Picking schools, any help appreciated!

[Kavity]

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I have a 3.476 oGPA, 3.243 sGPA, planning to take the DATs early August and I'm not sure if I'm picking the appropriate schools to submit my app to.
I suffered a personal tragedy in my freshman year that took a toll on my grades (when I took Gen Chem I and II, as well as my math courses). However, since then, I retook Chem I (with an A) and Chem II (with a B+). I also got straight A's in Bio I and II, Organic Chem I and II, Biochem, Cell Biology and Neuroscience, and two 4.0 semesters. I also have a publication coming out based on my research, and I am continuing to conduct research with my current lab. Do you guys think this upward trend will be considered, or will they scrap my application based on the numbers I present? Without freshman year, both my science and overall GPAs would be around 3.76. Any advice on which schools I should apply to with my stats would be much appreciated.

I am a NJ resident, but I'm thinking of applying to the following schools. Any advice on which ones to add/cut from the list? Thanks, guys!

Definitely thinking of applying to:
1 Rutgers
2 NYU
3 BU
4 LECOM
5 Roseman
6 Tufts
7 Arizona
8 Lousiville
9 Maryland
10 USC
11 Nova
Maybe schools:
12 Western
13 Temple
14 Case
15 VCU
Not so sure:
16 Buffalo
17 Columbia

* University of Michigan (missing sociology/microbio)
* Midwestern University (missing microbio, anatomy/phys)
* U of Nevada Las Vegas (missing anatomy)

I do plan to take microbio this coming semester, but I'm not sure if I'll have time for anatomy/phys or sociology. Should I apply to those schools although I don't plan to take those prerequisites, or are those definite no's?​

I'm trying to narrow down this list to about 10 schools, if possible. Thanks for all your help, guys!!

 

[amfassz]

you've posted this 3 times in 3 days

arizona what? there are 2 schools in arizona

what is ml? maryland? the abbreviation for maryland is md or umd

up through 15 your list is fine, remove the ones you dont want

 

[Kavity]

you've posted this 3 times in 3 days

arizona what? there are 2 schools in arizona

what is ml? maryland? the abbreviation for maryland is md or umd

up through 15 your list is fine, remove the ones you dont want

Arizona U of Dental and Oral Health.... You didn't see that in my other two posts?
I'm asking for others' help in cutting down my list. If you don't want to do that, you don't have to post.
Thanks.

 

[bpoore19]

Your choice of schools really hinges on your DAT scores. Right now, I think you should definitely remove USC and Columbia from your list. You should also take out ASDOH unless you have a lot of community service hours. Based on your GPA, I would recommend adding Midwestern-Illinois. Your GPA is a little below the national average for matriculates, but it is still good!

Personally, I would not want to relocate across the country, but you may want to. If you really want to chisel down your list to about 10 schools and save as much money (travel expenses) as possible, I would focus on schools in the east... particularly in the northeast.

If I were in your position, these would be my 10 schools:
1) Rutgers - can't beat your state school!
2) NYU
3) BU
4) Tufts
5) MWU-Illinois
6) Louisville - absolutely fantastic program!
7) LECOM. However, they indicate that applicants that have taken Cell Biology, Anatomy, Microbiology, and Physiology will be more competitive.
8) Nova
9) Case Western - based on your research background
10) UNE - Microbiology & lab are required - physiology is highly recommended

 

[Kavity]

Your choice of schools really hinges on your DAT scores. Right now, I think you should definitely remove USC and Columbia from your list. You should also take out ASDOH unless you have a lot of community service hours. Based on your GPA, I would recommend adding Midwestern-Illinois. Your GPA is a little below the national average for matriculates, but it is still good!

Personally, I would not want to relocate across the country, but you may want to. If you really want to chisel down your list to about 10 schools and save as much money (travel expenses) as possible, I would focus on schools in the east... particularly in the northeast.

If I were in your position, these would be my 10 schools:
1) Rutgers - can't beat your state school!
2) NYU
3) BU
4) Tufts
5) MWU-Illinois
6) NOVA
7) LECOM. However, they indicate that applicants that have taken Cell Biology, Anatomy, Microbiology, and Physiology will be more competitive.
8) Louisville
9) Case Western - based on your research background
10) UNE - Microbiology & lab are required - physiology is highly recommended

Thanks so much for the help! It would definitely be ideal to stay close to home, but I'll go anywhere if it means I'll become a successful dentist.
As for MWU, LECOM, and UNE, I do not plan to take anatomy/physiology. Should I apply anyhow, or would that just be a waste of money?

 

[bpoore19]

No problem! I'm about to undergo the application process myself, however, so I'm definitely no expert!

I would remove MWU, since I know that anatomy and physiology are both requirements for matriculation. However, these courses are just strongly recommended by LECOM. I think you should still apply there, since you are already considering them. Maybe consider adding Temple to replace MWU-Illinois from that list. I would keep UNE.

 

[Kavity]

No problem! I'm about to undergo the application process myself, however, so I'm definitely no expert!

I would remove MWU, since I know that anatomy and physiology are both requirements for matriculation. However, these courses are just strongly recommended by LECOM. I think you should still apply there, since you are already considering them. Maybe consider adding Temple to replace MWU-Illinois from that list. I would keep UNE.

Thanks!

 

[bpoore19]

Anytime! Keep us posted about your success throughout the application cycle! 🙂

 

[stomatology]

I think @bpoore19 gave you some really good recommendations. The only thing I'd say is definitely don't apply to schools that have requirements (recommendations are different) that you don't plan to meet by the time you matriculate. That'd be a waste of money.

 

[Kavity]

I think @bpoore19 gave you some really good recommendations. The only thing I'd say is definitely don't apply to schools that have requirements (recommendations are different) that you don't plan to meet by the time you matriculate. That'd be a waste of money.

Thank you! So cross out MWU, UNLV, and Michigan?
*I will take Microbio, so I'll add UNE to the list. Anyone know their stats?

 

[stomatology]

Thank you! So cross out MWU, UNLV, and Michigan?

Between now and the time you matriculate, do you see yourself completing the required courses that you are missing? If the answer is no, then yes.

*I will take Microbio, so I'll add UNE to the list. Anyone know their stats?

UNE: mean oGPA: 3.4; mean sGPA: 3.4; Avg DAT: 18AA, 18TS, 19PA.
Here is a link to their prerequisites: http://www.une.edu/dentalmedicine/admissions

 

[Kavity]

Between now and the time you matriculate, do you see yourself completing the required courses that you are missing? If the answer is no, then yes.


UNE: mean oGPA: 3.4; mean sGPA: 3.4; Avg DAT: 18AA, 18TS, 19PA.
Here is a link to their prerequisites: http://www.une.edu/dentalmedicine/admissions

Very helpful, thank you!!

 

[Kavity]

bump

 

[Kavity]

Would Creighton be a viable option to add to the list as well?