Can I still do it?

[DATkiller206]

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Ok so heres my stats:

im a junior
1 D in genetics (lowest grade) retook it and got a B-
every other science class including O-Chem only got B and B+
cumulative gpa is a 3.2

so, I never got any C's.... I got A's in some core classes but basically i've only gotten B and B+'s in science classes except for the D

only about 10 hours of shadowing and 300+ hours or working

will I be thrown in the pool of rejection being that I only score average on the DAT???

please critique me.

 

[will9631]

You're certainly a viable candidate, from the sound of it, but there's nothing special about your application, which puts you into a really big "average" candidate category that you don't want to be in. If I were you, I'd get more shadowing experience from a variety of dentists, and look into doing a prep course and retaking the DAT. I'm convinced that the Kaplan course I took is what got me into dental school (I was in a similar boat last year- 19's on the DAT and a 3.2-3.3 gpa and didn't get in anywhere, though I also applied late, and this year I had 22 aa, 22 ts, 24 PAT and the same GPA and got in two places). No matter what they say, all dental schools love numbers, so to me anything you can do to bring up your DAT is worth doing.

You're a decent candidate already, you just need to prove your devotion to the profession and your ability to cope with the intense scientific curriculum if you want a strong chance at getting in.

hope that helps, there are others on this forum that know alot more than me though.

 

[stdmufin27]

You're good. Don't get all that discouraged yet. I would 2nd the stuff just said about more volunteer hours and taking a DAT prep class to get the highest score possible. I would also encourage you to do some research, do any kind of community work, join a bio/chem/etc. club, and prepare yourself to take a Master's program now (just look up where you could go mostly) just in case. Don't get to down on yourself....I got in with mediocre stats like yours.

 

[Hysteria24]

will I be thrown in the pool of rejection being that I only score average on the DAT???

No…. Shadow more (40+ hours) and study hard for the DAT. Even if you get an average score on that you will still have hope. Check out predents.com and you will see people with stats just like you getting in. Apply smart to the right schools. Don't worry about going the long way yet (post-bac / masters). Put that effort into the DAT and you will be set

 

[haisha ni narou]

Focus on the DAT, you'll see those who apply with DAT scores in the 22-24 area get in all over the pace. The most effecient use of your time in bringing up your chances is your DAT score. GPA's take way too long to change, but dedicate a few months to a serious cram session and buy a few cases of monster and lock yourself in a room and hit the DAT prep books hard! I wish I would have done that. My gpa is good but my DAT is a little less than what I had hoped for and I am paying for that right now. arg..