I have a very low aadsas gpa of 2.8 from uc berkeley. I have a AA 19 on the DAT. I am currently doing a masters of science in business management program and will finish in 2010. I applied to 15 schools, and have not received any interviews. Does that mean its over? Should I come up with a new plan to get in?
Low GPA, no interviews yet, what are my chances?
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A masters in business won't add much to your application I don't think. The ADCOMs probably want to see an improvement in your sciences to demonstrate you can handle the rigors of D1 and D2. I would considering enrolling in a post-bac program and improving your DATs. You can still get in, its possible, but with a 19 its going to be pretty rough. If you retook and managed a 22+AA, with your degree from Berkeley I'm sure you could get into a school.
I understand that a higher score of DAT is necessary for a lower GPA but is 19 uncompetitive anymore?
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Not on this forum.
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Not with a 2.8.
A 3.4 or maybe even a 3.3 with a 19 is somewhat competetive, but anything below a 3.0 and you really need at LEAST a 20 to be viewed favorably by admissions committee. This came from an admissions dean I spoke with not too long ago.
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Some schools use a formula that includes the GPA and DAT to eliminate some applicants or set a cutoff line. With a 2.8 GPA, I would think you would need a 22+. The masters may help, but I think schools really want to see a strong performance in science classes (like the ones in DS would be optimum- anat/physiology, microbiology, biochemistry). A strong score on total science may help your case if your BCP (Biology,Chemistry, Physics) GPA is low.
There is a stickied thread above at the top that talks about - am I competetive? This thread has the formula, although different schools may tweek it differently. Overall, I think it may give you an idea of what DAT score will equalize what GPA or vice-versa.
Not all schools use this formula, but I think a lot of schools use some version of it.
Here it is: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046
There is a stickied thread above at the top that talks about - am I competetive? This thread has the formula, although different schools may tweek it differently. Overall, I think it may give you an idea of what DAT score will equalize what GPA or vice-versa.
Not all schools use this formula, but I think a lot of schools use some version of it.
Here it is: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046
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Also, do schools at all take into account that my 2.8 is from UC berkeley rather than some average school? I feel like at the end of the day a 3.3 at a garbage school is better than a 2.8 from berkeley because at the end of the day an A is an A, and a B is a B, and a C is a C.....
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With your stats I would think that you applied too late in the cycle.
Take a few units (10) of science classes this spring, and then submit your application first thing next cycle.
What kind of extra curricular activities do you have? This area may help your application significantly.
Do you have minority status?
What school are you applying to?
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Schools will make a note that Berkeley isn't some random school where you can easily get A's. And if you are a strong student, you should kill the DAT as proof that your school is actually tougher than other schools. However, a 2.8 is a 2.8, no matter where you go, even at cornell or MIT, there's no excuse getting a 2.8, you need at least 3.0 to be competitive.
With that said, if your DAT is 22 or higher, you still have a chance.
good luck
Besides my weak gpa and weak dat, the rest of my application is actually very strong. I have probably close to 3,000 hours of dentistry shadowing/experience, I have gone on a foreign mission an done dental work, i have about 1,000 hours of research experience, and tons of extracurricular activities. My personal statement is also very strong, and I included my reasoning for my low gpa during the last 2 years of school due to family issues. However, despite my strong extracurricular/research/volunteering, i think all that matters is gpa and dat because that will get a foot in the door. These are the school i applied to. I'm a CA resident. I appreciate the input.
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (AZ)
Midwestern University (MWU)
Western University of Health Sciences (WESTU)
University of Southern California (USC)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Loma Linda University (LLU)
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UOP)
Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
University of Florida (FLA)
University of Illinois at Chicago (ILL)
Tufts University (TUF)
Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine
University of Michigan (MICH)
University of Detroit Mercy (UDM)
Creighton University (CRE)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
New York University (NYU)
Case School of Dental Medicine (CWR)
The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University (TEMP)
University of Pittsburgh (PITT)
Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (AZ)
Midwestern University (MWU)
Western University of Health Sciences (WESTU) University of Southern California (USC) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loma Linda University (LLU) University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UOP) Nova Southeastern University (NSU) University of Florida (FLA)
University of Illinois at Chicago (ILL)
Tufts University (TUF)
Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine
University of Michigan (MICH)
University of Detroit Mercy (UDM)
Creighton University (CRE)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
New York University (NYU)
Case School of Dental Medicine (CWR)
The Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University (TEMP)
University of Pittsburgh (PITT)
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Great Extracurriculars, you've got me convinced, i hearby accept you to wantVCUdental's school of dentistry, congratulations!
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You have a nice list of schools there... but if you're not hearing back from anyone I would definitely spend the extra effort to take some science classes to boost your cGPA and sGPA at the same time. Just looking briefly at the schools, I would think that Creighton is out of the picture because their number standards are too high.
I'm guessing that you'd have to take about 30 credits worth of science classes to raise your GPA.
If you got all high marks with 30 credits worth of science classes, I think this would help you out a lot. Not only does it show that you are capable of performing, but it will also raise your GPA up to 3.0
This suggestion would take you 2 semesters (15 credits Fall, 15 credits Spring)
I know it's a lot of work, but I think it would be highly beneficial to you.
Retake the DAT as well.
Numbers aside, it sounds like you are a very strong applicant, which is half the battle! 😉
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Also, maybe consider a Masters program. Possibly a Masters of Biology! 
This is a common way of increasing one's GPA for dental, medica, and pharmacy school.
Many programs are only 2 years.
Also, look into the M.P.H. programs (masters of public health); you can pull off an M.P.H. in one year at some institutions, and it will defiantly boost your cGPA. From what I hear, the program isn't that hard in comparision to other masters too!
This is a common way of increasing one's GPA for dental, medica, and pharmacy school.
Many programs are only 2 years.
Also, look into the M.P.H. programs (masters of public health); you can pull off an M.P.H. in one year at some institutions, and it will defiantly boost your cGPA. From what I hear, the program isn't that hard in comparision to other masters too!
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Sorry I realize you may have had extenuating circumstances, but I think a pretty solid rule is that a sharp downward GPA trend=very very bad. If you happen to get lucky and get an interview then whoo hoo, but if not you need some As in science classes to jack up that GPA and show D schools that you can handle upper level science. That would also show them that you are over any family issues that you had and they are in the past.
If all your extracurriculars are true, then ASDOH will definitely give you a shot I feel. They really like comm. service and the fact you did a mission will look even better, but overall I think it will be hard with your GPA and DAT. Sucks I am in the same situation, with a slightly higher DAT and I haven't heard any good news yet
