do i have a shot?

[futuredentist31]

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hey so Im pretty nervous about this year's cycle, can anyone try to see how applicable I am to get into dental school, and is there any school where my chances are higher?

I am a graduating senior at UC irvine with cognitive sciences, BA. My overall gpa is 2.8 and science is a bit lower. this was because I was a transfer student at a school with not enough resources. But my personal statement is to the key and I am planning to take the DAT by June.

Please help out or give me advice in how i can amplify the chances into getting in.

 

[water88]

You will need to get 24+ on the DAT to overcome that GPA and even then, it might still be iffy. You will probably be screened out by many schools that have cutoffs.

If you don't get in this cycle, do a Master's program.

 

[Vicviper]

Hey there fellow anteater! I would just suggest to do your best on the DAT's - while you might not need a 25, I think having around a 22AA or so would make you still stand a chance in the runnings.

Also, are you a URM? If so, Meherry and Howard have a focus on that. I was accepted to Howard, and although I won't be going there in the fall, I thought it really was a great school with amazing faculty.

If all else fails, you can either apply for a post-bac or a graduate program to boost your GPA.

Don't stress, it might be a longer road, but you'll get there eventually. No matter what your DAT score (within reason), I would still apply - it can often be things other than your grades or scores explicitly that can get you in.

 

[whoaaitzkyle]

hey so Im pretty nervous about this year's cycle, can anyone try to see how applicable I am to get into dental school, and is there any school where my chances are higher?

I am a graduating senior at UC irvine with cognitive sciences, BA. My overall gpa is 2.8 and science is a bit lower. this was because I was a transfer student at a school with not enough resources. But my personal statement is to the key and I am planning to take the DAT by June.

Please help out or give me advice in how i can amplify the chances into getting in.

first off, welcome to SDN!

Obviously I'm not adcoms, but from the many threads I've seen when I was applying (I have a lower GPA myself) you need to do well on the DAT to outbalance the GPA discrepancy. I'd save some money and look at every dental schools requirements because some schools have minimum requirements (i.e. at least a 3.0 GPA) you may not meet and would be wasting your money to apply there.

Also, to not waste your time I'd also look at post-bacc programs in case you don't get in this cycle (keep it real). If you want to stay in California there is a UCLA/LLU and UCSF/UoP/SFSU post bacc program I'd advise you looking into as well.

I don't think there is any set DAT score you need to meet to get an interview (so don't let our opinions scare you) but I would assume you'd need to score above average in your AA/TS. Good luck and study hard!

 

[Hordel]

I would say that your GPA is pretty low. That being said I don't see any DAT scores, so if you have taken them and done well (22 or better) or will be taking them and can get this kind of a score I think you have a very decent shot. While the personal statement will help, you need to prove to the schools you apply to that you CAN handle the academic side of dental school (not that I am saying you can't, I am just saying that you need to prove that to the schools). Oh, also you should check to see what the average GPA is for each school and apply to private schools and schools with lower GPA's.

Best of luck to you!!👍

 

[UCfan]

I graduated from UCI too and I know that it is very harsh to have high GPA especially from certain majors. I do not want to be the bad guy, but your GPA will hurt you a lot (since it is lower than 3). I think that you may think about going to postbac program (if you do research and publish some papers (it can make you exceptional in candidate pool)) and try to get straight As to keep it up at least above 3. As far as DAT goes, try to take it once you are ready. Try to aim as high as possible. It is harsh to say that with this status, you need an exceptional scores. If I were in your shoes, I may think to take a year off to study DAT and take upper level bio classes to make up the GPA. It is an option too. Maybe you can skip this cycle and try to focus on 2011 cycle with much better status. Once again I do not want to be a bad guy, it is my opinion. Good luck!

 

[SArhamsadr]

Kill your DATs and take upper div science classes through extension to boost your GPA. Its also not bad to look into doing one of the above mentioned postbacs. Im almost positive that the SFSU deadline has passed but I'm not sure about LLU. Good luck.

 

[timwatley]

hey so Im pretty nervous about this year's cycle, can anyone try to see how applicable I am to get into dental school, and is there any school where my chances are higher?

I am a graduating senior at UC irvine with cognitive sciences, BA. My overall gpa is 2.8 and science is a bit lower. this was because I was a transfer student at a school with not enough resources. But my personal statement is to the key and I am planning to take the DAT by June.

Please help out or give me advice in how i can amplify the chances into getting in.

If you do really well on the DAT you'll have a shot! otherwise...post-bacc/masters program