Can Amazing DAT + extracurriculars override GPA

[ksksks]

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I have a horrible GPA due to some personal problems in University (Overall GPA right now is 2.9 with yearly trend GPA of 2.7 - 2.5 - 2.5 and 3.5 (the 2 years in between I was a part time student working 20 hours/week to pay debts, so that really counts as 1 year). I have 1D and 1F (2nd year organic chemistry that i took in first year and a neuroscience course that I just did not pay attention to). I am retaking these courses and I am confident that I will be able to redeem myself in these courses.

I have 1 more year to go (as a full time student since I was able to make some money during the summer) with confidence and will try my best (since my desire for dentistry still have not faded despite what others tell me) to gain the highest GPA possible. If I do well next year, I hope to attain a graduating GPA of about 3.15-3.2.

I seem to have lots of extracurriculars (because I really enjoyed it despite my tough past) that just accumulated over the years.

I am taking my DAT in about a month (I delayed it since I was not confident enough to score +23 in each section). Just from those who have similar experiences as I do, do I have a chance with high DAT scores?
Not that I will be giving up my hope, I just want to realistically determine whether I should continue with my education (I am applying to Pharmacy this October and to Dentistry starting in May-June of 2009).

If there are any other suggestions, please let me know. Anything would be helpful. Thank you very much and sorry about the long e-mail.

 

[mlle]

I have a horrible GPA due to some personal problems in University (Overall GPA right now is 2.9 with yearly trend GPA of 2.7 - 2.5 - 2.5 and 3.5 (the 2 years in between I was a part time student working 20 hours/week to pay debts, so that really counts as 1 year). I have 1D and 1F (2nd year organic chemistry that i took in first year and a neuroscience course that I just did not pay attention to). I am retaking these courses and I am confident that I will be able to redeem myself in these courses.

I have 1 more year to go (as a full time student since I was able to make some money during the summer) with confidence and will try my best (since my desire for dentistry still have not faded despite what others tell me) to gain the highest GPA possible. If I do well next year, I hope to attain a graduating GPA of about 3.15-3.2.

I seem to have lots of extracurriculars (because I really enjoyed it despite my tough past) that just accumulated over the years.

I am taking my DAT in about a month (I delayed it since I was not confident enough to score +23 in each section). Just from those who have similar experiences as I do, do I have a chance with high DAT scores?
Not that I will be giving up my hope, I just want to realistically determine whether I should continue with my education (I am applying to Pharmacy this October and to Dentistry starting in May-June of 2009).

If there are any other suggestions, please let me know. Anything would be helpful. Thank you very much and sorry about the long e-mail.

Theoretically yes, but you need to not shoot for 23+ but rather the very best you can do. Good luck on your exam, hope you rock 'em, and come back to report with your scores. FYI: If you got 23+ on all sections, I'd say you will at least get interviewed, the rest depends on other qualities you may or may not have. 👍

 

[Ding2daDong]

Honestly an amazing DAT > GPA. If you have a 3.0gpa and 30's across the board on the DAT you will probably get in where ever you want. But usually if your GPA is low, getting a good DAT is very difficult.

hth

-Matthew

 

[armorshell]

Yes, yes it can and does.

 

[doc toothache]

Instead of dealing in hypothetical, why not wait until you get some real scores?

 

[polarmolar]

If your really passionate about it, check out the sub-3.0 thread to get some motivation

 

[ksksks]

Instead of dealing in hypothetical, why not wait until you get some real scores?
__________________
07 Ranking of DS Based on DAT/GPAhttp://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=502682
DAT/GPA for 2007 enrolleeshttp://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=502025
DAT Harder/Easier-The Myth Revisited http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=453723
DAT-To Retake-Yes or No http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=400209
Personal Statement-Need Help? http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=398535


Good point. I agree completely.

There is no point in talking until I go through my actions. I guess I was just getting unsure of myself and lost a bit of motivation to continue to work hard. I was getting really stressed (been having just a bit over 5 hours of sleep for the past 2 months) and was beginning to question myself of all this effort.

Thank you for the encouragement. I hope I get to write on this wall after my DAT is over!

 

[dent2009]

...been having just a bit over 5 hours of sleep for the past 2 months...

That's crazy. Are you an insomniac?

 

[ksksks]

haha no i enjoy sleeping.

my usual is around 7-8 hours but i just have no time.

i have to work to make money, but i also have to study to get my grades back up and do well on the DAT. Combination of the 2 makes a sick schedule.

before i just goofed around and rested after work without studying too much, but i guess my desire to become a dentist is a lot greater than a yearning for rest/fun. At least I am not in depression (yet?)

 

[doc toothache]

Good point. I agree completely.

There is no point in talking until I go through my actions. I guess I was just getting unsure of myself and lost a bit of motivation to continue to work hard. I was getting really stressed (been having just a bit over 5 hours of sleep for the past 2 months) and was beginning to question myself of all this effort.
Thank you for the encouragement. I hope I get to write on this wall after my DAT is over!

Good practice on your sleep; that will probably be the schedule you will need to keep in ds.

 

[dentaldunk]

DAT makes all the difference but is there any hope for me?? OVR 3.41 SCI 3.33 DAT 19AA 20SCI 18PAT

 

[Citric2]

I received two interviews already and my AA was 18 total Science 19. I also had three 16s. So if the rest of your application stands out anything can happen. Good luck to all. Also apply to a bunch of schools.