Please help and be honest with me...

[nyang86]

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Dear all,

I just took my DAT this morning and am completely crushed. I’ve already applied to 17 schools, but only sent the secondary application fees to 8. I was wondering if you can give me an honest opinion on whether or not if I should give them a shot or not spent $80 on a rejection paper.
My scores this morning were:

PA: 21
QR: 22
RC: 15
Bio: 21
GChem: 20
Ochem: 17
TS: 19
AA: 19

What’s the worst is my GPA… 3.03. One question on a tangent note: do dental schools look at which university you attended? Because I am from UCLA - where professors don’t blink an eye when it comes to giving out C’s and D’s.
Schools I’ve sent AADSAS app AND secondary applications/fee for:
1. New York University
2. Oregon (OHSU)
3. Temple University
4. Tufts
5. Univ of Maryland, Baltimore
6. USC
7. UOP
8. Virginia Commonwealth


Schools I’ve applied to on AADSAS, but NOT sent Secondary application Fees:
1. Arizona ATSU
2. Boston University
3. Columbia
4. Howard University
5. Loma Linda
6. UCLA
7. UCSF
8. UNLV, Las Vegas
9. Western


As you can tell, I am already down thousands of dollars. I would really appreciate honest opinions on if I should go ahead and give these particular schools a shot or not, or any advices on what I should do from here on. I am completely lost… Thanks so much, I really appreciate your time and effort.

 

[Citric2]

I received a 16 in RC. So I know how you feel about your 15. The schools look at almost everything. Some use the DAT as the first hurdle. Hopefully you have a good story to tell in your app. Indiana told me that all my scores needed to be at least 16 and RC had to be at least 18. Some schools just want to see that the AA is right around there average. So do it. LLU and PIT told me that I had to have 18 at least across the board.Spend the money on the fees because it will not compare to the actual cost of dental school. Also send out an e-mail to the schools with a cutoff and tell them you will re-take if they don't like a score. Do not wait for them to reject you. Be pro-active. Almost forgot. UOP told me to bring up my ochem and RC to at least 18. They tell everyone that they like 20+ in the sections but some make it in under that.

 

[nyang86]

Thank you so much for your valuable advice.👍

 

[nyang86]

By the way, what did you mean by "good story?" Thanks man.

 

[Bruinlove]

You have a slim or no chance at Columbia, UCLA and UCSF because they put huge emphasis on RC.

 

[nyang86]

You have a slim or no chance at Columbia, UCLA and UCSF because they put huge emphasis on RC.

Thanks. This is what I needed to know.

 

[Citric2]

I have done no research on you as a person. Assuming the picture is you being female will be helpful. What is your story. Are you the typical undergrad that got good grades and attended his or her schools pre-dental club all 4 years. These are a majority of the applicants. This is not to say this is a bad route to go but if you slip up on one aspect of your application you leave yourself vulnerable to all the others.Can you show that you are ready for the dental workload-life?

You need at least an 18AA for UCSF to send you the supplemental. The supplemental for UCSF and UCLA is no joke. You are up against a deadline of Oct 15 I think for UCSF so a retake won't help you much. But they interview so late and fill their class so late you would do good to retake and inform them of your scores after you take the DAT. This assumes they don't reject you prior to the supplemental. Do you have any research on your application, UCSF will no doubt have a diverse class. Are you unique enough for them because if your not good luck. Widen your school choices if you have to get in this cycle if not just re-take and do something exciting. Also do not be afraid of the out of state schools with at least 10 out of stater students attending.
I have heard it before that certain scores are to low and as a group this is true but there is always a chance. Unless the school has a hard cutoff they will look at another aspect of your application that is the process they go through. Confidence is key. If you know you can perform better then re-take and show them.

Another thing I have learned is that most schools just repeat what their last class averages were. Averages you know are just that. Can you be that guy or girl that made up the lower end of the class? I can and I won't feel bad about it.
PM if you would like.

 

[prydA]

1. Arizona ATSU (give this a try if you have outstanding curriculars... they seem to look at each applicant as a whole)
2. Boston University (definitely try)
3. Columbia (i wouldn't..)
4. Howard University (try, since you're a minority)
5. Loma Linda (try)
6. UCLA (i wouldn't...)
7. UCSF (i wouldn't...)
8. UNLV, Las Vegas (try)
9. Western (new school, so you never know!)

just what i would do if i was in your shoes... good luck!!

 

[DROCKINDAHOUSE]

Sorry to hear about how much money u have already spent. Just stay positive, try not to let your DAT scores get you down. Besides they arent horrible. I really wish you good luck

 

[Holopeachy1]

1. Arizona ATSU (give this a try if you have outstanding curriculars... they seem to look at each applicant as a whole)
2. Boston University (definitely try)
3. Columbia (i wouldn't..)
4. Howard University (try, since you're a minority)
5. Loma Linda (try)
6. UCLA (i wouldn't...)
7. UCSF (i wouldn't...)
8. UNLV, Las Vegas (try)
9. Western (new school, so you never know!)

just what i would do if i was in your shoes... good luck!!

Umm I dont think the OP is considered a minority!

I agree though, definitely take UCSF and UCLA off your list!

 

[PreDent08]

i'm in the same boat as u and i applied to 21 schools. i would just stick with ur schools if money is not a very big issue...u already spend a lot of money and u never know what will happen. good luck to us.

 

[nyang86]

thank you guys so much. :O) I am new to SDN, people are so nice here. 😳