High DAT High GPA

[eddds]

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I have been a lurker on these forums, but this is my first post. I was wondering if any of you guys have experience of not getting into dental schools despite above avg grades GPA wise and on the DAT.

 

[Daneosaurus]

I have been a lurker on these forums, but this is my first post. I was wondering if any of you guys have experience of not getting into dental schools despite above avg grades GPA wise and on the DAT.

I'm really hoping the only way this happens is if one applies late, seems like a psycho in the interview, or doesn't apply broadly enough.

 

[sjv]

It is unlikely, assuming you have the complete package and assuming you don't do or say anything out of the ordinary, you'll get interviews. As long as you can answer a few questions without scaring the interviewer, you'll get in somewhere.

 

[mts2801]

I think it would come down to little to no EC (or no apparent interest in dentistry), a really really bad personal statement (like, "I want to be a dentist cause I think dentists make a lot of money" kind of bad), or you are completely incapable of normal social interaction in your interview.

 

[Glimmer1991]

There can be flukes with individual schools, but I highly doubt an individual with a high GPA and DAT wouldn't get in anywhere. The only way I see this happening, as others have stated, is if there is an inordinately low amount of volunteering hours (I'd say less than 100) or shadowing hours (I'd say less than 100 again, since some schools have this as a minimum requirement). I suppose that having three BAD recommendations could also cause this to happen, but that is super unlikely. 🙂

Like I said, though, people with high stats ALL-AROUND (including ECs, volunteering, shadowing, etc.) shouldn't expect to get interviews everywhere. Strange stuff happens.

 

[eddds]

There can be flukes with individual schools, but I highly doubt an individual with a high GPA and DAT wouldn't get in anywhere. The only way I see this happening, as others have stated, is if there is an inordinately low amount of volunteering hours (I'd say less than 100) or shadowing hours (I'd say less than 100 again, since some schools have this as a minimum requirement). I suppose that having three BAD recommendations could also cause this to happen, but that is super unlikely. 🙂

Like I said, though, people with high stats ALL-AROUND (including ECs, volunteering, shadowing, etc.) shouldn't expect to get interviews everywhere. Strange stuff happens.

So, just to clarify by BAD you mean negative right, or do you mean generic?

 

[Glimmer1991]

Meh, I mean negative. I think a high DAT/high GPA are going to outshine generic LORs. People on SDN harp against generic LORs, but I think they probably happen a lot more than we'd care to believe. Especially for students who go to large universities, forming strong relationships with professors can be difficult--and professors have a lot on their plates. LORs aren't their top priority.

 

[doc toothache]

"Opinions" are not a good substitute for statistical evidence.
http://www.adea.org/publications/Pages/2009-Applicants-and-Enrollees.aspx
https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/