Can a high Dat score make up for a low science GPA ?

[pearlywhitte]

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I have struggled through school. I have recently discovered I have ADHD, and I am now on meds that have dramatically made a diffrence. Last semester I had all A's . But as of now I am at a 2.45 science GPA, 3.2 overall. I will have a B.S. degree. I plan on taking the DAT in the next year.
Can a high score on the DAT give me a chance of acceptance in to dental school ? Another question. I am a butcher, I have been a journeyman meat cutter for six years. Will admissions see that as manual dexterity ? Would that be worth mentioning in my application ? Do I need to have done research ?

 

[jevan]

I have struggled through school. I have recently discovered I have ADHD, and I am now on meds that have dramatically made a diffrence. Last semester I had all A's . But as of now I am at a 2.45 science GPA, 3.2 overall. I will have a B.S. degree. I plan on taking the DAT in the next year.
Can a high score on the DAT give me a chance of acceptance in to dental school ? Another question. I am a butcher, I have been a journeyman meat cutter for six years. Will admissions see that as manual dexterity ? Would that be worth mentioning in my application ? Do I need to have done research ?

"butchering" definitely requires manual dexterity so include it, and u dont need research to be accepted to d-school but it cant hurt...

ur science gpa should probably be above 3.0 tho, so try to do as many science courses as possible and get A's before applying(even if u dont need those courses to graduate, take them to boost ur sci gpa)

if schools dont see a 3.0 science they may just throw ur application out, but if they see a 3.0 and then they look at the grade distribution and see that the last 2 or 3 semesters have been all A's ur in good shape.

a great dat can definitely help u out once u have achieved the 3.0 science gpa...bang out a 22 and ur a shoe-in... good luck

 

[lmaozedong1]

Sorry, but not that low of a science GPA. You're gonna need to take some more classes and raise it up. I'm just being honest.

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

Sorry, but not that low of a science GPA. You're gonna need to take some more classes and raise it up. I'm just being honest.

I have to agree.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

yeah get it above a 3 if you can.

random question if you don't mind me asking..how did you discover your ADHD? was it due to an inability to concentrate?

 

[LetsGo2DSchool]

I would not mention butcher. Perception is reality. Who knows what the perception of an Adcom will be when seeing butcher under manual dexterity. You may be viewed as a psycho, a loose cannon, someone who may lose it one day and start butchering everyone in school. It would make a great Halloween movie for sure, not to mention a shortage of dentists.

It's similar to someone saying they own 20 handguns. I don't think a school would want to admit someone who could potentially start shooting everyone.

It's too risky. Too morbid. Say you're a chef instead.

 

[youknowthedrill]

I would not mention butcher. Perception is reality. Who knows what the perception of an Adcom will be when seeing butcher under manual dexterity. You may be viewed as a psycho, a loose cannon, someone who may lose it one day and start butchering everyone in school. It would make a great Halloween movie for sure, not to mention a shortage of dentists.

It's similar to someone saying they own 20 handguns. I don't think a school would want to admit someone who could potentially start shooting everyone.

It's too risky. Too morbid. Say you're a chef instead.

Ignore this. Take more classes to boost your GPA. Definitely mention that you're a butcher- It will help you stand out. Rock the DAT and you have a chance. But, be prepared to take more classes after you apply. You may not get in the first time and you should continue to improve your application for the next year.

 

[pearlywhitte]

yeah get it above a 3 if you can.

random question if you don't mind me asking..how did you discover your ADHD? was it due to an inability to concentrate?

I would spend hours trying to study and focus, it was very difficult to focus, even when taking tests. I had a friend with the same problem who had suggested I might have ADHD. I was reluctant as well as embarassed to seek testing. Once I took a hard look at my performance I knew I needed to do something. After testing showed I had ADHD, and months of narrowing down the proper medication. My performance is 10 times better.

Thank you for your answers and advice. I will take as many science courses as I can to raise my GPA. Hypethetically........If I scored overal a 26 or higher, might there be some omittance for my low science GPA?

 

[jevan]

Thank you for your answers and advice. I will take as many science courses as I can to raise my GPA. Hypethetically........If I scored overal a 26 or higher, might there be some omittance for my low science GPA?

Really wouldnt bank on a 26, it doesnt matter how smart u are- also as I said befor, these schools have cutoffs to help sort through thousands of applications efficiently, and 3.0 gpa is a common cutoff. raise that sci gpa above 3!

 

[Demps]

And one more thing:

I think raising science GPA over 3.0 is much easier than getting a 26AA on DAT.

 

[wizi]

I am going to repeat what everyone has said.

Raise that sGPA up to 3.0.
Kill your DAT.


Btw, 26 on DAT is another story, don't bet on it.

All the 25,26 DAT posts on SDN might make you think that getting 26 on DAT is "kindda" doable. Think again. Its NOT that easy to get even 21AA on DAT.
I really hope you can kill the DAT and get in. Good luck with everything.

 

[Demps]

you got it wizi

 

[offtodent]

Hey there;
I'm feel your pain....I was in a similar predicament. Upon going to a pre-dent meeting recently at school, a few admissions directors suggested that if you have around a 2.2 to 2.5, you need to score a min of 19s across the board to be accepted at some dent school. In general, the lower your GPA, the higher the DAT score needed. Certainly apply to your in-state school as compared to out of state. When taking the DAT ask for extra time.....your medical situation demands it and dent schools will take that into consideration with respect to you GPA when you apply. Above all, don't listen to all the crap that other tell you for I know others who have gotten in with similar circumstances. Being disabled is hard enough....

 

[katwoman1688]

Hey there;
I'm feel your pain....I was in a similar predicament. Upon going to a pre-dent meeting recently at school, a few admissions directors suggested that if you have around a 2.2 to 2.5, you need to score a min of 19s across the board to be accepted at some dent school. In general, the lower your GPA, the higher the DAT score needed. Certainly apply to your in-state school as compared to out of state. When taking the DAT ask for extra time.....your medical situation demands it and dent schools will take that into consideration with respect to you GPA when you apply. Above all, don't listen to all the crap that other tell you for I know others who have gotten in with similar circumstances. Being disabled is hard enough....

If your sgpa is in the 2's at all - you need a 20+. I have a 3.2 and 2.9 and my first DAT was 19/19/19 (pat/aa/ts) - talked to +5 admissions offices each told me retake that DAT a 19 and a 20+ is a difference from a B+ and an A-. And since my science gpa is not in the A range I need to compensate for it. goal should be 20+ the higher the better but you need to be in the 90th percentiles to get noticed. 21+ even better! Its getting super competitive and average DAT scores at all schools are increasing so we really need to stand out! gluck!

Btw just in case you're wandering which schools told me this - Tufts, NYU, BU, UofP, Columbia

Definitely mention any kind of manual dexterity in your app! And yes I think its possible to get into dental school, just gotta work hard to make up for our lack of good grades 🙂 My last tip - if your on a time crunch and deciding b/n research and assisting/shadowing - go for the hands on approach of working in a dental office. Research is great, but if you haven't yet showed interest in the field you need to have evidence that you've immersed yourself in the atmosphere. Also depends what school your looking to go to!

 

[2PacClone23]

If your sgpa is in the 2's at all - you need a 20+. I have a 3.2 and 2.9 and my first DAT was 19/19/19 (pat/aa/ts) - talked to +5 admissions offices each told me retake that DAT a 19 and a 20+ is a difference from a B+ and an A-. And since my science gpa is not in the A range I need to compensate for it. goal should be 20+ the higher the better but you need to be in the 90th percentiles to get noticed. 21+ even better! Its getting super competitive and average DAT scores at all schools are increasing so we really need to stand out! gluck!

Btw just in case you're wandering which schools told me this - Tufts, NYU, BU, UofP, Columbia

Definitely mention any kind of manual dexterity in your app! And yes I think its possible to get into dental school, just gotta work hard to make up for our lack of good grades 🙂 My last tip - if your on a time crunch and deciding b/n research and assisting/shadowing - go for the hands on approach of working in a dental office. Research is great, but if you haven't yet showed interest in the field you need to have evidence that you've immersed yourself in the atmosphere. Also depends what school your looking to go to!

what about my 2.7 sgpa and my 23AA? are you saying i got a shot?

 

[dannybobanny182]

I'm in the same exact boat as you man. I'm trying hard to murder the DATs. Remember to keep yourself busy with school and dental related stuff. And remember that networking is key.

 

[toyotasupra]

Correct me if I am wrong... but to get a 26 on the dat, that pretty much means you can only miss 1-2 questions on each section right?

 

[katwoman1688]

Yes a 26 is the 100percentile. Haha its possible though, if you search these threads people have done it...kinda crazy and amazing. I don't know if you have a chance, (as I am not an adcom haha) but ya Im in a similar position. It's gonna come down to LOE's, extracurriculars, connections/networking....and gpa trends/what your doing now. Again I'm offering my opinion but this is from tons of research, speculation, and also having a full family in the field, so I found out info from talking to admissions officers...Some schools have gpa cut offs though! But your best bet is to just ask the adcom of a school you really want to go to! gluck

Its funny though how competitive school has gotten...cause my sister 3 years ago got into UofP with a little below my stats (lower DAT, similar GPA). But now the competition has really gone a level up

 

[molar3]

I have struggled through school. I have recently discovered I have ADHD, and I am now on meds that have dramatically made a diffrence. Last semester I had all A's . But as of now I am at a 2.45 science GPA, 3.2 overall. I will have a B.S. degree. I plan on taking the DAT in the next year.
Can a high score on the DAT give me a chance of acceptance in to dental school ? Another question. I am a butcher, I have been a journeyman meat cutter for six years. Will admissions see that as manual dexterity ? Would that be worth mentioning in my application ? Do I need to have done research ?

dont apply to dental school until youve gotten your undergrad gpa up to at least a 3.0. i think thatll be good since youll show an upward trend. once youve gotten your gpa to a 3.0, then take your DAT. sure add butchering to your app, why not? who cares.....
no u dont "need" research but it will add something pretty to your app, but theres no point in having research to make it pretty if your gpa remains a 2.45.
goodluck u can do it 👍 aderalls the way to go

 

[paullaff]

The chances of you not being accepted if you don't apply are 100%. So......apply....so have a shot!!

 

[paullaff]

I agree with you. He should definitely apply for the extra time due to ADHD. Don't feel that applying for it makes you any less of a candidate. Just do it quickly for it takes time to process....you can thank me later.

 

[gdhogan]

Stop whining and get it done. If you need the extended time get it with your condition you should have no problem. If not, take the test and get it done!