UOP and UCSF

[crazy_sherm]

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I just took my DAT today. I did better on the AA portion than I thought, but much worse on the PAT than I was hoping. What do you think are my chances of getting into UOP or UCSF. I'm really hoping to stay in SF, house, family, etc.

AA 23
PA 19 🙁
QR 22
RC 25
Bio 23
GC 23
OC 23
TS 23

UC Berkeley Class of 2000
GPA 3.18 😡
Sci 3.05 🙁 🙁 (I wasn't focused during undergrad and didn't know what I wanted to do)

I've been outa school for 4 years, spent 2 years teaching in Japan, the past two working in healthcare economics. My lab research experience is minimal, but I've done a lot of medical cost/outcomes/quality of life reseach and studies in the past two years. I havn't been published yet, but a paper I wrote is going to be presented at a conference on immunosuppresion this Dec. Dentistry is a late career choice for me, so I've been trying to learn as much as I can about it this past year. I've been shadowing a couple dentists (on is actually an assistant dean at UCSF) every Saturday for the past three months and I'm applying for a research assistant position at UOP.

What do you think my chances are? I'm worried about the 19 on PAT because I know UOP likes high PAT scores. I was hoping to have something outstanding to make up for my crappy GPA.

What else can I do between now and app review time to buff up my candidacy?

Thanks!

 

[compugirl]

great job on the dats, don't worry too much about that 19 pat for uop. even though your gpa isnt high, uop is a dat school and i think you have a good shot. just make sure you apply EARLY. i'm not sure about ucsf because i know they emphasize gpa more than uop, but dont be discouraged. go visit both schools before you apply to establish relationships with them.

 

[ItsGavinC]

With a 23/19 your scores are excellent and will be above 99% of the other applicant's scores. Your GPA may be a bit low, but your undergraduate and DAT scores can more than make up for that.

You are in a good position and shouldn't have trouble getting some acceptances!

Congrats on finishing the DAT.

 

[Sprgrover]

Good job, crazy_sherm!!

You have really good scores and they are even across the board. Don't beat yourself up over the PAT - a 19 is a respectable score for that section of the DAT and a 19 was the PAT average for their marticulates las year. Personally, I think you are a very strong candidate for UoP. They weigh your DAT score more than your gpa, and that bodes well for you. Your scores aren't too out of line with UCSF as well, though I believe they like gpa's that are a little higher than yours.

Don't despair! You are a good candidate. Ways in which you can 'beef' up your application is to continue with the shadowing, look into doing any volunteer work (especially in the dental field - i.e. non-profit or low income clinics), and research. Your background in education should provide for some good discussion in interviews and make you stand out from the fray. Best of luck!

 

[crazy_sherm]

Thank you for the encouraging words! I feel a better now! 🙂

 

[HBomb]

You can't worry about your PAT score and grades anymore. They are what they are, and actually they're competitive for UCSF and UOP, so that's good news. You've got an edge shadowing with someone at UCSF...that'll help I'd bet.

For now, keep shadowing. Also get you secondary in ASAP. UCSF's 2005 secondary app is already online. But do not send it in until you get the post card from UCSF (as the website states). Since it's online, I think it's fair game to post it. Won't hurt to get a head start. Send it in ASAP after you get your postcard (so you can get your interview date early).

http://dentistry.ucsf.edu/admissions/2005_secondary.html

Ok, I've done some research and I'll post UCLA's too. But remember, don't send the secondaries back until you get the postcard!!! Note: UCLA's may be for last year. This is the link from last year, and I don't know if they'll change it for this year.

http://uclasod.dent.ucla.edu/Admissions/DDS/UCLADentalPHF.rtf

 

[Dentalist]

3.0 at berkeley is not bad at all

 

[Eddie830]

With your stats and experience, you will most likely be deciding between UOP and UCSF. Great job! 👍

 

[Literati81]

Wow. Your DAT scores are nearly identical to mine (23 Total Science/19 PAT). I was actually quite happy with my scores...but now I'm a little worried. Does a 19 on PAT really deserve a sad smiley? Personally I think you are an awesome candidate and will undoubtedly get into UCSF (and/or UOP...I didn't apply there so I'm not familiar with their av. stats). But, I'm not on the admissions committee so what the heck do I know...
😳

 

[akathisia]

Sherm,
you have great scores and a diverse background. You've heard it before and you'll hear it again but it really can't be stressed enough..... if you want to get into UOP you need to apply EARLY!!! Apply EARLY! Other than that, make sure you have some volunteer work under your belt, I was asked about volunteer activity in the community at both schools (esp UCSF)!
See you next year!