UoP Apply or Not to Apply?

[informatique]

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Overall GPA: 3.42
Science: 3.38
Total Finished Credit Hours: 135

DAT (21/20/19)
Bio: 21
GC: 19
OC: 23
RC: 19
QR: 18
PAT: 19
AA: 20 TS: 21

I'm really interested in the 3-year program, but it seems like they have really high cut-off scores for the DAT and GPA. I am an out-of-state applicant living in GA.

I've been looking through pre-dents and it looks like several of those with similar stats were rejected. Should I even bother? I think I've already spent over $1300 on AADSAS and the DAT + more on secondaries, and I'm not sure if I would be wasting money as I've already spent a pretty hefty amount.

 

[Shunwei]

Overall GPA: 3.42
Science: 3.38
Total Finished Credit Hours: 135

DAT (21/20/19)
Bio: 21
GC: 19
OC: 23
RC: 19
QR: 18
PAT: 19
AA: 20 TS: 21

I'm really interested in the 3-year program, but it seems like they have really high cut-off scores for the DAT and GPA. I am an out-of-state applicant living in GA.

I've been looking through pre-dents and it looks like several of those with similar stats were rejected. Should I even bother? I think I've already spent over $1300 on AADSAS and the DAT + more on secondaries, and I'm not sure if I would be wasting money as I've already spent a pretty hefty amount.

The way I think of it is, if I already spent that much money, what's another $75 for a chance at UoP?

 

[prydA]

hmm what's the cutoff points? i didn't hear of strict cutoffs from UOP but i'm most likely wrong

 

[armorshell]

There's no strict cutoffs, and I know the average entering GPA isn't that high, but throw a rock in the sim lab and you're pretty likely to hit someone with a 23+ AA

 

[DrReo]

The way I think of it is, if I already spent that much money, what's another $75 for a chance at UoP?

Exactly how I thought of it... 60 for AADSAS + 75 for app fee + 25 for DAT scores. It's only money, right?

 

[Shunwei]

Exactly how I thought of it... 60 for AADSAS + 75 for app fee + 25 for DAT scores. It's only money, right?

At some point in time it does pay to be a bit frugal. For example, I would not advise someone to apply to 30 schools, because mass application like that is a bit indiscriminate, and an applicant will not necessarily have a better shot at acceptance by appying to 30 rather than 20 schools. Or for someone to decide to go to 10+ interviews. Those are instances where it is good to exercise some wise judgment and screening. However, in the case of UoP, what I am trying to get at is that an interview there basically means acceptance, especially pre-December. In that regard, what's another $75 to have a shot at the program in the grand scheme of things?

 

[iJackTeeth]

.

 

[armorshell]

Your stats are good but maybe not for UOP, even though it is a private school the majority of those accepted are from California. Your application has to really stand-out to the admissions committee since your out of state.

I disagree. It's unremarkable that the majority of accepted students are Californians, as a similar proportion of the applicant pool is also Californian. Pacific doesn't discriminate between in and out of state applicants.

 

[excusezmoi]

You have very decent grades, why don't you go for it. You've got nothing to lose you never know you'll earn back your application fee after 3 years 😉

 

[informatique]

However, in the case of UoP, what I am trying to get at is that an interview there basically means acceptance, especially pre-December.

Do you have more information to support this statement? Do you know how many people were interviewed during the 2008 cycle and how many within that group were accepted?

 

[Predentole]

It's a big factor to apply early to UoP and at this point, it is not considered early anymore. Also they weigh heavily on PAT scores and I think the average there was 20? Just my 2 cents.

Also you're stats are good and I'm assuming you've applied to many other schools, so your chances of being accepted at those are really high.

 

[armorshell]

Do you have more information to support this statement? Do you know how many people were interviewed during the 2008 cycle and how many within that group were accepted?

That's just a common trend ovver the past few years. The acceptance rate of pre-dec 1 interviews is ridiculously high, as are the percentage of people who accept the acceptance.

 

[dentstd]

There's no strict cutoffs, and I know the average entering GPA isn't that high, but throw a rock in the sim lab and you're pretty likely to hit someone with a 23+ AA

I'm sure you'll likely hit someone claiming to have a 23+. UoP reported that their high score was a 23 (unless that Dr Toothache guy mistyped from the ADA guide), so it's a matter of how many people parade as having the school's high score.

 

[polarmolar]

OP: After checking predents.com, it seems you fit right in to the average acceptance to UoP (numbers wise).

Your chances are good, so its up to you.

 

[informatique]

It's a big factor to apply early to UoP and at this point, it is not considered early anymore.

eh, i don't think i should bother if now would be considered late for dental school. My application was sent on May 26th, but I added a school two weeks ago and they haven't sent that one out yet. I guess if I add UoP now, it wouldn't be sent until August.

 

[armorshell]

I'm sure you'll likely hit someone claiming to have a 23+. UoP reported that their high score was a 23 (unless that Dr Toothache guy mistyped from the ADA guide), so it's a matter of how many people parade as having the school's high score.

For what year? I personally know at least 3 people in my class who have 24+ scores, and 2 in the class behind me with 24+ scores. None of them have any reason to lie (and one of them is me).

 

[lemoncurry]

when I interviewed for an alternate spot for this year (and slept on armorshell's couch, but not simultaneously), the staff and students alike kept saying that the hard part is getting an interview, whereas getting accepted once that happens is comparatively easy. They offered me an alternate spot which I had to turn down since I had a seat at LLU.

 

[Bruinlove]

I guess our future at UoP will be pretty much decided in early September, not on December 1st.

 

[grami001]

just apply

 

[lemoncurry]

I guess our future at UoP will be pretty much decided in early September, not on December 1st.

Not true. They interview and admit people on a fairly rolling basis. If you interview in March, however, I'd say your chances at a seat are pretty slim.

 

[informatique]

I just went ahead and submitted today and will send my secondary fee tomorrow. If I don't get an interview invite, then it won't be that big a deal as long as I get accepted somewhere, but the 3-year program really appeals to me.

 

[titleistek]

I'm currently a student at UoP. Only apply if you want to be in this program. Research, Research, Research. Your stats are good. We have plenty of out-of-state students (2 from Georgia) so don't worry about that part of it.

 

[D.D.S.]

I had no hope of getting an interview at UOP but I applied for the hell of it anyway. I ended up getting an interview, but got placed on the alternate list.. better than nothing right?? You should apply and just see what happens... you never know what will happen....good luck