how much can dat help u

[cubicw86]

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I dont know what to do, im screwed. I want to be a dentist. Im very involved, i'v done plenty of dental observation, in pre-dent club and everything, but i just dont have the GPA.

IF I did reallly well on the DAT, and have a below 3.0 GPA, can i still get accepted to schools like UOP.
I hear ppl telling me that DAT is wayyy more important than GPA, is that true?

 

[chomper]

UOP is weighs heavy on the DAT...you're gonna need a really stellar score to offset your lo gpa. But if you really want to get accepted you gotta find a way for the dental school to get to know you as a person, not just an a paper application...you do this by working and volunteering at the school...be proactive and you'll get in!

 

[t man]

if you don't want to do post graduate work, then you might be able to make it with strong DATs, good ECs, and a nice personal statement. remember to apply early also.

 

[Envision]

I dont know what to do, im screwed. I want to be a dentist. Im very involved, i'v done plenty of dental observation, in pre-dent club and everything, but i just dont have the GPA.

IF I did reallly well on the DAT, and have a below 3.0 GPA, can i still get accepted to schools like UOP.
I hear ppl telling me that DAT is wayyy more important than GPA, is that true?

No its not true. Sometimes a high DAT can offset a slightly less competitive gpa, but thats not to say the DAT is way more important. plus every school is different. besides, below a 3.0 could mean 2.9 to 2.3, so it also depends on how far from a 3.0 you are.

 

[doctorloomis]

Go back and take some courses to get your GPA up as high as you can. This may delay your dental school path for a year, but it will be worth it. You really need to try for a 3.0 if possible. Anything less than a 3.0 in today's game is shaky ground. Also, aim for 21+ on the DAT. The 21+ score will makeup for a low GPA and at least get your name tossed around during the application process. If you apply at the earliest possible date with a 3.0 and a 21 DAT to all schools, you should hear back from at least a few of them.

If your GPA is simply unrecoverable, there's also another course of action you can take. That is to simply go back and start college all over again at a different school. That will give you a chance to redeem yourself. It will take 3 years working full-time, but it will happen if you want to be a dentist that badly. A fresh start is sometimes needed and think about how many of those courses you've already taken. Just a thought if your GPA situation is really bad.

That's basically what you have to do. The idea is to keep improving on your low GPA while aiming for a high DAT score. Accept nothing less than a 21 on the DAT if you have <3.0 GPA.

 

[jmick101]

To the OP, you should take a look at a guy around this forum named Armorshell. His GPA sucks but he rocked the DAT and he has interviews at over 10 schools. You must kick the DAT in the pants to compensate for a sorry GPA. That is just the way it is.

 

[Mackchops]

Yeah, it depends how below 3.0 you are. I was pretty bad off but hadn't taken any of my sciences. So, after 2 years of post bac work my overall gpa has just hit 3.0 but my science is pretty darn grand. Couple that with over a 99 percentile DAT and I have a half dozen interviews. It depends though. Some schools weigh the DAT more than others so check out ADEA guide to dental schools and look up schools with high DATs but lower GPAs. That will give you a better idea of where you need to aim.

 

[armorshell]

DAT is everything

 

[teefie]

The DAT can do alot but your going to have to have some good grades in that low gpa. I am right below a 3.0 but i have had three years of a 3.5 average to back up my crap grades before that. in my interviews they all said my 20/20/22 is great and has helped my low gpa. so get A's and kill the DAT from now on.

 

[jackbauer!]

honestly, the DAT is more important than GPA!! i have a great GPA and good DAT scores with only 1 interview! others have a poor GPA with great DAT scores with a dozen 6+ interviews....

do the math!

jb!

 

[cubicw86]

thanks for the info.
let's just say my GPA is between a 2.6-2.9
But that is just the transcript.
I dunno how addsaas will interpret it lol.

It sucks how i cant get a masters cuz im below 3.0 🙁.

u guys are encouraging. I will try my best and do well on the DAT.

 

[cubicw86]

hey armorshell

im just curious what is your GPA and DAT score

 

[jackbauer!]

hey armorshell

im just curious what is your GPA and DAT score

i've been around here awhile and i think i remember him saying his GPA was a 3.0 and his DAT was 25/26ish.

proof that the DAT can win over the adcoms....

but don't discount armor as being lazy about his gpa..i'm sure he has his reasons and his DAT scores are a reflection of his brilliance.

gl armor...
dec1st is approaching very very quicklyyyy

jb!

 

[armorshell]

Right on target jb!

Luck to you too!