Please help, I need options.

[coreyover4]

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I just took the DAT and need help in determining what to do. My grades are low to say the least and I didn’t do that great on the DAT. My GPA is a 2.84most of that comes from Chemistry and Organic as I never did well in those classes. I am a biology major. My science GPA is around a 2.53 which I know is low.
My DAT stats are
QR 16, I ran out of time and had to guess on the last 10 or so.
RC 20, not hard prob can do better though
PA 18
Bio 16
OC 18
CH 15, I don’t know I spent too much time on organic I guess
TS 16
Overall 17

I know a 17 is around the average for what people got last year but since my GPA is low I need to get that up if I want any chance to get in. I haven’t applied yet and know I need to but was thinking I should take the DAT again b4 November unless I should wait a year and see apply after I graduate in May and try and get my GPA up. Hopefully I am not totally screwed….. Any input would be helpful and much appreciated

 

[denticus]

I just took the DAT and need help in determining what to do. My grades are low to say the least and I didn’t do that great on the DAT. My GPA is a 2.84most of that comes from Chemistry and Organic as I never did well in those classes. I am a biology major. My science GPA is around a 2.53 which I know is low.
My DAT stats are
QR 16, I ran out of time and had to guess on the last 10 or so.
RC 20, not hard prob can do better though
PA 18
Bio 16
OC 18
CH 15, I don’t know I spent too much time on organic I guess
TS 16
Overall 17

I know a 17 is around the average for what people got last year but since my GPA is low I need to get that up if I want any chance to get in. I haven’t applied yet and know I need to but was thinking I should take the DAT again b4 November unless I should wait a year and see apply after I graduate in May and try and get my GPA up. Hopefully I am not totally screwed….. Any input would be helpful and much appreciated

OH MAN!! You have a lot of work to do! I hate to be honest with you (I really do) but I don't think you have a shot this year. You did good on your RC which is looked at with a lot of weight. You also did so-so on your OC and PAT but everything else will only create problems for you during applications, including your GPA/sGPA! I don't know how many classes you have left before you graduate but I would not want to get anything less then an A if you stand a chance at bringing your GPA to a competitive level. Even if it's not competitive, at least the adcoms will note the (hopefully) positive trend. I also think that for you, rocking your DAT retake is an ABSOLUTE MUST!!! Get to work....geez, I'm sorry if what I said is hard to take but that really is MY opinion on your chances.

 

[Chrono1984]

I would not apply this year. You would be wasting your money. Unless you have some sort of super connections or have saved lives in a third world country - you will not get in to any school with a 2.5 sci GPA, a 17 AA, and late application.

Now, you still can get into dental school for sure if you are determined, but not this year - and probably not next year. You will need to complete (and get mostly A's) in a formal post-bacc or masters to prove that you can handle science courses. I would retake the DAT in a year or so when you have time and aim for 20s to remove any doubt the Adcoms may see with that 2.5 sci. You may need to retake the chemistry classes to bring your GPA up enough to even get into a masters/post-bacc.

Not trying to be a downer, just grounded in reality - I'm sure others will have different opinions. If you want it bad enough, another few years will seem like nothing in the big scheme.

Also remember that nobody on here is an adcom, so your best path will probably be to call up a few schools and ask them what you can do. Many dental schools have post-baccs and masters directly affiliated with the school - but they also have GPA requirements and that 2.5 is going to cause problems.

Still, can't hurt to ask.

 

[littlemissy]

yeah i gotta agree with the others. 17 was not the average last year. get the gpa up with a masters and then really study for the dat. good luck

 

[vhh007]

I'd have to agree with everyone else, it's not impossible but it will take a lot of work. I'd follow the advice everyone else has given you. Best of luck

 

[dentaldentist]

Unfortunately - you will not get in this year. 17 is around the average for all takers of the DAT, but for accepted students the average DAT score is just over a 19. For anyone with a GPA under 3.0, I would reallly recommend either a post-bac program or master's program for a year and score high grades. This will bring your overall GPA up and demonstrate you can handle a set of difficult classes and still get good grades. Unless you score a 25 or 26 on the DAT, I really don't think you will get into dental school without taking some extra classes. I realize this really sucks to hear, but it really is what you need to do. Good luck.

 

[littlemissy]

Unfortunately - you will not get in this year. 17 is around the average for all takers of the DAT, but for accepted students the average DAT score is just over a 19. For anyone with a GPA under 3.0, I would reallly recommend either a post-bac program or master's program for a year and score high grades. This will bring your overall GPA up and demonstrate you can handle a set of difficult classes and still get good grades. Unless you score a 25 or 26 on the DAT, I really don't think you will get into dental school without taking some extra classes. I realize this really sucks to hear, but it really is what you need to do. Good luck.

that is what i meant to say earlier thank you for that clarification