Advice/Chances???

[zgoettsc]

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Hey everyone,
So I have taken the DAT (23 AA, 23 TS, 21 PAT), I have a 3.56 oGPA and a 3.33 sGPA. I am only applying to the University of Iowa this year. I will be a junior this year. I am trying to get in a year early, so that I can start dental school when I would have been a senior. I will have all of the required core coursework completed along with 90 semester hours. Technically, those are the only required things in order to get into dental school.
Do you think there is a good chance of getting in this year?
Any advice on how to set myself apart in the PS/interview?

Thanks!!

 

[Goose340]

I was in the same boat as a biology major but as i researched schools, not having a degree was going to hurt my chances a lot. I haven't research U of Iowa but a lot of other schools said it was unlikely. So I changed degrees and I'm going to overload my next two semesters in order to graduate spring of 2012.

On another note, if you are thinking about specializing at all, I would suggest getting a degree. All the specialty schools require it.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Hey everyone,
So I have taken the DAT (23 AA, 23 TS, 21 PAT), I have a 3.56 oGPA and a 3.33 sGPA. I am only applying to the University of Iowa this year. I will be a junior this year. I am trying to get in a year early, so that I can start dental school when I would have been a senior. I will have all of the required core coursework completed along with 90 semester hours. Technically, those are the only required things in order to get into dental school.
Do you think there is a good chance of getting in this year?
Any advice on how to set myself apart in the PS/interview?

Thanks!!

Formal minimum preparation in semester/quarter hours: 90
Baccalaureate degree preferred: Yes
Baccalaureates: 77
Master's 0
PhD or other doctorate: 0
Equivalent of 91 or more undergraduate credit hours enrolled: 3

Their avg gpa is 3.74 with sGPA 3.66


You could possibly get in but I would say that you'd have to look exceptional with an exceptional reason. Otherwise, I think you'd be very competitive if you applied at the original time as most people.

My question to you is, What's the rush? I don't know if its just me but I feel that adcoms tend to look at older applicants in a different light and are more willing to listen to what they have to say.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I will have all of the required core coursework completed along with 90 semester hours. Technically, those are the only required things in order to get into dental school.

Technically yes. But the majority of people who matriculate tend to have a degree as well as upper level biology classes beyond the required coursework. I think something like ~95% of entering dental students have a bachelor's degree but don't quote me on the number. It's the majority.

You have a nice DAT score but your GPA is on the average end. Honestly, I don't like your chances too much especially if you only applied to one school.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Technically yes. But the majority of people who matriculate tend to have a degree as well as upper level biology classes beyond the required coursework. I think something like ~95% of entering dental students have a bachelor's degree but don't quote me on the number. It's the majority.

You have a nice DAT score but your GPA is on the average end. Honestly, I don't like your chances too much especially if you only applied to one school.

For Iowa the exact number was 3 out of 80 matriculants who did not have a degree. 🙂

I will emphasize and stress this point again and again until everyone understands it. Just because a school has a minimum requirement and you've fulfilled that requirement, it does not mean that you would have a decent chance of getting in.

This entire application process is a COMPETITION, which is RELATIVE to the your competition (ie The other applicants applying to the same school).

For example, there was one seat left and it was between you and student A:
Both of your stats were the SAME but student A has a B.S. in Chemistry.

Guess who they're going to take?


My point is... you should make yourself as competitive as possible and getting a degree will make you more competitive as an applicant because everyone else has one! I am not saying that you can't get accepted without a degree because clearly as the statistics show... it is quite possible but the chances are LOWER. In order to compensate for this decreased chance, you better be Exceptional in some way, preferably in a way that applicants with a degree don't have or can't be!

 

[zgoettsc]

Yeah the stats are definetly against me. I just thought I would try because I have nothing to lose, and it would be great to get started with my career a year earlier. Thanks for all the input everyone.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Yeah the stats are definetly against me. I just thought I would try because I have nothing to lose, and it would be great to get started with my career a year earlier. Thanks for all the input everyone.

You're quite welcome, if I seem harsh in any way... it was not my intention to do so. I was merely roleplaying as an adcom and critiquing you but I also like to do the same for myself. By the way, that is one piece of advice that will help you succeed or at least better prepare you for an interview 🙂


This kid is applying a year early. What's the first thought that comes into your mind?
- He's rushing it. But why is he rushing it? Has he thought it out all the way?

If you do decide to apply early. Be prepared to have a very good response to that at the very least.