Now that my DAT is complete, please tell me my chances?

[ttpharm]

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Hello SDNers!

I've just completed my DAT and I would like a completely honest opinion on my chances. Please don't sugar coat! I want your straight forward honest opinion. Thanks!

I started off my college years HORRIBLY and I'm surely not proud of it as I look back today. I was partying on the weekends. Staying out on the weekdays. In total, I had 5 W's
Below are grades I believe will surely send a red flag to adcoms.

Notable California Community College Grades
Prep General Chemistry: W, W, C O.O!!
Prep Principles of Biology: C
Precalc: D, W, C (sad)

These are decent:
General Chemistry I: A
General Chemistry II: B
Ochem I: B

I ended up with around a 3.0 GPA at the community college.

Okay, now I got accepted to a UC (I guess I wrote a really good personal statement), and really my whole life style changed after this point.

Notable UC Grades
Intro Bio I: A-
Intro Bio II: B+
Ochem B: A+
Ochem C: B+
Physics A: A-
Physics B: B+
Physics C: A+
Analytical Chem: A
Pchem I: A
Pchem II: A-
Pchem III: A
Membrane Biochem: A
Biochem I: A
Biochem II: A
Biochem III: A+
Molec Genetics 2: A

My final GPA at the UC, without taking account the community college is 3.6.
I graduated with a BS in biochemistry Cum Laude.

Currently taking Physiology, which I aced 2 of the 4 exams so far and statistics, which I have an A.

Here is my GPA trend when I enter into the AMCAS GPA Calculator: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28409712/GPA%20trend.jpg

Taking into account both CC and UC GPA, I get a cGPA of ~3.2 and sGPA of a ~3.3 (probably less) without taking account of physiology and statistics, which I will probably get A's

DAT Scores
PAT: 19 🙁
QR: 19
RC: 23
BIO: 23
GC: 29
OC:23
Total Science: 24
AA: 23

I'm satisfied with my scores, but a little worried I got a 19 on the PAT.

ECs:
200+ hours shadowing at dental office. Dentist and owner of dental office is writing me a LOR
Volunteered to work with a disabled woman (artist) - Did some physical therapy to relieve her back, did some cooking and shopping. (Does this make me sound like a maid?)
Volunteered at the Big Brother Big Sister organization in Highschool :/ .. the funny part is.. it was for a week at most.. (probably will not put this on it.. or should I?)
Created a website with information and tips on how to do well on the DAT.

LORs
I'm getting an LOR from my biochem lab professor, whom is also the lead biochem advisor for biochemistry. I am also getting a LOR from the dentist I am shadowing. Probably getting my second science LOR from my physiology teacher.

In my personal statement, I'd like to somehow showcase my strong determination for everything I do in life especially getting into dental school. I went from 240 lbs -> 150 lbs as well as from a terrible GPA to graduating cum laude in biochem.

Okay, I think that'ss enough information for you guys to let me know my chances. I'm applying to roughly 20+ schools and I reside in california so my top choice is a dental school here, but competition is so fierce that I will go ANYWHERE.

Thanks again! Sorry for the long post! 😍

 

[white fang]

So what are your actual sGPA and oGPA's?

 

[ttpharm]

So what are your actual sGPA and oGPA's?

cGPA of ~3.2 and sGPA of a ~3.3 (probably less)
Not taking into account physiology and statistics, which I will probably get an A.

My past is truly coming back to haunt me. Wish I had the same mindset I have now. So sad

 

[journeybegins]

You have shown significant improvement where it matters the most (at a 4-year university).

Your DAT scores are good as well.

My guess is that the admission committees will look at your last few years rather than your first couple of years.

I have a friend who did all right in community college (mostly B's), and kicked butt when she transferred to a UC. She got into UCSF School of Medicine.

 

[white fang]

cGPA of ~3.2 and sGPA of a ~3.3 (probably less)
Not taking into account physiology and statistics, which I will probably get an A.

My past is truly coming back to haunt me. Wish I had the same mindset I have now. So sad

We are in the same boat (my cGPA will be around 3.25, but sGPA will be higher only because I never took science classes until my post-bacc) and my DAT is similar to yours (23/23/20). Stay in touch where you apply and the results you get and I will do the same. We both started bad and finished well, and that is the 2nd best way to do it.

 

[ttpharm]

You have shown significant improvement where it matters the most (at a 4-year university).

Your DAT scores are good as well.

My guess is that the admission committees will look at your last few years rather than your first couple of years.

I have a friend who did all right in community college (mostly B's), and kicked butt when she transferred to a UC. She got into UCSF School of Medicine.

thanks for your response! It would be amazing to attend UCSF or UOP. Of course I would've rather obtained mostly B's at CC :[

 

[ttpharm]

We are in the same boat (my cGPA will be around 3.25, but sGPA will be higher only because I never took science classes until my post-bacc) and my DAT is similar to yours (23/23/20). Stay in touch where you apply and the results you get and I will do the same. We both started bad and finished well, and that is the 2nd best way to do it.

Forsure, I'll let you know how everything goes! Great scores, btw! wish you the best of luck. It would feel so amazing to get into dental school. My goals have drastically increased. I wanted to be a full time counter-strike player in high school :/

 

[destinedsirius]

thanks for your response! It would be amazing to attend UCSF or UOP. Of course I would've rather obtained mostly B's at CC :[

I have kind of the same background as you. Got into both UCSF and UOP. I think your stats are very well off. Just try to get as much ECs in between now and the time you apply. I don't mean more shadowing hours because 200 is enough. I don't know if you just didn't list more ECs, but definitely do a little more like volunteering if you didn't. I had a lot more ECs on my plate than you like sim course/ radiology license/ research/ outreach... You should do it before June because you can't edit your ECs after you've submitted your app and you want to include your volunteering before you submit. Also, UCSF has a secondary app that makes you write about your experience dentistry/non-dentistry related so the more things you've done, the more you have to tell. I think I would have had a harder time trying to answer the questions if I didn't have the experiences I did. Also try and get 1 more letter of rec. Personal Statement matters a lot so I hope you have one ready or at least a very nice draft. I'm no admissions, but I can give you my take on your PS if you'd like.

 

[ttpharm]

I have kind of the same background as you. Got into both UCSF and UOP. I think your stats are very well off. Just try to get as much ECs in between now and the time you apply. I don't mean more shadowing hours because 200 is enough. I don't know if you just didn't list more ECs, but definitely do a little more like volunteering if you didn't. I had a lot more ECs on my plate than you like sim course/ radiology license/ research/ outreach... You should do it before June because you can't edit your ECs after you've submitted your app and you want to include your volunteering before you submit. Also, UCSF has a secondary app that makes you write about your experience dentistry/non-dentistry related so the more things you've done, the more you have to tell. I think I would have had a harder time trying to answer the questions if I didn't have the experiences I did. Also try and get 1 more letter of rec. Personal Statement matters a lot so I hope you have one ready or at least a very nice draft. I'm no admissions, but I can give you my take on your PS if you'd like.

Hey destinedsirius!

Yeah, my EC section is not something to be excited about. Either, I don't have much or I don't think they are worth mentioning. Well, in my PS, I want to somehow showcase that I'm really determined to become an excellent dentist due to my past. I'll msg you what my plan is! thanks!! <3

 

[JonLee]

The increasing trends your grades at UC compared to the community college is definitely a plus! Your awesome DAT scores are definitely a big plus!

The DAT can serve as a confirmation of a high GPA, condemn a person with a high GPA(Great GPA, Low DAT) or validate a mediocre GPA. Your GPA clearly is not representative of your mental aptitude!

I'd definitely recommend volunteering more, or participating in an EC that you enjoy!
Your numbers post community college seem way competitive, but if your app is being compared to someone with identical numbers, it will be your EC's that will set you apart!

Best of luck man.

Are you applying this cycle?

 

[ttpharm]

The increasing trends your grades at UC compared to the community college is definitely a plus! Your awesome DAT scores are definitely a big plus!

The DAT can serve as a confirmation of a high GPA, condemn a person with a high GPA(Great GPA, Low DAT) or validate a mediocre GPA. Your GPA clearly is not representative of your mental aptitude!

I'd definitely recommend volunteering more, or participating in an EC that you enjoy!
Your numbers post community college seem way competitive, but if your app is being compared to someone with identical numbers, it will be your EC's that will set you apart!

Best of luck man.

Are you applying this cycle?

Hey JonLee, yes I am to about 20+ schools. I really hope I get in! What about you? I really like your idea of making a website on how to ace the DAT 🙂. I really do need more ECs. What about helping out at a temple? My parents go alot and are pretty well respected and known there. I should start going with them.

 

[ttpharm]

I almost forgot, I worked with a disabled artist/women at her house over the summer, but didn't get a recommendation from her. Would that send a red flag? I sort of did physical therapy with her to help her back and helped her with food/shopping for her groceries. Would this make me look like a maid? lol

 

[wzb5012]

You're going to be a class of 2017 for sure. Good luck

 

[ttpharm]

You're going to be a class of 2017 for sure. Good luck

You really made me smile and gave me a good feeling inside with that comment. Thank you for the optimism! I really really want to get in! It seems so surreal that I may actually have a chance to get into dental school knowing how poorly I did in my past.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Terrible gpa in the beginning but U made up for it and showed the upward trends admission people like to see.

You def have a shot at not just interviews but def.an acceptance somewhere

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