Looking ahead to the 2011 cycle...

[KCH12]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone,

I frequently read the posts on here and usually feel differently each time. I am sometimes confident and other times apprehensive about my chances of getting into dental school. I will be graduating in May 2011 with hopes of entering dental school in the fall of 2011.

I am a PA resident and my DAT scores are 19 AA, 20 TS, 19 PAT. I am a psych major with a chem minor and my GPA is 3.66, sci GPA 3.4 . I have made a preliminary list of schools I am thinking of applying to which include: USC, Nova, Louisville, Maryland, BU, Tufts, UMDNJ, NYU, Temple, Pitt, Penn, VCU, WVU.

I would like to hear from those who have already gone through the process as well as those who will also be applying next year. Should I retake the DATs? Should I remove or add certain schools? Any honest input would be really appreciated.

 

[Smile01]

Hey my DAT was a little lower than yours and my GPA a little higher but I got interviews at several of those schools that you are applying to..I canceled most of them because I got into my top choice..so I think you should be fine..many schools do like the AA to be in the 20s however with your other stats being high makes up for it..and your PAT is pretty good too..My advice is just apply EARLY and apply to many schools and you should be fine. Good Luck!!

 

[subdoc]

Sounds like you are already willing to shell out over 2 grand on application fees, so spend another 45 bucks and buy yourself the 2010 ADEA guide for dental schools. This guide will break down schools on GPA and DAT mean and range, as well as provide information on prereqs and demographics in one convenient place. This is the best 45 bucks you will spend throughout the process, and may even save you money if you determine one of your 12 target schools is not worth it to apply.

Everyone will have different OPINIONS on what good scores are. The ADEA guide provides FACTS from the schools themselves. You will more than likely find some schools on your list are not worth it, and some other schools may!

If you were to look at your scores, they are competitive. If you are leery on what you read in a forum, call the schools you are interested in and speak with an admissions counselor. They will probably tell you the same thing I did, "your numbers are competitive."

The caveat they may or may not tell you is that it is not always about the numbers. You will find people with better numbers than you who did not get in and people with worse numbers who did. Don't overlook the power of strong LoRs, life experiences reflected on an outstanding personal statement, good extra-curriculars, and having a personable and professional interview (if extended an offer.)

To steal a dental word, admissions committees really look at the amalgam which is you.

 

[HASassin]

my gpa is about about 3 points lower - so its pretty low.....
so im thinking i need to have a much higher DAT score to compensate

im shooting for around
21 pat
19/20 AA
20/21 TS

would that be enough to offshoot a
sGPA 3.15
oGPA 3.27

my extracurriculars are pretty strong, and im also planning on applying to around 15 schools

 

[HASassin]

my gpa is about about 3 points lower - so its pretty low.....
so im thinking i need to have a much higher DAT score to compensate

im shooting for around
21 pat
19/20 AA
20/21 TS

would that be enough to offshoot a
sGPA 3.15
oGPA 3.27

my extracurriculars are pretty strong, and im also planning on applying to around 15 schools

 

[erk005]

HASassin: with those GPA's and DAT scores you will probably hear that your GPA is too low. I experienced this 1st hand when I had a 3.18sGPA/3.31oGPA.

 

[joonkimdds]

Hey everyone,

I frequently read the posts on here and usually feel differently each time. I am sometimes confident and other times apprehensive about my chances of getting into dental school. I will be graduating in May 2011 with hopes of entering dental school in the fall of 2011.

I am a PA resident and my DAT scores are 19 AA, 20 TS, 19 PAT. I am a psych major with a chem minor and my GPA is 3.66, sci GPA 3.4 . I have made a preliminary list of schools I am thinking of applying to which include: USC, Nova, Louisville, Maryland, BU, Tufts, UMDNJ, NYU, Temple, Pitt, Penn, VCU, WVU.

I would like to hear from those who have already gone through the process as well as those who will also be applying next year. Should I retake the DATs? Should I remove or add certain schools? Any honest input would be really appreciated.

I have 3.8 GPA + 19AA/19TS/23PAT and got rejected from UMDNJ, and Louisville without interviews so I don't think you should apply to these schools (although you might have better EC, PS, and LOR).

There will be people saying that you are good to go but I still want to ask you to retake and aim higher.

 

[Blue Panther]

Hey everyone,

I frequently read the posts on here and usually feel differently each time. I am sometimes confident and other times apprehensive about my chances of getting into dental school. I will be graduating in May 2011 with hopes of entering dental school in the fall of 2011.

I am a PA resident and my DAT scores are 19 AA, 20 TS, 19 PAT. I am a psych major with a chem minor and my GPA is 3.66, sci GPA 3.4 . I have made a preliminary list of schools I am thinking of applying to which include: USC, Nova, Louisville, Maryland, BU, Tufts, UMDNJ, NYU, Temple, Pitt, Penn, VCU, WVU.

I would like to hear from those who have already gone through the process as well as those who will also be applying next year. Should I retake the DATs? Should I remove or add certain schools? Any honest input would be really appreciated.

You're in luck because you have three dental schools in your own state! I think you are fine, just apply early and have everything done in time.

 

[HASassin]

HASassin: with those GPA's and DAT scores you will probably hear that your GPA is too low. I experienced this 1st hand when I had a 3.18sGPA/3.31oGPA.

lol thats depressing

what would you recommend for me then?

that i try and raise my dat a little bit more (i havnt taken it yet)

 

[Blue Panther]

that i try and raise my dat a little bit more (i havnt taken it yet)

and GPA as well

 

[adizzle87]

Your stats (sGPA and DATs) are about average but its fine because that's what MOST admitted applicants have. Not sure if you knew this already but Temple gives preference to PA residents because it's a state-related school, so you're in good shape there. I think you have a good shot at getting in 👍, just remember to apply before July.

 

[FutureDent020]

I have 3.8 GPA + 19AA/19TS/23PAT and got rejected from UMDNJ, and Louisville without interviews so I don't think you should apply to these schools (although you might have better EC, PS, and LOR).

There will be people saying that you are good to go but I still want to ask you to retake and aim higher.

Multiple students on predents alone got into Louisville with lower stats than you KCH12. Don't shy away from Louisville for your numbers are competitive.
And Joonkim, before you tell a student to not apply somewhere, have more convincing evidence than your personal experience.

 

[teeth32]

Multiple students on predents alone got into Louisville with lower stats than you KCH12. Don't shy away from Louisville for your numbers are competitive.
And Joonkim, before you tell a student to not apply somewhere, have more convincing evidence than your personal experience.

Agreed.. I interviewed at Louisville with lower DAT scores. It's not all about the numbers