Done! What are my chances?

[joydivision24]

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Hey guys,

I just finished all my prerequisites for dental school. I wanted to get feedback from you guys to see what my chances are. Over a year ago my GPA was a dismal 2.11; I had a lot of personal issues going on, and I wasn’t fully committed to my academics at the time. But, since then I’ve taken on another major (I’m a double major, philosophy, and cell biology). I’ve taken about 76 units since then and received a 4.0 GPA. I have all my letters of recommendations, and I feel they portray me in a very positive light. Also, I recently took the DAT, and my scores are as follows:

Bio: 24
GChem: 23
OChem: 23
QR: 22
RC: 24
PAT: 23
TS: 23
AA: 23

In addition, I’ve completed over 100 hours of volunteer work at a local dental office. What do you guys think my chances are to get into dental school?

Finally, thank you for the input. I’ve honestly picked up a lot of amazing tips and motivation from SDN.

 

[doc3232]

Hey guys,

I just finished all my prerequisites for dental school. I wanted to get feedback from you guys to see what my chances are. Over a year ago my GPA was a dismal 2.11; I had a lot of personal issues going on, and I wasn’t fully committed to my academics at the time. But, since then I’ve taken on another major (I’m a double major, philosophy, and cell biology). I’ve taken about 76 units since then and received a 4.0 GPA. I have all my letters of recommendations, and I feel they portray me in a very positive light. Also, I recently took the DAT, and my scores are as follows:

Bio: 24
GChem: 23
OChem: 23
QR: 22
RC: 24
PAT: 23
TS: 23
AA: 23

In addition, I’ve completed over 100 hours of volunteer work at a local dental office. What do you guys think my chances are to get into dental school?

Finally, thank you for the input. I’ve honestly picked up a lot of amazing tips and motivation from SDN.

Well...that 22 in QR is holding you down...
What's your science gpa? BCP major? If you started as a bio major with a 2.1 then your sci gpa will be very low. What is your overall and sci gpa now?
It's great you turned around with a 4.0 and a high DAT though.

 

[joydivision24]

Well...that 22 in QR is holding you down...
What's your science gpa? BCP major? If you started as a bio major with a 2.1 then your sci gpa will be very low. What is your overall and sci gpa now?
It's great you turned around with a 4.0 and a high DAT though.

hey doc,

my sGPA is hovering in the 2.85-2.9 zone.I know it's low, but I started out horribly; I initially received a D in the second part of ochem (repeated it and received an A), and a F in the last part of ochem (repeated it and received an A). Btw, what is BCP?

Thanks for the input.

 

[Ryltar]

Do some schools have a GPA cutoff? I think I remember reading that in a predent book. If so, I would definitely look into that, and schools which favor a strong DAT score more so than a strong GPA.

 

[khakwanit1]

You can't complain about DAT scores. I think you have a good chance of getting into one of the schools with those DAT scores. People who have a 3.9 GPA don't even score that well on DAT most of the time. How did you study for DAT and how long?

 

[joydivision24]

You can't complain about DAT scores. I think you have a good chance of getting into one of the schools with those DAT scores. People who have a 3.9 GPA don't even score that well on DAT most of the time. How did you study for DAT and how long?

I began studying about 7 months before the actual test date. I started with Ochem and Gchem, followed with PAT, then QR and RC, and finally with Bio. I relied way more on textbooks than DAT study guides. I used Campbell (9th edition, but i dont think it matters which one you use) for Bio, Chemistry: The Central Science for Gchem (11th edition) and Examkrackers, McMurry's Chemsitry (7th edition) for Ochem and Examkrackers, CrackDAT for PAT. As far as QR and RC are concerned, I simply refined my math skills by taking a bunch of practice SAT's, and for RC, I simply read a lot more than normal and paid attention to the reading more than normal. Finally, a month before the test date I took as many practice tests I could get my hands on, so as to emulate the test situation as much as possible.

Hope this helps

 

[doc3232]

hey doc,

my sGPA is hovering in the 2.85-2.9 zone.I know it's low, but I started out horribly; I initially received a D in the second part of ochem (repeated it and received an A), and a F in the last part of ochem (repeated it and received an A). Btw, what is BCP?

Thanks for the input.

What about overall? Will it be a bit higher when this semester is over?
Also, you have to put both classes in your gpa when you repeat it, in case you didn't.

 

[joydivision24]

What about overall? Will it be a bit higher when this semester is over?
Also, you have to put both classes in your gpa when you repeat it, in case you didn't.

My overall GPA is a 3.0. And yes, I did factor in the re-taking of classes.

Thanks.

 

[Vicviper]

Some schools do have GPA cutoffs, the advertised ones are often 2.5 or 2.75, but in actuality, some are higher. I think you've got an excellent chance to get into dental school. Your story shows that your old GPA really isn't part of you anymore, and you've shown your real potential. By the way, BCP is your Bio, Chem, and Physics GPA averaged together.

 

[kov82]

I hate that they throw Physics in there.....

 

[Jongho Yoon]

Are you planning to apply Loma Linda University? I talked to Associate dean of admissions, and he told me llu has a low GPA cut off for those students who are in your situation (low gpa overall, increasing trend). He said he looks for those increasing trend and have positive attitude about it. Also, I think lots of volunteer hours gives you a better chance as well as volunteering is one of the important things llu looks for.

I thought this might be beneficial for you to know

 

[Ryltar]

What bio classes are included in BCP? Are they just the core general ones, or all pertaining directly to a biology major (e.g. Anatomy I/II, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology, etc.)

 

[Vicviper]

Ry - Any class in the bio department, or certain bio related classes such as anatomy and physio if they're offered through different departments.

Loma Linda definitely takes a lower GPA, but the reason they can do that is because they get WAY less applications because of their other requirements. You need a letter of rec from a "spiritual adviser," and that prevents a lot of people from applying. If you can though, it's a really great school, and I'm currently on the wait list hoping to get in!

 

[Ryltar]

Whoah, a letter of req from a spiritual advisor!?! Guess I'm not applying there, unless I can get a recommendation from the priest at my church, although I don't know him very well (the Episcoplian denomination is dwindling and we've gone through 3 different priests over several months).

 

[Vicviper]

I don't think it necessarily needs to be a priest, I'm Catholic and I had my Confirmation sponsor write mine, he was a friend of mine since high school and teaches the religious classes at my church.

I think you just need someone who can attest to your spirituality, not necessarily a church leader, because I know none of my priests actually know who I am, especially because they all do different masses and it changes around every week most of the time. I'm sure as long as you've been a member of their congregation any priest would be willing to note that down in letter form without knowing you personally for a long time.

 

[Kneecoal]

Ry - Any class in the bio department, or certain bio related classes such as anatomy and physio if they're offered through different departments.

Loma Linda definitely takes a lower GPA, but the reason they can do that is because they get WAY less applications because of their other requirements. You need a letter of rec from a "spiritual adviser," and that prevents a lot of people from applying. If you can though, it's a really great school, and I'm currently on the wait list hoping to get in!

ANY bio class is factored into bcp?? i thought it was only your intro bcp courses that got factored in there?

 

[nze82]

You have solid DAT scores!!
Your GPA may be a little on the lower side, but I think your DAT scores will make up for it!
However, keep in mind that different schools have different admission requirements. Some schools favor higher DAT scores while others favore higher GPAs. Since your DAT is your strong point, you're probably better off looking for schools that don't have a GPA cut-off or anything like that. Nevertheless, I think you have a good chance of getting in.

Good Luck!👍