What are my chances??

[Kat22]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm really worried about my chances.

My gpa is realllly low cumGPA=3.087 sGPA=2.913 😳
I did bad the first 3 semesters (less than 2.7 with 2.2 once), then I got around 3.3ish for a few semesters and around 3.7ish the last 2 semester. I already graduated so my gpa is pretty much set in stone unless I do a post bacc. Average accepted gpa for many schools is like 3.6 and higher! I'm no where near that.

My DAT is, I think, high 24/25/21 (AA/TS/PA).
I also have about 188 volunteer hours at the local dental school. And I'm gonna start volunteering in a dental clinic next month.

The stress is whats killing me the most. Nightmares, waking up in a sweat, suppressed hunger (that's how my weird body reacts to stress) I can't stop thinking about this, its like an annoying song stuck on replay that never stops to give me a break.

I just don't know what else to do. Should I quit and do something else? Am I just spinning my wheels in place? 😕😕

I guess what I'm trying to say is: what are my chances for next cycle?

 

[isittoolate]

I'm really worried about my chances.

My gpa is realllly low cumGPA=3.087 sGPA=2.913 😳
I did bad the first 3 semesters (less than 2.7 with 2.2 once), then I got around 3.3ish for a few semesters and around 3.7ish the last 2 semester. I already graduated so my gpa is pretty much set in stone unless I do a post bacc. Average accepted gpa for many schools is like 3.6 and higher! I'm no where near that.

My DAT is, I think, high 24/25/21 (AA/TS/PA).
I also have about 188 volunteer hours at the local dental school. And I'm gonna start volunteering in a dental clinic next month.

The stress is whats killing me the most. Nightmares, waking up in a sweat, suppressed hunger (that's how my weird body reacts to stress) I can't stop thinking about this, its like an annoying song stuck on replay that never stops to give me a break.

I just don't know what else to do. Should I quit and do something else? Am I just spinning my wheels in place? 😕😕

I guess what I'm trying to say is: what are my chances for next cycle?

You have a great DAT and it sounds like you are going to pursue the necessary ECs. It is not going to be easy to get into school, but it is definitely still possible. I highly recommend a post-bacc, at least enough to bump up your science GPA to a 3.0, as that is a cutoff for a number of schools. Also, make sure that you have adequate shadowing hours, not sure if you just forgot to mention them, but you should probably have at least 100 hours. Good luck!

 

[Kat22]

You have a great DAT and it sounds like you are going to pursue the necessary ECs. It is not going to be easy to get into school, but it is definitely still possible. I highly recommend a post-bacc, at least enough to bump up your science GPA to a 3.0, as that is a cutoff for a number of schools. Also, make sure that you have adequate shadowing hours, not sure if you just forgot to mention them, but you should probably have at least 100 hours. Good luck!

I thought shadowing was the same as volunteering because when I did it in a dental school all I did was watch everything the resident dentist did in in the patients mouth. If they're not the same then I have zero.🙁

Can I just ask a local dentist around here if I can shadow him/her?

 

[DenTony11235]

Can I just ask a local dentist around here if I can shadow him/her?

That is the idea lol. Ofcourse you can, and you should.

I don't have much experience with this whole process, as I am taking my DAT in Feb then applying, but from an outsiders perspective and judging by the numbers I've seen, it definitely sounds like you should take a post-bacc man. Screw it, put in maybe 1-2 extra years, but have a nice life afterwords.

 

[magriva]

I think you have great chances! Maybe your gpa is a little bit low. I would recommend taking postbac classes. Good luck. Your DAt score is amazing!!!!!

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[aqz]

I thought shadowing was the same as volunteering because when I did it in a dental school all I did was watch everything the resident dentist did in in the patients mouth. If they're not the same then I have zero.🙁

Can I just ask a local dentist around here if I can shadow him/her?

I'm currently shadowing/volunteering at my university dental hospital. There was a guy before me who had over 200 hours here, and he said he was able to put down 200 hours for shadowing as well as 200 hours for volunteering, because you're theoretically doing both in a hospital. For example, I "volunteer" by cleaning the lab where they work on impressions, but I "shadow" while in a patient room. In a private clinic, however, it is usually just shadowing hours.

In any case, your GPA will hurt your chances more than not putting down volunteering hours or shadowing hours, so do a post-bac and make sure you continue your upward trend. I'd say your chances would be very good if you get >3.7 this semester and raise all your GPAs >3.0.

Final word of encouragement: Don't quit, I don't know why you lack confidence in yourself. In my opinion, your DAT score is enough by itself to score interviews. Yes, the GPA is low, but view your upward trend as the icing on the DAT cake and a testimonial to your true capabilities. If anything, you should be excited for the upcoming cycle and the chance to turn everything around. So stop having nightmares and start chasing dreams. 👍

 

[Kat22]

I'm currently shadowing/volunteering at my university dental hospital. There was a guy before me who had over 200 hours here, and he said he was able to put down 200 hours for shadowing as well as 200 hours for volunteering, because you're theoretically doing both in a hospital. For example, I "volunteer" by cleaning the lab where they work on impressions, but I "shadow" while in a patient room. In a private clinic, however, it is usually just shadowing hours.

In any case, your GPA will hurt your chances more than not putting down volunteering hours or shadowing hours, so do a post-bac and make sure you continue your upward trend. I'd say your chances would be very good if you get >3.7 this semester and raise all your GPAs >3.0.

Final word of encouragement: Don't quit, I don't know why you lack confidence in yourself. In my opinion, your DAT score is enough by itself to score interviews. Yes, the GPA is low, but view your upward trend as the icing on the DAT cake and a testimonial to your true capabilities. If anything, you should be excited for the upcoming cycle and the chance to turn everything around. So stop having nightmares and start chasing dreams. 👍

Thank you for your kind words!



So what I gather from all the replies is if I don't bring my scienceGPA up to at least 3.0 my chances of getting in are zero?

 

[LaughingGas]

It's not zero. It just looks better lol. In SDN, people say 3.0 because of the cut offs, and 3.0 is a safe zone for all schools to avoid the automatic reject because your GPA is too low.

 

[KittySquared]

Kat, your DAT score is good enough for any dental school. Take around 30 credits of post-bac classes and do all you can to have at least an A- average. Then apply. As long as your DAT scores don't expire for another 2 years, then you should be good. Also, the application is highly unpredictable. As someone who applied this cycle, a lot of things exceeded my expectations and some definitely were thoroughly disappointing - my letters of recommendation were sent in right on time, as I had hoped, my transcript was received promptly, I got invited to 2 of my top choices, got accepted. However, I got rejected from 5 of my safety schools. My advice is to apply realistic and apply to at least 15 schools to be safe. Research about the schools and apply as soon as the cycle opens early June and don't wait. Good luck

 

[Bobby Fischer]

...Final word of encouragement: Don't quit, I don't know why you lack confidence in yourself. In my opinion, your DAT score is enough by itself to score interviews. Yes, the GPA is low, but view your upward trend as the icing on the DAT cake and a testimonial to your true capabilities. If anything, you should be excited for the upcoming cycle and the chance to turn everything around. So stop having nightmares and start chasing dreams. 👍

^^ This.

I'd like to jump on the cheerleading bandwagon:

OP: you obviously have the brains based on your amazing DAT scores. Work on your GPA with your obviously excellent mind, get it up above the 3.0 as high as possible (use strategy, too), show a definite upward trend in grades, etc and you should be fine.

I have heard what seem like reputable anecdotes wherein someone in your position with a low GPA wouldn't otherwise be looked at but incredible DAT scores more than make up for the GPA deficit. According to the research, apparently, the DAT score is the most accurate predictor of success in d school: and the admissions committees know it which is why they care so much about the DAT

 

[Kat22]

^^ This.

I'd like to jump on the cheerleading bandwagon:

OP: you obviously have the brains based on your amazing DAT scores. Work on your GPA with your obviously excellent mind, get it up above the 3.0 as high as possible (use strategy, too), show a definite upward trend in grades, etc and you should be fine.

I have heard what seem like reputable anecdotes wherein someone in your position with a low GPA wouldn't otherwise be looked at but incredible DAT scores more than make up for the GPA deficit. According to the research, apparently, the DAT score is the most accurate predictor of success in d school: and the admissions committees know it which is why they care so much about the DAT

Really?? 😍 that makes me feel so much better!


Okay so I have to get enough As to bring it to 3.0. That means I'll need like only one 4.0 semester with 15 credits to do so (used a GPA calc). I already signed up in a nearby school and it starts the end of this month.

Yay! So one semester of hard work then apply in June 2013 right away then have a year off to work and travel until I (hopefully ) start dental school in August 2014 all while still doing about 3hrs a week of volunteering/shadowing.

I took my DAT in Dec 2012 so if I don't get in this cycle I can still use it for the next one. But I really really really hope I don't have to because that would just tear me up inside.

 

[periopocket]

Apply early and get the gpa up like a point this semester and u apply to at least 15 schools... You will deff get in somewhere with scores GL

 

[invictusx]

I'm really worried about my chances.

My gpa is realllly low cumGPA=3.087 sGPA=2.913 😳
I did bad the first 3 semesters (less than 2.7 with 2.2 once), then I got around 3.3ish for a few semesters and around 3.7ish the last 2 semester. I already graduated so my gpa is pretty much set in stone unless I do a post bacc. Average accepted gpa for many schools is like 3.6 and higher! I'm no where near that.

My DAT is, I think, high 24/25/21 (AA/TS/PA).
I also have about 188 volunteer hours at the local dental school. And I'm gonna start volunteering in a dental clinic next month.

The stress is whats killing me the most. Nightmares, waking up in a sweat, suppressed hunger (that's how my weird body reacts to stress) I can't stop thinking about this, its like an annoying song stuck on replay that never stops to give me a break.

I just don't know what else to do. Should I quit and do something else? Am I just spinning my wheels in place? 😕😕

I guess what I'm trying to say is: what are my chances for next cycle?

You'll be okay. Your DAT will save you.