Do I have even the slightest chance?

[cindadent]

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After high school, I went to a community college for 2 years and had a 3.9 GPA, and transferred to UCLA. I did horribly at UCLA, and got dismissed after a year. It took me one and a half year to get readmitted. I took Extension class at UCLA, but did poorly. I was working, while trying to get back in, then took a private loan, and stopped working to concentrate on school. Moreover, I have been getting straight A's for the past 2 quarters, and got readmitted. I should be finished with my Biology BS by Spring 2009.

I plan to take my DAT this summer. I have been studying on and off for over a year already. Also took the Kaplan course and plan to take the test in early August.

With my repeated D's and F's, I probably have around a 2.5 GPA.

How well do I need to do on the DAT to have the slightest chance at this cycle or even next cycle? 25? 26?

I was thinking of doing a post bac or masters, but my GPA is so low. I don't know what to do if I don't get accepted. Should I just take upper division science classes at a local Cal State University?

A little more about me:
Dental assistant for a year.
Shadowed a GP for a summer.
Research for 3 years.
Extensive work history.
Extensive volunteer work.
Extensive leadership experience.
Volunteered in Africa one summer.

Please, please, please go ahead and be blunt. Your most honest opinion will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

 

[supraman]

Being a member for over two years and reading on questions like this, I know unless you have something outstanding on your application, your chances are extremely low. You just need to realize how many other thousand applicants have higher credentials than you. If I were you, I'd get a masters program, because that is segregrated out from your undergrad gpa and just kick a** in it. It will show your upward trend complimented by DAT scores. Best of Luck.

 

[Hysteria24]

If I were you, I'd get a masters program, because that is segregrated out from your undergrad gpa and just kick a** in it. It will show your upward trend complimented by DAT scores. Best of Luck.

Good advice. That's exactly what got me in.

 

[Danny289]

master degree is good advice or shoot for 24+ on your DAT!
nothing is impossible!

 

[MrLebowski]

How well do I need to do on the DAT to have the slightest chance at this cycle or even next cycle? 25? 26?

Um, if you got a 25 or 26 across the board and didn't get in, that'd be crazy.

GPAs are quite subjective, and I believe the DAT to be the great equalizer. Obviously your GPA is gonna hurt. The being dismissed is really gonna look bad. But who would turn down a 26/26/26? I'd say you know your stuff if you can pull something like that.

 

[Dan3223]

sure 26s across the board would turn some heads, but let's be honest... that's not going to happen (this is not a personal thing... that's just an unrealistic score for almost anyone).
You need to think realistically...
I think a masters program would be your best bet. If you cant get in to a masters program due to low GPA, then keep taking classes until you can bring it up enough to get in. The masters program would give you a separate GPA and show that you can handle upper level classes.
A high DAT score is obviously good... but I dont think it would be enough to get them to look past the 2.5
Best of luck to you.

 

[trust068]

yes your only way is get in a science related master program from a reputable school to prove them you are ready for dental school. with your gpa, your application will just get filter out before it reach to the admission committee's desk

i think even if you score 27 average, you might still not get accepted (maybe they will put you in the postbac program or something like that, because you are a potential candidate) because your academic record shows you are inconsistent and a possible trouble maker. i would think most of dental school would rather not want to take the chance.

good luck

 

[Zerconia2921]

Hey if you really want to do it (denistry) you should keep on trying. You stuck in a hole that you dig very deep so its going to take time to come out. Just keep thinking positive your time will come but just be patient and persistent. Good luck buddy👍

 

[Chemiguy]

I agree
24+ across the board? 26 DAT? What are these people on?
Either do masters or retake some of the science course. Raise GPA.

 

[jigabodo]

sure 26s across the board would turn some heads, but let's be honest... that's not going to happen (this is not a personal thing... that's just an unrealistic score for almost anyone).
You need to think realistically...
I think a masters program would be your best bet. If you cant get in to a masters program due to low GPA, then keep taking classes until you can bring it up enough to get in. The masters program would give you a separate GPA and show that you can handle upper level classes.
A high DAT score is obviously good... but I dont think it would be enough to get them to look past the 2.5
Best of luck to you.

We got 2 active members on this board that scored 26 AA, so it is possible if you work your butt till it drops.

Anyways, I agree with the last statement. Looks like DAT alone might not be able to save you at this point. Enroll in a SMP if you can also.

 

[Chemiguy]

You know what? I was in a similar situation as far as working and trying to do this thing alone some time after undergrad. Anyways, you did the right thing by taking out loan and concentrating on your school work. Having said that, obviously you should have done that process a little earlier before you had to repeat your Ds, Fs.
If you are capable of getting 26s across the board like some people here suggesting, you probably wouldn't have gotten Ds, Fs in science in my opinion.
You should surely do master's, if you can get into one. Or take more classes, science and non science so that your GPA would be in 3.X range.
Work hard on getting decent DAT, meaning nothing below 18s. Talk to schools and set a realistic goal. And when you do get an interview, make sure to let your experiences shine and perhaps maturity gained from all those experiences.
Best of Luck to you.

 

[bennijai]

Go for a Masters and do well in it (3.5-4). Then reapply with DAT scores of 20+. With a 2.5 GPA it's going to be rough to bring that up to a a decent level, especially if you have alot of credits under your belt.

 

[UCSF2012]

Don't put all your eggs into one basket. Be willing to shop around for other careers as you prepare for the DAT. Getting a 22+ is not easy, and you can't tell someone to nail the DAT. Ability comes into play.

Why'd you keep getting into UCLA? It's not an easy school. That 2.5 from UCLA could have been a 3.2 at lower tier school.

 

[rollredroll]

enlist in the military and apply after a few years.

 

[Hysteria24]

enlist in the military and apply after a few years.

I'm confused how this will do much.

 

[samdds]

Um, if you got a 25 or 26 across the board and didn't get in, that'd be crazy.

I have to disagree with the statement, I am afraid. The admission committees look at the whole package. Just because getting a 25 or 26 on the DAT doesn't mean they will ignore other parts of the application. There is cut off for the BOTH the DAT and GPA. I believe the minimum for GPA is somewhere around 3.0 for most schools. But the cut off varies from schools.

Here is my suggestion. You can consider either a master or post-bac program if you have already graduated. Some schools weight heavily on post-bac/master gpa than undergrad. If you pull up your gpa with an upward trend, you will get a chance. Good luck and don't give up.

 

[jigabodo]

I have to disagree with the statement, I am afraid. The admission committees look at the whole package. Just because getting a 25 or 26 on the DAT doesn't mean they will ignore other parts of the application. There is cut off for the BOTH the DAT and GPA. I believe the minimum for GPA is somewhere around 3.0 for most schools. But the cut off varies from schools.

Here is my suggestion. You can consider either a master or post-bac program if you have already graduated. Some schools weight heavily on post-bac/master gpa than undergrad. If you pull up your gpa with an upward trend, you will get a chance. Good luck and don't give up.

Postbac isn't really a good option since OP already got many units under his/her belt. I agree that a master would help a ton though.

 

[Californian]

I go to UCLA and transferred from communitiy college also! why did u do so poorly? main reason?(compare to community college)?

 

[happyana]

I go to UCLA and transferred from communitiy college also! why did u do so poorly? main reason?(compare to community college)?

since we're all talking about what helps into getting into dental school, I was wondering if you guys think that a masters in public health or a masters in nutrition (which is a science) would be better? I was accepted into Columbia's program for the MPH and for my MS in Nutrition I was accepted at a another university. My science gpa isn't all that great (~2.5) but my overall is pretty good(~3.3) so I don't know which way to go.

 

[jigabodo]

since we're all talking about what helps into getting into dental school, I was wondering if you guys think that a masters in public health or a masters in nutrition (which is a science) would be better? I was accepted into Columbia's program for the MPH and for my MS in Nutrition I was accepted at a another university. My science gpa isn't all that great (~2.5) but my overall is pretty good(~3.3) so I don't know which way to go.

MPH is more related to dentistry than Nutrition, so that's what I will suggest.