Chance me please!

[nilu889]

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I graduated undergrad with a degree in microbiology from University of Wisconsin-Madison with oGPA of 2.99, sGPA of 2.89 BCP of 2.83. I am currently getting my Master's in Microbiology (2 year program) and will graduate somewhere between a 3.4 and 3.5 I have about 50 hours of shadowing and currently volunteer as a dental assistant at a local free dental clinic. By the time I apply to dental school (upcoming cycle), I will have about 150 hours of dental assisting completed. Since the beginning of undergrad, I have 250+ hours of volunteering that are not dental related (mainly volunteering at elementary schools or Boys and Girls Club) Also, I am technically a Canadian citizen, but have grown up in the US.
My DAT scores are:
AA: 20
TS:19
Bio: 21
GC: 19
OC: 17 🙁
RC: 23
PAT: 24
QR: 21

What are my chances? My GPA is low, but I am hoping that my higher GPA in my master's program will help me. My DAT isn't anything special, but it isn't bad either! Also, I have worked in a research lab for 3+ years, but have not gotten anything published. I really don't know what else I should do. Also, this was my 3rd time taking the DAT so I don't have time to waste. I got a 19 both of the times prior. I calculated my best average of the 3 to be 21, but I don't think any schools really do that.

 

[dyesht]

I graduated undergrad with a degree in microbiology from University of Wisconsin-Madison with oGPA of 2.99, sGPA of 2.89 BCP of 2.83. I am currently getting my Master's in Microbiology (2 year program) and will graduate somewhere between a 3.4 and 3.5 I have about 50 hours of shadowing and currently volunteer as a dental assistant at a local free dental clinic. By the time I apply to dental school (upcoming cycle), I will have about 150 hours of dental assisting completed. Since the beginning of undergrad, I have 250+ hours of volunteering that are not dental related (mainly volunteering at elementary schools or Boys and Girls Club) Also, I am technically a Canadian citizen, but have grown up in the US.
My DAT scores are:
AA: 20
TS:19
Bio: 21
GC: 19
OC: 17 🙁
RC: 23
PAT: 24
QR: 21

What are my chances? My GPA is low, but I am hoping that my higher GPA in my master's program will help me. My DAT isn't anything special, but it isn't bad either! Also, I have worked in a research lab for 3+ years, but have not gotten anything published. I really don't know what else I should do. Also, this was my 3rd time taking the DAT so I don't have time to waste. I got a 19 both of the times prior. I calculated my best average of the 3 to be 21, but I don't think any schools really do that.

Are you predicting your overall or grad GPA to be 3.4-5?

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

.

 

[nilu889]

Are you predicting your overall or grad GPA to be 3.4-5?

My grad GPA will be between 3.4 and 3.5. From what I have seen on here, a lot of people say that a 3.5 grad GPA or higher is what you should aim for. My overall would go to a 3.1. Also, I had a death in my immediate family during my senior year that definitely affected my grades that year, is it worth it to mention that? Or does that seem like its making excuses?

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

/

 

[nilu889]

That's definitely a legitimate reason that your GPA would be lower. It's the kind of thing you'd mention in your personal statement. Not how it hurt your GPA, but how it had an impact on your life/inspired you, that kind of thing.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

[\

 

[JLT223]

Did you do anything different to study for the 3rd DAT compared to the 1st and 2nd? If you had a 22+ DAT you'd have a much more solid shot.

 

[kuef1pet]

I think you have a chance as long as you pick the schools you apply to wisely. Your dat is not bad. Having a 19 ts puts you just under the average accepted at most schools but there will be accepted students with 19 ts at most schools. The only part of concern is your undergrad gpa which with a 3.5 master gpa you have shown that your undergrad gpa doesn't represent you fully. Make sure you have a really well written personal statement and I think you have a decently competetive application.

One thing that gets overlooked on here is you don't need a 3.5+ gpa and 20+ dat to get accepted. Those are around the average accepted so low 3.0 gpa and sub 20 dat's get accepted every year as well.

 

[JLT223]

I think you have a chance as long as you pick the schools you apply to wisely. Your dat is not bad. Having a 19 ts puts you just under the average accepted at most schools but there will be accepted students with 19 ts at most schools. The only part of concern is your undergrad gpa which with a 3.5 master gpa you have shown that your undergrad gpa doesn't represent you fully. Make sure you have a really well written personal statement and I think you have a decently competetive application.

One thing that gets overlooked on here is you don't need a 3.5+ gpa and 20+ dat to get accepted. Those are around the average accepted so low 3.0 gpa and sub 20 dat's get accepted every year as well.

True, but it is a huge gamble to try and get accepted with sub-par stats.

 

[kuef1pet]

Obviously sub par stats are not ideal but not as big of gamble then not applying this cycle at all. The OP has above average research experience, dental assisting experience, and good volunteering experiences as well.