What do I do?

[futureDDS1999]

My question: Should I do a post-bac program? Try out this cycle as soon as everything opens? Or wait until ~August when my GPA is better after summer classes?
Here are a few things to consider:

Date of submission: When applications open (May 11th)
Overall GPA: 3.1 (I plan on retaking 2 science courses; have yet to take Calculus, Orgolab 2 [COVID issues], and 2 gen-ed classes, so room for improvement, I guess?)
Science GPA: 3.1
Bio-Chem-Physics GPA: not sure
DAT score (include AA and all sections): TS- 18, PAT-19, QR- 18, RC-19, AA-18
State of Residence: NJ

SIDENOTE: I have 4 C's from when I was a business major *was in the mentality of C's get degrees*; I'm sure some people can relate haha. GPA should be higher without that.
Q: If I retake a science class, will ADEA replace my original grade on the application?

Undergrad Attended: Montclair State University
Major: Medical Humanities
Minority? Yes, 1/2 Hispanic & 1/2 Arab
Reapplicant? No
Shadowing Experience: ~200 hours; shadowed orthodontist
Volunteering Experience: 100's of collective hours.

Head Coach, Middle School Track and Field, St. Francis Cathedral
Mentor, The Mentor Collective Program
Jusoor: Syrians Forward Together, Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut Disaster Relief Fund, Beirut, Lebanon
Registrar Volunteer, COVID-19 Vaccination Site
Hands of Hope Food Pantry, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Evening Recreational Volunteer & Patient Cuddler, Children’s Specialized Hospital
Woodbridge Animal Group (animal shelter)

Employment: Head of Electronics Salesman, MetroPCS
Private Independent Tutor

Research: None
Other Extracurriculars:

President, Biology Club
Secretary, Pre-Dental Club
Student Event Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity (Newark)
Certified Personal Trainer (NASM)
CPR Certified

LOR type and strength: Letters of Recommendation from 3 Professors; 2 of them will be very strong letters, the third will suffice (avg letter, didn't really have a choice)

*My personal statement will reflect my journey it took for me to transition into who I am today; includes my journey from going into business into stacking a semester with 20 credits and 3 science classes*

School List:

A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine-Illinois

Indiana University School of Dentistry

University of Kentucky College of Dentistry

Maybe: Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Dentistry?

University of New England College of Dental Medicine

University of Maryland School of Dentistry

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Dental Medicine

NYU College of Dentistry

East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine

Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry

Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry

Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine - South Jordan, Utah

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine

LECOM

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[1942]

GPA is quite low. DAT is also below average (~40th percentile). It’s not impossible to get in but you face an uphill battle so be very strategic with your school list.

AADSAS does not replace grades. It takes an average of the two classes.

although the application opens up in May you cannot submit until June.

I would apply in June and then update the schools with any new information/grades throughout the cycle. Just be realistic and know that you may need to do a post-bacc or retake the DAT and score 22+ if you want to improve your chances. So I would simultaneously be preparing for either of those so you don’t waste time.

 

[2thPirate🦷]

Agree with what was said above, I think that just retaking your DAT and scoring above a 21-22 would give you a decent shot, pair that with a solid post-bacc GPA and you should be fairly competitive if not accepted this cycle. Also just a heads up, ECU only accepts North Carolina residents so your application will be automatically denied, might as well save that money and apply to another OOS-friendly school.