Strange Circumstances....

[Dentaldreams]

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I come from an extremely traditional Pakistani family who never encouraged me to study or pursue any type of higher education. I fought my parents ideas, and landed myself into one of the top 25 schools for college, but was forced to do two hour commutes at times, missing tests, study sessions and other things intrinsic to receiving higher grades.

To make a long story short, after two years of undergrad I have ended with a 2.7 GPA, finishing all science classes. I am trying to go ahead and graduate in three years from college since I do not think I will be allowed to attend for any longer of a period.

I was looking for any honest advice I could get. I am working in a dental research lab now, trying to move towards financial independence so I can be free to attend dental school, and have decided to take a risk and take my DAT in a few weeks and apply in this cycle.

With such a low GPA I know I will need above 22's atleast in everything to be considered. But I am determined.

Should I be sending out my application now in August, or can I wait till Sept, when I take my DAT?

What are schools that might focus more on DAT scores and consider other circumstances that might lower ones GPA?

From the experience that you all have had, do you think it would be a waste of the little money I have to even go ahead and try to apply this year?

..Thank you so much for any advice that you can give me in advance.

 

[ecdoesit]

It is good that you are determined. In addition to good DAT score, you should ask your PI in your lab to write you a strong LOR. Just remember to mention your hardship in your application essay.

For DAT, read each questions/answers carefully. (I were tricked by testmakers a couple times)

Correct me if i m wrong, it is better to apply earlier because it takes awhile to get everything in. By the time you are done with DAT, you could probably be working on your secondaries.

Check Meharry Medical College. Their overal GPA average is about 2.57, science GPA 2.79.

Good luck Dentaldreams

 

[ItsGavinC]

Dentaldreams,

It's great to have you here! You can go ahead and send in your application now, and then your DAT scores will be sent after you take the exam.

The AADSAS application is what typically takes a while (3-6 weeks) to get to the schools. The DAT scorse should arrive at the schools 1-2 weeks after taking the exam, sometimes sooner.

The bulk of schools will not consider your application to be "complete" until they have received your DAT scores and AADSAS. This means they won't even begin to review your file for a secondary/interview until they have those items.

Based on this, it might not work out in your favor to first take the DAT and then send in your application, because the DAT scores would arrive several weeks before your application.

On the flip side, you won't know REALLY how well you've done on the DAT until after you take the exam -- logical isn't it? So, if you are basing your choice of schools on your 2.7 GPA and your hopes of getting a 22+ on the DAT, then you admission chances might be shot (depending on the schools you applied to) if you get an 18 on your DAT. Does that make sense?

I would encourage you to do HEAVY research on the schools that you are applying to. Apply to several with the thought in mind that you'll get a 22, and then apply to quite a few with the thought in mind that you'll get only a 20, and again several more with the thought that you'll get an 18.

It's better to be safe than sorry!

Also, have a realistic view of what is happening. If, by chance, you don't get in this year, there is nothing wrong with taking a year off to work and reapply next year.

Good luck!

 

[Dentaldreams]

Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful reply. It is so good to have some kind of supprt through this process....

I think what you both are suggesting about sending my application out sooner then when I get my scored is a better idea, and will try to get it out by Monday. I do not have any LOR yet, though, So Can I go ahead and send the ADAAS forms without that?

Meherry is on my list of schools to apply too, I also got the idea that maybe the private schools might be a little more lenient towards the GPA if the DAT scores are high..so i was thinking places like NYU, Temple, BU, Tufts...you guys know any others?UNC-CH is my state school, but their requirements are very high for me, when I tried to talk to the Dean about my situation at UNC he basically told me to forget about ever going to dental school, and just discounted my family situation...it was very discouraging, but im a tough one, so i will make it.


Also, I am trying to stay very realistic, even looking through this forum I see there are some amazig grades and scores out there. If I dont get in I will try again until I do. It would be easier financially for me though to directly go, on the flip side though, do you guys know of any post-bac programs good for pre-dents...

Take care-!

 

[ItsGavinC]

Arizona is a private school and would look kindly (somewhat?) on your situation. Moreover, AZ would be interested in the cultural diversity you could bring to the class, as well as any interests you might have in serving the Pakastani peoples here in the US, along with other minority groups.

Dunno if you want to stay on the east coast, but coming west is always an option.

And, to be honest, with your marks you might have to let some of your personal criteria go (if staying in the East was one of your criteria).

NYU, Tufts, BU, etc. are all good options for you back East.

 

[PERFECT3434]

dentaldreams,

i think you and i are almost in the same situation. my gpa is just a little higher than yours and have almost the same profile as yours. i come from a very underdeveloped country (right next to yours) and had to go through many of the same things as you. i graduated with BA?BIO this year and took the DAT. my stats are posted in the stats forum and and i will keep putting things in the what do you receive today forum.

hopefully we could be of help each other and others with profiles like ours. i know this is gonna be though for us but i have faith and deep down i feel that i will be in dental school next year. i hope our dreams come true or i would be dead by this time next year from a heart attack!!!