GPA concerns

[Pre-dent18721]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone. I am currently a senior and I am getting ready to apply to dental school this cycle. I am worried about my gpa due to messing up in my freshman year. I will be applying with a 3.41 overall and a 3.2 science gpa. Also, i don't know how much this matters to schools but my last 2 semesters i have gotten straight A's. My DAT is scheduled for mid-June meanwhile. I have around 600 hours of shadowing distributed between general dentist, periodontist, oral surgeon and endodontist as well as 100 hours of volunteer work. What do you guys think my chances are and what schools do you suggest I apply to considering my low gpa?
Every answer is appreciated.

 

[Lynndent]

I don’t think you have a low GPA. I had a 3.0 undergrad GPA, and a 3.6 masters GPA which came out to an overall 3.1 GPA according to AADSAS. I’d suggest you do well on your DAT and apply before August and you should be good to go. Best of luck this cycle!

 

[rk1229]

Love these posts. I applied with a 3.4 overall, 3.3ish science, and a 19AA DAT. Everyone said I was nuts. Had 7 interview invites and got accepted on December 3rd. Going into dentistry isn’t all about perfect grades, take the time to put together a great application and get great LORs. Apply to mostly private schools, but throw your state school in if you have one, and maybe some dream schools cause why not? Good luck!

 

[deleted925864]

Love these posts. I applied with a 3.4 overall, 3.3ish science, and a 19AA DAT. Everyone said I was nuts. Had 7 interview invites and got accepted on December 3rd. Going into dentistry isn’t all about perfect grades, take the time to put together a great application and get great LORs. Apply to mostly private schools, but throw your state school in if you have one, and maybe some dream schools cause why not? Good luck!

Not my thread but my stats are very similar to yours and I feel like I don't stand a chance compared to everyone with their 3.6+ gpa's. Thanks for the reassurance!

 

[DozingDentist]

Had literally nearly the same exact GPAs as OP. Just score well on DAT (21+ would be great with no sections below 20). Have good extracurricular (volunteering, leadership, etc. Didn't have anything extremely impressive, but enough to show I was involved outside academics). Apply early and apply to a broad range of schools with OOS friendlys and privates. (I applied to 16, 6 pre-dec invites, 4 dec 3rd acceptances, 2 post-dec invites (declined), and 1 post-dec acceptance). I was freaking out just like you last year seeing other people's stats. Focus on yourself. Be smart, and you will be fine!

 

[rk1229]

Not my thread but my stats are very similar to yours and I feel like I don't stand a chance compared to everyone with their 3.6+ gpa's. Thanks for the reassurance!

No problem! Don't listen to most posts on SDN, the only people that really post here have high stats. Put a great application together and you'll be surprised what happens. Good luck!

 

[Pre-dent18721]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience guys I've been honestly panicking these last few days seeing the average GPA on most schools and other people posting on SDN

 

[Pre-dent18721]

Love these posts. I applied with a 3.4 overall, 3.3ish science, and a 19AA DAT. Everyone said I was nuts. Had 7 interview invites and got accepted on December 3rd. Going into dentistry isn’t all about perfect grades, take the time to put together a great application and get great LORs. Apply to mostly private schools, but throw your state school in if you have one, and maybe some dream schools cause why not? Good luck!

Thank you so much for replying and sharing your experience. Do you mind sharing what schools you applied to?

 

[Pre-dent18721]

I don’t think you have a low GPA. I had a 3.0 undergrad GPA, and a 3.6 masters GPA which came out to an overall 3.1 GPA according to AADSAS. I’d suggest you do well on your DAT and apply before August and you should be good to go. Best of luck this cycle!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I really appreciate it. Hopefully all goes good this cycle. Do you think taking my DAT in mid june is late?

 

[Pre-dent18721]

Had literally nearly the same exact GPAs as OP. Just score well on DAT (21+ would be great with no sections below 20). Have good extracurricular (volunteering, leadership, etc. Didn't have anything extremely impressive, but enough to show I was involved outside academics). Apply early and apply to a broad range of schools with OOS friendlys and privates. (I applied to 16, 6 pre-dec invites, 4 dec 3rd acceptances, 2 post-dec invites (declined), and 1 post-dec acceptance). I was freaking out just like you last year seeing other people's stats. Focus on yourself. Be smart, and you will be fine!

Thank you for sharing your experience I really appreciate it. Do you mind sharing what schools you applied to? Im thinking to apply to over 15 but my main ones are probably Temple, BU, Tufts, NYU.

 

[AEZDent]

I also had similar stats as you, 3.4 overall and 3.12 science with an 18AA. Applied to 5 schools; 1 rejection, 1 dec. acceptance, 1 post dec acceptance, and turned down two other interviews. Make sure you have really strong EC's, strong personal statement and good letters of rec. You definitely have a chance!

 

[Alaskan _Polarbear]

Love these posts. I applied with a 3.4 overall, 3.3ish science, and a 19AA DAT. Everyone said I was nuts. Had 7 interview invites and got accepted on December 3rd. Going into dentistry isn’t all about perfect grades, take the time to put together a great application and get great LORs. Apply to mostly private schools, but throw your state school in if you have one, and maybe some dream schools cause why not? Good luck!

If you dont mind can you share what you think stood out about your application? Was it your extra curriculars?

 

[Alaskan _Polarbear]

I also had similar stats as you, 3.4 overall and 3.12 science with an 18AA. Applied to 5 schools; 1 rejection, 1 dec. acceptance, 1 post dec acceptance, and turned down two other interviews. Make sure you have really strong EC's, strong personal statement and good letters of rec. You definitely have a chance!

Which schools did you apply to?

 

[Pre-dent18721]

I also had similar stats as you, 3.4 overall and 3.12 science with an 18AA. Applied to 5 schools; 1 rejection, 1 dec. acceptance, 1 post dec acceptance, and turned down two other interviews. Make sure you have really strong EC's, strong personal statement and good letters of rec. You definitely have a chance!

If you dont mind can you share what schools you applied to?

 

[knewstance]

Do you think taking my DAT in mid june is late?

That is a fine time frame, just make sure you are well prepared to shine on the DAT.

 

[AEZDent]

If you dont mind can you share what schools you applied to?

Creighton, UMKC, AT Still ( AZ and MO) and OU (was my reach school)

 

[rk1229]

Thank you so much for replying and sharing your experience. Do you mind sharing what schools you applied to?

Yeah shoot me a DM! I'm seeing more and more of these posts.... it's frustrating to see so many people feeling like they won't make it. Some of the people on SDN are putting people down for having average/lower stats and making it seem like that need a crazy DAT or Masters to even have a shot. I work with some students at my school who were told they don't have a shot and they have the same or similar stats as I did; crazy. I'm showing them what I did to get interviews and get accepted and I think they're going to do very well this cycle. I'm thinking about offering the same thing to some people on here... I don't know if anyone would be interested, but if you know someone with average stats worried about applying that would be interested, shoot me a DM.

 

[MavsFanForLife]

Ill just add to the many reassuring post haha. 3.2 sgpa 21AA/TS (PAT 18 and QR 16) Applied to 15 schools, had 3 pre december interviews and was accepted to all 3. Since then I have declined 4 more interviews. GPA is just one part of the application, sure a 3.2 is a below average GPA, just write an above average PS, get an above average DAT, and you will be fine

 

[rk1229]

Ill just add to the many reassuring post haha. 3.2 sgpa 21AA/TS (PAT 18 and QR 16) Applied to 15 schools, had 3 pre december interviews and was accepted to all 3. Since then I have declined 4 more interviews. GPA is just one part of the application, sure a 3.2 is a below average GPA, just write an above average PS, get an above average DAT, and you will be fine

Yessss!