well rounded vs book smart

Started by WOWOWOW
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WOWOWOW

Full Member
10+ Year Member
4.0GPA / 23AA with very little ECs

vs.

3.6GPA/ 20AA with lots of ECs

are well rounded applicants more competitive?
 
WOWOWOW said:
4.0GPA / 23AA with very little ECs

vs.

3.6GPA/ 20AA with lots of ECs

are well rounded applicants more competitive?
Click to expand...

Yes. Either situation will get you interviews. The person with more ECs most likely will have more to talk about/ more experiences to related to in the interviews.
 
I'm no adcom, but I would guess that numbers get looked at first. If you are in contention for acceptance, they probably more closely look at individual differences. Shadowing and clinical experience are numbers that get looked at too, so don't despair.
 
I agree with Destiny11.

Both will likely lead to interviews, but, in your scenario, I would be persuaded to think that the individual with a more average GPA, good DAT, and many ECs has an edge.

If the situation was:

2.9 GPA, 17 DAT, several excellent ECs

VS.

4.0 GPA, 24 DAT, no ECs

I would think that the person with higher grades would have an edge.

But then again, I'm no adcom 😛
 
WOWOWOW said:
4.0GPA / 23AA with very little ECs

vs.

3.6GPA/ 20AA with lots of ECs

are well rounded applicants more competitive?
Click to expand...

depends on the schools you apply to. Some schools LOVE numbers more than ECs and other like numbers along with ECs

For some schools, student 1 is more favorable
for other school,s student 2 is more favorable

But in general, both students you describe above are dental school material
 
They may both get the interview and that can justify an acceptance. Some people interview horrible. I'd take the one who can multi task, has leadership, hasn't been fed a silver spoon, etc.
 
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