School List for a 3.4 sGPA, 21 DAT? Or should I do a Postbacc?

[Jueves]

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Hey Guys, so with the new TMDAS science GPA Calculation (Psych Classes now Behavioral Sciences) I'm at a 3.55 sGPA, 3.4 BCP, and 3.53 oGPA. Strong upward trend my Junior and Senior year. DAT: 21AA, 20TS, No section below a 19.

How's this School List?

Tufts
UConn
Maryland
Louisville
USC
UNC
Indiana
Midwestern
Penn
Michigan
New England

 

[stoopidmonkeycatdog]

Hey Guys, so I'm looking at around a 3.4 sGPA when applying this cycle. 120 Shadowing Hours, President/CoPresident of my Pre Dental organization, and Executive board of my fraternity for a year. Not to mention 15 Hours a week doing a part time job Sophomore- End of Junior Year as a Manager of a Store. I took the DAT already and scored a 21AA, 20TS, and 19 PAT. I really don't want to do a postbacc, and I've been told several times that i'd be crazy to retake with a 21, but if my sGPA is weak then I might have to do either. My oGPA is around 3.47. Upward Trend. Any thoughts? What Schools should be on my list?

Bro, just apply. That isn't that low, a postbacc would be a potential waste of time.

 

[chives_irvine]

Plenty of schools have similar gpas as for their average matriculant AND that is an above average matriculant DAT score

 

[nebuchadnezzar90]

I have similar scores as yours and I got a lot of interviews and was accepted to almost all the schools I interviewed at. I think you have a good chance as long as you do well in your interviews.

Having said that, I know a few people with similar scores as mine that didn't get that many interviews or acceptances so there's a lot more that goes into it other than grades.

 

[redhotchiligochu]

I got into 2 dental schools with those same exact numbers. Don't do a postbac/SMP unless you don't get in your first try.

 

[Likkriue]

Think you are just fine. Apply and goodluck!

 

[Tqnnqt]

We have almost the same stats and I got 3 interviews. I got waitlisted becuase i suck at interviewing, but if you are good, then youll get in. Good luck 🙂

 

[Jueves]

For those who got in with similar stats, how many schools did you apply to?

 

[Tqnnqt]

For those who got in with similar stats, how many schools did you apply

For those who got in with similar stats, how many schools did you apply to?

I applied late August. I had 1 LOR from a professor and 3 others from dentists.
Western CA, NYU, and Tufts MA rejected because they wanted 2 professor letters. (I contacted them)
Nova, Meharry, UCONN rejected with general reason.
MOSDOH, MWUIL rejected due to classfull
Touro, MWUAZ,ASDOH interviewed and waitlisted me.

 

[Jueves]

What were yourECs and shadowing hours like? Any upward trend?

 

[nebuchadnezzar90]

For those who got in with similar stats, how many schools did you apply to?

I applied to 18 and got 14 interviews. In hindsight, it wasn't necessary to apply to so many schools but I thought I would only get 1 or 2 interviews and I wanted to be safe.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I don't think a postbac is necessary in this case, I'd first give the application cycle a shot. Your stats should be fine for getting into a dental school.

 

[Tqnnqt]

I applied to 18 and got 14 interviews. In hindsight, it wasn't necessary to apply to so many schools but I thought I would only get 1 or 2 interviews and I wanted to be safe.

What schools did you applied to. Cuz i think I applied to the wrong schools lol got 3 interviews out of 11

 

[Jueves]

Seeing some of these comments gave me hope lol. Is there any palpable difference between 200 vs 300 shadowing hours? I will be doing A TON over the summer.

 

[nebuchadnezzar90]

What schools did you applied to. Cuz i think I applied to the wrong schools lol got 3 interviews out of 11

I mostly applied to low-mid range schools and some reach schools. If I did it again, I would apply to more reach schools and less lower end schools.

 

[Jueves]

I agree. My stats were lower than OP's but I had 6 interviews and denied my 7th interviews. I only planned to receive 1 or 2 interviews so I didn't budget for all the traveling.

Lower than mine stats and you got into UM? You must've really nailed your interview/

 

[Jueves]

It was my last interview out of 6 and probably my best one. GPA and DAT are just one part of your application. My advice would be to apply early.

If you don't mind me asking, where there other parts of your app that really stood out? The reason being is that I thought a school like UM would be way out of reach for me.

 

[577455]

If you don't mind me asking, where there other parts of your app that really stood out? The reason being is that I thought a school like UM would be way out of reach for me.

Honestly, a large part of the application cycle seems to be about luck. Schools that I applied to as a backup never replied, the ones I really wanted all invited me for an interview. That's why I agreed with the poster above "apply to more reach schools".

I will PM you more specific details of my app if you want.

 

[Jueves]

Honestly, a large part of the application cycle seems to be about luck. Schools that I applied to as a backup never replied, the ones I really wanted all invited me for an interview. That's why I agreed with the poster above "apply to more reach schools".

I will PM you more specific details of my app if you want.

Thank you! I'll be sure to do so if I have specific questions

 

[Jueves]

Hey guys, I updated my post with a list and updated GPA. Let me know what you guys think!