Really Need Advice

[jasminelime]

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Hi I go to UCLA, but I only have 2.6 science GPA. got Cs for physics, ochem, bio..

DAT scores
QR 17
RC 17
Ochem 20
Gchem 20
PAT 21
Bio 23
acadamic avg. 19
science avg 21


I am not too picky for schools..so i am happy as long as I get into one.
can I apply for dental schools? will they accept me?

 

[jasminelime]

by the way, am i still competitive? does anyone has suggestions for which schools i should apply to? i am thinking of submitting applications in recent weeks, is that too late?

 

[Snahster]

by the way, am i still competitive? does anyone has suggestions for which schools i should apply to? i am thinking of submitting applications in recent weeks, is that too late?

Based on what you've said you have about a 1% chance of getting in this year. And not much better next year. A 2.6 is brutal, you need to retake the DAT and get in the 95th percentile to show that you are smart but just did poorly in your classes.

 

[Flipper405]

Honestly, I think it's even less than 1% chance... that's going to hurt your application tremendously. You have a decent DAT score for someone with a decent GPA, but that 2.6 is far below average unfortunately. You're probably going to need to take some more upper-level sciences and do well in them to prove to admissions committees you can handle rigorous sciences. Also, depending on how much you can increase your GPA, you may or may not have to retake the DAT.
Because you are already considering applying, then you might already have too many hours in science to raise it very much... unless you're not a science major, and you have only taken the prerequisites. In that case, your situation would be much better... if you take some upper-level sciences and get As in them, your science GPA can go up more easily than someone who has already taken a lot of science classes.

Bottom line: Sorry, I really don't see you getting in with those stats, but you can bring yourself back with hard work. The Medical College of Georgia admissions committee visited UGA for a presentation last night, and the recurring theme we heard from the several dentists and students that were there was that persistence will be rewarded. Good luck.

 

[jigabodo]

I think to have a legit shot, one's GPA and DAT probably need to be somewhere between 3.4-3.5 and 18-20.

With a 2.6, you probably will need something like 23 to show the adcoms that you really mean business.

Otherwise, with a 19/21 you should at least attempt to raise your GPA to around 3.2-3.3 to have a shot.

 

[reapply2007]

Your DAT is respectable but not the insane high score adcoms theoretically look at as an offset to a less than ideal GPA. You can overcome some of this by applying early, doing some additional science coursework to show that you are capable of getting strong grades, or doing a masters to show you can to the coursework. However, you may also have some other reason in your background to explain below average grades but above average DAT scores. If you apply to a school that doesn't filter you out at the numbers stage and gets the explanation they need in your personal statement or other part of the application then you might have a chance as you are.

 

[briansle]

The best route : complete a Masters. There are many MS programs out there that exist solely because rejected pre-meds with low GPAs want to up their grades and reapply. The MS programs are also one-year only, so not only would you be increasing your GPA, you'll get into dental school, and have an extra degree.

I know you're probably thinking, "I don't have the patience for this," but trust me, you have to stick with it and you will get in somewhere. I've seen it.

Your DAT score is not the problem. Upping it still won't negate your GPA.

 

[jasminelime]

hey. i see...thanks guys...
that's too bad🙁...
I tried really hard to raise my science GPA..

btw..i dont know much about the MS program..do you have a website that i can go to?
thanks alot

 

[briansle]

hey. i see...thanks guys...
that's too bad🙁...
I tried really hard to raise my science GPA..

btw..i dont know much about the MS program..do you have a website that i can go to?
thanks alot

I know that UCLA is extremely competitive. At any other school (except Cal) you'd probably have a 3.5+ GPA. It sad that grad-schools don't seem to take one's college and major into consideration. But it's too late to play the blame game now.

One of my friends applied the same year I did. He didn't get in, but he also didn't give up. He went to Columbia and completed a 1year Masters course in physiology and anatomy. He got accepted to the school of his choice and is now an 0'11.

I also think D-schools like re-applicants, especially those who call up the admissions office and bug them about how to improve their chances. Evidence: 3 guys I know didn't make it the first year they applied, but all 3 familiarized themselves to admission officers, improved their stats, and got in. Believe me, they remember you. There's thousands of applicants, the one who merely shows interest by bugging them with phone calls/emails creates a situation where the admins are willing to look past the numbers because there's a personal interest invested.

Alternate Option and a Good Idea: If you want to, just apply to only the easy schools with low GPA averages: like NYU, Temple, USC, Boston. One in a million, you could slide into the waiting lists and by some fortuitous circumstance-get accepted. But more than likely you'll get rejected by all. But then at least when you reapply and show improvement, they'll remember that. Everybody loves the underdog/comeback kid

 

[dentaldentist]

As has already been said, you really don't have a chance with your GPA, but that is certainly no reason to give up. If you really are interested in dentistry you can get there. Spend this year working hard to bring that GPA. Assuming your GPA still doesn't break 3.0 after this year, I would suggest you do a post-bac program or a one year Masters of Science (MS) program to help boost your GPA. The average GPA to get into dental school is about a 3.5 Dental School Admission Statistics, but if you can get your GPA up close to 3 and do well in a post-bac or master's program you'll have a good chance of getting in.

Another note, is that when you are ready to apply, you will want to get your application in early. The application becomes available in mid-May so it is best to get your application in by the beginning of July so you are on the early side.

Anyway, good luck.