Gpa: 2.59 Dat: 16

[dentalresearch]

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I know these scores are very bad, but i didn't even study for the DAT and took it just to see how well i'd do. I know i could get 19 if i tried. Also, i've been a clinical research coordinator at a very prestigeous hospital in boston for almost a year. What is your advice to me on dental school? Do i have any shot, and if so, what do i need to do.

 

[Biogirl361]

why would you take the dat "just for fun" 😕 anyways, in my opinion those stats probably won't get you interviews this cycle. i would spend the next school year taking some more upper level science classes and trying to get your gpa to at least a 3.0, and study for the dat this time and get that 19+. then apply nice and early next cycle to a good number of schools and you should get in somewhere. good luck!

 

[Bickle]

A 2.5gpa and a 16 on the dat will get you nowhere. Hate to break it to you, but the dat is an exam many people study 2-3 months for. Retake the dat, and either get into a post bacc program/masters program or take upper level science classes to get your gpa around the 3.0 mark. Even if you do get your gpa around 3.0, you still need to kill your dat, good luck, and STUDY hard.

 

[dentalresearch]

I guess i should have mentioned that i already graduated last year with a biomedical science degree w/ chem. minor. So getting my GPA up is out of the question. What are my chances with grad. school in Boston? Should i take a few grad. courses at least to prove my abilities in addition to retaking, and killing the DAT?

 

[Mo007]

If you improve your DAT to 22+, and apply to private schools... like NYU, BU, Nova - they might consider you for an interview if you apply very early.

I have seen people with your GPA get in some private school before, but their DAT was very solid.

Good Luck

 

[missugarplum]

I don't think retaking additional undergraduate courses/pre reqs would bring your GPA up a significant level. I suggest taking upper level science classes to show that you are capable of handling advanced classes, especially in preparation for the rigorous curriculum they have in dental school. Rock solid DAT scores are a must!

 

[ItsGavinC]

I don't think solid DAT scores will even help that GPA.

Post-grad courses are a must to give you a clean slate and show adcoms that you can do better.

 

[aah_289]

While I agree it's foolish to take the DAT "for fun" without any preparation, I did the same thing last year. If you're incredibly smart or just lucky like me you might be able to pull off such a tight score that there will be no need to take it again. 🙂 Plus, the extra practice and knowing that you sat through the test before should give you more confidence the next time you take the test.

Take care of the GPA before anything; you have to get that near or preferably above the 3.0 range to become competitive.

 

[hockeydentist]

Sorry to bust your bubble, but thats going to happen, so don't waste your money on applying. Talk to the schools your seriously want to get into, ask them what you should do. they may have a suggestion that does not require getting another degree or taking upper science classes.

Hd

 

[aphistis]

I hate to jump on the critical bandwagon, but in this case I really have to agree. Those numbers just aren't very competitive.

 

[Zurik5]

I hate to jump on the critical bandwagon, but in this case I really have to agree. Those numbers just aren't very competitive.

Always the pessimist, heh Bill? 😉

 

[ItsGavinC]

Always the pessimist, heh Bill? 😉

Please don't take that title away from me. 😀

Actually, playing the admissions game made me a realist (something I wasn't fully converted to prior to applying). I suppose it was those schools that took my secondary check and then promptly wrote out letters letting me know that I was denied. Then again, maybe it was those schools who cashed my check PRIOR to the secondary and then let me know I wasn't competitive enough for a secondary. All of that with a 3.4 and above 20s on the DAT (including a couple of 95+ %ile scores).

 

[Bickle]

Please don't take that title away from me. 😀

Actually, playing the admissions game made me a realist (something I wasn't fully converted to prior to applying). I suppose it was those schools that took my secondary check and then promptly wrote out letters letting me know that I was denied. Then again, maybe it was those schools who cashed my check PRIOR to the secondary and then let me know I wasn't competitive enough for a secondary. All of that with a 3.4 and above 20s on the DAT (including a couple of 95+ %ile scores).

you forgot to mention that you were an english major. 😉

 

[aphistis]

Always the pessimist, heh Bill? 😉

Like they say, do one thing and do it well. 😀

Hey, I have one of your IU buddies sitting at the station next to mine in the preclinical lab. I can't remember the guy's name at the moment, but he recognized me from SDN. 😳

 

[UMDeeMan]

you forgot to mention that you were an english major. 😉

ahahah, an english major that doesn't get a 3.7 or above??? geez, i hope you partied hard. 😛

 

[Biogirl361]

english classes are whack, if the prof doesn't like you then it is 3.0 or less no matter how good you write. how can i get 4.0 and "great job!"'s in one writing class and barely 3.0 another similar one? seriously. i love science classes, at least they are predictable and objective.

 

[Zurik5]

Like they say, do one thing and do it well. 😀

Hey, I have one of your IU buddies sitting at the station next to mine in the preclinical lab. I can't remember the guy's name at the moment, but he recognized me from SDN. 😳

Spencer is his name, real meaty dude... tell him I said he's a wuss. Very smart, though, going to make a good endo. one day.... He and I rode for the same cycling team.

 

[toothcaries]

it's not all about numbers.

however, if is difficult to use the "i was a slacker earlier in college(low gpa)...but now i am more mature" excuse if u dont have the dat score to back it up.

personally..
...i'd retake the dat with the intention of adding a min of 4 points to that score...then i'd apply to postbacs and dental programs concurrently. i'd apply to the programs that stress dat scores over gpa averages.

 

[missugarplum]

I would hate to believe there are no second chances for people that realize what they really want to do late in life, and is willing to put in hard work and effort in proving oneself worthy to take on the challenge of dental school. There's no point in trying to save a non-competitive, low undergrad GPA. Earning reputable grades in a formal Post-bac or advanced science courses in a masters program would definitely be a good start in the road to recovery. Just my 2 cents.

 

[msf41]

english classes are whack, if the prof doesn't like you then it is 3.0 or less no matter how good you write. how can i get 4.0 and "great job!"'s in one writing class and barely 3.0 another similar one? seriously. i love science classes, at least they are predictable and objective.

Yeah I hated the willy-nilly grading system of english professors. Then I took ART!!!! No powerpoint presentations, no text book. It was a free for all! 😱

 

[HBomb]

I would hate to believe there are no second chances for people that realize what they really want to do late in life, and is willing to put in hard work and effort in proving oneself worthy to take on the challenge of dental school. There's no point in trying to save a non-competitive, low undergrad GPA. Earning reputable grades in a formal Post-bac or advanced science courses in a masters program would definitely be a good start in the road to recovery. Just my 2 cents.

I agree. There is still hope and second chances a plenty. It will take some dedication but is possible. If the OP is serious, he/she can get in somewhere at some point in time in the future.

Here's my advice to the OP:
1) Start targeting specific d-schools and get to know the staff and put yourself on their radar, not for this year (sorry, doubt it happens), but for the future. When they have "admissions day", you have to go. Periodic phone calls and status update/advice/smoozing probably is helpful. They need to know you're serious, committed, and willing to do the things they prescribe.

2) Get yourself into a post-bacc program. I don't know who has them, but UCSF, for instance, has a very good one. For UCSF, you have to show hardship (I think) and need to be rejected in this year's cycle, but they have a very good success rate...something like 98%. I'm sure there are other good post-bacc programs out there too.

3) Take the DAT when you're prepared. I fully believe the DAT has nothing to do with luck (or at least very little). The basis for a standardized test is its consistency. So seriously, without trying to sound too demeaning, get serious and take it when you've prepared. Otherwise, you're just setting yourself up for failure. Also I don't think a 19 is going to cut it for you. You'll need to do better than that.

 

[IcemanDDS]

So does everyone agree that going back to undergrad and taking a years worth of upper level science classes is pointless? My GPA is similar: 2.54. I havent taken DAT yet though. I just registered for classes this fall to improve the GPA and retake my two D's. Am I making a mistake or what? I also dont know of any post bacc programs at Kennesaw State where I'm going, and they dont have a masters program in biology or anything related. Should I be applying for masters programs abroad then? I just need to know I'm doing the right thing and not wasting valuable time and money 🙁 . Please help us!!

 

[HBomb]

Iceman,

For (perhaps) the best advice, I'd ask some d-schools and see what they think about your personal situation.

IMO, though, I think is important is that you make progress at raising your GPA. That is something that definitely needs to happen. If I were to just run some made up numbers...say you have a 2.54 with 130 units. Now in the next year, you take a full load and take 36 semester units with a 4.0. Then your GPA is 2.85 and that's respectable. Another semester at 18 units with a 4.0 and you're at 2.97. In 2 full years, then you're above 3.0. Truly the future path to dentistry will not be an easy one for you, but if you are committed, the adcoms will absolutely see it. And if you show this type of progress, you will get in. Personally, I don't think it requires going abroad to be able to do this. To a large extent, I think a lot of this stuff can even be done at the community college level (depending on what you studied in undergrad).

 

[IcemanDDS]

Alright thanks Hbomb. I just read something earlier that said "it is pointless to try and recover a low uncompetetive GPA" which really got me thinking am I doing the right thing? I talked to admissions counselor over the phone from MCG and she said to go back to school and do my retakes, and take their suggested courses like histology, biochem, micro, etc. I'm aiming for 4.0 this next year and applying EARLY on day 1 for all considered schools. 👍

 

[missugarplum]

Iceman,
There was no intention of discouragement or judgment by my earlier comment. The few dental schools that I've contacted suggest taking post-graduate work as a way to demonstrate the ability of handling tougher material. Spending the next 2 years with full course loads in hopes of achieving and maintaining a 4.0 to boost an undergraduate GPA close to 3.0 would be very difficult. Not to say that it's impossible, if you do indeed choose this route. In order to make the best decision for yourself, contact the schools you are most interested in, and ask about your individual circumstance and their objective opinion on how you can present yourself in a competitive way, whether it be repeating pre-reqs, or enrolling in a post-bac or masters program. Hope this helps!