Very Low GPA...:(

[lindell12a]

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My GPA is very low (below 3.0) and my science is even lower and it is depressing but of course, nobody's fault by my own. Anyway, I'm taking the DAT Oct. 29th and I've been studying for it for quite some time. I was just wondering, if I didn't do post-bac, what kind of ridiculous DAT score would I need to get to have a shot this cycle? 26+?

 

[sonylarkhi]

My GPA is very low (below 3.0) and my science is even lower and it is depressing but of course, nobody's fault by my own. Anyway, I'm taking the DAT Oct. 29th and I've been studying for it for quite some time. I was just wondering, if I didn't do post-bac, what kind of ridiculous DAT score would I need to get to have a shot this cycle? 26+?

I would say that you may have a shot with 23+ but still it's late in the cycle now and that definitely hurts you...but a sub 3.0 is a stretch to get in....I would spend some time taking postbacc classes and try to get that GPA up and apply for 2009....in the scheme of things a year won't be that bad at the end...

 

[diane07]

If your science GPA is low, that might raise a red flag as to whether or not you'd be able to handle dental school academics. You could take some upper level division sciences to showcase that you do have the ability.

 

[lindell12a]

If I got an AA25 and had lots of dental shadowing and experience, with great references and an interesting personal statement...do you think that would give me a shot?

And I realize you guys can't really wager these things, but thanks for any input!

 

[BodybldgDoc]

I dont know lately as to why theres a barrage of these ridiculous questions as to how high one should score if they have a low gpa. If we tell you 25 AA or 27AA it doesnt mean you're going to be able to score exactly that. Just study hard and aim for as high as you can. Ideally a 30AA should get anyone with a low gpa in Dental school.

 

[Streetwolf]

If you already submitted the app and the schools are waiting on your DAT they might already have your app halfway in the reject pile, who knows. This late in the game I wouldn't wager anything that you'd get in (sorry to let you down).

The good news though...

If you score really well, say 23+, and it COULD happen, you will have a much better chance of getting in one day. Unfortunately it will *probably* be next cycle. Unless of course you know someone big at one of the schools and you have some good kneepads. That last statement was something my biochem professor said to us the other day at lunch regarding specializing... I had to write it.

 

[an1423]

my friend got in this year with a 2.9 and a 21 AA because she did lots of volunteering and shadowing. so make sure you have some good extracirricular activities because they love that good luck

 

[an1423]

she applied to many schools but she had alot of experience and volunteer hours she only got an aa 18 and she had a bad ass interview just make sure you have good letters of rec hope this helps

 

[lindell12a]

she applied to many schools but she had alot of experience and volunteer hours she only got an aa 18 and she had a bad ass interview just make sure you have good letters of rec hope this helps

That's great to hear! Very encouraging 🙂

 

[Dedier]

Study and do your best. I've heard people get in with GPA below 3.0🙂. 👍

 

[makushin]

If I got an AA25 and had lots of dental shadowing and experience, with great references and an interesting personal statement...do you think that would give me a shot?

And I realize you guys can't really wager these things, but thanks for any input!

You do realize AA23 is in the 99% of test takers right?

 

[will9631]

you'll definately need a high DAT to get an interview, but it will come down to proving you're devoted to dental medicine, showing interest in the community, and providing really good excuses for your gpa. Basically, what need (beyond the DAT scores to get you noticed) will be excellent personal statement and killer interviews. Many schools actually place more emphasis on interviews than gpa, so play to that by showing how much you know and care about the dental sciences. I know of plenty of people with gpa's of 3.8 or higher and 25-28 on the DAT that just didn't come across well in interviews (obvious that they didn't really want to be dentists), and were thusly rejected, and the same will apply in reverse.

good luck, you definately can still do it if you work hard and work smart
~will

 

[lindell12a]

You do realize AA23 is in the 99% of test takers right?

So what? It's not that hard to get a AA23 if you work hard. Not to sound like a snob, because I don't mean it like that, but after taking the MCAT twice, the DAT just seems like it's not that bad. Just because it may be difficult to get a score like that, does not mean it is impossible.

And will, thanks for your input! 🙂

 

[whitethunder]

So what? It's not that hard to get a AA23 if you work hard. Not to sound like a snob, because I don't mean it like that, but after taking the MCAT twice, the DAT just seems like it's not that bad. Just because it may be difficult to get a score like that, does not mean it is impossible.

And will, thanks for your input! 🙂

Two MCAT attempts? I mean...if you killed the MCAT..i'd follow your line of reasoning, but I take it those MCAT attempts didn't go so well? Which is why you're taking the DAT...

Just understand that 99.x percentile is damn close to perfection. It's one thing to be prepared, but things really have to go your way when you're splitting hairs....

 

[lindell12a]

No, the MCAT went fairly well. It wasn't because of the MCAT that I decided not to go for MD. And yes, I understand how difficult it seems to be to get a 23, I just feel it's all in the way you approach the test.

 

[Dr90210]

How should one approach it? I'm in the same boat.

 

[NoFear66]

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