Interested in UOP. What can I do to make my application jump out

[Mace]

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Any ideas about unique EC's or trends that really make an application stick out? I have a below average GPA and am looking to make every other part of my app very strong.

What can I do to become an interesting applicant?

I'm interested in UOP specifically but also dental schools in general.

 

[yuppers]

A great DAT score will make you stick out. Volunteering, shadowing, etc will help as well.

 

[americanpierg]

You won't really "jump out" unless you present them DAT scores near 24/24/24 with 24 RC. The DAT scores they see from their applicants are insane, and theyre like 80% DAT. Your best bet is to be around a 22/22/22 and average everywhere else to stand a decent chance.

 

[bhind]

You won't really "jump out" unless you present them DAT scores near 24/24/24 with 24 RC. The DAT scores they see from their applicants are insane, and theyre like 80% DAT. Your best bet is to be around a 22/22/22 and average everywhere else to stand a decent chance.

Hahaha. Just reading this sounds so ridiculous. I believe you though. UoP are really tough to gauge. I have met kids with stats that trump mine 24+ 3.8+ and still not even get an interview from them. UoP is a cool school especially since you finish your degree in 3 years. It is super-competitive to even get an interview. You either have to have amazing stats or really good extracurriculars that make you stand out.

 

[beatsdre]

Hahaha. Just reading this sounds so ridiculous. I believe you though. UoP are really tough to gauge. I have met kids with stats that trump mine 24+ 3.8+ and still not even get an interview from them. UoP is a cool school especially since you finish your degree in 3 years. It is super-competitive to even get an interview. You either have to have amazing stats or really good extracurriculars that make you stand out.

Or get into their pre-dental program. Guaranteed to get in as long as you have 20+ dats and 3.00 sgpa.

 

[Seenary]

where can I find more information on this predental program? I looked on their website but could not locate it. Thanks in advance.

 

[prk15]

You won't really "jump out" unless you present them DAT scores near 24/24/24 with 24 RC. The DAT scores they see from their applicants are insane, and theyre like 80% DAT. Your best bet is to be around a 22/22/22 and average everywhere else to stand a decent chance.

I believe 80% hovers around the 18-20 range?

 

[Gbrando2]

I only have a 2.97 GPA, 19/20/24 DAT, and very average extracurrics and I got an interview. Go figure. I would say hit the PAT and RC sections hard. They told me that those 2 scores and my PS made me stand out. Don't think you need 3.8+ and 24/24/24, it simply isn't true.

 

[americanpierg]

I believe 80% hovers around the 18-20 range?

By 80% I meant that an applicants DAT scores counts for 80% of their application. This is a totally random number I threw out there to emphasize how much the DAT matters to them.

I only have a 2.97 GPA, 19/20/24 DAT, and very average extracurrics and I got an interview. Go figure. I would say hit the PAT and RC sections hard. They told me that those 2 scores and my PS made me stand out. Don't think you need 3.8+ and 24/24/24, it simply isn't true.

A 2.97 with a 19/20/24 will not make you stand out. You're a minority who is married with a child and I'm assuming a very interesting bacground, so unless the OP wants to go that route to enhance his/her PS, there is not much he can do other than impress them academically. The OP asked what stats would he need to make him stand out. Of course there are exceptions to every school and very low stats can make it into any school in the right situations, but to stand out at a school like UoP, I stand on my assumption that you would need around 24/24/24 to "stand out."

Likewise, you can get into Harvard with a 3.5 and a 21AA, but you will hardly stand out amongst the sea of 3.8s and 22AAs, many of who wont even get an interview. A 4.1 and 25AA though will get you "noticed" instantly during even Harvard's application process.

 

[doc3232]

I had a high DAT and an above average gpa. I do have EC's.
I didn't get an interview. I know a lot of people who also had good overall app and did not get an interview.

They looking for something specific.

 

[lphiewok]

I only have a 2.97 GPA, 19/20/24 DAT, and very average extracurrics and I got an interview. Go figure. I would say hit the PAT and RC sections hard. They told me that those 2 scores and my PS made me stand out. Don't think you need 3.8+ and 24/24/24, it simply isn't true.

not putting Gbrando down by any means, but if you're not URM, don't think what he said will apply to you.
But Gbrando really do have nice PAT and RC scores but i think they still need more than that to be convinced that you can handle science courses esp. in 3 year dental program

 

[BoxerRumble]

I think a lot of people have that one school they want, and it's so hard to do ANY specific to stand out and try to get in that one school. Unless you have a legacy there, know someone, or have done a school's specific program/post bacc, it will be hard to have that option. With low GPAs, you definitely should just be happy getting anywhere as dental school admissions is getting harder and harder. I think your best bet is to do well on the DATs of course, but start opening up to other schools...because no matter which school, you're going to b a dentist. Like others said, I think they really look at your PAT score a lot...so try to do well in that too.

 

[g23armani]

I'm a non-standard applicant and UoP seemed to like that (other schools, not necessarily). I graduated 5 years ago, am married, managed a small business now work as a dental assistant and teacher. Obviously these aren't things you just "go out and do" to pad your application, but UoP seemed to really like my application [crossed fingers for December 1st!] yet I got rejected pre interview from UCSF, so it might shed some light into what they're looking for. Stats are 3.48cGPA, 3.9sGPA and 23/23/23.

 

[lphiewok]

I'm a non-standard applicant and UoP seemed to like that (other schools, not necessarily). I graduated 5 years ago, am married, managed a small business now work as a dental assistant and teacher. Obviously these aren't things you just "go out and do" to pad your application, but UoP seemed to really like my application [crossed fingers for December 1st!] yet I got rejected pre interview from UCSF, so it might shed some light into what they're looking for. Stats are 3.48cGPA, 3.9sGPA and 23/23/23.

although i agree they probably liked the fact that you are a non-standard applicant, i think they really liked 3.9 sGPA with 23/23/23. who wouldn't? 🙂

 

[BShimel]

not putting Gbrando down by any means, but if you're not URM, don't think what he said will apply to you.
But Gbrando really do have nice PAT and RC scores but i think they still need more than that to be convinced that you can handle science courses esp. in 3 year dental program

What would you make of my October interview with UOP then? I'm at 2.96sgpa and 3.11 overall with 21/21/22...I have pretty solid ECs (volunteering/research/assisting), but I'm definitely not an URM. I think it's a combination of things like any other school...but I wouldn't be surprised if they were looking for SOMETHING specific...

 

[Mace]

What would you make of my October interview with UOP then? I'm at 2.96sgpa and 3.11 overall with 21/21/22...I have pretty solid ECs (volunteering/research/assisting), but I'm definitely not an URM. I think it's a combination of things like any other school...but I wouldn't be surprised if they were looking for SOMETHING specific...

OP here.

I have been looking for someone like you. Thanks for showing up 🙂

Now, who knows what that SOMETHING specific is?

 

[Kneecoal]

attach some springs to your app.

 

[Gbrando2]

What would you make of my October interview with UOP then? I'm at 2.96sgpa and 3.11 overall with 21/21/22...I have pretty solid ECs (volunteering/research/assisting), but I'm definitely not an URM. I think it's a combination of things like any other school...but I wouldn't be surprised if they were looking for SOMETHING specific...

I also had research, maybe that is something that they really value. They did talk about my past research and research opportunities at the school a lot during my interview.

And as for me being an URM... I am half hispanic (El Salvador) but you can't tell at all by looking at me. I addressed my ethnicity in my PS and explained that I still grew up in an English speaking home in a Nevada suburb. Hell, I don't even speak Spanish fluently. And now my predents profile is changed so that every single post I make on SDN isn't followed by "oh but Gbrando is URM so ignore him..."

 

[beatsdre]

I also had research, maybe that is something that they really value. They did talk about my past research and research opportunities at the school a lot during my interview.

And as for me being an URM... I am half hispanic (El Salvador) but you can't tell at all by looking at me. I addressed my ethnicity in my PS and explained that I still grew up in an English speaking home in a Nevada suburb. Hell, I don't even speak Spanish fluently. And now my predents profile is changed so that every single post I make on SDN isn't followed by "oh but Gbrando is URM so ignore him..."

No offense, if you put on your PS or wherever on your aps that your Hispanic, or just even half, you will most likely be lumped into the URM category. Hell, why complain it works to your advantage.

 

[BShimel]

OP here.

I have been looking for someone like you. Thanks for showing up 🙂

Now, who knows what that SOMETHING specific is?

So I'm a reapplicant, but I applied late in the cycle last year and with my stats that wasn't wise considering i received zero interviews period. A couple of things I changed this cycle:
#1 I was in the first mailout of apps
#2 I'm informally in the UC Berkeley Post Bac Program taking Anatomy and Physio while working full time - this was my recommended coursework by Kathy Candito at Pacific (Talk to the admissions people they don't bite!)
#3 In my faculty interview at Pacific I was told that taking those Post Bac courses and applying early were the two biggest things I did between last year and this year.

I know that's not like "golden ticket" material, but when I talked to admissions the conversation really felt like "Hey do this and we'll see what we can do about an interview". It's not set in stone by any means, but it feels much better than guessing what they want you to do. This is all just my experiences and opinions, but hopefully it's helpful!

 

[Mace]

attach some springs to your app.

Love it 😀