Chances for Dental School?

[danielbryanheel]

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Hello all,

Some Info:

Non-trad.
cgpa and sgpa for dental: ~2.65
No DAT yet.
SMP GPA (Biomedical Sciences):~3.6
LA resident.

Can a high DAT score and SMP gpa make up for my abysmal undergraduate cgpa and sgpa?
Chances at LSU-New Orleans Dental School, specifically?

Thanks!

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Can a high DAT score and SMP gpa make up for my abysmal undergraduate cgpa and sgpa?

To an extent, yes.

Chances at LSU-New Orleans Dental School, specifically?

LSU's OOS (out of state) is ~10% (these are not the most recent numbers, you should check the updated ADEA Guide to Dental Schools or ask @doctoothache for more accuracy), and that's out of approximately 65 seats, so it might be tough.

 

[danielbryanheel]

Thanks for the response.

With LSU, I would actuallt be considered an in-state applicant (Louisiana (LA) resident). Would this improve my chances a good bit?

What DAT score do you think would make me competitive, if any?

I will check out the ADEA guide.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

My bad, I assumed by LA you meant Los Angeles! This considerably improves your chances. It's hard to objectively evaluate what your odds are without a final GPA and a DAT score, though. The big strike against you is the GPA. How are your extracurriculars, volunteering, shadowing, research, etc.?

As far as what DAT score, shoot for the stars. You really want to offset the GPA as much as you can, so the stronger the SMP GPA and DAT score you can pull of, the better.

 

[strep mutans]

From your post history it looks like you are currently trying to get into a DO program and planning to retake the MCAT this summer... Are you thinking of dental school as a backup plan? If so, know that the application asks if you have ever applied to another health profession doctoral program, if/when you've taken the MCAT, etc. And you'll need to have a good response when asked why you decided to switch. "Because I couldn't get into med school" is generally not acceptable.

 

[danielbryanheel]

@FeralisExtremum: Most of my volunteering/shadowing/research have been medical-based and not dental, as of yet. Does this matter when it comes to dental school should I decide to apply?

@ strep mutans: I am looking into dental school as an alternate plan to DO as I have gained an equal interest in both fields. I am torn about which field I should pursue head-on, though.

 

[doc toothache]

You did not mention how tall you are.