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OhNoImmaPreDent
So is it true that adcoms will separate sub 3.0 applications from the rest and pretty much consider them trash? Is it the initial way these adcoms divide the applicant pool?
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It is not easy to get in with a sub - 3.0 gpa, but it is not impossible. There are probably some schools that use that as a definitely not, but there are plenty of others who will look at the package before tossing it aside. I know of a couple sub-3.0's who got in to med or dental school. You might ot get into a stuffy ivy league school, but you might have a chance in less competative schools. Just make sure the rest of your application rocks!
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OhNoImmaPreDent
So obviously I have a sub 3.0. 🙁. I asked this question because then how would it matter if my application is great if they wont even take the time to look at my application. I have a 2.7 overall. I thought of taking additional courses but bc I have so many credit hours, it'll take another 3 years worth of coursework to even bring it up to a 3.0 (barely). There is a very obvious upward trend in my GPA and I have lots of dental experience, 4+ years of shadowing/assisting, another 6 months of dental assissting at a homeless shelter dental clinic and various other volunteer work. I made a 22aa on my DAT. I guess what Im getting at....is how do I get the adcoms to even open my file to see what I have to offer. I know its difficult for anyone but an adcom to answer this, but anything helps. THANKs in advance.
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There are some schools that directly toss your application if it's below a specific criteria.
*story time* my dad who went to USC had just got above 3.0 and he went to tour the school. The guide said they don't look at anything below a 3.0, so my dad had to inform him that although his aadsas said 2.9, his GPA had increased since then and was just above.
If at all possible, it helps a ton to get to meet someone important there and talk with them. If they get to meet you face to face and see how you are interested in dentistry, they can make acceptions to the cutoff or at least take a second look at your file.
*story time* my dad who went to USC had just got above 3.0 and he went to tour the school. The guide said they don't look at anything below a 3.0, so my dad had to inform him that although his aadsas said 2.9, his GPA had increased since then and was just above.
If at all possible, it helps a ton to get to meet someone important there and talk with them. If they get to meet you face to face and see how you are interested in dentistry, they can make acceptions to the cutoff or at least take a second look at your file.
Many schools will have strict criteria about what they consider to be minimally acceptable grades. If the grades are below a 3.0, at many places even a superb DAT will not be enough to compensate. Personally, I think the GPA says a lot about a person's work ethic and sustained performance. A high DAT may suggest that the person really knows the stuff, but it could also mean that the person is a good standardized test-taker or is an efficient crammer. Personally, when I sat on admissions committees, my colleagues and I always placed moderately more weight on the GPA than standardized tests, because we much rather have hard workers who are dedicated to high standards than individuals who might be intelligent but are compromised in some way on how they approached a rigorous curriculum. Now, there might be extenuating circumstances, but for the most part we have to take it for what is worth.
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I would call the schools you are interested in and talk to them. Lets be honest, most of us could sleep through school and get a 2.7. That being said, it doesn't say much for either your intelligence or your drive to become a dentist. That will hurt you. With all of the experience you have...maybe the schools will over look your GPA. If not, you may have to go back to school for 3 more years or do a masters program. The best source of information for you will be the schools directly though as they all differ in the way they handle the less impressive applications and they all place emphasis on different aspects of the application.
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OhNoImmaPreDent
Hey guys thanks for the honesty I really do appreciate it. 😳
