What are my chances of getting into A dental school?

[ChickenOrange282]

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WAMC Template:

Date of submission: 06/15/2025
Overall GPA: 3.43
Science GPA: 3.20
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 17 AA, 17 TS, 21 RC, 20 PAT, 19 QR (These are my converted scores from the new --> old DAT scoring)
State of Residence: IL

Undergrad Attended: T25 Liberal Arts College
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? No

Shadowing Experience: 350+ (With pediatric, endodontist, and general dentists)
Volunteering Experience: 500+
Employment: Dental Assistant 500+
Research: 1 Semester of Research (~250 Hours)
Other Extracurriculars: NCAA Athlete (Team Captain/Multiple Awards), Executive Board Position on 4 Clubs, On Campus Job, Teaching Assistant (TA)
Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? No
LOR type and strength: 2 Science Professors, 1 Health Equity/Public Health Professor, 1 General Dentist
Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: Had a death in my family a few days before I had to take the DAT (did not want to have to pay to push it back as it would have been costly)
School list:
Midwestern - IL
UIC
SIU
Marquette
LMU
LECOM
(Any Recommendations?)

 

[Ryxndek]

Your DAT score is really going to limit you. I strongly suggest retaking, as a 17AA converted score falls under a great majority of the school's 5th percentile enrollees and is the minimum score most schools require. I am sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how difficult that was, but you will probably want to retake it even still, unless you are comfortable attending very expensive (600k+) programs.

You also might want to consider adding more schools to your list, as you need to hedge your bets against schools filtering you out as you have a below-average GPA and DAT score. I'm fine with those schools currently, but I would also consider:
Case Western, Creighton, ASDOH, KCU, Neomed, Temple, Tufts, Touro, UDM, Minnesota

While being a student athlete, you certainly have a great list of experiences that you bring to the class, but you also want to showcase to schools that you will be able to handle the rigors of dental education. Have you reached out to your state programs to get their thoughts on where you stand?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I agree that you probably want to retake your DAT. What were your practice scores leading up to your exam date?

Your GPA is also lower than desired. I would also recommend regional schools and some private programs similar to what has been suggested for you.

 

[ChickenOrange282]

Your DAT score is really going to limit you. I strongly suggest retaking, as a 17AA converted score falls under a great majority of the school's 5th percentile enrollees and is the minimum score most schools require. I am sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how difficult that was, but you will probably want to retake it even still, unless you are comfortable attending very expensive (600k+) programs.

You also might want to consider adding more schools to your list, as you need to hedge your bets against schools filtering you out as you have a below-average GPA and DAT score. I'm fine with those schools currently, but I would also consider:
Case Western, Creighton, ASDOH, KCU, Neomed, Temple, Tufts, Touro, UDM, Minnesota

While being a student athlete, you certainly have a great list of experiences that you bring to the class, but you also want to showcase to schools that you will be able to handle the rigors of dental education. Have you reached out to your state programs to get their thoughts on where you stand?

I have not reached out just yet, what do you recommend I should say? I appreciate your comments! Do you think there is a chance I could possibly get into one of the schools you say is expensive?

 

[ChickenOrange282]

I agree that you probably want to retake your DAT. What were your practice scores leading up to your exam date?

Your GPA is also lower than desired. I would also recommend regional schools and some private programs similar to what has been suggested for you.

My practice scores were not anything crazy. In like the 18-19 range for AA for the most part. I scored a 380 AA so it's like in between the 17-18 range

 

[macsak]

I have not reached out just yet, what do you recommend I should say? I appreciate your comments! Do you think there is a chance I could possibly get into one of the schools you say is expensive?

it depends on how much of a chance you are talking about...

agree with the other 2 posters that you need to really consider a retake or adding a ton of schools to your list

 

[macsak]

it depends on how much of a chance you are talking about...

agree with the other 2 posters that you need to really consider a retake or adding a ton of schools to your list

and sorry for your loss...

 

[ChickenOrange282]

it depends on how much of a chance you are talking about...

agree with the other 2 posters that you need to really consider a retake or adding a ton of schools to your list

Would you recommend like 12-15? Like what is a good number?

 

[macsak]

Would you recommend like 12-15? Like what is a good number?

as many as you can afford, but my suspicion is that schools will want to see how you are doing at berry for at least a year and a new DAT score before they feel comfortable that you can handle a rigorous science curriculum
have you spoken with your advisors at berry about applying this cycle?
do they offer DAT prep?

 

[ChickenOrange282]

as many as you can afford, but my suspicion is that schools will want to see how you are doing at berry for at least a year and a new DAT score before they feel comfortable that you can handle a rigorous science curriculum
have you spoken with your advisors at berry about applying this cycle?
do they offer DAT prep?

I do not go to Berry. My gpa trend has been exceptionally growing every semester (started at a 3.09 and my most recent semester was a 3.85) which is why my advisors said to just give it a chance because schools like to see the upwards trend of GPA as I have been doing really well in my upper level biology/chem courses

 

[Mr.Smile12]

For macsak, that's another WAMC that is starting Berry. 🙂

We do like to see upward GPA trends, and some of us will pay close attention to your most recent biomedical science coursework. But it won't compensate for a less-than-optimal DAT result. You must prepare completely (use all available online resources; we have a DAT forum here), and read how everyone who voluntarily posts their stories prepared.

 

[macsak]

For macsak, that's another WAMC that is starting Berry. 🙂

We do like to see upward GPA trends, and some of us will pay close attention to your most recent biomedical science coursework. But it won't compensate for a less-than-optimal DAT result. You must prepare completely (use all available online resources; we have a DAT forum here), and read how everyone who voluntarily posts their stories prepared.

oops
no focus

sorry

 

[ChickenOrange282]

For macsak, that's another WAMC that is starting Berry. 🙂

We do like to see upward GPA trends, and some of us will pay close attention to your most recent biomedical science coursework. But it won't compensate for a less-than-optimal DAT result. You must prepare completely (use all available online resources; we have a DAT forum here), and read how everyone who voluntarily posts their stories prepared.

I understand! Thank you for your insight. Do you think there would be any chance of me getting in? I have seen many people talking about having lower GPAs and similar DAT scores that get in. What are your thoughts on newer dental school programs?

 

[macsak]

I do not go to Berry. My gpa trend has been exceptionally growing every semester (started at a 3.09 and my most recent semester was a 3.85) which is why my advisors said to just give it a chance because schools like to see the upwards trend of GPA as I have been doing really well in my upper level biology/chem courses

what is your gpa for your final year?
last 2 years?

 

[ChickenOrange282]

what is your gpa for your final year?
last 2 years?

I am going into my senior year. Sophomore year 1st sem was a 3.40. My last 3 semesters have all been 3.5+ with my most recent being 3.85. I am also taking 2 courses over the summer (physics I and II + labs) which I have gotten 4.0s in each one (8 credits total)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I understand! Thank you for your insight. Do you think there would be any chance of me getting in? I have seen many people talking about having lower GPAs and similar DAT scores that get in. What are your thoughts on newer dental school programs?

Newer programs run the risk of being provisionally accredited, so you are a guinea pig to their curriculum and resources. Many would be building their clinics, so I would expect updated technology, but the question is whether you would have enough patients to support your education.

The chief concern is getting through a rigorous curriculum that is science-heavy and technique-based. If you can't do both, you won't be able to pass dental school. Then there's the debt.