Should I wait another year or apply this cycle?

[OMF_HNS]

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Hey guys, it would be great if I can get some input on my chances for getting into dental school for this upcoming cycle.

I have an overall GPA of about 3.2 but will take a couple more classes over summer as well as at a Community college in the fall. I will be graduating this year as well from a UC school.

my Science GPA is around a 3.0

My DAT scores are 21/22/21

I work as a dental assistant for almost half a year now and will be going to Panama this summer for a 1 week dental mission to private free dental care to poor communities. I have been active in the field of healthcare through volunteering over 100s of hours.

My main concern is my GPA which is quite low for a pre-dental applicant. In addition, will a no pass grade in a course that is not pre-req for Dental school affect my chances of getting in? Thanks for all the help in advance.

 

[yappy]

I would go for it. Good dat and above 3.0 GPA has been done before

 

[FanOfCostco]

apply early and there will be a chance

 

[Dent22519]

those are my stats! Basically, if I don't get in anywhere by jan/feb/march, I'll apply for a MS program and reapply next year. But you never know, so I'm definitely applying. I think the no pass grade is fine as long as it's not a pre-req

 

[OMF_HNS]

so do i have to worry about a no pass for a non pre-req class on my transcript?

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

The no pass will affect your chances negatively.

But with the stats you have right now, might as well try.

 

[yappy]

From what I've read on these boards many people get into dental school with C, D, and even F's. But Bear was correct in saying it is a negative. If I were you I would apply to all of the new schools as well as your state school (if you have one) and private schools that have the closest GPA's to yours per their accepted class. Keep working on your transcript for next cycle too.

I've never confirmed this, as it's just my reasoning, but I would suspect that the more expensive a school is the more movement there will be on their waiting lists. As competitive applicants tend to get multiple acceptances they will select their cheaper state schools. Therefore, perhaps that should also be a factor if you want to maximize your chances when selecting schools... just make sure you have an exit strategy for paying off those loans.

so do i have to worry about a no pass for a non pre-req class on my transcript?

 

[OMF_HNS]

So should I take one of these off my list of schools to apply?

UIC
UNLV
Roseman
ASDOH
MOSDOH
Midwestern AZ
NYU

 

[yappy]

I dont have any strong opinions. The only thing I would say is that ASDOH weighs volunteerism heavily - so by being weak in that area may hurt you at that school.

Check out this file and look over the GPA's, DAT's, etc. Keep a close eye on if they accept out of state students or not.

 

[periopocket]

Keep Roseman they love high DAT's. I would take off UIC, especially if you not from chi town.

 

[OMF_HNS]

alright i'll take UIC off. Since I'm a Cali resident and attended a UC school, I got

USC
UCLA
UOP
Western

on my in-state schools. Are those pretty decent? I figured SF was a little hard to hit and LA is too, but since its close to my hometown, I might as well just try for it.

 

[OMF_HNS]

btw thanks so much for that DAT sheet 'yappy'

 

[KittySquared]

The DAT is excellent, but the GPA is uh oh. If I were you, I'd immediately look into masters bio programs ASAP and preferably start in the fall. A lot of them don't require GREs and all you have to do is apply. A minimum of 3.0 or low 3 something is their basic requirement and probably 2 or 3 LORs. My program had applicants coming in well into mid-August. That way, when you're still being reviewed, do an academic update when your 1st semester MS grades are out and you may still get a few interviews in January or February. Just to prepare for the worst case scenario, you know? The few schools that reject you prior to Dec may be due to your GPA but if you have say, 3.8+ GPA from your masters for the first semester, the other schools who reviewed you much later may see that and like that and invite you for an interview. And if you don't get in, you can immediately apply next June without having to take any classes in the following year cause you already have a 1 year MS degree. Some of the programs I recommend are going to be strictly bio, not MBA, MPH or anything. It's because you need the science GPA.

MS biology
MS physiology
MS computational biology
MS bioinformatics
MS in oral biology (Tufts and Boston U? Pitt also has an oral bio dept.)

Plus, let's say you get in late in the game after you've already finished your MS bio in May/June of 2013. You're already pretty ahead of most other matriculants with your grad level science knowledge. It can only benefit you. The only downfall is some loan money, but it's worth the shot if it's what gets you in. Best of luck!

 

[OMF_HNS]

thanks for the advice!

 

[OMF_HNS]

Does anyone know a couple schools that may consider my current scores and experience?

Im banking on ASDOH, MOSDOH, Roseman, Midwestern? any others?
Should I consider Michigan, U. Tennessee, Washington, Case Western and LECOM?