Should I apply for the class of 2010?

[dboy717]

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So I just recently spoke to my counselor about dental school and he told me that I should definately not apply for the class of 2010. He told me my science GPA was not competitive at all and that dental schools don't really care about the overall GPA. He said everything I've accomplished so far is good but the GPA will hold you back from being accepted into dental school. He said, "I have a one in a million shot of being accepted." Instead he advised me to do a post bac and pursue my dream that way.

My science GPA is a 3.0, my overall GPA is a 3.4, I have over 200hrs of volunteering, I've worked in a dental research lab and will be having a paper published, I have also worked at financial companies and I am part of many organizations on campus. I was also planning on taking the DATs in June.

Can someone give me some advice on whether I should even apply or not, or if I'll be a candidate for schools? I know if I don't get in I'm going to do the post-bac no matter what.

 

[umpolung]

Personally, i would apply again with your current status! But I would only apply to few ones that you are really interested in. Also, so u wont have to waste lots of $$ in case god forbid u dont get in.
Further, I would also apply for postgrad programs anyways as a plan B.
Make sure u do well on the DAT to increase ur chance of getting into dental schools.
Hope this helps

 

[Hordel]

Honestly, the GPA and DAT's will get you an interview and lead to an acceptance. While your GPA is strong your science GPA is on the low end of the spectrum. This DOESN'T mean that you have no chance. I know that there are some individuals who beat me out with science and overall GPA's very similar to yours. These individuals must have had better EC's and may have interviewed better. Whatever the case, they had an edge over me. At one of the schools someone with a 2.96 science GPA beat me (more power to them). I guess what I am trying to say is that you STILL have a chance. You without a doubt need to excel on the DAT's though (aim for the 20's or better). If you do this on the DAT's you should have a chance with you great EC's. Then all you have to do is create a perfect and powerful personal statement and nail the interview and in December you will be jumping for joy.

Best of luck to you no matter how you go, and remember that you CAN make it (never give up)!!

 

[dentaldudecal]

Can't hurt to apply, you never know what can happen. I would go ahead and make backup plans though for if you don't get accepted. Also, at alot of schools if you've applied before and were not accepted but apply again the following year it raises your odds and it shows that you are committed and take it seriously.

 

[Hordel]

Oh yeah. I have a story that might help you as well. It is slightly different then your situation, but it is also similar in some ways.

When my father was graduating high school, in a very small town, his counselor brought him into his office for a conversation. The short of this conversation was that he came from a poor and uneducated background and that he wasn't smart enough to even go to college. The counselor's parting words to him were to have my grandfather get him a job at a mill. My father had his ups and downs, but in the end he WAS able to succeed in college. In fact, he did so well that he was accepted to dental school and then accepted to a Perio program.

Long story short, counselor's don't always know everything! I hope this story helps.

 

[telebeans]

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[AlwaysImproving]

I thought this was another old thread Dr. Reo revived 😀

I don't want to sound picky, but I believe you mean class of 2014

 

[MaverickPreDent]

im in the same boat as you very similar stats. my gpa is 3.3 and my science gpa somewhere about 3.0-3.1. I feel if we do well on our dat we can at least get an interview. i also plan on taking more upper level biology classes just to boost my gpa. it really helps if you can show them an upward trend in your grades.

 

[dboy717]

Thanks for the feedback..much better advice than my counselor 😀

 

[Daydream46]

So I just recently spoke to my counselor about dental school and he told me that I should definately not apply for the class of 2010. He told me my science GPA was not competitive at all and that dental schools don't really care about the overall GPA. He said everything I've accomplished so far is good but the GPA will hold you back from being accepted into dental school. He said, "I have a one in a million shot of being accepted." Instead he advised me to do a post bac and pursue my dream that way.

My science GPA is a 3.0, my overall GPA is a 3.4, I have over 200hrs of volunteering, I've worked in a dental research lab and will be having a paper published, I have also worked at financial companies and I am part of many organizations on campus. I was also planning on taking the DATs in June.

Can someone give me some advice on whether I should even apply or not, or if I'll be a candidate for schools? I know if I don't get in I'm going to do the post-bac no matter what.

I was told the same thing. I applied to 4 schools (because of personal & family reasons I cannot move) and I got in to NYU...

I think if you NAIL the DATs you have a good shot. I mean, honestly while my stats arent stellar, it isnt all about the sGPA. My BCP was actually a 3.0. But I do think I made up for it with my 21TS.

Part of me believes they want people to do Post-Bacs to make the school money... they basically told me to sign on for another year.... Of course they would recommend that.

I think your best bet is to take the DATs, and if you do well enough... apply.

 

[Waitlisted2009]

Take the DAT, do well, apply to way more than 4 schools 🙂 and you will probably get in