Advice Please....

[laugh]

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I applied this year but its not likely that I will receive an interview. 17AA and 18TS. I have a 3.21 overall GPA and a sGPA of 3.17. I plan on re-taking the DAT early next summer. I graduate this January with a Biology degree. I plan on taking two science classes during the Spring to help raise my GPA. Im debating on persuing a Masters in Biology but do not want to invest all the time and money if I do not need to. Other parts of my application are very good (at least I think).... I have worked as a dental assistant, dental lab tech, research lab, etc... plenty of volunteer activities etc. With my lower GPA do you recommend me persuing a Masters degree? I will re-take the DAT and ill be dammed if I dont do better. Any advice would be appreciated. For what its worth, my first two years at a Community College I had a 3.0. My last two years I have averaged a 3.4 GPA. Advice please...

 

[TeamGuo]

well it will all be based on your performance on your retake. If you bust some nasty scores, around 23 AA, you probably don't need to do masters. You should just do post-bac and reapply if you don't get in this year.

If the DAT scores are closer to the average, do the masters.

 

[needa20]

just study for the dat and retake when you are completely ready. of course a 23 would be awesom, but 19 or 20 should land you some interviews

 

[laugh]

Thanks. Anyone else?

 

[TeethandGums]

The rest of your application is very strong, you have great "in the field experience."...Some suggestions 1) Retake DAT scoring 19 or better in TS, PAT, and RC,... and before the next cycle begins, take a tour of your home state dental schools, attend a few workshops they maybe offering just to show some interest and dedication for dentistry. This puts you on the radar, then follow up the next cycle by being in the first pool of applications to reach those schools, and with your well balanced application plus your future DAT scores that can't miss, interviews will come. You have the experience to sell yourself at the interview, its juts a matter of getting one, best of luck!

 

[laugh]

Thank you. Ill take some classes in the spring and I hope to bring my overall GPA up to 3.25 and my sGPA up to 3.2. Thanks again

 

[somethinpositiv]

I'd say 21-22 you'll be fine, 19-20 do the masters, 17-18 do the masters and retake the dat. good luck! 🙂

 

[ruomengd2000]

I have a similar GPA problem with a 3.15 overall and 3.14 Science. You just have to rock your DAT's to show the admin people that you actually know what your doing. Also if you did all four years at a community college, then you might want to check with the schools you are looking into because i hear that some don't accept CC prereq classes. This could just be a rumor but check just to be on the safe side. Also just as a heads up, your low-end gpa is gonna be holding you back more because of the fact that it's from a community college. I talked to some admissions people and they said that they take into consideration the difficulty of your school. Sorry to be such a downer but that's just what they told me.

 

[Flipper405]

I'd say 21-22 you'll be fine, 19-20 do the masters, 17-18 do the masters and retake the dat. good luck! 🙂

I would agree with this mostly, but I would add 1 pt to each range. I think with that GPA you should at least plan to do the masters even if you get a 21. I would suggest to not try to "aim" for a certain DAT score. I personally think aiming for perfection will net you the best results on the DAT. I also agree with ruomengd2000 regarding the CC deal... particularly since you had that GPA at a CC, you need to get a high GPA in a post-graduate program to show you can handle the rigors of dental school.

Good luck and remember that they reward perseverance if you are really sure you want to go with this career.

 

[Lopyswine]

sorry to burst the ops bubble, but a 3.2 just wont cut it. start looking for a MS program and rock the DAT.

 

[ruomengd2000]

sorry to burst the ops bubble, but a 3.2 just wont cut it. start looking for a MS program and rock the DAT.

I don't really agree with the whole "3.2 just won't cut it" philosophy because there are many other things to consider such as workload, major, DAT scores, EC's, etc. There are many schools that take people with much lower GPA's than 3.2. Take a look.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527700

Keep your head up OP. There's always a chance.

 

[Lopyswine]

I don't really agree with the whole "3.2 just won't cut it" philosophy because there are many other things to consider such as workload, major, DAT scores, EC's, etc. There are many schools that take people with much lower GPA's than 3.2. Take a look.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527700

Keep your head up OP. There's always a chance.

sure there are always exceptions, however most of those sub 3.0 gpas are for students with very unique stories. minorities. people with huge upward trends. foreign students.

if the op is just a "normal" caucasian applicant with a sub par dat and gpa, forget it.