuff. If you are unsure about something, call the schools you are interested in applying to. You would undoubtedly get a more clear idea of what you are looking for compared to asking on here. Honestly.

 

[Kouneko]

You do have a good trend... 3.1 last two years of undergrad to 3.5 post-bacc year to 4.0 master's year. I agree with above that call your specific schools of interest and ask for their advice. If possible, try to take more graded units next year. If I may ask, how many graded units in total you have currently?

 

[pjpbs]

I believe you have a chance. I don't buy into this whole "cut off" stuff. If you are unsure about something, call the schools you are interested in applying to. You would undoubtedly get a more clear idea of what you are looking for compared to asking on here. Honestly.

Thanks I'll definitely call around! That's kinda how I feel about it too. I got a chance to meet and talk with the Nova exec associate dean of admissions and he said they would only look at the masters GPA or the last couple years of undergrad. And that usually a good masters GPA provides forgiveness for poor undergrad when they are looking at apps

 

[pjpbs]

You do have a good trend... 3.1 last two years of undergrad to 3.5 post-bacc year to 4.0 master's year. I agree with above that call your specific schools of interest and ask for their advice. If possible, try to take more graded units next year. If I may ask, how many graded units in total you have currently?

I have 197 total graded credit hours. and a little over 200 total credit hours graded and pass/fail. I might have messed up my gpa calculation, I too feel like it should be closer to 3 but I'll revisit that tomorrow maybe

 

[Kouneko]

I have 197 total graded credit hours. and a little over 200 total credit hours graded and pass/fail. I might have messed up my gpa calculation, I too feel like it should be closer to 3 but I'll revisit that tomorrow maybe

Are those semester units? If so, you sure have a lot! Yeah do let us know your new GPA calculation. Regardless, try to take more graded units next year if possible to convince the dental schools that you can excel in courses now.

 

[pjpbs]

Are those semester units? If so, you sure have a lot! Yeah do let us know your new GPA calculation. Regardless, try to take more graded units next year if possible to convince the dental schools that you can excel in courses now.

yeah i changed my major a couple times.. but anyway it looks like i was pretty much right. total science and cumulative would both be like 2.7. BCP would be 2.9. so frustrating looking at those old grades

 

[tlovaj]

you may need to retake the DAT and crack a 22+ AA/TS. I was so sure I would get in with a MS and a DAT of 19/20 but no schools came knocking. Not until I retook the DAT and scored a 23/26 did I start to hear from schools. Even then I only got one interview. good luck.

 

[pjpbs]

you may need to retake the DAT and crack a 22+ AA/TS. I was so sure I would get in with a MS and a DAT of 19/20 but no schools came knocking. Not until I retook the DAT and scored a 23/26 did I start to hear from schools. Even then I only got one interview. good luck.

ah man. well congrats on at least getting an interview. What were your undergrad and MS gpas like if you dont mind my asking

 

[pjpbs]

you may need to retake the DAT and crack a 22+ AA/TS. I was so sure I would get in with a MS and a DAT of 19/20 but no schools came knocking. Not until I retook the DAT and scored a 23/26 did I start to hear from schools. Even then I only got one interview. good luck.

and did you apply to a lot of schools?

 

[pjpbs]

Never mind I saw your post and wow congratulations on some great stuff! Keeps me motivated thank you


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[htorres89]

Hey man, just curious, what's were your AA/TS for your first two scores?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[luisfigo]

I've spent about 7-8 yrs of my life trying to get into med/dental school, 2 of that was dental. Starting dental school at 31, if you up your DAT you'll be a shoe-in, but your persistence says a lot. Just keep fighting, you'll still be younger than me when you start.

 

[doc toothache]

GPA in all upper level bio courses my last 2 years before receiving my Bio degree.
Currently, I just finished my first year of a Bio M.S. degree holding a 4.0

I just took the DAT for the third time AA20/TS19 - PA21--QR19--RC22--B19--GC18--OC21

You have a bio degree and in an MS program, yet the best you could do is a 19?

 

[schmoob]

I think you have a good shot.