4.0 GPA / 21AA: What are my chances and advice?

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_moonchild

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I know this may sounds stupid, but I'm genuinely worried I won't get into many of the schools I want to because my PAT is 18 and my AA is 21. I'm planning to apply this cycle. To name some schools I'd really like to get into: UCSF, UOP, Harvard, Michigan, UCLA and USC.
I feel like most of these schools average 22AA or 23AA now, and it's making me concerned I won't get in anywhere. Also, I do research, I've been a tutor, supplemental instructor, discussion leader, and TA, BUT I've only recently got into more clinical experience. I've only shadowed about 40 hours and just joined the pre dental society at my university as well as joined a volunteer clinic. However, if I apply this cycle I'm worried it may seem rushed.
Should I just apply to these schools anyway or would this be a waste of time and money?
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_moonchild said:
I know this may sounds stupid, but I'm genuinely worried I won't get into many of the schools I want to because my PAT is 18 and my AA is 21. I'm planning to apply this cycle. To name some schools I'd really like to get into: UCSF, UOP, Harvard, Michigan, UCLA and USC.
I feel like most of these schools average 22AA or 23AA now, and it's making me concerned I won't get in anywhere. Also, I do research, I've been a tutor, supplemental instructor, discussion leader, and TA, BUT I've only recently got into more clinical experience. I've only shadowed about 40 hours and just joined the pre dental society at my university as well as joined a volunteer clinic. However, if I apply this cycle I'm worried it may seem rushed.
Should I just apply to these schools anyway or would this be a waste of time and money?
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Get some more shadowing and club activities.

As far as applying goes. For the vast majority of schools you're not only good, you're in a fantastic position. For your lists the one that really sticks out to me is UOP. they are known to really value their DAT and PAT scores, more so than GPA. So you might have trouble there. The rest of the schools you should be able to get an interview with, with your stats.

Whether you get in or not depends on how you do in those interviews!
 
Thank you so much! How many hours of shadowing would you recommend I do? I know applications open in June, but I can push it off to get more hours if I need to.

Of course, I don't want to sound like I shadow only for the application, and I want to shadow more/ gain more clinical experience afterward because it's really important to me, but I wouldn't be putting those hours in after the application anyway...

stoopidmonkeycatdog said:
Get some more shadowing and club activities.

As far as applying goes. For the vast majority of schools you're not only good, you're in a fantastic position. For your lists the one that really sticks out to me is UOP. they are known to really value their DAT and PAT scores, more so than GPA. So you might have trouble there. The rest of the schools you should be able to get an interview with, with your stats.

Whether you get in or not depends on how you do in those interviews!
Click to expand...
 
_moonchild said:
Thank you so much! How many hours of shadowing would you recommend I do? I know applications open in June, but I can push it off to get more hours if I need to.

Of course, I don't want to sound like I shadow only for the application, and I want to shadow more/ gain more clinical experience afterward because it's really important to me, but I wouldn't be putting those hours in after the application anyway...
Click to expand...

You should absolutely not delay your app for more shadowing hours.

The minimum is 100 for most schools, but minimum is kind of a bad word to use. It's more like threshold, if you get 100 you're good, though it never hurts to get more. I had around 200 listed on my application.

One more thing, If I remember correctly Harvard values research a lot, so idk if you have that experience but it would be beneficial. And for them your DAT would also be a little lower than average but they value gpa a lot, of I remember correctly their average gpa was a 3.89? I'm not sure.

Last thing, we've all been through this or are currently going through it, no need to justify your questions! Honestly it wouldn't even be unusual if you "estimate" your hours up a bit. What's important about shadowing is making sure you like the job, After that it's just reaching the numbers.

Also a good experience you might want to add is weekend clinics. They're usually an all day or all morning event and they give you a way more interactive experience, at least in my case they did. The hours spent there also double dip as shadowing and volunteering.
 
stoopidmonkeycatdog said:
You should absolutely not delay your app for more shadowing hours.

The minimum is 100 for most schools, but minimum is kind of a bad word to use. It's more like threshold, if you get 100 you're good, though it never hurts to get more. I had around 200 listed on my application.

One more thing, If I remember correctly Harvard values research a lot, so idk if you have that experience but it would be beneficial. And for them your DAT would also be a little lower than average but they value gpa a lot, of I remember correctly their average gpa was a 3.89? I'm not sure.

Last thing, we've all been through this or are currently going through it, no need to justify your questions! Honestly it wouldn't even be unusual if you "estimate" your hours up a bit. What's important about shadowing is making sure you like the job, After that it's just reaching the numbers.

Also a good experience you might want to add is weekend clinics. They're usually an all day or all morning event and they give you a way more interactive experience, at least in my case they did. The hours spent there also double dip as shadowing and volunteering.
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Thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it, and will definitely take it into consideration!
 
You should definitely apply early, continue to shadow, and send emails updating schools throughout the cycle as you continue to shadow. However, with your stats, you will definitely get interviews, although it doesn't hurt to apply to a couple of safety schools.
 
redhotchiligochu said:
Thinly-veiled brag 😉

But in all seriousness, OP should get more shadowing and volunteer experience, and also think about LOR's and personal statement
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More shadowing, volunteering, add more schools. /thread. I mean that's pretty much it. 4.0 + that DAT will get interviews.
 
I'm have pretty similar stats as you. I got into UCSF, interviewed at Harvard and i'm waiting to hear back, and I declined my UPenn interview. Will attend either Harvard (if I get in) or my state school.
 
_moonchild said:
I know this may sounds stupid, but I'm genuinely worried I won't get into many of the schools I want to because my PAT is 18 and my AA is 21. I'm planning to apply this cycle. To name some schools I'd really like to get into: UCSF, UOP, Harvard, Michigan, UCLA and USC.
I feel like most of these schools average 22AA or 23AA now, and it's making me concerned I won't get in anywhere. Also, I do research, I've been a tutor, supplemental instructor, discussion leader, and TA, BUT I've only recently got into more clinical experience. I've only shadowed about 40 hours and just joined the pre dental society at my university as well as joined a volunteer clinic. However, if I apply this cycle I'm worried it may seem rushed.
Should I just apply to these schools anyway or would this be a waste of time and money?
Click to expand...

where did you go to undergrad if you are ok sharing?
 
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UCLA loves GPA! I got in with a 3.96 and 100 clinic hours as a volunteer DA. Is your residency cali? My AA was 22 with 20 PAT.
 
Well add Upen to the list and some other schools that are not very selective!
 
californiway21 said:
UCLA loves GPA! I got in with a 3.96 and 100 clinic hours as a volunteer DA. Is your residency cali? My AA was 22 with 20 PAT.
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I'm not too sure. I just want to be able to get into dental school first and survive it before I decide on where I want to go for residency haha If that's what you're asking XD
 
Faefly said:
Well add Upen to the list and some other schools that are not very selective!
Click to expand...
Do you think Western, UNLV, and Loma Linda would be good? I'm thinking of taking out some of the other schools I mentioned in the OP and apply to other schools instead.
 
_moonchild said:
I'm not too sure. I just want to be able to get into dental school first and survive it before I decide on where I want to go for residency haha If that's what you're asking XD
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No....., where is your home state? You have a better chance if you are a CA resident to get into UCLA.
 
I think your chances are dubious at best.

Adcoms will wonder why you didn't score higher on the DAT when you have a 4.0 GPA.

I suggest retaking the DAT, aiming for a 26AA minimum (maybe 24AA will be acceptable, if you're a gambling man/woman), and applying as soon as you can on the first day of the upcoming cycle.
 
I have similar stats to you and got 8 out of 10 interviews to the schools I applied to and received acceptances to most. The only California school I applied to was UoP and i'll be interviewing there this month. I would apply to a few more private schools like Midwestern Il and AZ.
 
O Gaúcho said:
I have similar stats to you and got 8 out of 10 interviews to the schools I applied to and received acceptances to most. The only California school I applied to was UoP and i'll be interviewing there this month. I would apply to a few more private schools like Midwestern Il and AZ.
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That's awesome! Good luck!
 
_moonchild said:
I don't want to disclose that; however, it's not a big name school or anything like that. Haha
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so where you went to school matters.

nice gpa
DAT low for harvard (you want a 23) but I still definitely would apply

apply to all the schools you listed add uconn, columbia, penn

would add some safety schools just in case -- if you are getting interviews no need to go to them
 
Add more schools. Other than that, you're good to go.
 
GPA obviously perfect, but I had the same DAT scores (21 AA/18 PAT), and U Mich and Pitt were the two schools to not offer me an interview. I had above average volunteer and dental experience, but lacked research, so that could explain falling short of an interview with them.

So it's a gamble. I'd apply as early as possible, bulk up more EC hours, and also have back up schools.

If those are really the schools you want to attend, and you're willing to study extra hard again, there is no harm in retaking the DAT if you have money. Just beware that not everyone scores better the second time around, so you really have to put in the extra time to raise it! Your DAT scores of course are good, they just might not stand out against other applicants as these are some of the most competitive schools in the nation that you have listed.
 
Keklel said:
I think your chances are dubious at best.

Adcoms will wonder why you didn't score higher on the DAT when you have a 4.0 GPA.

I suggest retaking the DAT, aiming for a 26AA minimum (maybe 24AA will be acceptable, if you're a gambling man/woman), and applying as soon as you can on the first day of the upcoming cycle.
Click to expand...

You know she will not understand your sarcasm! If that was even sarcasm!

Her DAT score is above average! It's a good enough to get her into many schools!



People are getting accepted with much lower gpa and much lower dat!

But it's always a gamble with the adcoms, you never know what they really want!

Retaking her dat can be dangerous, she might lower it! Why retake a dat that is above average for many schools!


I found this list online! It might be helpful-ish about average dat and gpa

http://www.dat-prep.com/dat-scores-for-dental-schools
 
Faefly said:
You know she will not understand your sarcasm! If that was even sarcasm!

Her DAT score is above average! It's a good enough to get her into many schools!



People are getting accepted with much lower gpa and much lower dat!

But it's always a gamble with the adcoms, you never know what they really want!

Retaking her dat can be dangerous, she might lower it! Why retake a dat that is above average for many schools!


I found this list online! It might be helpful-ish about average dat and gpa

http://www.dat-prep.com/dat-scores-for-dental-schools
Click to expand...
Sounds like you're a gambling woman.

I take back my previous statement. OP should aim for 28AA, just to be safe. With a 4.0 GPA and 28AA, OP should be able to get an interview from Touro, at the very least.
 
_moonchild said:
I know this may sounds stupid, but I'm genuinely worried I won't get into many of the schools I want to because my PAT is 18 and my AA is 21. I'm planning to apply this cycle. To name some schools I'd really like to get into: UCSF, UOP, Harvard, Michigan, UCLA and USC.
I feel like most of these schools average 22AA or 23AA now, and it's making me concerned I won't get in anywhere. Also, I do research, I've been a tutor, supplemental instructor, discussion leader, and TA, BUT I've only recently got into more clinical experience. I've only shadowed about 40 hours and just joined the pre dental society at my university as well as joined a volunteer clinic. However, if I apply this cycle I'm worried it may seem rushed.
Should I just apply to these schools anyway or would this be a waste of time and money?
Click to expand...

Hey question. Did you get into any schools? I have the same stats as you and waiting to hear back.
 
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