WAMC low DAT poor ECs average GPA

[gluc0se]

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Date of submission: Mid August (need help finalizing schools)
Overall GPA: 3.81
Science GPA: 3.75
DAT score: 18PAT 20QR 23RC 19BIO 19GC 19OC 19TS 20AA 😔 (Worth retaking?)
State of Residence: VA

Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry, Psychology
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 150 General, 20 Ortho
Volunteering Experience: Refugee camp 150 hours, campus garden projects 300+
Employment: Delivery driver self-employed (not sure if I should include this)
Research: None
Other Extracurriculars: Dental assistant volunteer 100 hours+ into gap year, dental club
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? VCU - attended undergrad and over 10 fairs/meetings/tours + shadowed faculty. UMD - pre-dent fair. ADEA virtual fair 2023, 2024.
Relevant Honors or Awards: Deans List all semesters, graduated in 3 years.
LOR type and strength: 2 science - 1 very strong, 1 strong. 1 general dentist - strong.
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Switched to pre-dent late so I have poor ECs. Dexterity: competed in speedcubing competitions and paint frequently.

School list: East coast/close to VA is biggest priority because of GF and family. I saved up to apply to 20 schools I just want to get in anywhere close, don't mind cost (except NYU).
VCU
UMD
UPitt
Temple
Rutgers
UConn
Tufts
UNE
UBuffalo
Detroit
UMich
UKY
ULouisville
ECU
UNC
USouthCarolina
Augusta
OSU
Case Western
WVU
UI

 

[macsak]

Date of submission: Mid August (need help finalizing schools)
Overall GPA: 3.81
Science GPA: 3.75
DAT score: 18PAT 20QR 23RC 19BIO 19GC 19OC 19TS 20AA 😔 (Worth retaking?)
State of Residence: VA

Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry, Psychology
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 150 General, 20 Ortho
Volunteering Experience: Refugee camp 150 hours, campus garden projects 300+
Employment: Delivery driver self-employed (not sure if I should include this)
Research: None
Other Extracurriculars: Dental assistant volunteer 100 hours+ into gap year, dental club
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? VCU - attended undergrad and over 10 fairs/meetings/tours + shadowed faculty. UMD - pre-dent fair. ADEA virtual fair 2023, 2024.
Relevant Honors or Awards: Deans List all semesters, graduated in 3 years.
LOR type and strength: 2 science - 1 very strong, 1 strong. 1 general dentist - strong.
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Switched to pre-dent late so I have poor ECs. Dexterity: competed in speedcubing competitions and paint frequently.

School list: East coast/close to VA is biggest priority because of GF and family. I saved up to apply to 20 schools I just want to get in anywhere close, don't mind cost (except NYU).
VCU
UMD
UPitt
Temple
Rutgers
UConn
Tufts
UNE
UBuffalo
Detroit
UMich
UKY
ULouisville
ECU
UNC
USouthCarolina
Augusta
OSU
Case Western
WVU
UI

first of all, your GPA is far from "low"
and your ECs are not poor, in fact they are quite good IMO

 

[macsak]

first of all, your GPA is far from "low"
and your ECs are not poor, in fact they are quite good IMO

you should not retake, applying at the end of september (if you just took dat) will be kinda late

 

[macsak]

ECU
UNC
very very much favor instate, and your dat will be way under unc average

UMich
dat and no research will make your chances low here

UI
favors illinois residents

VCU
should be your priority
what did vcu admissions say about your chances?

UMD
UPitt
Temple
Rutgers
UConn
UKY
ULouisville
USouthCarolina
Augusta
OSU
UBuffalo
WVU
way too many publics
please check the OOS acceptance rate and especially the VA acceptance rate
i have a feeling that at least buffalo is going to be difficult
south carolina can be hard OOS, but virginia is close by

Tufts
UNE
Detroit
Case Western
not enough privates/safeties

your list should consist of a couple/few reach schools, mostly in-range schools and some safeties
the general rule of thumb is that 15 is about the maximum number of schools that you should apply to
17 tops imo
my feeling is if you are that unsure, you prob should consider not applying and taking another year to retake dat and improve your application

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I saved up to apply to 20 schools I just want to get in anywhere close, don't mind cost (except NYU).

This is not medical school admissions. If you want to stay close, apply close. What feedback have you gotten that makes you worried you wouldn't get into VCU (your in-state)? Have you lived away from home (like more than one state away) for an extended period of time?