disheartened...

[DentalDimples]

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So, I've been doing a lot of research lately about the schools i'd like to apply to in the future and i had my hopes set on UCLA-not knowing how competitive it was considering i'm an out-of-state applicant...

First of all, has any of you been accepted to UCLA as an out of stater and if so, what did your numbers look like? I graduated with a non-science major and my GPA isn't that great.. 3.15 BUT, i hope and intend to get A's in all the pre-reqs.. With that said, IF i get a 4.0 SGPA, get 20+ on the DAT, shadow a TON of hours and have other EC's and good recommendations, is there any hope i could stand a chance at UCLA with my low major GPA and my out of state status??? You guys can give it to me straight, i'd really appreciate an honest response. From what I can gather, it seems like my chances are slim to none. =( But it's been my dream to go... so i gotta ask.

Secondly, i started looking at other california schools and I came across a lot of negative information about USC. What's all the negativity about??? and what is Problem Based learning and why is it "scaring applicants away?"

long post and many questions i know, but i hope to get some advice and opinions from you all... thanks for taking the time =)

 

[robg]

I'll be honest with you, I interviewed at USC not expecting much, but I can away very impressed with the program.

The students I talked to seemed to like the PBL but warned me that if PBL was not my thing I will be unhappy.

The only thing that I find negative is the tuition, but it's LA what do you expect.

 

[ummjoey]

www.predents.com

that tells you who got accepted and their statistics. some profiles also tell you the residence.

it is hard to say what your chances are beacuse it seems like you have not taken any science classes or your DATs.

taking the pre-reqs will change you gpa significantly.

you should also take upper division level science classes after your pre-reqs to further raise your gpa.

just work hard and you will be able to achieve what you want.

 

[SHC1984]

I wanted to apply to UCLA from Out of State but then backed out on it b/c it was too competitive. I believe if you look at the ADEA book it will let you know how many Out of Staters applied and how many got accepted. I think UCLA only accepts like 20 out of states a year according to the ADEA book. Even less attend of course...
UCLA has an average DAT score of 22, so as an Out of Stater UCLA would want you to have a HIGHER then average DAT score...so I would guess you need at least a 23+ on the DAT to be competitive there...
If you have the money I would apply anyways but I would not be expecting too much on it. Your best bet is your state school (I say that loosely since my state school rejected me, but supposely your best bet is your state school! 😉) good luck!

 

[Envision]

So, I've been doing a lot of research lately about the schools i'd like to apply to in the future and i had my hopes set on UCLA-not knowing how competitive it was considering i'm an out-of-state applicant...

First of all, has any of you been accepted to UCLA as an out of stater and if so, what did your numbers look like? I graduated with a non-science major and my GPA isn't that great.. 3.15 BUT, i hope and intend to get A's in all the pre-reqs.. With that said, IF i get a 4.0 SGPA, get 20+ on the DAT, shadow a TON of hours and have other EC's and good recommendations, is there any hope i could stand a chance at UCLA with my low major GPA and my out of state status??? You guys can give it to me straight, i'd really appreciate an honest response. From what I can gather, it seems like my chances are slim to none. =( But it's been my dream to go... so i gotta ask.

Secondly, i started looking at other california schools and I came across a lot of negative information about USC. What's all the negativity about??? and what is Problem Based learning and why is it "scaring applicants away?"

long post and many questions i know, but i hope to get some advice and opinions from you all... thanks for taking the time =)

Obviously no one can give you a straight answer. Even if you were able to achieve those amazing numbers, you have to realize there is still a chance you just won't get accepted. However, i believe you would have one helluva shot if you did show that type of dramatic improvement in your gpa. In my class, the out of staters are all very bright and have scored very well on the DAT, so to be on the safe side i would probably aim for around 22 and up. Having said that, why is UCLA your dream school? I mean it has a good reputation but is there more to it? Ultimately, going to any dental school will lead to the same end for us, so keep an open mind and don't place all your hopes on a single school. Just my 2cent, take care.

 

[jswizdent]

I'll be honest with you, I interviewed at USC not expecting much, but I can away very impressed with the program.

The students I talked to seemed to like the PBL but warned me that if PBL was not my thing I will be unhappy.

The only thing that I find negative is the tuition, but it's LA what do you expect.

I agree I don't know why people knock on the PBL, Corrrect me if iM wrong but doesn't harvard have PBL as well. I think it works for some people and maybe not for others. THe only downside to USC is it is expensive and you will not be studying much because of all of the nice ladies around.😛

 

[jessicagail]

i had the chance to go their also, and was not impressed either... be picky.. thats my advice.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

I'm a CA resident, 3.46 cGPA, 3.38 sGPA, AA 22, TS 23, PAT 20, and I never even got an interview invite from UCLA. I think your going to have to work some magic with your GPA in addition to killing the DAT to have a good shot at UCLA. Depending on how many classes you have left to bring your GPA up, it may be possible. On a more positive note, there's a lot of other good schools besides UCLA.

 

[UCSF2012]

From out of state students, UCLA looks for ultrahigh GPA's. They aim for 3.9 but is sometimes willing to go down to a 3.7. They relaxed that requirement for one person who has a 3.5 because she had a 26 DAT. Their philosophy is that they have a very academically demanding curriculum, and they need students who can handle the load.

You pretty much have no chance regardless of what you do from now on. Move on, buddy.

 

[estrella00]

It's definitely not fair to tell this person they have no chance. We have no idea who they are or what they have done in their life beyond the few lines originally posted.

DentalDimples - Are you a nontrad? You say you have a low GPA, but then you haven't taken any of your prereqs, so that's why I ask. I think if you are that will help your chances. Also, think about how many classes you have that make up the 3.whatever GPA. If it isn't that many and you REALLY buckle down, you can bring it up significantly. (Easier to bring up a 3.0 from one year with the rest of As than it would be to have your whole undergraduate around 100 hours at a 3.0) And if you are a nontrad and those grades are far behind you, you could make a strong case.

I would suggest you try to rock the DAT and definitely apply to a lot of schools, but you should give it a shot. You never know what the adcoms are looking for. Figure out what makes you unique and try to exploit that. If you don't have something unique, try to find/do something. Good luck!

 

[axum]

hey man, if you wanna go there, theres no harm in applying (might cost a little extra, but it might be worth it, you never know). I applied there because I thought it would be a cool school to go to. I almost didn't accept the interview invite because I thought I was a shoe-in for my state school. Boy was I wrong. UCLA accepted me on Dec 1st, and my state school rejected me last week after taking their sweet time deciding (I interviewed at both schools in november). Needless to say, I am very glad that I went to UCLA, because I loved the school, and it quickly became my top choice. I was kind of waiting for my state school, but I am also kind of glad that I got rejected, because that gave me an excuse to go to UCLA for sure. I will be going there this fall.

basically, if you feel like you'd wanna go there, just apply and see what happens.

The stats:
Out of state Applicant
3.7+ Sci. GPA
all scores 20 or higher on DAT
good shadowing and volunteering
a little research

 

[axum]

Your best bet is your state school (I say that loosely since my state school rejected me, but supposely your best bet is your state school! 😉) good luck!

Yea I found out the hard way that this is not the case. I am really glad I applied to more schools than just my state school.