Interview acceptance

[ghammond19]

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Are the gpa and dat scores used primarily to grant interviews? If so, once you are invited for interview, do those scores go out the window and does the committees focus more on your personal qualities and experience?

 

[lindell12a]

Good question, I always wondered this.

bump.

 

[Tygerm9]

This is a tough question. I think an interview means that you meet their minimum requirements and have the stats to get accepted, but I do not believe they go out the window once you get an interview. It is still for the most part a numbers game and I think most schools will factor the interview in with GPA and DAT.

 

[Dentisting]

Apparently not. From my interview, it seemed that the people interviewing me have no final word on whether I get accepted or not. It seemed that they make a recommendation on my behalf to the actual admissions committee, which votes for or against my acceptance. After that, all acceptances are passed on to the dean, who has a final say in every case.

The admissions committee that are responsible for the acceptances look over your entire file, as well as the recommendation (or lack of a recommendation) from the interviewers, and then they make a final decision.

So, from what I understand in this particular school.... The interviewers dont vote, but only make their recommendation. From there, its all about everything else on your application... GPA/DAT, essay, EC's, LORs... everything.

Not a good thing for me... but according to the school... they dont care about GPA that much... otherwise their average would be a 3.9ish compared to a 3.6... So hopefully I have a chance.

 

[lindell12a]

Apparently not. From my interview, it seemed that the people interviewing me have no final word on whether I get accepted or not. It seemed that they make a recommendation on my behalf to the actual admissions committee, which votes for or against my acceptance. After that, all acceptances are passed on to the dean, who has a final say in every case.

The admissions committee that are responsible for the acceptances look over your entire file, as well as the recommendation (or lack of a recommendation) from the interviewers, and then they make a final decision.

So, from what I understand in this particular school.... The interviewers dont vote, but only make their recommendation. From there, its all about everything else on your application... GPA/DAT, essay, EC's, LORs... everything.

Not a good thing for me... but according to the school... they dont care about GPA that much... otherwise their average would be a 3.9ish compared to a 3.6... So hopefully I have a chance.

So basically, your DAT score is crucial?

 

[Dentisting]

So basically, your DAT score is crucial?

I think they weigh the DAT pretty heavily, but its still not the final deciding factor. One of my interview questions was asked directly towards my 2nd DAT score, and a follow-up question was how I studied for it.

They didnt ask me a SINGLE question about my GPA, except "what do you think your hardest class was". My GPA is very weak... It is well below their average, which according to them is even less than it can be.

This was at UF, just in case you were wondering.

 

[lindell12a]

I think they weigh the DAT pretty heavily, but its still not the final deciding factor. One of my interview questions was asked directly towards my 2nd DAT score, and a follow-up question was how I studied for it.

They didnt ask me a SINGLE question about my GPA, except "what do you think your hardest class was". My GPA is very weak... It is well below their average, which according to them is even less than it can be.

This was at UF, just in case you were wondering.

Oh okay, that's nice to know. My GPA is also very weak and I'm afraid it will keep me from schools. I'm hoping for an amazing DAT score. Hoping 🙄

 

[Dentisting]

Oh okay, that's nice to know. My GPA is also very weak and I'm afraid it will keep me from schools. I'm hoping for an amazing DAT score. Hoping 🙄

From my experience... the DAT is much harder than people give it credit. The biggest thing holding my score down was the fact that I only had one source to study from for it (A kaplan book). I took the free DAT practice test at a Kaplan center, and all the tests from the kaplan book (including the CD one), and I dont think that was nearly enough practice.

I think I should have purchased 2 other books, and I would have done quite a lot better, considering I spent quite a lot of time studying for it. One book just isnt enough to cover everything in the test.

My advice is to take as many practice tests as you can.

 

[lindell12a]

From my experience... the DAT is much harder than people give it credit. The biggest thing holding my score down was the fact that I only had one source to study from for it (A kaplan book). I took the free DAT practice test at a Kaplan center, and all the tests from the kaplan book (including the CD one), and I dont think that was nearly enough practice.

I think I should have purchased 2 other books, and I would have done quite a lot better, considering I spent quite a lot of time studying for it. One book just isnt enough to cover everything in the test.

My advice is to take as many practice tests as you can.

Yeah, that's good advice. We'll see how it all goes. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

 

[AnonymousADCOM]

Your GPA and DAT still count even after the interview. Your interview will also affect their decision, but not quite as much as the GPA and DAT would. That is... unless you totally bombed it with a Tourette's attack.

 

[Dentisting]

Your GPA and DAT still count even after the interview. Your interview will also affect their decision, but not quite as much as the GPA and DAT would. That is... unless you totally bombed it with a Tourette's attack.

See... The thing is... I wonder why they would send you an interview invite if they dont plan on accepting you anyway due to your GPA and DAT?

 

[lindell12a]

See... The thing is... I wonder why they would send you an interview invite if they dont plan on accepting you anyway due to your GPA and DAT?

Yeah, exactly.

 

[PorkChop2008]

...That is... unless you totally bombed it with a Tourette's attack.

Now that's funny!

 

[AnonymousADCOM]

See... The thing is... I wonder why they would send you an interview invite if they dont plan on accepting you anyway due to your GPA and DAT?

That's not what I said. Your GPA and DAT will still count when the adcoms gather around and compare you to other applicants who were interviewed as well.

 

[QuackDentist]

That's not what I said. Your GPA and DAT will still count when the adcoms gather around and compare you to other applicants who were interviewed as well.

Welcome back, by the way.

And, if that is true, then it will be very difficult for me to get in with my loooooooooow GPA. And just when I thought I had jumped over that hurdle.

 

[tekstyle]

darn.. i guess im in the same boat as all the low gpa's. :-(

 

[midwestboy]

Don't let that discourage you. If they want you to fly up, they're obviously interested. Be sure to follow up periodically so they continue to put a face with your name. Best of luck!

 

[fieryblossom]

I believe they see something in you to have invited you for an interview. It's left to you to prove you belong there with your charisma and anything you haVE LEFT THAT's not all about GPA and DAT scores....

 

[Nowhat14]

I think interview can really tell if the schools wants someone or not esp for the borderline candidates on the paper. Some people can be just that attractive to the school just by talking that is not shown in terms of numbers. If the person's presence would make the school better in some way, the school would love the person to go to their school. That's my thought..who knows.