Admission Criteria - Point System

[Smile Center]

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Hello Friends,

I talked to Dr. Berthhold (Minnesota) and thats what he told me. The selection is very objective and is based on point system.

Description of point system

Lets take this example: the minimum stats requirements are

1) NBDE Part I - 85
2) TOEFL - 100
3) GPA - 3.00

In this case, they give point system as follow

A candidate getting NBDE Part I from 85 to 90 gets 0.5, from 91 to 95 gets 1.0, and from 96 and onward 1.5

TOEFL: From 100 to 110 gets 0.5, and from 111 onwards - 1.00

GPA: 3 to 3.5 gets 0.5, and 3.6 to 4.0 gets 1.0

Similarly, they also use point system for work experience, masters degree etc but point system is capped for these criteria.

After putting these points together, they try to be as objective as possible. Upper 80 candidates get interview call.

At interview, each interviewer has 0 to 3 points, in PENN: it is from 0 to 5. They add the interview score in the previous scores and get grand sum.

Candidates achieving highest score in grand sum get acceptance calls.

Now you know that how some students getting 93 in NBDE gets rejection, on the other hand, students with 85 NBDE get into school.

It also shows that TOEFL score can easily compensate NBDE score. Though work experience is important, but there is a cap on it. For example, a candidate having 2 years of experience is not better than that one having 10 years of experience according to this point system. Both gets same point. Further, US work experience gets additional point

Let me know if you have any question

 

[kupra]

Hello Friends,

Can you please tell me whether to apply in U of Minnesota or not. My start is
NBDE-92
GPA-3.82
TOEFL-91.....retaking it but when my result will come .....deadline will be close. Please help.

 

[Smile Center]

If I were you, I would apply right now and update my TOEFL afterward. After each month, they accept only two candidates. They have started their interview in September. So, by the end of october, they will still have 6 seats available.

UM makes sure that even the last applicant is getting full attention.

Yes, definately you need to improve your TOEFL.

Hello Friends,

Can you please tell me whether to apply in U of Minnesota or not. My start is
NBDE-92
GPA-3.82
TOEFL-91.....retaking it but when my result will come .....deadline will be close. Please help.

 

[kupra]

Thanks a lot...👍

 

[IndianDr]

sad

 

[dagu123]

Excellent work!!!! This is very very helpful information. Couple question(s).

1) Unfortunelty my GPA is less than 3.0 (2.82)
2) My tofel score is also 99.

I can work on my TOFEL score but I can’t do anything with my GPA. I don’t know how this scoring is going to applied to my stats? Would you please, let me know?

Thanks

thats true for most of us. my GPA is also 2.89 and thats why i got rejected everywhere inspite of 87,80,104 which is not too bad. try to improve elsewhere. i just got accepted at LLu and likely to be at USC. so i mean, dont get depressed and work for other parts..

 

[dagu123]

Hello Friends,

I talked to Dr. Berthhold (Minnesota) and thats what he told me. The selection is very objective and is based on point system.

Description of point system

Lets take this example: the minimum stats requirements are

1) NBDE Part I - 85
2) TOEFL - 100
3) GPA - 3.00

In this case, they give point system as follow

A candidate getting NBDE Part I from 85 to 90 gets 0.5, from 91 to 95 gets 1.0, and from 96 and onward 1.5

TOEFL: From 100 to 110 gets 0.5, and from 111 onwards - 1.00

GPA: 3 to 3.5 gets 0.5, and 3.6 to 4.0 gets 1.0

Similarly, they also use point system for work experience, masters degree etc but point system is capped for these criteria.

After putting these points together, they try to be as objective as possible. Upper 80 candidates get interview call.

At interview, each interviewer has 0 to 3 points, in PENN: it is from 0 to 5. They add the interview score in the previous scores and get grand sum.

Candidates achieving highest score in grand sum get acceptance calls.

Now you know that how some students getting 93 in NBDE gets rejection, on the other hand, students with 85 NBDE get into school.

It also shows that TOEFL score can easily compensate NBDE score. Though work experience is important, but there is a cap on it. For example, a candidate having 2 years of experience is not better than that one having 10 years of experience according to this point system. Both gets same point. Further, US work experience gets additional point

Let me know if you have any question

excellent job! thanks a lot. i think we should make this post sticky.

 

[Smile Center]

Dear Friend,

Stick with GPA requirements for admission criteria if given. Lets say, for UPENN, average GPA is 3.2. Read the following paragraph that I pasted from PENN website.

"Careful consideration will be given to those with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum National Dental Boards Examination (NDBE) Part I score of 85. The average GPA for the PASS class that entered in 2008 was 3.23 and the average NDBE Part I was 89. Applicants with exceptional academic credentials and a demonstrated commitment to the profession will be considered for a personal interview."


So, you can see that if average GPA is 3.2 and yours is 2.8, it is not as bad as it looks. Lets say even if you are losing 0.5 point from GPA, you can compensate it with your TOEFL, NBDE, Experience, Masters or PhD etc. Once you get an interview call and you nail your interview, you may get 15 out of 15 points, which means you are compensating GPA.

Excellent work!!!! This is very very helpful information. Couple question(s).

1) Unfortunelty my GPA is less than 3.0 (2.82)
2) My tofel score is also 99.

I can work on my TOFEL score but I can't do anything with my GPA. I don't know how this scoring is going to applied to my stats? Would you please, let me know?

Thanks

 

[Smile Center]

Thank you very much for all of you for appreciating this information. This is my intention to share all the information I have with all of you. Please rate this thread so that everybody gets benefit from this thread.


Further, I have also started a second forum - "San Antonio vs. Penn". Please do write your comments, which will help me in selecting the right school.

Thanks again to all of you.

 

[dagu123]

Thank you very much for all of you for appreciating this information. This is my intention to share all the information I have with all of you. Please rate this thread so that everybody gets benefit from this thread.


Further, I have also started a second forum - "San Antonio vs. Penn". Please do write your comments, which will help me in selecting the right school.

Thanks again to all of you.

hi smile center!
can u please make this thread sticky??? it will be very useful to future applicants also.

 

[missdentistry]

Thanks a ton smile center! I always wondered whats the universities criteria for selection this gives me a insight...

Mt stats are 86 (sep 2008)/ 102/3.94
What do u think my chances at bu?

 

[Smile Center]

Please elaborate how to make this thread sticky?

hi smile center!
can u please make this thread sticky??? it will be very useful to future applicants also.

 

[Smile Center]

My pleasure.

About your inquiry,
Your chances depend on two things

1) your stats
2) stats of other candidates who applied in BU this year

So, I can not tell your chances from the information given. In the competition, your chances are decided by your competitors.

Thanks a ton smile center! I always wondered whats the universities criteria for selection this gives me a insight...

Mt stats are 86 (sep 2008)/ 102/3.94
What do u think my chances at bu?

 

[diastema]

Thanks a ton smile center! I always wondered whats the universities criteria for selection this gives me a insight...

Mt stats are 86 (sep 2008)/ 102/3.94
What do u think my chances at bu?

did u get an interview call from bu?

 

[docden]

u were really very helpful and we need some more peolple like u on these threads.But i had a query that as u said minimum stats in minnesota are nbde part 1 - 85
but nothing like this is said on their website which says minimum 75.i am asking this bcoz my nbde score is lesser than 85 but rest all is excellent.
plear clear on that.thanx in advance.

Hello Friends,

I talked to Dr. Berthhold (Minnesota) and thats what he told me. The selection is very objective and is based on point system.

Description of point system

Lets take this example: the minimum stats requirements are

1) NBDE Part I - 85
2) TOEFL - 100
3) GPA - 3.00

In this case, they give point system as follow

A candidate getting NBDE Part I from 85 to 90 gets 0.5, from 91 to 95 gets 1.0, and from 96 and onward 1.5

TOEFL: From 100 to 110 gets 0.5, and from 111 onwards - 1.00

GPA: 3 to 3.5 gets 0.5, and 3.6 to 4.0 gets 1.0

Similarly, they also use point system for work experience, masters degree etc but point system is capped for these criteria.

After putting these points together, they try to be as objective as possible. Upper 80 candidates get interview call.

At interview, each interviewer has 0 to 3 points, in PENN: it is from 0 to 5. They add the interview score in the previous scores and get grand sum.

Candidates achieving highest score in grand sum get acceptance calls.

Now you know that how some students getting 93 in NBDE gets rejection, on the other hand, students with 85 NBDE get into school.

It also shows that TOEFL score can easily compensate NBDE score. Though work experience is important, but there is a cap on it. For example, a candidate having 2 years of experience is not better than that one having 10 years of experience according to this point system. Both gets same point. Further, US work experience gets additional point

Let me know if you have any question

 

[missdentistry]

did u get an interview call from bu?

No I am waiting! but really not sure wether my stats will get me an interview!

 

[Smile Center]

Hello,

The following paragraph is from Minnesota's website. From their previous interview, they found out that candidates with less than 84 (NBDE part I) usually did not get interview calls. Multiple reasons may be associated with it

1) You are loosing a total of 1 point from the candidates who are getting 90 or above
2) There may be a correlation between NBDE part I and GPA score. In other words, more or less, candidates with lower NBDE score has lower GPA.
3) Other factors (I will not elaborate them again).

So, you see that there is a correlation between NBDE score and the rest of the factors. Moreover, you also loose points. That's why they recommend that NBDE score less than 84 is rarely competitive - but chances do exist. If you are applying in next year, I would recommend to improve your score.

"13 . What scores for NDB Part I and TOEFL do I need to have to be considered for an interview?
This program as well as many other similar programs are competitive. Thus it is the applicant pool that will tell us what scores that are needed. This means that we cannot set any definitive level for NDB I scores. However, scores below 84 for NDB Part I are seldom competitive. That said, it is not only scores that count. All applications are carefully read and evaluated on their own merits.
The TOEFL iBT test (Internet based test with a spoken language section) is mandatory. You will need to have a minimal total score on the iBT test of 94, and a minimum of 20 in each one of the four sections"

u were really very helpful and we need some more peolple like u on these threads.But i had a query that as u said minimum stats in minnesota are nbde part 1 - 85
but nothing like this is said on their website which says minimum 75.i am asking this bcoz my nbde score is lesser than 85 but rest all is excellent.
plear clear on that.thanx in advance.

 

[mad4u]

Hello Friends,

I talked to Dr. Berthhold (Minnesota) and thats what he told me. The selection is very objective and is based on point system.

Description of point system

Lets take this example: the minimum stats requirements are

1) NBDE Part I - 85
2) TOEFL - 100
3) GPA - 3.00

In this case, they give point system as follow

A candidate getting NBDE Part I from 85 to 90 gets 0.5, from 91 to 95 gets 1.0, and from 96 and onward 1.5

TOEFL: From 100 to 110 gets 0.5, and from 111 onwards - 1.00

GPA: 3 to 3.5 gets 0.5, and 3.6 to 4.0 gets 1.0

Similarly, they also use point system for work experience, masters degree etc but point system is capped for these criteria.

After putting these points together, they try to be as objective as possible. Upper 80 candidates get interview call.

At interview, each interviewer has 0 to 3 points, in PENN: it is from 0 to 5. They add the interview score in the previous scores and get grand sum.

Candidates achieving highest score in grand sum get acceptance calls.

Now you know that how some students getting 93 in NBDE gets rejection, on the other hand, students with 85 NBDE get into school.

It also shows that TOEFL score can easily compensate NBDE score. Though work experience is important, but there is a cap on it. For example, a candidate having 2 years of experience is not better than that one having 10 years of experience according to this point system. Both gets same point. Further, US work experience gets additional point

Let me know if you have any question

Hi I got 89 in part 1TOEFL :102 . I'm an intl dentist with Masters in endodontics.Do I stand a chance of getting into any dental school for DDS . my GPA is 3.9 for BDS and 3.67 for MDS, WORK EXPERIENCE : 2 years. pls reply.

 

[Smile Center]

You surely do have a chance to get interview call. Right now, you can apply to BU, NYU, and University of Colorado School of Dentisry.

Please do not hesitate if you have any question.

Smile Center

Hi I got 89 in part 1TOEFL :102 . I'm an intl dentist with Masters in endodontics.Do I stand a chance of getting into any dental school for DDS . my GPA is 3.9 for BDS and 3.67 for MDS, WORK EXPERIENCE : 2 years. pls reply.

 

[mad4u]

You surely do have a chance to get interview call. Right now, you can apply to BU, NYU, and University of Colorado School of Dentisry.

Please do not hesitate if you have any question.

Smile Center

thanx for the reply, keep the good work going Smile Center.🙂

 

[sella]

Hello Friends,

I talked to Dr. Berthhold (Minnesota) and thats what he told me. The selection is very objective and is based on point system.

Description of point system

Lets take this example: the minimum stats requirements are

1) NBDE Part I - 85
2) TOEFL - 100
3) GPA - 3.00

In this case, they give point system as follow

A candidate getting NBDE Part I from 85 to 90 gets 0.5, from 91 to 95 gets 1.0, and
THIS ONE IS REALLY HELPFUL , CLEARED ALL MY DOUBTS WHY I GOT REJECTED
THANKS A LOT

 

[rashiarora]

hello friends,

i talked to dr. Berthhold (minnesota) and thats what he told me. The selection is very objective and is based on point system.

Description of point system

lets take this example: The minimum stats requirements are

1) nbde part i - 85
2) toefl - 100
3) gpa - 3.00

in this case, they give point system as follow

a candidate getting nbde part i from 85 to 90 gets 0.5, from 91 to 95 gets 1.0, and from 96 and onward 1.5

toefl: From 100 to 110 gets 0.5, and from 111 onwards - 1.00

gpa: 3 to 3.5 gets 0.5, and 3.6 to 4.0 gets 1.0

similarly, they also use point system for work experience, masters degree etc but point system is capped for these criteria.

After putting these points together, they try to be as objective as possible. Upper 80 candidates get interview call.

At interview, each interviewer has 0 to 3 points, in penn: It is from 0 to 5. They add the interview score in the previous scores and get grand sum.

Candidates achieving highest score in grand sum get acceptance calls.

Now you know that how some students getting 93 in nbde gets rejection, on the other hand, students with 85 nbde get into school.

It also shows that toefl score can easily compensate nbde score. Though work experience is important, but there is a cap on it. For example, a candidate having 2 years of experience is not better than that one having 10 years of experience according to this point system. Both gets same point. Further, us work experience gets additional point

let me know if you have any question

hello smilecenter...
My stats are 81/111/3.71
2YRS WORK EX IN INDIA
CURRENTLY WORKING IN USA AS DENTAL ASSISTANT
what do u think i shud do abt applying to umn...

 

[Pearl82]

Hello Rashi,

Not try'in to discourage you or smthing; but with 81 on part-1; I would say seriously consider re-taking it! Most universities with Advanced standing program consider 85+ a good competitive score!

Hope this helps.

Good luck 👍 ,

~ Pearl

 

[Smile Center]

Hello Rashi,

In this competition, your odds of getting selected in a program depends on two things

1) your stats & experience
2) your competitors stats and experience.

Keep working as a dental assistant and in the mean time, prepare for part I to get at least minimum of 86. Because you do not have masters, so preferably 90s.

Your strength
1) TOEFL score
2) Working experience in US
3) Experience in India
4) Your GPA

Your weakness
1) NBDE score
2) No Masters or Phd

Areas that you did not specify
1) Community services
2) Research
3) Paper publications

Try to overcome your weaknessess and keep working on your stength - remember, it is necessary to evaluate yourself in all 9 components as listed above because your competitors have them in their resume.

hello smilecenter...
My stats are 81/111/3.71
2YRS WORK EX IN INDIA
CURRENTLY WORKING IN USA AS DENTAL ASSISTANT
what do u think i shud do abt applying to umn...

 

[aminamagicworld]

hellooooo

my collage is not taking the GPA system,they r dealing with grading system so how can that be assessed????????😕

 

[Smile Center]

ECE converts grading system into GPA. Don't worry, we all have the same problem.

hellooooo


my collage is not taking the GPA system,they r dealing with grading system so how can that be assessed????????😕