Help! Applying this coming cycle

[Destiny11]

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[Destiny11]

anyone?

 

[Tommy43087]

Theres no way to legitimately tell you your chances without DAT scores at hand.

Although you have a good/great MS gpa, your undergrad science gpa is extremely low. More so, you science gpa is extremely low. I can almost guarentee that at most schools sciGPA>>cumGPA. So even if you do break 3.0 cum, im guessing you wont break it for sciGPA?

Either way you need a KILLER, and i mean KILLER DAT, to somewhat outweigh that sciGPA.

My suggestion would be do WHATEVER you can to get that sciGPA UP UP UP!

Alot of schools will automatically reject you with a sup 3.0 sciGPA so brace yourself for that....

Since your GPA is low, make sure you do whatever is in your ability to do to make the rest of your app shines. Personal statement, EC's, etc.

Good Luck 👍

 

[Blue Panther]

I have a very low undergrad GPA when I graduated a year ago:
Cum-2.8
Science-2.5
BCP-2.3

I have since enrolled in a masters program in biomedical sciences and about to graduate with a ~3.7

I am applying in the up coming cycle and taking the DAT in the summer.

What are my chances? From my calculations, my new cum GPA should break 3.0. But will my science and BCP even make the cut since undergrad and grad GPAs are separated by AADSAS?

Thanks!

What is your state residency? You might be in a state with 2-3 dental schools or in one with zero.

High total science DAT score is needed for almost anyone, but completion of a masters program with such a high GPA should help you tremendously. Aim for a high DAT score, apply broadly and apply EARLY!

 

[Destiny11]

What is your state residency? You might be in a state with 2-3 dental schools or in one with zero.

High total science DAT score is needed for almost anyone, but completion of a masters program with such a high GPA should help you tremendously. Aim for a high DAT score, apply broadly and apply EARLY!

CA...so that's doesn't help much because it's so competitive.

I am planning on submitting my application in June, but won't be taking the DAT until August. Will that still be considered early?

 

[Blue Panther]

CA...so that's doesn't help much because it's so competitive.

I am planning on submitting my application in June, but won't be taking the DAT until August. Will that still be considered early?

You still have Western and USC and added in Arizona Midwestern and ASDOH. If you take the DAT on August 1. It will take ADA at least 3-4 weeks to have your scores processed and sent. With that said, your application will be complete by August 20-25. That is not considered early, but rather in middle of the cycle. This is taking into consideration that you will have mailed all your supplementary fees before August 20-25 in order to be considered complete.

 

[dentalWorks]

problem with masters is, they "usually" don't get added into your undergrad courses

to them they will see
overall 2.xx
science 2.xx
masters 3.7

I mean I can't tell you what to do, but you can apply this year and see how it goes, and while your waiting in your year off, go back to undergrad and start taking post-bacc courses to bump up that overall gpa.

 

[Blue Panther]

while your waiting in your year off, ,go back to undergrad and start taking post-bacc courses to bump up that overall gpa.

WHAT!
That is what the DAT is for to show your competency of basic undergraduate courses. Plus, his masters was in biomedical sciences.

 

[Futuredds2010]

I am in a VERY similar situation. However, I am not in a masters program. I will be graduating in June and plan on taking the DAT at the end of June. I also plan on applying in EARLY June...like the first week.

Now, my sgpa will be 2.6 when I graduate and cgpa will be 2.8. I am taking about 24 credits this summer which will bring my sgpa to 3.1. These are also undergrad bio courses which will help bring up my undergrad sgpa.

Here is my question. Once my grades from the summer classes are in which will be around August 6. By the time I send my transcript to AADSAS which will take weeks for them to process, will I have a shot for interviews this this coming cycle? I am also applying to schools that I feel that I may have a shot at like Howard, Meharry, UIC (my state school) and maybe NYU.

Thanks

 

[Blue Panther]

I am also applying to schools that I feel that I may have a shot at like Howard, Meharry, UIC (my state school) and maybe NYU.

Are you a minority?

 

[Futuredds2010]

Are you a minority?

lol yes

 

[Tommy43087]

WHAT!
That is what the DAT is for to show your competency of basic undergraduate courses. Plus, his masters was in biomedical sciences.

This is not true....DAT wont make up for undergrad....you are greatly mistaken.

He/she should go back and take upper div science courses to show he/she can handle the curriculum of DS.

 

[Futuredds2010]

This is not true....DAT wont make up for undergrad....you are greatly mistaken.

He/she should go back and take upper div science courses to show he/she can handle the curriculum of DS.

I agree.

 

[Blue Panther]

He/she should go back and take upper div science courses to show he/she can handle the curriculum of DS.

He/she did:

I have since enrolled in a masters program in biomedical sciences and about to graduate with a ~3.7

 

[SweetUFtooth]

I am in a VERY similar situation. However, I am not in a masters program. I will be graduating in June and plan on taking the DAT at the end of June. I also plan on applying in EARLY June...like the first week.

Now, my sgpa will be 2.6 when I graduate and cgpa will be 2.8. I am taking about 24 credits this summer which will bring my sgpa to 3.1. These are also undergrad bio courses which will help bring up my undergrad sgpa.

Here is my question. Once my grades from the summer classes are in which will be around August 6. By the time I send my transcript to AADSAS which will take weeks for them to process, will I have a shot for interviews this this coming cycle? I am also applying to schools that I feel that I may have a shot at like Howard, Meharry, UIC (my state school) and maybe NYU.

Thanks

My advice for you is to set up a meeting with dean Rouse from Howard. I am saying this because I went to the ADEA workship last week in Washington DC and he was one of the speakers. There were also 4 dental students/residents that go to Howard and they all shared their stories. Every single one of them pretty much sat with dean Rouse and gave him their life stories and got in. Good Luck!

 

[NJDental]

I have a very low undergrad GPA when I graduated a year ago:
Cum-2.8
Science-2.5
BCP-2.3

I have since enrolled in a masters program in biomedical sciences and about to graduate with a ~3.7

I am applying in the up coming cycle and taking the DAT in the summer.

What are my chances? From my calculations, my new cum GPA should break 3.0. But will my science and BCP even make the cut since undergrad and grad GPAs are separated by AADSAS?

Thanks!

I am also in a VERY simliliar situation! I am submitting first week in June and taking DAT second week in June. From everything I've heard, Masters GPA DOES NOT get calculated in with your undergrad GPA (unfortunately🙁). So for the most part, it is what it is when it comes to your undergrad GPA. Again, I could be wrong and maybe it does vary school by school, but I'm pretty sure thats the way AADSAS works and that's what were all using.

I have a question for you - or anyone - since I'm applying this June for Fall 2011 and I have a low GPA I want to apply for a Masters program for 2010-2011 (one year). However all the schools around me offer 2-year programs. Does anyone sign up for a 2yr Masters program, but still apply to dental school for the following year, and keeping fingers crossed, gets in and then drops out of program? I don't want to have to "drop out" of a Masters Program but then again I want to apply for Fall 2011 and would hope a years worth of grad classes would really help me chances....any advice?

 

[Futuredds2010]

My advice for you is to set up a meeting with dean Rouse from Howard. I am saying this because I went to the ADEA workship last week in Washington DC and he was one of the speakers. There were also 4 dental students/residents that go to Howard and they all shared their stories. Every single one of them pretty much sat with dean Rouse and gave him their life stories and got in. Good Luck!

Thanks a lot! I will definitely do that. I emailed Dr.Rouse last month about my current gpa situation and he basically gave me a general response (2.7sgpa cutoff...which is also on the website). So, I agree that meeting with him will help. How soon do you think I should do this? Before June/the start of the application cycle?

 

[Tommy43087]

He/she did:

MS programs are not lecture based(at least the ones i know of).

There are some that are more seminar based, and most that are research based.

A real way to show an individual can handle the rigor of dental school is to take a load of upper division undergrad courses(i.e. biochem, immunology, histology, etc.)

And what you were trying to say was go score high in the science section and it will make up for your low gpa. This is said again and again, but scoring high in a section on the DAT will NOT make up for multiple years of courses!

 

[Destiny11]

MS programs are not lecture based(at least the ones i know of).

There are some that are more seminar based, and most that are research based.

A real way to show an individual can handle the rigor of dental school is to take a load of upper division undergrad courses(i.e. biochem, immunology, histology, etc.)

And what you were trying to say was go score high in the science section and it will make up for your low gpa. This is said again and again, but scoring high in a section on the DAT will NOT make up for multiple years of courses!

.

 

[Tommy43087]

I did a course work based MA program (3 quarters). Curriculum included biochemistry, histology, physiology, microbiology, virology, immunology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, neuroanatomy, medical terminology, human anatomy, medical ethics, other electives and a final project, averaging 17-21 units/quarter.

I am aiming for 22+ on the DAT. I do have good ECs, service, and experience. I don't know how much more I would need to prove after completing this master's program. I have my reasons for why I did not perform well in undergrad. If adcoms are strict on the undergrad cutoffs, then I would need another 1-2 years to bring that up to a competitive level. I am hoping that doing well in such a rigorous curriculum would count for something.

That is DEFINITELY working in your favor....these are all lecture classes? Hmmm weird, i havent seen a MS program with all lectures....

 

[Blue Panther]

And what you were trying to say was go score high in the science section and it will make up for your low gpa. This is said again and again, but scoring high in a section on the DAT will NOT make up for multiple years of courses!

That's not what I meant when I said,"That is what the DAT is for to show your competency of basic undergraduate courses. Plus, his masters was in biomedical sciences." You have to take note of the last sentence VERY carefully. <b>Completion</b> of masters degree with a 3.7 in biomedical sciences surpasses undergrad courses. The OP has listed the plethora of upper level science courses for us too!

 

[dmatthews]

I would suggest continuing your service hours and taking a LOT of time to study for the DAT. You are really going to need a KILLER DAT to set you apart from the rest of the pack. I'm thinking like in the 24 range. Make sure you have some really awesome people to write your recs. Like others said, apply earlier and apply to a lot of schools. Def apply to Western!

 

[Blue Panther]

I did a course work based MA program (3 quarters). Curriculum included biochemistry, histology, physiology, microbiology, virology, immunology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, neuroanatomy, medical terminology, human anatomy, medical ethics, other electives and a final project, averaging 17-21 units/quarter.

I am aiming for 22+ on the DAT. I do have good ECs, service, and experience. I don't know how much more I would need to prove after completing this master's program. I have my reasons for why I did not perform well in undergrad. If adcoms are strict on the undergrad cutoffs, then I would need another 1-2 years to bring that up to a competitive level. I am hoping that doing well in such a rigorous curriculum would count for something.

You might find this beneficial....

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=602095

 

[Destiny11]

Does anyone know which schools (if any) tend to weigh more heavily on the graduate GPA (than undergrad GPA) and DAT scores?

I am trying to create a list of schools to apply to this cycle.

 

[dentalWorks]

WHAT!
That is what the DAT is for to show your competency of basic undergraduate courses. Plus, his masters was in biomedical sciences.

are you forgetting that many schools have GPA cutoffs ? some at 2.7 and some at 3.0? and these are undergrad GPA cutoffs, not masters.

unless he is going to bust out a 25 AA (which in my opinion he has a better shot of dating jessica alba) IMO, he should get that overall GPA to a 3.0, and science ever more.

People make it seem like acing the DAT is no big deal, "I'll walk in the testing center, hmm lets see, I think Im gonna aim for a 25, no problem"... its alot easier (but more time consuming) to fix a bad GPA than to get a 25 (or around there) AA score

 

[jvss123]

Destiny11: just curious... where did you do your masters???