Non-trad Very low GPA, High DAT Seeking Advice

[misfitdonuts]

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Date of submission: Pending
Overall GPA: 2.5
Science GPA: 2.6
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 2.5
Masters GPA: Pending
DAT score (include AA and all sections):

AA 510 (25)
TS 520 (25)
BIO 530 (26)
CHEM 490 (24)
OCHEM 530 (26)
RC 530 (26.5)
QR 460 (22)
PAT 400 (18.5)

State of Residence: Texas

Undergrad Attended: private liberal arts TX school
Major: Economics
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes

Shadowing Experience: 200 hours (100 general dentist, 50 ortho, 50 pediatric)
Volunteering Experience: 400 Hours (Habitat for Humanity (building houses), Haven for Hope (feeding homeless), PAWS SA (dog adoption help))
Employment: 4 years full time employment as a financial analyst for a hedge fund
Research: 250 hours orthodontics research, 1 publication + 1 more publication pending
Other Extracurriculars: D-3 Basketball Co-Captain, Chess Club, International Business Club, Pre-dental club (1 semester)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools?: No
Relevant Honors or Awards: No
LOR type and strength: 2 from science professors years ago (weak), 2 from dentists shadowed (strong)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Fs/Retakes, No strong uptrend
School list:
Howard
Tufts
Detriot Mercy
Midwestern IL & AZ
Western U
Roseman
Meharry
ASDOH
Touro
NYU
Temple
Boston U
LECOM

I know my GPA is terrible. My undergrad in economics I didn't take seriously since I already had a good job lined up after college. I decided to switch careers (I hated my job and potential career path). I slowly took the science pre-reqs at my local CC and didn't do well due to a traumatic event and mental health problems, which have been resolved. I quit my job this year and took the DAT and received great scores (510 AA (25) 520 TS (25)). Even with this DAT score is there even a chance if I apply with a GPA below 3.0, will I get auto-screened? My main question is whether I should even apply this cycle? I am going to do a SMP at Mississippi college. Should I wait until I finish the masters to apply or should I apply this cycle and provide and update once I get my fall 2025 masters grades?

 

[macsak]

Date of submission: Pending
Overall GPA: 2.5
Science GPA: 2.6
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 2.5
Masters GPA: Pending
DAT score (include AA and all sections):

AA 510 (25)
TS 520 (25)
BIO 530 (26)
CHEM 490 (24)
OCHEM 530 (26)
RC 530 (26.5)
QR 460 (22)
PAT 400 (18.5)

State of Residence: Texas

Undergrad Attended: private liberal arts TX school
Major: Economics
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes

Shadowing Experience: 200 hours (100 general dentist, 50 ortho, 50 pediatric)
Volunteering Experience: 400 Hours (Habitat for Humanity (building houses), Haven for Hope (feeding homeless), PAWS SA (dog adoption help))
Employment: 4 years full time employment as a financial analyst for a hedge fund
Research: 250 hours orthodontics research, 1 publication + 1 more publication pending
Other Extracurriculars: D-3 Basketball Co-Captain, Chess Club, International Business Club, Pre-dental club (1 semester)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools?: No
Relevant Honors or Awards: No
LOR type and strength: 2 from science professors years ago (weak), 2 from dentists shadowed (strong)
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Fs/Retakes, No strong uptrend
School list:
Howard
Tufts
Detriot Mercy
Midwestern IL & AZ
Western U
Roseman
Meharry
ASDOH
Touro
NYU
Temple
Boston U
LECOM

I know my GPA is terrible. My undergrad in economics I didn't take seriously since I already had a good job lined up after college. I decided to switch careers (I hated my job and potential career path). I slowly took the science pre-reqs at my local CC and didn't do well due to a traumatic event and mental health problems, which have been resolved. I quit my job this year and took the DAT and received great scores (510 AA (25) 520 TS (25)). Even with this DAT score is there even a chance if I apply with a GPA below 3.0, will I get auto-screened? My main question is whether I should even apply this cycle? I am going to do a SMP at Mississippi college. Should I wait until I finish the masters to apply or should I apply this cycle and provide and update once I get my fall 2025 masters grades?

why howard?
why meharry?

how did you come up with this list?

 

[misfitdonuts]

why howard?
why meharry?

how did you come up with this list?

I literally just looked at schools with the lowest average GPA applicants. I know those 2 cater to URM. Idk I'm not set on this list yet. Was hoping to get input of should I even apply this cycle or wait till I finish my masters since my GPA is terrible?

 

[macsak]

I literally just looked at schools with the lowest average GPA applicants. I know those 2 cater to URM. Idk I'm not set on this list yet. Was hoping to get input of should I even apply this cycle or wait till I finish my masters since my GPA is terrible?

i've already stated that IMO you need to do a SMP
schools need to know you can handle the high level science heavy curriculum....

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Why do you have a pending Masters GPA?

 

[misfitdonuts]

Why do you have a pending Masters GPA?

I had originally thought I could apply this cycle and provide an update after my first semester this fall of the SMP I will be doing, but have been told I should finish my SMP first before I apply since my GPA is so low. My mistake

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Yes, you should. Focus on the SMP and excel.