feeling a bit upset...

[yankpak786]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I was looking at so many posts here and hearing things from others at college applying this cycle, everyone seems to be at a much higher position grade-wise than I am.. I currently have a 3.5 overall and 3.2 science, resident of NYC. I initially thought I had a shot but as application opening comes closer and closer, my hopes are diminishing. I was going to take the DAT late August; I guess my question is, should I try at all this cycle? I'm wondering if I should delay it one more year or just apply it and hope for the best?

thanks.

 

[raptor93]

If you do great on your DAT, and have a decent quality of ECs, I think you should definitely apply this cycle. I think you should work on preparing to send out your app and doing well on the DAT, no point of waiting you may actually get in somewhere and not have to waste a year. Aslo , I feel like everyone, even those with great stats, get very nervous about their application when the time rolls around, so don't worry about it.

 

[gn4]

your GPAs are a bit low but not terrible. Depends on your DAT scores. Kill the DATs and you should be ok if your ECs are decent. However, I'd try to take it a bit earlier than late August. That's pretty late.

 

[packerland]

Maybe bump your DAT up to June or July so you have time to submit it early? But your GPAs aren't bad, don't be discouraged. You're seeing some of the best of the best on SDN. You have to realize that averages for schools fall somewhere around 3.5 give or take - but those are AVERAGES. That means some kids are getting in with lower GPAs! Its about your overall application! Good LORs, eye-catching PS, lots of shadowing, some EC's, great DAT, apply broadly, you can do it! I think you'll regret not trying. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't apply, the answer is always no. 🙂

 

[yankpak786]

I'm actually going to take a review session that ends in August, and then take the DAT directly after it. That's why I'm taking it in August. My plan is to apply the first day the cycle opens and then just submit the LoRs and DAT in August... Idk, I hope I bump up both my gpa's by at least .1 point after this semester. I have pretty solid LoRs, ECs, and shadowing done. I really hope I stay close to NYC.. lol

 

[Jungerr]

SDN is not the norm nor the average

 

[hellopeople]

I was going to check up on a post I made and clicked on predent rather than dental.
Maybe it's a good thing I did, because I can sort of relate to your situation. Your GPAs were very very similar to mine if I recall.
Just focus on the DAT and apply early. Get DAT destroyer for the chemistry, crack dat pat for the PAT, and whatever works for you for the rest.
With essentially the same grades I got a bunch of interviews (like 6 or 7 outta 15 or something like that), despite not even having any legit ECs.

And that's with a DAT score of 21 or something; something good, but not undo-able by any stretch.

Don't apply late, as it will dictate what school you go to, best-case-scenario.

Really, dental school application is not as intense a process as many describe it to be. After being here for a bit, I'd say start studying for the MCAT rather than the DAT. lol But, if you're dead set on fixing teeth, getting in should not be a problem if you work hard from here on out.

 

[gn4]

I'm actually going to take a review session that ends in August, and then take the DAT directly after it. That's why I'm taking it in August. My plan is to apply the first day the cycle opens and then just submit the LoRs and DAT in August... Idk, I hope I bump up both my gpa's by at least .1 point after this semester. I have pretty solid LoRs, ECs, and shadowing done. I really hope I stay close to NYC.. lol

Many schools won't touch your application until your DAT scores are in

 

[jammc89]

I had a 3.2 overall and 3.3 sgpa and 21 AA on the DAT. I received 5 waitlist offers and an acceptance to Tufts. I think you have a great shot if you apply early and do well on the DAT

 

[Bottle]

I just want to point out that a lot of those people who get extremely high grades choose to apply to few schools only. Some of them end up with nothing at the end of the cycle. Just work on yourself and stop comparing yourself to other. You are right, 3.2GPA is not good and you probably allowed 3.2GPA to happen because you kept comparing yourself to your surronding and felt it was ok to be 3.2
Just block others from you when it comes to pre-dent stuff and do it your own way.

 

[syap]

I had a 3.26 GPA and 3.12 Science GPA but a 22 on DAT. I had 4 interviews, 1 acceptance, 2 waitlists and 1 rejection out of those 4. So a good DAT can make up a little for bad GPA (which yours is better than mine)

 

[yankpak786]

Thank you all!

 

[yankpak786]

I was going to check up on a post I made and clicked on predent rather than dental.
Maybe it's a good thing I did, because I can sort of relate to your situation. Your GPAs were very very similar to mine if I recall.
Just focus on the DAT and apply early. Get DAT destroyer for the chemistry, crack dat pat for the PAT, and whatever works for you for the rest.
With essentially the same grades I got a bunch of interviews (like 6 or 7 outta 15 or something like that), despite not even having any legit ECs.

And that's with a DAT score of 21 or something; something good, but not undo-able by any stretch.

Don't apply late, as it will dictate what school you go to, best-case-scenario.

Really, dental school application is not as intense a process as many describe it to be. After being here for a bit, I'd say start studying for the MCAT rather than the DAT. lol But, if you're dead set on fixing teeth, getting in should not be a problem if you work hard from here on out.

Haha, thank you so much. I am very interested in maxillofacial/oral surgery. I know it's an intense speciality, and that's for later - but your response was very helpful and supportive. I hope to bump my sGPA upto 3.30 by the end of this semester and overall to a 3.55-3.6. I have pretty solid ECs and LoRs, I really hope to get a 20+ on the DAT in everything, that will def. make me feel better. And yes, I'll most likely apply in late August after my DAT prep course concludes. I narrowed my choices to the following: NYU, USC, Rutgers, Stony, Temple, and Boston.

Again, thanks!

 

[JCLewis90]

You can submit your AADSAS application before taking your DAT. I would go ahead and get your personal statement written, then try to submit your application in the first few days. Your DAT scores can be submitted later. At least the rest of your application will be sent out.

 

[Ferneezy]

Haha, thank you so much. I am very interested in maxillofacial/oral surgery. I know it's an intense speciality, and that's for later - but your response was very helpful and supportive. I hope to bump my sGPA upto 3.30 by the end of this semester and overall to a 3.55-3.6. I have pretty solid ECs and LoRs, I really hope to get a 20+ on the DAT in everything, that will def. make me feel better. And yes, I'll most likely apply in late August after my DAT prep course concludes. I narrowed my choices to the following: NYU, USC, Rutgers, Stony, Temple, and Boston.

Again, thanks!

if you're going to throw usc in there might as well add buffalo. you'd be stupid not to.

and some might even say you'd be stupid to apply to usc...

 

[jmh018]

A ton of people on here are not the average student applying or accepted. Every other DAT breakdown is like a 26 or something. The average accepted is around a 19 so obviously SDN favors those with great scores who want to share what they did to study to help other predents do well too (and a few people who want to brag). Just do your own thing, work hard and apply. People have gotten in with your GPAs. My advice would be to do well on the DAT (maybe move it up to beginning of August if possible, that's when I took mine and i wouldn't want it to be too much later than that) and apply this year.

http://dentalstudentdds.wordpress.com/

3 Year Air Force HPSP Recipient
Dental Student Class of 2017