What are my chaces?

[romiannc]

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Hi, I'm a 4th year psychobiology major at UCLA and will be applying spring 2010. I am wonering what would be an adequate GPA if I am hoping to get into a california school at least.

I have a 3.656 cum gpaat the momenet and will probably at least have a 3.5ish by the time I apply (doing horribly this quarter probably getting a B- in genetics).
-BCP gpa and it is about a 3.35
-science gpa (including math +other upper div sciences) 3.4
-3 years of undergrad research (will probably be published by fall)
-worked with a visting professor who was chair of an endondontics residency in brazil
- started my own club (lLions Club International at UCLA)
---> Vice President and Membership Director
- 80 hours of volunteering at UCLA school of Dentistry
- 50+ hours in (general practice, and orthodontics)
- 20 hours of club volunteer work (organized health fairs in los angeles)
---> worked in Finance Committees, logistic comittees.
- nominated to be in Golden Key honor society for being in the top 15% of my class as well as Alpha Lamda Delta (freshman year for getting at least a 3.5 in my first quarter)


I am really worried beecause I am doing horribly this quarter and I will probably be ending up with a B- or my first C in my last pre req (genetics)
Should I aim for a 19 or 20 to be considered "safe"? What else do I have to do? I really want to get into at least Western or USC, not even aiming for UCSF or UCLA =( . my out of state top choices are NYU, Tufts and UNLV or Arizona. what are my chances? Please Help, I'm desperate and worried about DATs?

-Also any studing suggestings? I am probably going to take it in May and if i do bad take it inn August..
-

 

[SuperTank]

Hi, I'm a 4th year psychobiology major at UCLA and will be applying spring 2010. I am wonering what would be an adequate GPA if I am hoping to get into a california school at least.

I have a 3.656 cum gpaat the momenet and will probably at least have a 3.5ish by the time I apply (doing horribly this quarter probably getting a B- in genetics).
-BCP gpa and it is about a 3.35
-science gpa (including math +other upper div sciences) 3.4
-3 years of undergrad research (will probably be published by fall)
-worked with a visting professor who was chair of an endondontics residency in brazil
- started my own club (lLions Club International at UCLA)
---> Vice President and Membership Director
- 80 hours of volunteering at UCLA school of Dentistry
- 50+ hours in (general practice, and orthodontics)
- 20 hours of club volunteer work (organized health fairs in los angeles)
---> worked in Finance Committees, logistic comittees.
- nominated to be in Golden Key honor society for being in the top 15% of my class as well as Alpha Lamda Delta (freshman year for getting at least a 3.5 in my first quarter)


I am really worried beecause I am doing horribly this quarter and I will probably be ending up with a B- or my first C in my last pre req (genetics)
Should I aim for a 19 or 20 to be considered "safe"? What else do I have to do? I really want to get into at least Western or USC, not even aiming for UCSF or UCLA =( . my out of state top choices are NYU, Tufts and UNLV or Arizona. what are my chances? Please Help, I'm desperate and worried about DATs?

-Also any studing suggestings? I am probably going to take it in May and if i do bad take it inn August..
-

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046

 

[FutureDent020]

Should I aim for a 19 or 20 to be considered "safe"? What else do I have to do? I really want to get into at least Western or USC
-

The term safe does not exist when talking about the dental school application process. With a 19 or 20 you will be competitive. But shoot for 20+.

 

[takedailyfiber]

Halt. Do not worry.

Always shoot high on the DAT, it wouldn't make sense to only study "x hours" because that would be enough to get an "x" score. I think you know that though.

That being said, I think your chances are fine, provided your personal statement is good. As long as you pick your schools wisely (refer to the ADEA guide to dental schools for this year) by looking at school averages, you'll see that your stats are very similar to those of many schools' entering classes.

Yes, the apps are getting more competitive, but there's no reason for you to worry. Try to get a B- in genetics, but if you end up in C/C+ range, I'd talk to your advisor to see what you should do. If you've done better in a higher level class (biochem? cell/molec bio?), chances are that you may not have to worry about it. A "D" is a different story.

As for studying for the DAT, I took the Kaplan course. Was it worth the money? No. But in the end, I don't regret taking it because it did help me on the DAT and give my slacker self a study routine.

Most helpful thing I could say is to get your hands on as many practice tests you can, and work on your weak areas using some sort of study book. Kaplan's is alright. I've heard DAT destroyer does good work. There are others online you can find.

Get yourself accustomed to the PAT section and how to complete it with time to spare. Some people like to go through their textbooks from classes, but I think in doing that, you will cover way too much, more than is on the actual test. And this may sound crazy, but make sure you can do all the math on the DAT accurately and at a good pace. I hear stories of people having trouble finishing or getting lower QR scores, because well, when was the last time you took math? There's not much advice for the science parts - we've all studied for science tests for years now, haven't we?

Besides, save the worry for next year, when you have interviewed and are waiting, waiting, waiting for schools to get back. I have no advice for this area, sadly.

 

[jorasic]

Get a 20, apply early, and you look pretty set to me.
I'm just finishing my Phy Sci at UCLA. Got simmilar GPA lower tho and a 20/21 DAT. Applied Sept..LATE 🙁 . Still got some interviews USC,western,loma linda, pacific. So expect those interviews at the least! Apply early tho.

 

[DatRat86]

You will be fine. Just get a 19 or 20 on the DAT and maybe attend some Ayuda clinics through USC and get to know the staff there, and you will have a good chance!

 

[Blue Panther]

Don't aim for 19-20, aim for 25+ and you'll be "safe".....

 

[uclaDDS101]

You definitely have a shot at those schools you listed, except for maybe ASDOH, who might want to see more comm service. Overall gpa looks fine for those schools, and your sci gpa is just ok. If you've done well in your LS and chem classes at ucla, you can expect to do reasonably well on the dat. Our pre-req classes alone prepare us very well for the dat. Aim for 22+. It's very doable, considering your background. If you have the means, I suggest you get your hands on the kaplan online material. It's very very helpful practice. You also might be able to work out a significant discount w/ kaplan if you're still a pdsop member..

Also, I wouldn't give up on UCLA SOD. If you destroy the dat, you might have a shot there. They tend to "like" ucla undergrads, especially if you've done research with the school. You could also try talking to Dr. Sanders (after you've taken the dat, of course) and see what he thinks.

 

[Nyamaluda]

I wouldn't stress.... if you got a 19 or 20 on the DAT you should get at least interviewed at a few schools... My stats are similar to yours with a 19 on my DAT,(although I don't have any research experience) and i've been interviewed at 4 schools and accepted at 3 (USC, Tufts, and UT Memphis, I interviewed at UoP today) Maybe try to do some community service this summer... school's like that (it was my biggest strong point on my app)... You have a good resume though! and a B- or C won't necessarily kill you. So don't stress! :-D

 

[kokokaware3]

your stats look fine but shoot for 20 and up on the DAT and you will be in a great shape. as they mentioned above, each years is getting more and more competitive. so yeh 20 and up on DAT with you stats and ur EC will be great !!! good luck !!

 

[romiannc]

thanks!