Am I a competitive candidate?

[timmytim]

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[Vicviper]

The GPA can be off balanced by other things. I had a 3.01 Science GPA because I had some personal family things going on, but I had a 22AA & 30 RC, so that showed my real potential. What was your AA, you didn't say, with those higher QR scores I'd think it would be at least a 20. I also had research and worked as a dental assistant. Sounds like you are in a somewhat similar boat as I was. With that GPA I still got into three good schools, and I've got an interview at a fourth next week.

On the Application there is a section where it asks you if anything has affected your academic performance, and that's where you'd talk about your depression and leaving school, and then you came back and started doing much better. They really do look at this section and can weigh it heavily, so just be as honest as you feel you can be.

Good luck, don't sweat, get that shadowing experience, and APPLY EARLY!!!!!

 

[Hordel]

Hi guys

I'm newbie and I just wanna know if I am a competitive candidate for dental school.

My DAT score is

Natural Science: 19
Reading Comprehension: 18
Quantitative Reasoning: 27
Perceptual Ability: 25

Major: Microbiology

Overall GPA: 3.15
*I f'd up the first 2 yrs of college due to depression, took a year off and came back, ever since I came back to school my GPA's been approx 3.45
**Most of the classes I f'd up are non-science classes
***I failed one class (philosophy class) and planning to retake it this summer

No volunteer experience, no research experience, no job shadowing experience
*I'm planning to do volunteer work for 1 full year after I graduate
**I'm waiting for responses from several dentists regarding a dental office helper position.
***I took 2 qtrs of independent research class

2qtrs of teaching experience(300 level Microbiology class)

This is pretty everything about me.
My main concern is my low GPA. I contemplating whether or not I should get into a masters degree program do compensate my low GPA.

Any advice will be very appreciated

Thanks

Okay, first off your DAT seems to be pretty decent (without a doubt better than mine was). Your GPA is a little on the low side, but it is possible to get in with that as a GPA. What is your science GPA?

You really need to hit the EC's. You need some shadowing time, at least 50hrs, and volunteer time will really help as well. If you can get those things than I would say you are good to go. Apply on the very first day to at least 15 schools. Be ready to apply to a masters if things don't go well.

Best of luck!

 

[austinsanity]

I agree with the above assessment. Get some dental shadowing and work experience in addition to a few ECs if you can. Play a little guitar. Take a class in basket weaving or needlepoint. Whatever works for you.