I give in...what are my chances?

[preOMFS]

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Alright. So I told myself I would never post a thread like this, but I'm doing it anyway, mainly because I'm bored and reading all the responses is so much fun (I am 75% confident that I will get into at least ONE school this year!).

Anyways, here's my stuff:

AA 24
TS 24
PAT 21
Bio 26
GChem 20
OChem 30
QR 17 (yikes!)
RC 28

My oGPA is only 3.2 and sGPA 3.12 but I do have a strong upward trend - 2.76 first two years, 3.48 last three (yeah, it took 5 years to graduate.)

I had a 30 hour/week job as a supervisor at the on-campus cafeteria during those last three years.

Member of Pre-Dental Society last three years (isn't everyone??)

Summer Research Assistant in an Ecology Lab, 1 summer.

Member of the Ski or Snowboard Club freshman year.

I've Played drums for 7 years, guitar for 6 years and bass for 5, all self-taught

40 hours dental clinic internship

120 hours OMS internships

Studied Abroad in London, which is where my academic turn around began

Extensive work experience as a ceramic tile and natural stone setter which has given me great hand skills

Worked as a dental assistant for three months, absolutely hated the office (not the profession), and went to work as an oral surgery assistant since October 2008, which has been awesome!

Currently in the process of creating a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Dentistry for Humanity



I'm hoping my DAT scores will balance out my low GPA. Oh, and I'm a second time applicant so hopefully the adcoms will see how much I've improved in two years.

So, here it comes: WHAT ARE MY CHANCES? Criticism encouraged...

 

[eldirty]

Id have to say your application is strong to quite strong ... your GPA is a bit low for my taste but i think your DAT and extracurriculars go a long way for making up for it. Schools like to see the upward trend that you mentioned. GL!

I have however been wondering what schools think when they see you're capable of dominating the DAT but have a low GPA. Does this show an overall and long term lazy, uncommitted attitude? Ive seen people say that if you have a low GPA that a strong DAT will make up for it ... but is that really the case? I personally would want to see some sort of balance, demonstrating consistency.

 

[doc toothache]

Since for 2007 there were only 6 out of 8897 examinees that scored higher than a 24 and only 19 other whose score equaled yours, the DAT scores will certainly get you noticed. If there are no skeletons in your closet and you do not blow your ps or your interview, it is likely that your gpa will not become an issue.

 

[doc3232]

Your gpa is low and your DAT is high. But you knew this. IMO, your gpa is the only thing holding you back from getting into the top schools.

Some of the ECs you posted are great. Some are useless 😎
Dental assistant for the two offices looks good.

 

[hellonurse]

I would bet that you get in somewhere. But I don't know if you will get into every school that you apply to.

I'm not in the predental society! lol.

 

[preOMFS]

Your gpa is low and your DAT is high. But you knew this. IMO, your gpa is the only thing holding you back from getting into the top schools.

Some of the ECs you posted are great. Some are useless 😎
Dental assistant for the two offices looks good.

Just out of curiosity, which ECs do you think are "useless"?

 

[doc3232]

Just out of curiosity, which ECs do you think are "useless"?

Alright. So I told myself I would never post a thread like this, but I'm doing it anyway, mainly because I'm bored and reading all the responses is so much fun (I am 75% confident that I will get into at least ONE school this year!).

Anyways, here's my stuff:

AA 24
TS 24
PAT 21
Bio 26
GChem 20
OChem 30
QR 17 (yikes!)
RC 28

My oGPA is only 3.2 and sGPA 3.12 but I do have a strong upward trend - 2.76 first two years, 3.48 last three (yeah, it took 5 years to graduate.)

I had a 30 hour/week job as a supervisor at the on-campus cafeteria during those last three years.

Member of Pre-Dental Society last three years (isn't everyone??)

Summer Research Assistant in an Ecology Lab, 1 summer.

Member of the Ski or Snowboard Club freshman year.

I've Played drums for 7 years, guitar for 6 years and bass for 5, all self-taught

40 hours dental clinic internship

120 hours OMS internships

Studied Abroad in London, which is where my academic turn around began

Extensive work experience as a ceramic tile and natural stone setter which has given me great hand skills

Worked as a dental assistant for three months, absolutely hated the office (not the profession), and went to work as an oral surgery assistant since October 2008, which has been awesome!

Currently in the process of creating a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called Dentistry for Humanity



I'm hoping my DAT scores will balance out my low GPA. Oh, and I'm a second time applicant so hopefully the adcoms will see how much I've improved in two years.

So, here it comes: WHAT ARE MY CHANCES? Criticism encouraged...

This is just my opinion though. Research for 1 summer is not useless if you put full-time hours into it during the short time you worked there.

Again, just my opinion.

 

[lhtran07]

I think those are good EC's. They let the adcoms know that you're a well-rounded guy with interests outside of the cookie-cutter predent applicant's. Letting them know that you're good with your hands and enjoy working with your hands is a plus as well. They asked me about that quite a bit at my interview.

 

[preOMFS]

I'm lovin' the feedback guys...both good and bad!

 

[knife]

Studying abroad and playing drums might seem useless, but oh quite the contrary! Interviewers (or so ive heard) love to see musical ability--especially if you can nonchalantly bring up that you are proficient AND self-taught. As far as studying abroad, I'm sure you could spin that to your benefit if you have an interest in the underserved. That might not be the case since you spent time in good 'ol London of all places 🙂

I think your chances are good of getting in to where you want to--I mean, my GPA is worse than yours and I'm in. If i were you, i'd just hope for an interview and then do the rest of the work. So, be sure to brush up on your interviewing skills because I'm pretty sure that is what landed me the spots. Check with your undergrad institution to see if they have "mock interviews"--perhaps with your career center?

 

[doc3232]

Studying abroad and playing drums might seem useless, but oh quite the contrary! Interviewers (or so ive heard) love to see musical ability--especially if you can nonchalantly bring up that you are proficient AND self-taught. As far as studying abroad, I'm sure you could spin that to your benefit if you have an interest in the underserved. That might not be the case since you spent time in good 'ol London of all places 🙂

I think your chances are good of getting in to where you want to--I mean, my GPA is worse than yours and I'm in. If i were you, i'd just hope for an interview and then do the rest of the work. So, be sure to brush up on your interviewing skills because I'm pretty sure that is what landed me the spots. Check with your undergrad institution to see if they have "mock interviews"--perhaps with your career center?

Well, I didn't mean useless exactly. The hand-eye coordination might come in handy in his/her PS. I just mean that you won't stand out and get an interview based on that. These are just sprinkles 😎 on the cake.
IMO, OP's dental experience and DAT score will bring in the interviews.

 

[Danny289]

Since for 2007 there were only 6 out of 8897 examinees that scored higher than a 24 and only 19 other whose score equaled yours, the DAT scores will certainly get you noticed. If there are no skeletons in your closet and you do not blow your ps or your interview, it is likely that your gpa will not become an issue.

I have seen at least more than ten "24 scores" in sdn for past 10 months(just sdn!). that means there are smarter applicants for 2009 cycle? 😕

 

[adizzle87]

..nm

 

[doc3232]

I have seen at least more than ten "24 scores" in sdn for past 10 months(just sdn!). that means there are smarter applicants for 2009 cycle? 😕

Half of those (possibly by coincidence) averaged their scores incorrectly.

I have a feeling that 2009 won't but much better than 2008. We find out in March or so...

 

[doc toothache]

I have seen at least more than ten "24 scores" in sdn for past 10 months(just sdn!). that means there are smarter applicants for 2009 cycle? 😕

Even if the numbers tripled, such as they were in 2006, we are still dealing with a low percentage ~ 2% of applicants that score at 24 and above. Keep in mind that DAT frequency tables includes only those who took the DAT for the first time.

 

[Danny289]

Even if the numbers tripled, such as they were in 2006, we are still dealing with a low percentage ~ 2% of applicants that score at 24 and above. Keep in mind that DAT frequency tables includes only those who took the DAT for the first time.

^ thanks, it is important point.

 

[Dentgirl09]

Your DAT is great. My GPA is around yours and DAT a tad lower, but pretty good overall--with none under 18. I applied late september and got 3 interviews. I'm not in anywhere, but if you apply early you should be fine. Just be smart about pickin schools.

 

[preOMFS]

Your DAT is great. My GPA is around yours and DAT a tad lower, but pretty good overall--with none under 18. I applied late september and got 3 interviews. I'm not in anywhere, but if you apply early you should be fine. Just be smart about pickin schools.

Does anyone know which schools do PBL besides USC? I tried searching for this but no luck.

 

[Contach]

Does anyone know which schools do PBL besides USC? I tried searching for this but no luck.

Harvard does PBL

 

[chessxwizard]

Indiana as well...