What are my chances?

[laugh]

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Recently took the DAT....18/18/22. My GPA is 3.2 and sGPA is 3.15. I have volunteered at many different events: I went down to Mexico City twice and helped doctors and dentists treat underprivilaged patients. Volunteerd at a local dental clinic for the homeless. Volunteered at a basketball camp for junior high students one summer. Have worked at a dental office and dental lab for over two years. I have a personality.... I have a semester of research experience working in a plant biology lab. I am a college biology and chemistry tutor. I will have a degree by next December. Im applying for the 2009 cycle. What do you think are my chances? Any advice?

 

[laugh]

I also have many more volunteer hours that I have not listed such as a I'm a member of the pre-dental club at my university, which entails much volunteer work. Any advice would greatly be appreciated? Thanks.

 

[laugh]

anyone?........

 

[Frederico Albin]

Well, i see that you have a lot of extracurricular activities which is good. Shadowing/Research/Volunteer, I wouldn't worry about this part of your application.
Your score for the DAT is average. Its going to depend on the scores of each section. I hope you didnt score anything below 17.
Your GPA is what going to bring your application down. You have great extracurricular and average DAT, but a 3.2 is not competitive these days anymore, but I can still see you getting accepted. Just apply to several schools, and from now on, try to get A's in all your classes, which can raise your GPA to a 3.4-3.5, which is average. After that your application is going to be in great shape.
Good luck man

 

[UNR.Grad]

Do you have a state school?

 

[laugh]

Yes- I'm sure it will help may chances. What else can I be doing to increase my chances? Besides getting all A's....

 

[Danny0230]

To be honest, GPA and DAT are the 1 and 1A of your application, and both your scores are below the average for accepted students. EC's and shadowing are nice and having them is necessary to be a competitive applicant, but they won't overshadow GPA/DAT. As much as adcoms like well rounded students, its still largely a numbers game when it comes to getting interview invites.

I'd reccommend trying very hard to raise your GPA. If you can't get it to around 3.5, I'd reccommend retaking the DAT. You might be able to get in with your current scores, but being below avg. on both of the most important stats is going to make it much harder/stressful.

 

[laugh]

Thank you all for your replies. After this semester I hope to raise by GPA 0.5 as well as my science. It wont help much but every little bit helps. I might have to retake the DAT and hope for nothing less than a 19. Anything else anyone would recommend?

 

[doc toothache]

Thank you all for your replies. After this semester I hope to raise by GPA 0.5 as well as my science. It wont help much but every little bit helps. I might have to retake the DAT and hope for nothing less than a 19. Anything else anyone would recommend?

Boost your gpa and dat scores. That should do it.

 

[UNR.Grad]

Do you have a state school?

...?

The reason I am asking is because some state schools are more/less competitive than others.

 

[jigabodo]

If you don't have in state schools (or if you are a Cali resident) I would strongly recommend retaking the DAT. GPA isn't something that can be brought up in a short period of time, but you can with DAT.

 

[laugh]

What if I retake the DAT before June and get 19/18/23? I know I could have done better on the PAT and the sciences. Reading and QR were hard for me. I know I am capable of getting a 19 (if not a little better) if I retake it by June.

 

[SHC1984]

retake the DAT and obtain 20+AA should increase your chances...AA is way more important then PAT.

What if I retake the DAT before June and get 19/18/23? I know I could have done better on the PAT and the sciences. Reading and QR were hard for me. I know I am capable of getting a 19 (if not a little better) if I retake it by June.

 

[laundry]

it depends on what schools you are applying. your DAT might be fine. However, I'd work on that GPA. You have 3 semesters to go, so get 4.0s there. Of course, if you feel like you can squeeze more out of your DAT gland, then go for it. Also have at least 100 hours shadowing, and all that stuff...

 

[dr.rex]

I think that you have a shot, but a lot is going to depend on when you apply and to what schools you apply. Also what the rest of your application looks like including LORs an PS. You should make sure you apply to your state school and the more expensive private schools. Also you should make sure that you have you application ready to turn in as soon as the cycle starts. so start getting your LORs and writing your PS and it wont hurt to take the DAT again just study hard and really focus on it an not classes so much because y our GPA probably wont change much at this point. so good luck!

 

[yorkiepoo]

retake DAT. your scores aren't so good, as you know. it doesn't make sense not to if you want to be competitive

 

[UNR.Grad]

Do You Have A State School?

 

[laugh]

Yes I have a state school. Hopefully I can get into one of them (Cali). Thanks for all your replies.

 

[UNR.Grad]

Yes I have a state school. Hopefully I can get into one of them (Cali). Thanks for all your replies.

I don't think either of the UC's would take you with those stats, you should def. retake the DAT.

 

[MichaelG2K]

I dont 100% agree with all these posts. I get the feeling the DAT isnt as important as they make it out to be.

I received an AA of 18, with a 16 in one or two sections (if I recall correctly), and I received offers from UB, OHSU, and ASDOH.

My GPA definitely gave me a boost (3.73) and I had a lot of extracurriculars, but everyone initially told me to just retake the DAT. After I started getting interviews, I decided this was going to be my year, and the offers followed.

 

[NewMexDent]

I dont 100% agree with all these posts. I get the feeling the DAT isnt as important as they make it out to be.

I received an AA of 18, with a 16 in one or two sections (if I recall correctly), and I received offers from UB, OHSU, and ASDOH.

My GPA definitely gave me a boost (3.73) and I had a lot of extracurriculars, but everyone initially told me to just retake the DAT. After I started getting interviews, I decided this was going to be my year, and the offers followed.

But the OP doesn't have a 3.73 GPA...

 

[laugh]

Thanks michael. I calculated it out and if I get A's in my science classes this semester, and by the time I apply in June, my GPA will be a 3.25 and my sGPA will be a 3.2. Not much better than what it is now, but it may help a little. Here are my scores:
Bio- 19
Chem- 18
OChem- 18
QR- 17
RC- 18
PAT- 22
It looks as though I may have to re-take the DAT after reading all your posts... Thanks for all your replies.

 

[SHC1984]

are you a minority?

I dont 100% agree with all these posts. I get the feeling the DAT isnt as important as they make it out to be.

I received an AA of 18, with a 16 in one or two sections (if I recall correctly), and I received offers from UB, OHSU, and ASDOH.

My GPA definitely gave me a boost (3.73) and I had a lot of extracurriculars, but everyone initially told me to just retake the DAT. After I started getting interviews, I decided this was going to be my year, and the offers followed.

 

[laugh]

I'm White. Is there any hope for me?

 

[heatwheat]

I'm White. Is there any hope for me?

Nope...

 

[UNR.Grad]

You're in a bad position, being a California resident you only have strong state schools and lots of competition. You need to retake your DAT or go into a masters program and do very well. On the other hand you could move to another state and apply as a resident to their school, you'd more than likely get into UNLV with those stats in-state.

 

[ChoDog]

You should retake your DAT, good luck

 

[MichaelG2K]

Alaska resident, caucasian. The fact that I have no state schools doesnt help too much except on the west coast with the WICHE program....I get preference over out-of-state applicants at places like Oregon, Washington, and some Cali schools.