How to improve? Low GPA High DAT

[Amit1187]

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I applied for fall 2011 with a 3.30 overall, 3.35 science, a 21 AA and a 20PA. I only managed one interview (UF) from the 11 schools I applied to and didn't get accepted.

Over the past year my GPA has taken a huge hit and is now a 3.2 overall and 3.2 science. I graduated with a bachelors in biochemistry and chemistry and ruined my gpa with the upper level classes that I took.
For the summer I am taking Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 and I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure I make A's in those classes.
I also plan on taking my DAT again, I feel I am fully capable of getting a 23 or 24 this time around, but I still don't think that will be enough.

I have nothing planned for the fall or spring, any advice on what I should do to improve my application?

I feel like going for a masters will do nothing for this years application since they won't be able to see my grades until late in the application process. Is this true?

 

[Dentite21]

I applied for fall 2011 with a 3.30 overall, 3.35 science, a 21 AA and a 20PA. I only managed one interview (UF) from the 11 schools I applied to and didn't get accepted.

Over the past year my GPA has taken a huge hit and is now a 3.2 overall and 3.2 science. I graduated with a bachelors in biochemistry and chemistry and ruined my gpa with the upper level classes that I took.
For the summer I am taking Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 and I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure I make A's in those classes.
I also plan on taking my DAT again, I feel I am fully capable of getting a 23 or 24 this time around, but I still don't think that will be enough.

I have nothing planned for the fall or spring, any advice on what I should do to improve my application?

I feel like going for a masters will do nothing for this years application since they won't be able to see my grades until late in the application process. Is this true?

Nope that is not true. You get one update in the fall. My GPA wasn't the best either. I got one interview in October. Then heard nothing. Finally, I submitted my fall grades and for 4 interviews. Then I sent my transcripts for winter to the schools I wanted to get into. I got 3 acceptances and 1 waitlist. Do a Masters Program. You will get in somewhere as long as you do well. A caveat: I am at the top of my class in the Masters Program.

 

[iralex801]

I pretty much have the same GPA and DAT and I am applying this upcoming semester and you not getting in worries me. Whats the breakdown of your DAT? For example, a low RC score could've prevented you from getting in. Also, what schools did you apply to? Were the schools out of state friendly and in your GPA/DAT range?

 

[Amit1187]

I pretty much have the same GPA and DAT and I am applying this upcoming semester and you not getting in worries me. Whats the breakdown of your DAT? For example, a low RC score could've prevented you from getting in. Also, what schools did you apply to? Were the schools out of state friendly and in your GPA/DAT range?

QR 18
RC 24
Bio 17
Chem 24
Orgo 22

That 17 in the bio section probably has something to do with it. If I were you I'd prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. The application process was a very humbling experience for me.

 

[dentalWorks]

I applied for fall 2011 with a 3.30 overall, 3.35 science, a 21 AA and a 20PA. I only managed one interview (UF) from the 11 schools I applied to and didn't get accepted.

Over the past year my GPA has taken a huge hit and is now a 3.2 overall and 3.2 science. I graduated with a bachelors in biochemistry and chemistry and ruined my gpa with the upper level classes that I took.
For the summer I am taking Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 and I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure I make A's in those classes.
I also plan on taking my DAT again, I feel I am fully capable of getting a 23 or 24 this time around, but I still don't think that will be enough.

I have nothing planned for the fall or spring, any advice on what I should do to improve my application?

I feel like going for a masters will do nothing for this years application since they won't be able to see my grades until late in the application process. Is this true?

This is just my opinion.... But I wouldn't apply this coming cycle.

You've managed to show a downward trend with upper level sciences. If 11 schools gave you only 1 interview past cycle, this coming cycle, your odds are even worse.

You should spend this year doing post-bacc with upper level sciences while ACING THEM (this is key). A 23-24 DAT is nice, but you can't really bank all your hopes on such plan. A more wise and logical approach is to fix the downward trend with post-bacc.

 

[dentalWorks]

Nope that is not true. You get one update in the fall. My GPA wasn't the best either. I got one interview in October. Then heard nothing. Finally, I submitted my fall grades and for 4 interviews. Then I sent my transcripts for winter to the schools I wanted to get into. I got 3 acceptances and 1 waitlist. Do a Masters Program. You will get in somewhere as long as you do well. A caveat: I am at the top of my class in the Masters Program.

More like Winter.... Academic update starts Mid November (by then, its too late)

 

[Amit1187]

Assuming I did apply again this year, I get a 23 on the DAT over the summer, and I ace the fall semester of a masters program, would the fall grades come in too late to make it worth applying this year?

 

[dentalWorks]

Assuming I did apply again this year, I get a 23 on the DAT over the summer, and I ace the fall semester of a masters program, would the fall grades come in too late to make it worth applying this year?

IMO, yes

 

[Dentite21]

Assuming I did apply again this year, I get a 23 on the DAT over the summer, and I ace the fall semester of a masters program, would the fall grades come in too late to make it worth applying this year?

Actually, the fall grades would not come in too late. If you want to get into a school this coming cycle you will follow this advice. I was in a similar situation and a ton of other students in my masters program were. We all basically got in this cycle. Though this was my first cycle applying and I got in. Apply for a masters program and write that you want to have a stronger foundation in your personal statement. Make sure to get into a masters program within a week from today. Then you are able to upload expected classes into the coursework area. The schools will see that. Only 5% of students entering D1 year have a masters and your application will be golden. Next, Ace everything. Send your official grades to the schools in the fall and do the grade update. You will get interviews. In the winter, send your official transcripts out again to schools if you haven't gotten in. Get recommendations from your dean and send that to each school. I have a 4.0 right now in my masters. I had 5 interviews, 3 acceptances, 1 wait list and I am awaiting to hear from one more school. Trust me, get into a masters program. It is insurance.

 

[bing12]

what schools did you apply to? are you from florida?

 

[Amit1187]

what schools did you apply to? are you from florida?

Yes Im from florida. I applied to
UF, NOVA, Tufts, BU, Arizona, UNLV, VCU, Detroit Mercy, Loma-Linda, UConn, and Maryland.

 

[Amit1187]

Trust me, get into a masters program. It is insurance.

What kind of masters program did you apply to? I want to do Public Health since I wouldn't have to move as its at FSU. I know USF has a one year masters for pre-health which I was considering also.

 

[doc toothache]

I also plan on taking my DAT again, I feel I am fully capable of getting a 23 or 24 this time around, but I still don't think that will be enough.

Confidence doesn't always translate into real numbers.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=400209

 

[molar3]

Assuming I did apply again this year, I get a 23 on the DAT over the summer, and I ace the fall semester of a masters program, would the fall grades come in too late to make it worth applying this year?

hmmmm i really dont think theres a definite answer for this.
my cousin had like 1-2 interviews in the fall ...like around october and then she academic updated in december when her fall semester grades were in, and she emailed them unofficially as soon as she got them and she had them sent officialy as well (however that works, i dont know) and then after she did this she recieved 3 more interviews in the spring. (coincidence? who knows, or maybe they pulled her file up again after she updated bc they hadnt rejected her before this point, maybe these schools were actually waiting for her fall semester grades bc they saw potential?---but some schools may just reject u bc theyre not intrested in waiting) her spring interviews were like around march and even one in april. and shes been accepted to 2 schools so far, and is on a few more wait lists. but she was not in a MASTERS, she is a senior in undergrad.....soooo i dont know, maybe theres a difference?
its really up to you, i mean if u want to try it out and apply then ok, itll probably cost around 1g-2gs? if u blow it u blow it. then reapply next cycle if u dont get in.

 

[Sunspear]

I applied for fall 2011 with a 3.30 overall, 3.35 science, a 21 AA and a 20PA. I only managed one interview (UF) from the 11 schools I applied to and didn't get accepted.

How did you not get in anywhere with these stats? Did you not apply early? 😕

 

[UCSD1984]

How did you not get in anywhere with these stats? Did you not apply early? 😕

This also has me confused. How do your ECs look? When did you apply (which month)?