Do I need a 3.0 sgpa?

[zastrownaut]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I had a quick question about applying with the best chances because I understand certain schools have a 3.0 sGPA cutoff. Currently, I have a 3.1 oGPA and a 2.9 sGPA.

I am waiting for grades to post for spring quarter, and I will also be taking a science course during the summer that ends at the end of July. My grades this quarter may get me over a 3.0 sGPA, but in the case that it doesn't, should I apply after my summer course concludes (end of July) which would get me over 3.0, or apply now with a 2.9 sGPA. I'll be applying to 15 schools.


DAT: 22 AA 23 TS, 19 PAT.

Extracurriculars:
President of dental club
Dental mission trips in Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua
Work at a recruiting firm during summers

Shadowing hours: 200
Volunteer hours: 500

Thank you!!!

 

[RamsFan1991]

With that DAT it could help overcome a 2.9 sGPA but definitely aim for 3.0+. Really depends on your list of schools, mind listing where you're applying?

 

[niv3k]

I think meharry's average gpa last year was 3.0 or a little bit below. Even so I'm sure there are some people that get in with 3.0s if their DAT is high. Just try to get it higher. Also read in that adea book (with the stats of students that matriculated) that there were some schools that looked highly upon volunteer hours. Don't remember which ones exactly, I think A.T still in Arizona was one of them. There are a couple schools like that. I believe they'd like a rec letter from someone that you volunteered under or something along those lines. Not completely sure though.

 

[zastrownaut]

With that DAT it could help overcome a 2.9 sGPA but definitely aim for 3.0+. Really depends on your list of schools, mind listing where you're applying?

Yeah i'm applying to:

Arizona
MWU-AZ
MWU-IL
USC
UCSF
Western
LECOM
Nova
Boston U
Tufts
UNE
Detroit Mercy
UNLV
NYU
Roseman
and then I'll add Meharry thanks to niv3k

 

[y3nd0]

"Need" is a strong word. "Highly recommended" sounds a lot better. I am not sure about which schools have GPA cut-offs, but even in the case where there is no cut off, it looks a lot better to the eye and brain to see a "3.0" than a "2.9". That "2" really kills the mood, if you get my drift.

If you do manage to push it over to 3.0 at the end of this quarter, then apply. If not, wait until the end of July and apply. You'll still be early enough.

About ASDOH. It's very true that they value volunteering, but from old SDN threads, they have interviewed people with crazy amounts of volunteer hours (I'm talking in the thousands). I somehow slipped through the cracks and was offered an interview with about 400+ hours, but all were quality hours and pretty unique (maybe that's why).

Meharry is a historically black university, so they have a preference for African Americans (i.e URM). So unless you're an African American, your chances at the school do become decreased.

UCSF is going to be a reach for you. Even for Cali residents, it's a difficult school to get into.

 

[765876]

i had 3.2 oGPA and 2.98 sGPA and got in with 19AA just had a lot of ECs to back it up! i got into 3 of the schools on your list

 

[Hannah Banana]

About ASDOH. It's very true that they value volunteering, but from old SDN threads, they have interviewed people with crazy amounts of volunteer hours (I'm talking in the thousands). I somehow slipped through the cracks and was offered an interview with about 400+ hours, but all were quality hours and pretty unique (maybe that's why).

400+ is still A LOT! I only had 100 hours and was stupid to even apply to ASDOH. Luckily I found out that fact after getting on SDN and didn't pay the secondary application fee. Glad I was able to save some $.

 

[zastrownaut]

i had 3.2 oGPA and 2.98 sGPA and got in with 19AA just had a lot of ECs to back it up! i got into 3 of the schools on your list

amazing!! i've been looking for people like you! what kind of EC's did you have if you don't mind me asking?

 

[765876]

amazing!! i've been looking for people like you! what kind of EC's did you have if you don't mind me asking?

I had about 2,000 quality volunteer hours with leadership roles in 2 clubs for 3 years (ended up being president in both of them) and one club for two years (vice president). I had around 120 shadowing hours from a public health clinic (mostly) and a private practice

 

[darknightzzz]

400+ is still A LOT! I only had 100 hours and was stupid to even apply to ASDOH. Luckily I found out that fact after getting on SDN and didn't pay the secondary application fee. Glad I was able to save some $.

you still should go for it (i did apply primary to ASDOH) I have around 140 hrs of volunteer but 1800+ of research volunteer. Plus, the others that got in without impressive volunteer hours but have other sides don't post on here.

Edit: they have preference for high volunteer hours but not all of its matriculated students have volunteers hours in the high 500-600 hrs

 

[tarheel616]

I had about 2,000 quality volunteer hours with leadership roles in 2 clubs for 3 years (ended up being president in both of them) and one club for two years (vice president). I had around 120 shadowing hours from a public health clinic (mostly) and a private practice

I'm applying this cycle and have already submitted my app. I was curious if you wouldn't mind DM'ing me where you all interviewed and were accepted

 

[Kittenz]

There are no known cut-offs for sGPA. But if you have no reasoning for your poor performance, there is no reason why adcom would expect otherwise if you were to attend their school. After all, the first 2 years are usually the basic sciences in dental school. How can they assume you'll be able to handle an even more intense course load? What do you have to offer to the community of the student body or as alumni afterwards? If you can't answer these questions, you can't expect them to. Craft your personal statement to address such issues, and do what you can academically.

 

[BrainDent]

My opinion is DO NOT WAIT to apply. If you wait, by the time you apply hundreds of interview spots for your school of choice have already gone out. My sGPA was around 2.9 when I applied, had a 22 on the DAT and got interviews at about 70% of the schools I applied. You can update the grades through AADSAS or send the schools updates on your grades. The first year I applied, my application was sent in a couple months late and I received ZERO invites. The next year, six... ASDOH interviewed me and I only had 40 hours of shadowing, 100 or so hours of volunteerwork, but I was non-traditional former art major (I guess I stuck out?).