Do most people get in SOMEwhere?

[IcemanDDS]

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Hey guys, I have very low stats, and wondering about how many people get in at least somewhere. I know of a few schools with low stats, and just curious as to how many people apply 2 or 3 times and never get in ANYWHERE. I have doubts of even pursuing this career, and just wanted to see if there was at least some school out there that would take me. 😎

Thanks

 

[umc27]

The word on the street is that 8000 people applied last year for 4000 spots. This year's stats will be somewhat different, no doubt.

 

[Starzz]

wow... talk about 50%....... good lord... i'm still in shock... cause u know the 4000 who didn't get in last year, well at least some of them must've had the stats and everything.. wow...... 😱

 

[Dr.SpongeBobDDS]

50% seems to be the magic number I've heard as well.

 

[aah_289]

Hey guys, I have very low stats, and wondering about how many people get in at least somewhere. I know of a few schools with low stats, and just curious as to how many people apply 2 or 3 times and never get in ANYWHERE. I have doubts of even pursuing this career, and just wanted to see if there was at least some school out there that would take me. 😎

Thanks

Yea, if you have "doubts about even pursuing this career" I would just stay away and not even bother applying. You'll just end up not getting accepted and wasting a lot of money and time. But even if you did somehow get in, would it be worth it if you don't care much for dentistry? Just my $0.02.

 

[busupshot83]

Yea, if you have "doubts about even pursuing this career" I would just stay away and not even bother applying.

It's only human to have doubts... especially when such an important aspect of your life is at hand. I disagree.

 

[IcemanDDS]

Yea, if you have "doubts about even pursuing this career" I would just stay away and not even bother applying. You'll just end up not getting accepted and wasting a lot of money and time. But even if you did somehow get in, would it be worth it if you don't care much for dentistry? Just my $0.02.

See this is not what I wanted to hear. I very much care for dentistry, its just that I have crappy stats and wanted to know if I had a chance to get in somewhere at all. I guess it all boils down to whether your stats are in the upper 50% of applicants or the lower 50%.

 

[hockeydentist]

What stats are we talkin about, please pm or let everyone know what your spill is. We as a community then can help you pick schools that you have a decent shot of getting into. Its hard for anyone on here to tell you yes or no that you can get into dental school, without knowing what you bring to the table. So share. I promise we won't bite!

Hd.

 

[BigRed12]

I have been reading this site for a couple of days and have decided to post. I am wondering about my chances as well. I have a 2.95 gpa and my DAT scores were 19AA/21PAT. I am looking at applying to Creighton, Nebraska, and UMKC. What do you think my chances are, or do you have any advice for me. Thanks.

 

[Mo007]

I have been reading this site for a couple of days and have decided to post. I am wondering about my chances as well. I have a 2.95 gpa and my DAT scores were 19AA/21PAT. I am looking at applying to Creighton, Nebraska, and UMKC. What do you think my chances are, or do you have any advice for me. Thanks.

Focus on Private Schools like BU and NYU, if you meet the schools you mentioned cut-offs, you should apply v. early.

Other than that, you have solid DAT, and edgy GPA. Call schools, see what they think.

Also, find the thread for the "under 3.0 club" in this forum. A lot of useful advice and experiences from the past cycle.

Good Luck

 

[rwilli477]

BigRed, don't quote me on this, but I believe UMKC requires an AA of at least 20 for out-of-staters to be considered. I can't remember where I read that, though... I'm not sure if you are a Missouri resident, but you may want to check it out so you don't waste money.

 

[IcemanDDS]

What stats are we talkin about, please pm or let everyone know what your spill is. We as a community then can help you pick schools that you have a decent shot of getting into. Its hard for anyone on here to tell you yes or no that you can get into dental school, without knowing what you bring to the table. So share. I promise we won't bite!

Hd.

Alright here's my stats:

GPA: 2.54
Sci: 2.03
DAT: currently studying for/never taken yet (Kaplan DAT: AA 15 PAT 22)

Been shadowing one day a week since Feb. and graduated with a BS in Biolology this past Dec. Starting classes this month, retaking Gen chem II and Orgo II since I got D's in both. All other sciences have been B's, C's, with an occasional A. Also taking over the course of next year: physics II, biochem, A&P II, and microbiology.

I know, horrible stats. But all I can do is score 20+ on DAT and get A's in classes.

 

[Starzz]

hey ice, all i'm saying is ya gotta' try.. cause u'll never know any other way... i will say this though.. i know someone whos starting dental school this fall and no way did i ever think she would get in, but hey, apparently she did... she didn't have the stats or anything that high up there, but she got in.. and i'm still in shock.. so all u can do is try.. otherwise u'll never know...

 

[hockeydentist]

Now most people on here are going to say that you need to do well on the DAT. Thats a given. Your grades seem to indicate that you had no real direction on what you wanted to do. But now you do you want to get into dentistry. If you do really well on the DAT, 20 above, then go ahead an apply this year.

Otherwise don't waste your time and besides getting rejection letters can be frusturating.

Your taking all the classes that you did not do well in. So that means your going to get at least a B or better. Nothing less.

Letters, you need strong letters. The dentist that your working with, should write you a strong letter. Express to him or her that your grades are not perfect, and that you need them to somehow get the attention of the ad coms, that although my grades are not that great, he has the potential to be a really good dentist. Same with Science professors.

Consider doing a post bac program at your local school, that is designed to bring up the grades.

Schools to look at if you do really well on the DAT.
NYU
Boston
Nova
Meharry(min)
Howard(min)


those are only I can think of that are willing to look past the grades.

I sure guys on here will add more.
Be sure to mention, how you are trying to improve your grades in your personal statement.

Worse comes, to worse, I would definetly call the schools that your interested in, explain to them your grades, they can give you a definate answer to what you need to do to get an interview.

Finally applying early is key.

HD.

 

[RachMSU]

Speaking on bad stats and chances, I was wondering what my chances are:

GPA: 3.41
Sci gpa: 3.37
BCP: 3.35

Dat: 16AA/15 PAT

Clearly my DAT sucks and I plan to retake it but still.

 

[IcemanDDS]

Well HD I never really planned on applying this year anyway since I have 2 D's on my transcript. Those have to be taken care of with A's, along with a good DAT score. Next spring semester I'm taking some suggested classes that will look good on the transcript plus show that I mean business this time. I'll apply on the first available day for each school next year, and pray...

 

[IcemanDDS]

BTW Rach, those GPA's are very good. DAT is a def retake...

 

[aah_289]

Ok, sorry. I realized I might have come across as too harsh. You guys are right, making a decision about the rest of your life is actually a pretty big deal and now that I think back I was nervous when I decided to do it.

Well, I just want to say go for it if you have the guts. Apply to ALL the GPA forgiving schools. One person I know got into dental school even though his GPA was low. He did well on the DAT and in more than one occasion he impressed admissions committees with his commitment and resolve in retaking many of the courses he did poorly on the first time and getting A's on each. I would give the following advice:

1.) Obviously, keep up the good work on the DAT's and study hard and do the best you can.
2.) EQUALLY important, you need to make a bold statement by getting mostly (if not all) A's on your upcoming classes.
3.) Follow the other suggestions listed besides mine.

You'll do fine. If you're really committed, you'll definitely make it. If not this year, then the next!

 

[Love]

Okay, so if we presume that the 4000/8000 numbers are correct I think the chances of getting in are excellent.

Perhaps my reasoning is flawed but I'm looking at those numbers and saying to myself that I have to beat out the guy/gal next to me and I'm in...

I dont like the "beat out the guy next to me" attitude as it further perpetuates the scarcity mentality that is so prevalent in our society but for lack of a better way to say it, that is what it comes down to.

If you want to get in, you'll get in. I guarantee I'm getting in and my numbers are average.

 

[Reed1978]

Perhaps my reasoning is flawed but I'm looking at those numbers and saying to myself that I have to beat out the guy/gal next to me and I'm in...

I dont like the "beat out the guy next to me" attitude as it further perpetuates the scarcity mentality that is so prevalent in our society but for lack of a better way to say it, that is what it comes down to.

I'm not really sure this is accurate. I think this mentality more aptly applies to outrunning bears and such (i.e. if you are chased by a bear, you only need to outrun your slower friend...or however the clich? goes).

IF the 50% acceptance rate is true, or even close, it doesn't necessarily mean that every other person gets in. If my friend and I both apply to a dental program, and we both have low stats - there is no guarantee that one of us will get in.

Obviously there are a lot of things that go into getting accepted at any professional school aside from grades. I know people that have better stats overall than I do, but got rejected from schools that I was accepted too.

 

[UBTom]

Several factors I want to mention:

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Some applicants did not research their choices of schools to apply to, and end up applying to out-of-state public schools they have almost zippo chances of getting into. I have a feeling these applicants make up a significant percentage of the 50% who did not get a seat.

Trend of the times. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you get a drubbing. When I applied back in 1996, it was very difficult to get in anywhere-- I had respectable GPA (above a 3.0) and DAT scores (21/23) and got rejected by every school I applied to, including my state public schools where I had the best shot at getting in.

You can't control the latter, but you sure as heck can control the former. So research the schools before applying!

to Iceman: Even for GPA-forgiving schools such as NYU, your GPA is indeed rather low. I would recommend pulling your grades up as close to a 3.0 as possible, and failing that in undergrad, go for a masters or postbacc and do well to show that you can handle upper-level coursework.

HTH.

 

[IcemanDDS]

Yea you cant look at it that way. I see it as the top 50% best stats get in, and lower 50% stats are SOL.

 

[Calculus1]

Yea you cant look at it that way. I see it as the top 50% best stats get in, and lower 50% stats are SOL.

Well, 50% doesn't sound right to me(but who knows?). At least in my state(TX) about 1 in 3 gets in. I think it varies from state to state and you can't use a national stat like that to gauge your chances of acceptance in your particular region. I would do like Dr. Hong said and look at each school individually and check out your probability of acceptance at each school rather than trying to compare yourself to such a broad and, for the most part, inconsequential group.

 

[busupshot83]

Saying that there are 4000 seats for 8000 applicants is from a national perspective. Thus, Calculus1 makes a very good point. While it may be safe to state that 50% of the total applicants get accepted, that's NOT the same as saying each individual has a 50% chance of acceptance because not everyone applies to all of the schools... that is, of course, you apply to ALL schools. Only then, could you truly say you have a 50% chance. CorrecT?

 

[sidewalkman]

I s'pose it's 50%, but as has been mentioned, you're playing the probability game with a weighted die. We all know about the pros of applying early, for example. You can't control your low GPA now... what you can control is everything else.

 

[Reed1978]

"I'm always amazed to hear of air crash victims so badly mutilated that they have to be identified by their dental records. What I can't understand is, if they don't know who you are, how do they know who your dentist is?"

Each airline DOES have a passenger inventory. It's a matter of matching the dental records to the names of each passenger on the list. It's not that hard really. Nice try.

 

[IcemanDDS]

Each airline DOES have a passenger inventory. It's a matter of matching the dental records to the names of each passenger on the list. It's not that hard really. Nice try.

Ok well I appreciate that little tidbit, but what I have put up is a joke. Everyone knows this is not a problem in real life. And yes you are so smart.

 

[Reed1978]

Ok well I appreciate that little tidbit, but what I have put up is a joke. Everyone knows this is not a problem in real life. And yes you are so smart.

I know I'm smart. Tufts and the other six dental schools I was accepted to affirmed this long ago.

Where are you going again?

P.S. Any doorknob can bite other peoples jokes, but it's a lot funnier coming from Paul Merton.

 

[IcemanDDS]

I know I'm smart. Tufts and the other six dental schools I was accepted to affirmed this long ago.

Where are you going again?

P.S. Any doorknob can bite other peoples jokes, but it's a lot funnier coming from Paul Merton.

uh yea that did come from him. You think I'm taking his joke? How about making a contribution to the forum instead of trying to convince everyone of how smart you are.

 

[Rezdawg]

Reed, easy there tiger. Dont really see why you had to sidetrack the conversation like that. And there really wasnt a need to insult iceman by asking him, "Where are you going again?". But, if it makes you feel better about yourself, then go for it.