WAMC 2025-2026 Low Undergrad GPA/ High Master Gpa/DAT

[Oreobound99]

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My major concern is my undergrad GPA. I tried to redeem myself with a master's GPA and a good DAT, but I don't know how much it can help.
Date of submission: First Week the application opens up
Overall GPA: 3.46 undergrad 4.0 Master of Science (2 year Biochem)
Science GPA: 3.4 undergrad
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.4 undergrad
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 27AA 28TS 26PAT (Bio30 Orgo26 Chem26 QR30 RC22)
State of Residence: Permanent Resident Maryland Resident

Undergrad Attended: Small Liberal Art, Rigorous Curriculum
Major: Biology & Chemistry Double Major
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 250+ hours across general dentists
Volunteering Experience: 1000+ hours since undergrad, including a couple long-term (every week for 1 year or so)

Employment:
Research Assistant (more in the research section)
Entrepreneur: Not a lot but (sold insects, arts and souvenirs designs online, etc.)
Research: 1000+ hours, 2 years in undergrad as a research assistant in a genetics lab, 2 years of biochem graduate research in a master's program. 1 published, 1 in the air. 3-4 posters.

Other Extracurriculars:
Dolphin conservation specialist (50hr)
Shark conservation specialist (50hr)
Dental club member (60 hr)

Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? GoDental event this year

LOR type and strength: 2 from grad program, 2 from undergrad, 1 from dentist, 1 from volunteer supervisor compiled into a Letter packet

Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
1. Bad undergrad grades due to people passing away and my struggle as a first gen with no education helped and advices.
2. Psychology and English prerequisite courses taken at an online university (regionally accredited).
3. The mater program is not affiliated with any dental school but from a prestigious university with scholarships.

School list: State School Maryland (from reach to safety)
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
University of Maryland(UMSOD)
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston University (BU)
New York University College of Dentistry (NYU)
University of Southern California (USC)
Rutgers
Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni
University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (UB)
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
University of Florida College of Dentistry
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

 

[macsak]

My major concern is my undergrad GPA. I tried to redeem myself with a master's GPA and a good DAT, but I don't know how much it can help.
Date of submission: First Week the application opens up
Overall GPA: 3.46 undergrad 4.0 Master of Science (2 year Biochem)
Science GPA: 3.4 undergrad
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.4 undergrad
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 27AA 28TS 26PAT (Bio30 Orgo26 Chem26 QR30 RC22)
State of Residence: Permanent Resident Maryland Resident

Undergrad Attended: Small Liberal Art, Rigorous Curriculum
Major: Biology & Chemistry Double Major
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 250+ hours across general dentists
Volunteering Experience: 1000+ hours since undergrad, including a couple long-term (every week for 1 year or so)
Employment: Research Assistant, Entrepreneur
Research: 1000+ hours, 2 years in undergrad as a research assistant in a genetics lab, 2 years of biochem graduate research in a master's program. 1 published, 1 in the air. 3-4 posters.
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? GoDental event this year
LOR type and strength: 2 from grad program, 2 from undergrad, 1 from dentist, 1 from volunteer supervisor compiled into a Letter packet
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags:
Bad undergrad grades due to people passing away and my struggle as a first gen with no education helped and advices.
Psychology and English prerequisite courses taken at an online university (regionally accredited).
School list: (from reach to safety state school Maryland)
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of Maryland(UMSOD)
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston University (BU)
New York University College of Dentistry (NYU)
University of Southern California (USC)
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
University of Florida College of Dentistry
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

your grades are fine
your dat scores are awsome, as are your ECs
your list is the problem:
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
are reaches for everyone, even high stat people, but it's ok to have a few reaches

University of Maryland(UMSOD)
your IS school, and it should be a priority, but it is not a "safety"- have you interacted with admissions staff there?

University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
in range publics

University of Florida College of Dentistry
check OOS stats...

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston University (BU)
good safeties

New York University College of Dentistry (NYU)
University of Southern California (USC)
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
i would avoid these...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Summarize your feedback from the fair. How did that contribute to the list?

 

[Oreobound99]

your grades are fine
your dat scores are awsome, as are your ECs
your list is the problem:
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
are reaches for everyone, even high stat people, but it's ok to have a few reaches

University of Maryland(UMSOD)
your IS school, and it should be a priority, but it is not a "safety"- have you interacted with admissions staff there?

University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
in range publics

University of Florida College of Dentistry
check OOS stats...

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston University (BU)
good safeties

New York University College of Dentistry (NYU)
University of Southern California (USC)
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
i would avoid these...

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely go over the school list again. Maryland is definitely not a safety, it's one of the schools I want to get into the most as I have ties to the community and all the dentists I shadowed went there. I am going to the open house for Maryland soon, so I will be able to know more about their target students.

 

[Oreobound99]

Summarize your feedback from the fair. How did that contribute to the list?

The fair began with a welcome speech from the principal of Howard Dental, followed by student talks about the application process. While these sessions didn’t provide new insights for those already familiar with the requirements, they offered a general overview. After a brief lunch break, the main event, a three-hour recruitment fair, began, where attendees could speak with current students and admissions officers. I engaged with most schools, skipping the Ivies due to long lines. Given the DC location, Maryland had the most attendees. My key takeaway was that all dental schools provide strong training in student care and clinical procedures, reinforcing that there are no "bad" programs. My list is based on what I think my chances to get in are and where I can see myself going.

 

[macsak]

The fair began with a welcome speech from the principal of Howard Dental, followed by student talks about the application process. While these sessions didn’t provide new insights for those already familiar with the requirements, they offered a general overview. After a brief lunch break, the main event, a three-hour recruitment fair, began, where attendees could speak with current students and admissions officers. I engaged with most schools, skipping the Ivies due to long lines. Given the DC location, Maryland had the most attendees. My key takeaway was that all dental schools provide strong training in student care and clinical procedures, reinforcing that there are no "bad" programs. My list is based on what I think my chances to get in are and where I can see myself going.

to get interview invites and acceptances, you need mission fit
"chances to get in" and "i can see myself going" are not mission fit...

 

[Oreobound99]

to get interview invites and acceptances, you need mission fit
"chances to get in" and "i can see myself going" are not mission fit...

understood, I definetly need more work on knowing the schools better before june

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The fair began with a welcome speech from the principal of Howard Dental, followed by student talks about the application process. While these sessions didn’t provide new insights for those already familiar with the requirements, they offered a general overview. After a brief lunch break, the main event, a three-hour recruitment fair, began, where attendees could speak with current students and admissions officers. I engaged with most schools, skipping the Ivies due to long lines. Given the DC location, Maryland had the most attendees. My key takeaway was that all dental schools provide strong training in student care and clinical procedures, reinforcing that there are no "bad" programs. My list is based on what I think my chances to get in are and where I can see myself going.

Nice summary. Not exactly what I was looking for to discern how you came up with your list and mark them as reach to safety.

Sure, there aren't any "bad" programs though I hold out for a couple of the new ones to prove themselves. We've had a lot of discussion about High Point, and Cal Northside's MD program is embroiled in an accreditation issue (so I'm unsure how it affects the dental program because central leadership is leadership). There is the issue of whether the programs are worth their costs of attendance which should still be a concern.

Did you visit all of the tables represented by your list?

I'll agree with macsak's impressions. I think you could include Temple as they are the next closest. Mission fit is very important, and I can't tell based on your profile because you only list hours and not details of your responsibility or impact. 1000 hours of community service is great, but what did you do?

 

[Oreobound99]

Nice summary. Not exactly what I was looking for to discern how you came up with your list and mark them as reach to safety.

Sure, there aren't any "bad" programs though I hold out for a couple of the new ones to prove themselves. We've had a lot of discussion about High Point, and Cal Northside's MD program is embroiled in an accreditation issue (so I'm unsure how it affects the dental program because central leadership is leadership). There is the issue of whether the programs are worth their costs of attendance which should still be a concern.

Did you visit all of the tables represented by your list?

I'll agree with macsak's impressions. I think you could include Temple as they are the next closest. Mission fit is very important, and I can't tell based on your profile because you only list hours and not details of your responsibility or impact. 1000 hours of community service is great, but what did you do?

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate your time! I definitely need to dig more into the schools for mission fit. In terms of my volunteering hours, some of them offer clinical exposure, but none of them are really dental-related.

During my final year of undergrad, I assisted at a massage and hair salon owned by a refugee from Somalia who had recently relocated to the area. I helped set up the store, organized paperwork, and created a website along with online promotional materials to support the business.

In the summer before my senior year, I volunteered as an Emergency ICU assistant nearly every day for two months. My responsibilities included assisting with patient family consultations, handling paperwork, and helping transfer and move patients.

During my master's program, I joined the substance prevention team at the State Department of Health, where I contributed to developing science-based toolkits, conducted interviews, and delivered educational presentations to the department.

Additionally, I dedicated one day a week for nearly a year as an exhibit guide and marine conservation specialist at a local aquarium.

I only listed the ones that I spent a significant amount of time on, while I have many that are just a handful of hours and I don't think matters in terms of application. I am deeply committed to supporting underserved communities, particularly in addressing modern drug issues and youth education. Many of my volunteer experiences have been long-term because I genuinely enjoy them, and the only reason I stopped was due to relocation.