applying without B.S. what are my chances?

[albodent]

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Hello guys, i plan on applying to d-school without getting my bachelors degree. I have about 73 credits with both bio's, chem's and anatomies. In summer im taking calc and physics, then fall and spring take the orgo's with a couple of other classes like microbio, genetics, neurobio, med term etc. After spring i plan to take the test and go from there. My gpa is about 3.88 and 4 in science so far. Have a couple of hours here and there in dental clinics and hospitals, research and some others. what are my chances of making it if i apply to a couple of not-the-best schools? thanx in advance.

 

[PDizzle]

Well, obviously, if you keep your GPA how it is that's awesome! Get a good DAT score 20+ at least and that will most likely make up for the fact you don't have a BS/BA.

I think some schools require it, I'm not sure. Do a little research on the schools you are interested in.

On the whole, you have a good shot. Be sure to plan to get your BS/BA if you don't make it into D-School as a Jr.

 

[victor14]

i dont know too much bro, but from what i have read on here it would be a little diffuclt to get in without a BS. there are plenty on students out there that have the same gpa as you with the addition of a BS. i would say just stick to your courses and get your degree.

 

[americanpierg]

i dont know too much bro, but from what i have read on here it would be a little diffuclt to get in without a BS. there are plenty on students out there that have the same gpa as you with the addition of a BS. i would say just stick to your courses and get your degree.

...why cant he just apply and even if he gets rejected...he will be a guareenteed matriculate in the cycle his senior year

 

[albodent]

...why cant he just apply and even if he gets rejected...he will be a guareenteed matriculate in the cycle his senior year

is that really true? i have been seeing posts saying that if rejected, continue school and other activities to show interest, and you have a much better chance the second time around.

 

[bowwow99]

well, if ur dat score above 20 and gpa 3.8 and above then just apply u'll have pretty good chance
if not forget about it

 

[victor14]

...why cant he just apply and even if he gets rejected...he will be a guareenteed matriculate in the cycle his senior year

what do you mean by this?

 

[Cold Front]

I got into few schools with 84 credit hours (Junior). But to make it up, I had above average GPA/DAT scores, and tons of volunteering/shadowing/research hours. 🙂

 

[thewince7]

I also got in and will not have a bachelors my gpa and dats arent outstanding either. It depends where you apply. Places like Kentucky wont even look at your app if you dont have a bachelors.

 

[UtahDDS]

It all depends on the schools that you pick. I only had 18s and 19s on the DAT and I got accepted to 6 schools and I didn't go to a couple other interviews. I won't have a degree, don't expect to get into many state schools and apply early. Gluck.

 

[albodent]

thank you all for responding and making me feel like it really can happen for me too. I will let you know what happens. 🙂

 

[El Sol]

Yeah you're gonna have to be on top of your game (3.8+ GPA, and killer DAT) but it's definitely doable. Although I do see some schools requiring a BS. Give it a shot. Good Luck with everything

 

[americanpierg]

...why cant he just apply and even if he gets rejected...he will be a guareenteed matriculate in the cycle his senior year

what do you mean by this?

What I meant from that was that if you apply at the end of your sophmore year with a 3.8 GPA and 23 on DAT and get rejected becuase you wont have a BS, then the next year you apply again with a BS and have relatively the same GPA, should that not make you a HIGHLY competetive applicant the second time around? The fact that you got rejected the previous year should not count against you, it should be a clean slate right?

3.8 GPA 23 DAT may get rejected for no BS degree, but 3.8 GPA 23 DAT AND BS degree would get in at most institutions out there

 

[TeethVader]

As far as USC is concern, I don't believe they will consider you for admission. My class had to proof they had obtain a bachelor's before matriculation.

Its definitely all about the schools you intend on applying.

 

[hokiedds]

What I meant from that was that if you apply at the end of your sophmore year with a 3.8 GPA and 23 on DAT and get rejected becuase you wont have a BS, then the next year you apply again with a BS and have relatively the same GPA, should that not make you a HIGHLY competetive applicant the second time around? The fact that you got rejected the previous year should not count against you, it should be a clean slate right?

3.8 GPA 23 DAT may get rejected for no BS degree, but 3.8 GPA 23 DAT AND BS degree would get in at most institutions out there

It's all about where you apply. Many of the private schools will take you a year early with stats like that, and a few of the state schools if you're lucky enough to live in the right state. Last year I exactly what the OP is referring to, I applied with a 3.8, 21/21/24, tons of experience, but I decided that I did not want to attend a private school and would only got to dental school if I got into one of the state schools I really wanted to go to (VCU and UAB). I ended up interviewing at UAB, but didn't get in either place. I spoke with the dean of admissions at both schools and they told me that it was highly unusual for someone to be accepted in my situation nowadays simply because of the high number of applicants, but that it definitely did not hurt me that I didn't get in and would be in a very good position for the next cycle. Basically, if you don't really care where you go, then apply to schools like Nova, Case, Boston, and UoP to name a few as they seem to be more open to applicants without degrees. Just be careful because many schools websites say you don't need a degree to be accepted when in reality its been several years since they accepted someone in that situation.

 

[ScubaDr2B]

With the rising number of applicants in the next few years it is going to be extremely competitive. Like someone else said be sure to really research out what schools you apply to b/c not many say that they flat out WON'T accept your application, they will just take your secondary app fee and you never hear from them. I know Buffalo won't take you without a degree, the first week we were here they started making announcements that we needed to send them a final transcript if we hadn't already to show we had obtained a degree. On a second note, if you don't get it, whats to lose, enjoy one last year of undergrad...live it up, and you will be that much better off in D-school.
Good Luck

 

[albodent]

thanx again guys for all the replies. To tell you the truth, i do not really care where i go to school. As long as they prepare me for the board exams and give me the experience i need, i do not care where in this country i have to go. I have spoken with my family dentist and he agrees that a degree is a degree no matter where from. I would hate to spend another year in the crappy University of Central Florida when i do not really have to.

How would i know which schools accept without a B.S.? Should i buy the aadsas book guide to dental school?

 

[berryfremont]

call all the admissions offices of the school's you want to apply to and ask how many people they have had accepted without a degree in the past 3 years..they will tell you.. .but, what's the hurry? you will be better prepared after another year of college..you might think you have already proven yourself, but it's not about proving the adcom's, it's about another year of volunteering/community service..and living life

 

[utahdentist2be]

Next years' app cycle might be a little more strict, but I'm not even close to a bachelors. I have a 3.5 GPA 3.4 Sci and 20's on the DAT and got seven interview offers and four acceptances (Case, Michigan, UNLV, and Nova). It's definitely doable, just don't apply to a couple of the schools that absolutely require it (Oregon, Ohio State, Tufts, etc.) and you'll get in fine with stats like yours.

 

[albodent]

do you guys recommend that i purchase the aadsas guide to dental school?

 

[HermeytheElf]

do you guys recommend that i purchase the aadsas guide to dental school?

The book is actually put out by the ADEA. It has some good information, most of which can be found on these forums or on predents.com. You also might want to check with your pre-health advisor as most advisors will have a copy that they will let you look at. Either way, you can save yourself some money.

 

[americanpierg]

Next years' app cycle might be a little more strict, but I'm not even close to a bachelors. I have a 3.5 GPA 3.4 Sci and 20's on the DAT and got seven interview offers and four acceptances (Case, Michigan, UNLV, and Nova). It's definitely doable, just don't apply to a couple of the schools that absolutely require it (Oregon, Ohio State, Tufts, etc.) and you'll get in fine with stats like yours.

........ u did not get into those schools with a 3.5 gpa, only 20s on DAT, and no bachelors, at least make ur story more believable by saying u only got into one of those school or raise ur stats