What are my chances? Low GPA, high DAT

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try1ng

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Date of submission: Plan to apply as early as possible (TMDSAS in May, AADSAS in June)

Overall GPA: 3.45 (possibly 3.49 at end of semester)

Science GPA: 3.17 (possibly 3.24 at end of semester)

Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: 3.33 (possible 3.41 at end of semester) (how much does this GPA matter btw? Do schools calculate this separately from the science GPA?)

DAT score : AA: 27/ TS: 24 / QR: 30/ RC: 30/ Bio: 24/ GC: 26/ OC: 23/ PAT: 22

State of Residence: Texas resident

Took 2 gap years, while taking postbacc classes. The GPA’s listed include my postbacc GPA. Both undergrad and post bacc universities are in Texas.


Major: Biology

Minority? No

Reapplicant? No

Nontrad? No


Shadowing Experience: 1000+ hours (Shadowed in 2 offices for 3 summers)

Volunteering Experience: ~100 hours in a club (will try to cram in more hours during the next 2 months. Is this advisable btw?)

Employment: Dental Assistant (few months, may try to temp a bit in the next 2 months)

Research: 3 upcoming publications, dental research for 3 years at UT Houston

Other Extracurriculars: Leadership in a predental club (president)


School list:

All Texas schools : UT Houston, UT San Antonio, Texas A&M

UoP (interested in the 3 year program)

Columbia (Would this be a possibility due to my research bg and DAT? If the chances are too low, then maybe I shouldn’t waste my time)

New England

NOVA

NYU

Western/LECOM/Creighton

My hope is to stay in Texas if possible due to the great education and lower tuition. Columbia/UoP would also be a dream. All others are backup schools, and I would happy to just receive one acceptance if possible. Which schools do y'all think would be best for back up schools? How many schools do y’all recommend I apply to? My stats are quite lopsided (high DAT, low GPA), so I’m unsure of where I stand.

Thank you for all advice!

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You have excellent DAT scores. I wouldn't worry about those at all. In terms of GPA, I wouldn't worry too much about that either. I know some schools have minimum GPAs, in which case, yes, take that into consideration when you apply, but I think your DAT more than makes up for it. I personally graduated college with a 3.41 and an AA 20 on the DAT (I tanked the QR but did great on all other subjects; brought my AA down). I took a chance and decided to apply anyway, with my poor QR. I don't think they cared much, but I'm sure some schools probably did. I'm almost done with my first year of dental school and doing perfectly fine. I took one gap year and worked at a non-profit clinic as a grant writer while I applied to dental school. I never really understood the Bio-Chem-Physics GPA, mine was calculated differently on AADSAS than what I calculated it to be. Not really sure how much it's used or how important schools weight it. I think if you're above a 3.0 that's a safe spot to be in!

I applied to 9 dental schools, that number felt right to me -- it's different for everyone! I would recommend that you shy away from calling schools "back up" schools -- apply to the schools you really want to go to and think you have a chance. My mantra when applying was "would I be happy attending this school if I am accepted?". If the answer is yes, then put it on your list! If you get an interview at one of your "back up" schools, then you have to pretend that you want to go to that school, and it could come across as fake. Just a suggestion, but of course, do what you have to do! Nothing wrong with having options.

I have heard nothing but bad things about NYU. They accept incoming classes of 300+ students with the intention that many of them will drop out. I heard that if you're in the bottom % of the class, they kick you out. Could be a rumor, but in my opinion, not the most supportive or collaborative environment. With larger class sizes like that, it's hard to get faculty attention, especially when you're in sim clinic. My class size is 76 and we have great access to faculty and can ask questions and get our teeth checked for feedback often. NYU seems pretty cutthroat -- I definitely would not have thrived there, but I'm sure that environment works for some people. A friend of mine was accepted to New England and she really liked it! She ended up going to our school instead, but said it was simliar.

I'll admit I don't know much about Texas dental schools, or most of the schools on your list. I'm originally from Michigan and I applied to a different set of schools, mostly in the Midwest. I didn't bother with Texas because I knew they wouldn't take me. I'm currently attending dental school in Arizona (ATSU-ASDOH). But, I think with your DAT and number of shadowing hours, your chances are very high! Volunteer hours are very important as well, if you've met the minimum 100 that's fine, but keep in mind that you want those experiences to be in a healthcare setting ideally, not as much in clubs at your school. They don't have to be related to dentistry specifically, but that would benefit you the most. For example, 100 hours of volunteering at a non-profit health clinic that serves patients from a low socioecomic status is preferrable to 100 hours of volunteering for your pre-dental club. Does that makes sense? A mixture would be fine, depending on what kind of projects you're volunteering for with your club. I think gettting a few extra hours in the next 2 months isn't a bad idea, as long as you finish them prior to putting them on your application. But, only if the opportunity is interesting to you and you genuinely want to do it! Don't just do it to get more hours last minute.

Research always looks impressive on an application, but also keep in mind that you should do research if you genuinely enjoy it, not just as a a resume booster! I personally do not enjoy conducting research, it's never interested me. So I didn't do it. It never hurt my chances of being accepted into dental school, and it shoudn't affect your chances of getting into residency programs further down the line either.

Many students in my D1 class are from Texas, it wouldn't hurt to check out the two Arizona dental schools (Midwestern and ATSU-ASDOH) and see if they interest you.

Hopefully I adequately answered your questions! I wish you the best of luck in your journey :)
 
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