Chance of Acceptance Help

[iVTECdailyy]

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[Rubber Dam Man]

Everything looks good, but with a low sGPA a 19AA might not cut it especially considering the fierce competition over the past few years. In terms of BIO, ORGO, and CHEM... you really need to shoot for at least 20+ in each of the those sections because of your subpar sGPA. My GPA is similar to yours and I have ten years working in a dental lab as a Dental Technician and as an Office Manager... and I've also worked for 2 years a Certified Dental Assistant... and I too have a 19AA ... end result: waitlisted for three years. I finally saved up money to enter into a Master's program in Molecular & Cell Biology. So IMHO, I would recommend doing a post-bac or try to find a one year M.S. program. In the end, there's no harm in applying if you have the money because that will give you the best answer...

 

[dentalgirl80]

Why aren't you applying to Penn since you're a PA resident?

 

[wantVCUdental]

I know there are so many of these threads, but I as the other thread starters feel that my situation is different from all the others I read. Basically, I want to get SDN's opinion on my chances of getting into at least ONE dental school out of all of the ones I am applying to. Thank you so much for your help and please be blunt in your opinions! Here are my stats:

GPA: 3.30 (Made deans list last 4 semesters with GPA > 3.80)
sGPA: 3.10
DAT: 19AA (20RC, 21QR), 18TS (17BIO, 18OC, 19GC), 17PA

I have spent three years of undergrad at The Pennsylvania State University, and am going into my last year. My major is Life Science. I have two minors: Business and Liberal Arts; Sociology. I am applying this cycle. Here are my ECs:

Dental Experience:
So far I have shadowed 30 hours at a dental clinic, and am currently shadowing / getting experience with an orthodontist.

School Stuff:
I have been in a fraternity since freshman year, holding the positions of President, New Member Educator, Recruitment Chair, Public Relations Chair, and Expansion Chair. I won the Greatest Fraternity Representation Award two semesters in a row. I also won another award from the University given to the top 10 Greeks at the school.
I am in the Pre-dental society at my school.
I am TAing an advanced sociology class next semester.
I have been a part of a Performance Auto Club at the school.
I was on a cultural dance team (Choreographing and Performing) for two years.
I am a part of the Penn State South Asian Student Association.

Volunteering:
I am the campus coordinator of all Bone Marrow Registries occurring at Penn State.
I have over 50 hours working at Blood Drives.
I have 25 hours in Adopt-A-Highway for my fraternity.
I have another 100 hours in various other activities around the community including "Meals on wheels," volunteering at nursing homes, etc.

Work Experience:
I have been a disc jockey for the past two years doing parties, weddings, fashion shows, and spinning at a local club.

Manual Dexterity:
DJ, Play Guitar, Work on cars

I am applying to the following schools (18 schools, PA Resident):
NYU, Buffalo, Tufts, Boston, Temple, Pitt, Case Western, Ohio State, Indiana, Midwestern Illinois, Midwestern Airizona, Louisville, Meharry, Marquette, Creighton, UNLV, UoP, USC.

I am obtaining a letter of recommendation from my University (Committee Letter). I am pretty sure the letters sent to the committee were well written.

Please feel free to compare yourself to me as well as comment with your opinions as to whether I stand a chance or not (at getting into at least ONE of these schools). If I am missing information that might be helpful determining my acceptance, let me know and I will be sure to add it to my stats.

Thanks for your help!

My VVTI is quieter than a VTEC 😛

i think you got good chances. Penn state is a good school and you got good gpa in the last 4 semesters. I don't think you'll make it in to UoP, but other than that, everyuthing else seems good 🙂
best of luck

 

[iVTECdailyy]

Everything looks good, but with a low sGPA a 19AA might not cut it especially considering the fierce competition over the past few years. In terms of BIO, ORGO, and CHEM... you really need to shoot for at least an 18-19 in each of the those sections because of your subpar sGPA. My GPA is similar to yours and I have ten years working in a dental lab as a Dental Technician and as an Office Manager... and I've also worked for 2 years a Certified Dental Assistant... and I too have a 19AA ... end result: waitlisted for three years. I finally saved up money to enter into a Master's program in Molecular & Cell Biology. So IMHO, I would recommend doing a post-bac or try to find a one year M.S. program. In the end, there's no harm in applying if you have the money because that will give you the best answer...

Thank for the info! that is exactly what I was worried about. My GPA and my DAT the two most important things haha.

Why aren't you applying to Penn since you're a PA resident?

I always thought you needed stellar stats to get in? Should I add Penn to my list? What do you guys think?

My VVTI is quieter than a VTEC 😛

i think you got good chances. Penn state is a good school and you got good gpa in the last 4 semesters. I don't think you'll make it in to UoP, but other than that, everyuthing else seems good 🙂
best of luck

Lol vvti huh?

Yeah I am banking on my GPA trend and the advanced bio classes I have taken (Physio, Histo, Anatamoy). Also my two different minors. UoP was my dream school long shot so I figured I would apply. Thanks for the advice.

 

[KCH12]

I always thought you needed stellar stats to get in? Should I add Penn to my list? What do you guys think?

I am applying to Penn and have 19AA and 20TS. I am also a PA resident and, while we may not be the strongest of applicants, I don't think we are 'out of Penn's league'.

 

[eringer]

Your best bets are definitely the PA schools...especially Pitt or Temple

 

[Doc Smile]

IMO you should apply to all the schools in your state and take out one of the 'reach' schools. Why? Because you will save money traveling to interviews and you have better chances getting in-state public or private. . .

 

[iVTECdailyy]

IMO you should apply to all the schools in your state and take out one of the 'reach' schools. Why? Because you will save money traveling to interviews and you have better chances getting in-state public or private. . .

So definitely take out UoP and apply to Penn?

You guys have any other suggestions? Is it likely that I will get into at least one of the schools listed?

 

[dentaldawg32]

I wouldn't apply to Penn. Average sGPA is 3.63 (in 2008).

I would not apply this year. At many of these schools (e.g. Case Western) you are going to be filtered out by a computer right off the bat because of your science GPA.

Both your science GPA and DAT are below average. Either study hard and retake the DAT and get 21+ or enter a Master's or Post Bacc program.

 

[Tini]

I would also remove Ohio State from your list...they are NOT OOS friendly, and like Case, you will probably be weeded out by a computer before anyone even looks at your application. They only interview 180 people out of around 1200, and only a third of that 180 are OOS applicants...

I would say you have a good shot at louisville, and I'm not sure if Indiana is on your list, but I would think you have a shot there too...

 

[iVTECdailyy]

I would also remove Ohio State from your list...they are NOT OOS friendly, and like Case, you will probably be weeded out by a computer before anyone even looks at your application. They only interview 180 people out of around 1200, and only a third of that 180 are OOS applicants...

I would say you have a good shot at louisville, and I'm not sure if Indiana is on your list, but I would think you have a shot there too...

Do you think Louisville because they accept people with lower gpas? Does anyone think I have a shot at nyu or the boston schools? I figured these schools were the ones I had the best shot at. I feel that if it comes to an interview I will be okay. Will I get some interviews with these stats?

 

[dentaldawg32]

Do you think Louisville because they accept people with lower gpas? Does anyone think I have a shot at nyu or the boston schools? I figured these schools were the ones I had the best shot at. I feel that if it comes to an interview I will be okay. Will I get some interviews with these stats?

With an 18 TS and 3.1 sGPA, I don't think you have much of a shot, unless you are a minority. Others might disagree, but you have an uphill battle with these stats.

 

[ItalianPrincess]

I wouldn't apply to Penn. Average sGPA is 3.63 (in 2008).

I would not apply this year. At many of these schools (e.g. Case Western) you are going to be filtered out by a computer right off the bat because of your science GPA.

Both your science GPA and DAT are below average. Either study hard and retake the DAT and get 21+ or enter a Master's or Post Bacc program.

do you know where the cut-off for these computer weeding systems is? I have lower stats too (you can check my predents profile) and am obviously expecting some rejections because of my gpa but i was hoping to at least have one interview...

 

[gorrillaunit18]

do you know where the cut-off for these computer weeding systems is? I have lower stats too (you can check my predents profile) and am obviously expecting some rejections because of my gpa but i was hoping to at least have one interview...

What's your GPA? I would believe it couldn't be too much lower than a 3.3ish

 

[ItalianPrincess]

my cum is a 3.3, sci is a 3.23, DAT 21 ts, 21 aa...that sci might be below then o well all i can do at this point is pray and if i don't get in do a masters and try, try again

 

[dentaldawg32]

my cum is a 3.3, sci is a 3.23, DAT 21 ts, 21 aa...that sci might be below then o well all i can do at this point is pray and if i don't get in do a masters and try, try again

I'm almost certain that you will receive a few interviews. DAT is solid. Apply to Columbia, as they tend to take people with low GPA/high DAT.

 

[erk005]

With an 18 TS and 3.1 sGPA, I don't think you have much of a shot, unless you are a minority. Others might disagree, but you have an uphill battle with these stats.

👍

18TS + 3.1sGPA will be a red flag. I had a 19TS and ~3.2sGPA and was told my GPA is too low. I would say take a bunch of science classes next year and get straight A's.

 

[Tini]

Do you think Louisville because they accept people with lower gpas? Does anyone think I have a shot at nyu or the boston schools? I figured these schools were the ones I had the best shot at. I feel that if it comes to an interview I will be okay. Will I get some interviews with these stats?

I would say louisville because they are very out of state friendly, they just added I think 40 more seats strictly for OOS applicants...also, I think they will look at your application as a whole as opposed to just focusing on your gpa

 

[HASassin]

does meharry like asians? i dont think they consider them as minorities right?

 

[iVTECdailyy]

I would say louisville because they are very out of state friendly, they just added I think 40 more seats strictly for OOS applicants...also, I think they will look at your application as a whole as opposed to just focusing on your gpa

That's really good to know. I really hope at least some of the dental schools I am applying to take a look at the whole application.

does meharry like asians? i dont think they consider them as minorities right?

I was actually wondering the same thing. I fall into the Asian category (Parents are from India) and am wondering if I have an advantage when applying to Meharry.

 

[iVTECdailyy]

Just wanted to Bump one time to see if there is any more advice out there. thanks guys.

 

[iVTECdailyy]

So i am scheduled to retake the dat september 3rd. Should I still send in my application right now so it is early? How do I let schools know that I am retaking the DAT? I couldn't find anywhere on the application that says "retaking DAT" or anything like that.

 

[iVTECdailyy]

**UPDATE**

just took my DAT again today (sept 3rd)

Here are the results:

Bio 17 -----> 19
Gen Chem 19 ------>20
Orgo 18------->18
QR 21------> 22
RC 20------> 21
PA 17 ------> 20
TS 18-------> 19
AA 19 ------> 20


What do you guys think my chances are now? I havent added any schools to my original list --- my application is in and im playing the waiting game.

Also, how long do you guys think until my new dat scores are in?

Thanks for the feedback!