Should I apply?

[LVFT7774]

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Hi forum, I'm getting frustrated and discouraged with all these competitive averages and trying to find posts that I can relate to myself. So I thought I'd start my own thread.

I'm a Canadian student, looking to apply at the UofA ideally, but at any other school if possible. I had a terrible first year, so my cGPA right now is 3.1. Eliminating my first year, I have a 3.5 GPA. My DAT Scores were:

20 Bio
19 Chem
19 RC
24 PAT
15 Manual

If I manage a 4.0 average in my fourth and final year of my Undergrad, the highest GPA I can hope to attain is a 3.7 (again, eliminating first year). But in the case of applying out of province, I have yet to do a full course load (30 credits) in any of my academic years, this 4th year will be my first to fulfill Ualberta requirements.

I need help, should I apply, or what?
Second question, Should I even consider applying to state schools with my cGPA being so low?

 

[LVFT7774]

Anyone, please, I really need some help.

 

[fit2]

international student here. i'm gonna tell you from what ive talked to other people its definitely harder to gain admittance as an international. with that said, you DAT is about average (one good section in PAT). I don't know how much carving section weighs for american schools.
another thing is AADSAS/dental schools won't really omit a bad semester but upward trend is good. 3.1 is still pretty low.

One option would be to complete the last year, get a 4.0 and hopefully raise your overall to 3.4
If you apply this year...I think your chances are pretty slim. I would probably choose to wait if you have that luxury.
You're not at a point of no return with your stats but you definitely to improve them a little to become more competitive, especially because as international student it's harder to gain acceptance and I personally don't see how you would even gain interviews at this point

 

[dentaldreaming]

People on this forum often have experience, but it's important to take it all with a grain of salt! It's clear that you've worked hard to get where you are. Why not take a shot at applying if you have the funds? There's a chance you could gain acceptance and get to out of school a year earlier to earn 120k. On the downside, it's costly to apply.

Take the plunge! If you don't get in, you'll receive great constructive feedback from schools on how to improve. Check out the statistics and apply to international friendly, low GPA average schools.

Best of luck! Have confidence and go boldly in the direction of your dreams.

 

[fit2]

People on this forum often have experience, but it's important to take it all with a grain of salt! It's clear that you've worked hard to get where you are. Why not take a shot at applying if you have the funds? There's a chance you could gain acceptance and get to out of school a year earlier to earn 120k. On the downside, it's costly to apply.

Take the plunge! If you don't get in, you'll receive great constructive feedback from schools on how to improve. Check out the statistics and apply to international friendly, low GPA average schools.

Best of luck! Have confidence and go boldly in the direction of your dreams.

I agree that sometimes you gotta take the chance because you might actually have a good cycle, get multiple interviews and acceptances.
BUT:
1. Most schools that reject you don't give you much or any advice. If your scores don't cut it they might reject you early or drag on and straight NEVER get back to you with acceptance or rejection. so you're just waiting for like half a year.
2. As a reapplicant you'll have to deal with extra questions and you'll have to specifically prove how your application has improved.

Before OP applies he should keep those points in mind.
Again, I'm not saying don't apply because indeed you might have a chance. However, never apply for the sake of applying because it'll make life more difficult and it costs a lot of money