Should I Apply This Cycle? HELP!

[Yachi]

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I'm a 3rd year student at UCSD, non-science major, but have finished most of the required science courses. I had 3.56 GPA for 1st and 3rd year, but 3.0 GPA for 2nd year. Now, I have a 3.1 sGPA and 3.2 overall GPA.

Should I take DAT and apply in June OR take more science courses to raise GPA and then apply next year?

*200+ clinical hours
*50+ shadow hours
*studied abroad for 1 year and summer abroad programs
*NCAA athlete

 

[whodat4life]

I'm a 3rd year student at UCSD, non-science major, but have finished most of the required science courses. I had 3.56 GPA for 1st and 3rd year, but 3.0 GPA for 2nd year. Now, I have a 3.1 sGPA and 3.2 overall GPA.

Should I take DAT and apply in June OR take more science courses to raise GPA and then apply next year?

*200+ clinical hours
*50+ shadow hours
*studied abroad for 1 year and summer abroad programs
*NCAA athlete

You should definitely apply, but make sure you apply early. The first day the AADSAS comes available, get as much as humanly possible in ASAP. Try to get a 3.5+ this last semester and shoot for 20+ on the DAT.

As you know, dental school gets more and more competitive each year. You may want to go on predents.com and check on the schools you plan on applying to. This will give you a better idea as to where you stand vs. other applicants. Your GPA is sort of low, but if you do REALLY well on the DAT...your chances go way up, obviously. I think most d schools in Cali know that it's very difficult to obtain a great GPA at the UC's.

Best of luck to you, everything looks great, just work on murdering the DAT!

 

[dentalWorks]

I'm a 3rd year student at UCSD, non-science major, but have finished most of the required science courses. I had 3.56 GPA for 1st and 3rd year, but 3.0 GPA for 2nd year. Now, I have a 3.1 sGPA and 3.2 overall GPA.

Should I take DAT and apply in June OR take more science courses to raise GPA and then apply next year?

*200+ clinical hours
*50+ shadow hours
*studied abroad for 1 year and summer abroad programs
*NCAA athlete

If this was me... I would wait the extra year to improve my numbers and I am only suggesting this because the application process is soo expensive, applying and not getting in is.... disasterous

take the extra year, work hard and raise your sGPA.

Another thing I'd like to suggest is... why don't you make ur decision (weather you apply this or next year) based on how well you do on your DATs?

 

[Osity]

You should definitely apply, but make sure you apply early. The first day the AADSAS comes available, get as much as humanly possible in ASAP. Try to get a 3.5+ this last semester and shoot for 20+ on the DAT.

As you know, dental school gets more and more competitive each year. You may want to go on predents.com and check on the schools you plan on applying to. This will give you a better idea as to where you stand vs. other applicants. Your GPA is sort of low, but if you do REALLY well on the DAT...your chances go way up, obviously. I think most d schools in Cali know that it's very difficult to obtain a great GPA at the UC's.

Best of luck to you, everything looks great, just work on murdering the DAT!

I couldn't agree more with Whodat. Get the best grades you possibly can, own the DAT, and apply the first day the application opens (June 1). Make sure that you take your DAT early enough so that AADSAS can get your score when the application cycle opens. It usually takes a few weeks for your official scores to be available.

I would add apply to a large number of private schools, and make sure that you're applying smartly. The ADA 2011 book was just published. It think it's around $40, and you can glean a bunch of good statistics from it that will help you apply to the right schools.

Good luck!

 

[UCLAzy]

two years of 3.5 and one year of 3.0 doesnt add up to 3.2?

 

[Yachi]

two years of 3.5 and one year of 3.0 doesnt add up to 3.2?

I knew someone would ask that! 🙂 I studied abroad year 2 and the courses transferred back with more units, and now it seems it'd be better with less units. 🙁

 

[lululime]

I knew someone would ask that! 🙂 I studied abroad year 2 and the courses transferred back with more units, and now it seems it'd be better with less units. 🙁

I was wondering that too 😛

I don't think I'm in a position to give advice, but if I were you I'd apply if my DATs are good.

 

[lululime]

Have you taken the DAT? If not, when are you writing?

 

[yappy]

I agree with works here. Your app will look very different if you get an 18 vs 22+ dat. If you have the former I would wait.

Another thing I'd like to suggest is... why don't you make ur decision (weather you apply this or next year) based on how well you do on your DATs?