Anyone know what my chances are??

[Prayin80]

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Here's my situation. I have a 2.8 cumulative GPA and 3.0 science GPA. I started off really bad my first couple of years of college (1.47 GPA). I partied way too much. Then when I got my head on straight, I have been having 4.0 semesters. I have A's in all my 300 and 400 level science classes. I took my DATs this month and scored the following: PAT:22, ORG:28, BIO:23, GCHEM:23, TS:24, RC:22, MATH:18 🙁 , AA:23. Praise God. I applied to U of I in chicago, Southern Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. My #1 choice is U of I in chicago because I'm from chicago. Anyone know what my chances are to any of these schools ? Also, I've always wanted to attend UPenn, but I didn't apply because of my GPA. Does anyone think I should give it a try? or is it just a waste of money? I really need an honest opinion. Thanks.

 

[checkamundo]

Here's my situation. I have a 2.8 cumulative GPA and 3.0 science GPA. I started off really bad my first couple of years of college (1.47 GPA). I partied way too much. Then when I got my head on straight, I have been having 4.0 semesters. I have A's in all my 300 and 400 level science classes. I took my DATs this month and scored the following: PAT:22, ORG:28, BIO:23, GCHEM:23, TS:24, RC:22, MATH:18 🙁 , AA:23. Praise God. I applied to U of I in chicago, Southern Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. My #1 choice is U of I in chicago because I'm from chicago. Anyone know what my chances are to any of these schools ? Also, I've always wanted to attend UPenn, but I didn't apply because of my GPA. Does anyone think I should give it a try? or is it just a waste of money? I really need an honest opinion. Thanks.

First off, awesome job on the DAT. I think you have a really good chance at the schools mentioned abover. I think you'll have a very good chance at UIC since only around 825 students apply and pretty much all 66 that attend are from Illinois. Even with your low gpa, i think you'll manage to get some interviews since you've shown improvement and have great DAT scores. As for UPenn, you can give a try, i don't know what their gpa cut-offs are. What about the rest of your app, do you have dental shadowing, research, extracurriculars, leadership roles, community service, jobs? Also, you should apply now and submit your app to AADSAS right away if you already haven't.

 

[pre-dent]

Here's my situation. I have a 2.8 cumulative GPA and 3.0 science GPA. I started off really bad my first couple of years of college (1.47 GPA). I partied way too much. Then when I got my head on straight, I have been having 4.0 semesters. I have A's in all my 300 and 400 level science classes. I took my DATs this month and scored the following: PAT:22, ORG:28, BIO:23, GCHEM:23, TS:24, RC:22, MATH:18 🙁 , AA:23. Praise God. I applied to U of I in chicago, Southern Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. My #1 choice is U of I in chicago because I'm from chicago. Anyone know what my chances are to any of these schools ? Also, I've always wanted to attend UPenn, but I didn't apply because of my GPA. Does anyone think I should give it a try? or is it just a waste of money? I really need an honest opinion. Thanks.

Hello Prayin80,

I am only a rookie at this, but I think you have a great chance because of your AWESOME DAT SCORES 👍 You have shown that you can handle upper level courses and you have shown improvement. We all mess up sometimes. You will get in don't freak out. Your DAT scores are your saving grace!! What school did you do your undergrad work from???

BTW, can you tell me how you studied??? I will take the DAT next year and will also apply to the Illinois schools. I am currently using the Kaplan DAT book and trying to pretty much know all of it's contents. I am now starting only with Bio because I know this takes a long time and alot of memorizing. The rest I will start early next year. What do you think??? I will have just finished taking O-chem when I take the DAT.


Mel 😀

 

[Prayin80]

Hey Mel,
"It's peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time.....!!!" lol. Thanks for the encouragement. I screwed up really bad at Uof I Urbana-champaign. Then I went to a community college for a couple of years and did all my 100-200 level science courses. I am currently a senior at SIUE. I have a 4.0 here, and did all my 300-400 level science courses here. I came to SIUE because UIC rejected me for undergrad (which is extremely discouraging), and SIUE is the only other dental school in illinois.
As for study material. I think it is a good idea to start studying early. I started studying probably a year ago, but I took a couple months off here and there. I started off with the kaplan book. Read through the review. Then I bought "Schaum's Biology" and "Schaum's Gen, org, and biochem." I went over everything except the biochem. I bought a genchem book and went over that because I took genchem maybe 5 years ago. As for practice tests: Topscore and DAT achiever. Both are harder than the real thing. Use it as a study aid and time management tool. I bought the KSF review, but it's garbage. Don't even waste your money on that. Focus on your weaknesses because it's almost impossible to memorize and remember every bio term especially if your studying for other classes. Dedicate at least 3 weeks of hardcore studying before the exam. I wish you the best of luck, and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I know there is a lot of material to study, and the whole pressure of doing well can cause confusion. I planned to take it only once, and thank God it worked out that way.

Dave

Hello Prayin80,

I am only a rookie at this, but I think you have a great chance because of your AWESOME DAT SCORES 👍 You have shown that you can handle upper level courses and you have shown improvement. We all mess up sometimes. You will get in don't freak out. Your DAT scores are your saving grace!! What school did you do your undergrad work from???

BTW, can you tell me how you studied??? I will take the DAT next year and will also apply to the Illinois schools. I am currently using the Kaplan DAT book and trying to pretty much know all of it's contents. I am now starting only with Bio because I know this takes a long time and alot of memorizing. The rest I will start early next year. What do you think??? I will have just finished taking O-chem when I take the DAT.


Mel 😀