To apply or not

[qdent]

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I'm sitting at about a 3.3o/3.1s/2.8bcp and scheduled to take the DAT in August. I have dental research, tutoring, and little volunteering/shadowing experience. I'm not sure if I should apply this summer after I take the dat. Do you guys think it would be a waste of money applying with a low gpa and late? If I apply summer 2013 then I don't know if I should double major so I have something to do during the gap year or just graduate on time next May 2013. What suggestions do you guys have if I have to/decide to apply next year instead?

Thanks.

 

[JdogDMD]

The cycle opens in June. If you take the DAT in August you're already 3 months behind and then it takes a month to process. I had a friend with the same GPA take his DAT at the same time you are planning and got nothing below a 22 on all of the sections. He didn't get in anywhere because his application was too late getting out. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[dentalprodigy]

Id wait n apply next year unless U can give Dat earlier

 

[AllahIsGreater]

ur science gpa is to low. it really is. save the money, study hard for the DAT and kill it, get your gpa up, and you will have a chance. but to be 100% honest with you, unless you are a minority, then you have a slim to none chance.

 

[qdent]

So if I wait to apply then should do a double major since I'll have a gap year or just graduate on time?

 

[molar3]

So if I wait to apply then should do a double major since I'll have a gap year or just graduate on time?

graduate on time and use your extra year to take upper level sciences to raise your gpa, or get an MS. your bcp is too low, your science can also defly use a boost. take like 35 more credits and 4.0 them. dont apply this cycle unless u have $$$$$ to blow

 

[qdent]

The thing with taking upper level courses after I graduate is that the grades I get in those courses probably won't be taken into consideration when I actually apply. If I do graduate on time then I'll only have the basic pre-reqs finished, whereas if I double major I'll be able to have some upper-level completed by the time I apply.

 

[Miami2Ibiza]

ur science gpa is to low. it really is. save the money, study hard for the DAT and kill it, get your gpa up, and you will have a chance. but to be 100% honest with you, unless you are a minority, then you have a slim to none chance.

This is true, you will not be admitted with such a low sGPA. Follow a masters or post bac route to boost the sGPA to respectable levels.

 

[MentalFloss2012]

I would make an appointment with the schools that you are interested in to discuss your chances face to face. They can also advise you on how to improve next cycle. Not only will they give you specifics for their school, but they will get to know you and your motivations.
You can still apply this year even if your chances are very low (because sometimes re-applicants get in over first-time applicants if "all else is equal" between the two).