my honest chances?

[Hybridgen3]

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So I took my dats today and here are my scores:

PAT:20
QR:18
RC:21
Bio:21
GC:27
OC:27
TS:24
AA:23

So here is my question. I have a low GPA and I want to know what you guys think are my honest chances of getting in somewhere. My GPA will most likely be around 2.8-2.9 after it gets verified by AADSAS. I submitted the app on July 24. I have pretty good extracurriculars (dental assistant for a year and a half) and my dads a dentist (if that helps at all). Basically, my GPA sucks and its really making me worried. I would like to think that I have a fair chance of getting in but I just wanted to know what you guys honestly think. I applied to all of the normal schools like NYU, BU, Temple, and cali schools because I'm from there and I guess my first choice would be USC. Thanks for any of your replies.

 

[The Oracle]

"Solitude is strength; to depend on the presence of the crowd is weakness. The man who needs a mob to nerve him is much more alone than he imagines."

 

[The Oracle]

"And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!"

 

[DIRTIE]

So I took my dats today and here are my scores:

PAT:20
QR:18
RC:21
Bio:21
GC:27
OC:27
TS:24
AA:23

So here is my question. I have a low GPA and I want to know what you guys think are my honest chances of getting in somewhere. My GPA will most likely be around 2.8-2.9 after it gets verified by AADSAS. I submitted the app on July 24. I have pretty good extracurriculars (dental assistant for a year and a half) and my dads a dentist (if that helps at all). Basically, my GPA sucks and its really making me worried. I would like to think that I have a fair chance of getting in but I just wanted to know what you guys honestly think. I applied to all of the normal schools like NYU, BU, Temple, and cali schools because I'm from there and I guess my first choice would be USC. Thanks for any of your replies.

You will get in, end of discussion.

 

[colt]

Your father could call someone...maybe?

 

[mccarth2]

In my opinion, which is worth as much as you paid to hear it, is that you have a good chance. Your DAT scores are awsome which prove that you do have a good understanding of the basic sciences. Most schools don't have a GPA requirement, only a recommendation which is typically >2.75 or 3.0. You may want to check out the "Official Guide to Dental Schools" or look at each schools websites to see about their indv. requirements. As much as I hate to think it does, I think it really helps that your father is a dentist because it means that you have had that much more exposure and are probably sound in your decision to go to dental school. I could be wrong, but I think DAT is more heavily weighted than GPA. As you have probably heard before, some shools use an equation to determine your acceptance. Someone last year posted this eq. fo UNLA:

[(overall GPA/4.0) + (science GPA/4.0)] X [(DAT + PAT)/60] X 300

with a max score of 600
Interview out of 400 (350 typically achieved)

>700 automatic acceptance

I would have suggested doing a search for these equations, but good luck finding anything. I don't think the new search method with google is any good. Anyways, don't get your hopes down. I hope next thurs. my DAT stats are as good as yours. Good luck with everything.

 

[dentwannabe]

"Solitude is strength; to depend on the presence of the crowd is weakness. The man who needs a mob to nerve him is much more alone than he imagines."

are you the next troll?

 

[Hybridgen3]

uhhh....troll?....i aint ugly...hahajk...wut do u mean?

 

[boogaking]

Great DAT scores... I could see you getting into a couple of the schools on your list... Cali schools are gonna be tough... I'm from Cali too but similiar situation... all in all ...in the end I took the first bate... I wish I had a connection into the profession... definately utilize the links that your dad could provide... that will go a long way...your DA experience seems pretty solid if you lasted a year and half.... good luck!!!

 

[jr8047]

[(overall GPA/4.0) + (science GPA/4.0)] X [(DAT + PAT)/60] X 300

with a max score of 600
Interview out of 400 (350 typically achieved)


Do you mean a score of 400 and greater should get you an interview?

 

[Flipper405]

[(overall GPA/4.0) + (science GPA/4.0)] X [(DAT + PAT)/60] X 300

with a max score of 600
Interview out of 400 (350 typically achieved)


Do you mean a score of 400 and greater should get you an interview?

I think that is a separate score, since they were saying that >700 is automatic acceptance. That means that it's 600 for stats + 400 for interview = 1000 possible pts...

 

[Hybridgen3]

boogaking...wut do u mean by u took the first bate....

 

[jay228]

uhh....some of the advice given here is rather ugly. I was in this guy's boat and took 2 long hard cycles before getting in.

forget the CA schools, it's doubtful you'll get in with that GPA.

having a dentist father only helps per-se if he has clout or connections with a particular school, otherwise, it doesn't really make a difference except by giving you an extra angle on the ubiquitous "why dentistry" questions.

unlike what is previously said, most schools DO HAVE A FILTER for GPAs and if your GPA is below their particular filter (esp. harsh if you're applying to an out of state public school), your apps will be tossed automatically.

you got good DATs, which is a first and major step towards presenting a strong application, but someone with a low GPA has no other choice! best of luck and tell us how it goes, make sure to really rock those interviews.... people with good stats can more or less go to an interview and as long as they meshed friendly without any faux paus, they're good.... not us, i'd say we'd have to rock those interviews.

 

[boogaking]

boogaking...wut do u mean by u took the first bate....

oops typo...bait... What I meant was that I went with an out of state school that topped my list... I wanted to stay in Cali.

 

[jk5177]

If I was going to bet my money, I bet you will get in somewhere. Obviously your DAT scores are AWESOME!!! Good luck and don't let the application process anxiousness get to you. Do your best, and invest money in perfecting your paperwork.

 

[Hybridgen3]

thanks for ur honest opinion jay...how similar were your stats to mine and did u end up getting in?...n thanks for all the encouragement...we'll see how things go...is NYU my best chance?...wut would you guys recommend me to do for this year to improve my application if i don't get in this year...

 

[jk5177]

thanks for ur honest opinion jay...how similar were your stats to mine and did u end up getting in?...n thanks for all the encouragement...we'll see how things go...is NYU my best chance?...wut would you guys recommend me to do for this year to improve my application if i don't get in this year...

I have this idiosyncrasy of not ever exposing my stats on SDN - just the way I operate. So hope you don't feel offended.

In the small likelihood that you don't get in, I, one person, would suggest taking some upper division science classes that will be covered in dental school and do well in them. For example, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology. Don't worry so much about research, shadowing, or experience. You have to have some dental experience, and that's a "HAVE TO" but otherwise, DAT and grades will carry the most weight. Someone previously mentioned about DAT carrying more weight, and that makes sense becaust it is the only standardized portion of the application across the board.

Good luck. If we can be of help, make more posts on SDN. However, I always suggest people to do a quick search first, that way they will have more information to ask questions and posts.

 

[JHI42084]

i think that you'll make it this year. im so proud of you and I Believe in all that you do! 😛