Deciding where to apply

[ElCid]

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This is my first day as a member of the forum and this is my first posting. Yeah for me!

That said, Ive got a question or two that I hope some people can answer. Ok, Im in the middle of the whole application process and Im trying to determine where to apply. Im taking the DAT in about a month and am worried about doing well. If GRE scores (Im a grad student) are any indicator of test performances, I wont be turning any heads with my DAT.
So, what schools should someone with a decent undergrad GPA (3.4 overall, slightly higher science) but probable "low scores" apply to - based on a low DAT score? Are there any good online resources that summarize admission statistics, including average DAT scores for admitted students?
Im not selling myself short, I still have yet to take the DAT. But I think it is important to have one or two "safety schools" incase I do bomb the test.

Thanks

 

[Zurich5]

Elcid,

Sounds like i am in a similar situation. I've got about the same gpa (3.4/3.3), and did fairly descent on the dat. That said, check out this website it should give you an idea how you match up gpa wise. http://lifesci.rutgers.edu/~hpo/dstats.htm FYI, i'll be applying to eight schools (as an illinois resident):

Indiana, UIC, SIU, Marquette, Louisville, Kentucky, Case Western, Michigan, and maybe Pitt.

Good luck bud.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Just for the record, I applied to Kentucky last year and didn't even get a secondary from them. I think competition there is getting ferocious, and it didn't help that I was an out-of-state applicant. Same with Louisville.

 

[emporio]

research each school carefully...
your "safe" schools are the private ones.
(nyu, tufts, boston, temple etc..)

 

[ItsGavinC]

And oh yes, that Rutgers link is extremely helpful, but keep in mind that it is averages for APPLICANTS, not for accepted students or matriculants.

I think the information in the ADEA Guide to Dental School book contains accepted student stats rather than applicants.

 

[ItsGavinC]

emporio hit it right on the head. Especially if you are coming from a state where there is no public dental school, you've got to rely morso on the private schools.

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

Its knida funny. I picked two safety schools and they both rejected me even though I got in or waitlisted at all my other schools.

Bec its safety don't mean your getting in or even be granted an interview.

Best of luck to you.

 

[ElCid]

Thats a really good point. The figures listed are only those of applicants. Would it be safe to assume that there is a link between stats of applicants and stats of those accepted? That would be my guess.

I also have another more unusual predicament. Im an Army brat so where I am technically a resident is somewhat shady. My first 20 years of life I was technically a resident of PA, then I went to college in SC. My dad eventually got stationed in SC so I think my residency may have actually changed to SC. Now Im a grad student in Indiana so... (?)

I doubt a lot of people have advice on that, but there has to be at least one person out there who has been or is in the same situation. Anybody?

 

[salem7]

With a 3.4 you'll probably need an above average DAT score or great interview skills to guarantee yourself a spot at a competitive private school. The "safe" schools generally get 1500+ applications so you'll need something to make yourself stand out to the adcomm's or you'll

I would be on the safe side and apply to more schools than I thought I really needed to in case you have bad luck and don't get in this time. It is a looong wait to the next application cycle.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I was sent a PM and responded that most of my safety schools were PUBLIC schools that had accepted a ton of students from my undergrad (10+) for the previous 5 or 6 years.

I got slammed at all of those schools, and obviously didn't do my homework when it came to which schools to apply to.

As was said, private schools are getting well over 1200 applications these days, so competitition is tough. It isn't as tough as being out-of-state and applying to a public, however, where 300-400 students are applying for 5-10 spots.

 

[scandalouslj]

Your best info would come from the ADA book that you can get from any bookstore or your advisor would probably even have it. It has the exact breakdown of who was admitted, how many out of staters, GPA's, degrees, etc. I looked at that and applied to many of the schools that accepted more out of staters, and in my case people that graduated in 3 years. A 3.4 is pretty good at most state schools, as long as you get 18's+ on the DAT which isnt that hard. You really shouldnt have a problem getting into IU if you are considered a resident (but I dont think you are if you are just a student) . I would think you are a resident of SC if your parents have lived there for more than a year.

 

[larryt]

scandalouslj !


can you list all the schools that accepted more out of staters. I don't have that book. Thanx million !

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

Hey Larryt, you could look in Barons Guide to Medical and Dental Schools.

Although someone told me the data isn't 100% accurate. They didn't explain why but I based my decisions on that book

 

[GTchick]

I wouldn't worry so much about a 3.4 GPA. That is what I had and got into my top 2 schools and a couple others. I did just average on the DAT too. Don't apply to MUSC or Kentucky unless you have something stellar about you though. I had good interviews at both and got rejected quickly thereafter. Good luck!

 

[PDPjester]

Scandalouslj is right. get the ADA book and research that. has the most comprehensive info anywhere.