sGPA/oGPA/BCP vs DAT Balance

[dentalman101]

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Hi all!

I just had a quick question because I've been spending way too much time looking up threads ranking the importance of DAT vs oGPA vs sGPA vs BCP...

So, I'm really just wondering whether or not I should be worried about my sGPA and BCP in the context of my other stats. My DAT went well, I got a 22AA/22TS/23PAT with nothing below a 21. My oGPA is also good, at 3.76. However, what I am worried about is my sGPA because of my hopes of getting into great dental schools. My sGPA is at 3.54 and my BCP is only 3.48. (My non-science GPA is probably at around 3.95. I'm majoring in economics so my non-science courses aren't just humanity classes and easy A's; higher level business classes require a lot of work!)

In terms of ECs and LORs, I am in the process of having my committee letter finished. I have 200 shadowing hours and around 250 volunteering hours, in addition to a bunch of tutoring and leadership roles in various clubs and in my community.

Do you think that receiving a 22 in all the DAT science subject exams will soften the blow of having a 3.48 BCP and 3.54 sGPA? I know that as far as averages go, those are still at around the average accepted for the two categories, but I can't help but feel a bit worried. I'm applying to a few top schools like Columbia, Penn, etc, so I just don't know if I'm applying with a disadvantage because of those two GPA subscores. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated! Thanks.

(I know some people might roll their eyes at this post, but I'm just genuinely worried that those GPAs might cause me to be turned away from schools that I'm really hoping to get into. This whole process is so stressful🙁)

 

[DMikes]

You'll be fine, fam.

 

[cacajuate]

You'll be fine, fam.

When will this word stop?

 

[xerxes106]

Hi all!

I just had a quick question because I've been spending way too much time looking up threads ranking the importance of DAT vs oGPA vs sGPA vs BCP...

So, I'm really just wondering whether or not I should be worried about my sGPA and BCP in the context of my other stats. My DAT went well, I got a 22AA/22TS/23PAT with nothing below a 21. My oGPA is also good, at 3.76. However, what I am worried about is my sGPA because of my hopes of getting into great dental schools. My sGPA is at 3.54 and my BCP is only 3.48. (My non-science GPA is probably at around 3.95. I'm majoring in economics so my non-science courses aren't just humanity classes and easy A's; higher level business classes require a lot of work!)

In terms of ECs and LORs, I am in the process of having my committee letter finished. I have 200 shadowing hours and around 250 volunteering hours, in addition to a bunch of tutoring and leadership roles in various clubs and in my community.

Do you think that receiving a 22 in all the DAT science subject exams will soften the blow of having a 3.48 BCP and 3.54 sGPA? I know that as far as averages go, those are still at around the average accepted for the two categories, but I can't help but feel a bit worried. I'm applying to a few top schools like Columbia, Penn, etc, so I just don't know if I'm applying with a disadvantage because of those two GPA subscores. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated! Thanks.

(I know some people might roll their eyes at this post, but I'm just genuinely worried that those GPAs might cause me to be turned away from schools that I'm really hoping to get into. This whole process is so stressful🙁)

I won't lie, I rolled my eyes once I saw your GPA and DAT scores. You're totally fine.
The trick now: get your apps in, and let the adcoms dot their thing. Stressing yourself out over the next 5 months will drive you mad. You're golden. Focus on interview prep and not abstract stuff like this.

 

[DC206R]

If you have over a 3.5 and 21AA+, relax unless there is a huge red flag somewhere.

 

[htdt]

my BCP is only 3.48.

Rolled my eyes... 🙄

 

[fogorvostan]

Rolled my eyes... 🙄

Same.

OP, you're more than fine unless you have some major red flag

 

[dentalman101]

Same.

OP, you're more than fine unless you have some major red flag

Thanks for the reassurance! I know I'm overreacting, that's just the way I am haha. So you don't think that science gpa is too low for top schools?

 

[xerxes106]

Thanks for the reassurance! I know I'm overreacting, that's just the way I am haha. So you don't think that science gpa is too low for top schools?

You're definitely fine. And what defines a top school to you? What state is your residency? If I were you I'd take advantage of having great stats and make my A, B and C priority be cost of tuition. Penn is good name and all, but saving 100+ thousand dollars is better.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2012-how-us-ds-rank-dat-gpa-other-selection-criteria.943474/

 

[dentalman101]

You're definitely fine. And what defines a top school to you? What state is your residency? If I were you I'd take advantage of having great stats and make my A, B and C priority be cost of tuition. Penn is good name and all, but saving 100+ thousand dollars is better.

I'm an Illinois resident. And by top schools that I'm applying to, I meant Penn and Columbia primarily.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/2012-how-us-ds-rank-dat-gpa-other-selection-criteria.943474/

Thank you so much doc!