What should I do? Help Please

[625boi]

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So I applied the last cycle to about 12 schools last cycle and I didn't get any interviews and they were all rejections. T.T I graduated with a BS in BioChem/Cell Biology with about a 2.75 science GPA and 2.98 overall GPA. My DAT score was about 18/19 for AA and 20 for PAT. Last cycle I got all of my apps in around mid august so I was thinking:

#1: Apply earlier in June this summer with same everything and see if I get a chance to get it because of early applying

#2: Study another year of DAT and get a better score and apply next year summer with same GPA

or

#3: Apply to a Masters or Post-Baccalaureate program for Pre-Dental and go from there

help please...i don't know what would be best with saving time and money.
Thank you.

 

[dentalWorks]

So I applied the last cycle to about 12 schools last cycle and I didn't get any interviews and they were all rejections. T.T I graduated with a BS in BioChem/Cell Biology with about a 2.75 science GPA and 2.98 overall GPA. My DAT score was about 18/19 for AA and 20 for PAT. Last cycle I got all of my apps in around mid august so I was thinking:

#1: Apply earlier in June this summer with same everything and see if I get a chance to get it because of early applying

#2: Study another year of DAT and get a better score and apply next year summer with same GPA

or

#3: Apply to a Masters or Post-Baccalaureate program for Pre-Dental and go from there

help please...i don't know what would be best with saving time and money.
Thank you.

IMO, you should not apply this cycle. You've already blown a good chunk on applying and didn't get in, why risk the same outcome?

Option 3 with a 1-2 year post-bacc is your best bet. With a 2.7 sGPA, I think even a high DAT score will give you trouble landing interviews.

 

[bing12]

So I applied the last cycle to about 12 schools last cycle and I didn't get any interviews and they were all rejections. T.T I graduated with a BS in BioChem/Cell Biology with about a 2.75 science GPA and 2.98 overall GPA. My DAT score was about 18/19 for AA and 20 for PAT. Last cycle I got all of my apps in around mid august so I was thinking:

#1: Apply earlier in June this summer with same everything and see if I get a chance to get it because of early applying

#2: Study another year of DAT and get a better score and apply next year summer with same GPA

or

#3: Apply to a Masters or Post-Baccalaureate program for Pre-Dental and go from there

help please...i don't know what would be best with saving time and money.
Thank you.

Both of these should be done

 

[John Durian]

I'm gonna be honest with you man. You have a really low GPA, average/mediocre DAT, and you applied reaaaally late the first time.

Unless there is something wildly crazy that makes you stand out of the pack (ie, first author of a publication in Nature), I would save my moolah and not apply this cycle. Apply to an SMP or post-bac and raise that GPA. Then re-take the DAT as well. Then apply June 1st (or whatever the first day is next year). Better to save than squander that moolah you worked so hard to make.

 

[xtractor]

what everyone else said.

 

[spearmint]

Your low GPA did you in, especially your science gpa. I think you need at least 2 years of post-bac to pull that 2.7 to at least a 3.0 for you to have a decent chance.

 

[4thMolar]

Yeah I would definitely not apply this cycle. If you want, you can try your state school, but I'd schedule a meeting with the dean of admissions or somebody there to give you advice. A post-bacc or Masters program is going to be necessary, no question about that. Although your DAT is average, it wouldn't hurt to take it again as well. Can you post your scores for each section? In the end however, the most important thing you can do is enroll in a post-bacc or grad program. You can check out the post-bacc forum for more info:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[625boi]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Helps me check my current state. I have a little change to my GPA. Checked my UC's academic history and my overall GPA is 3.097 and Science GPA is 2.874. Is should still stick with option 2 or 3 right? And since everyone is suggesting I raise my GPA, take SMP, or a Post-Baccalaureate program, would my current GPA have a good chance of getting into one?

DAT scores:
PAT 20
AA 19 (GC 20, OC 19, Bio 18)
RC 16
QR 20

 

[4thMolar]

With your current overal and science GPAs, I don't think you have a very good shot of getting into a dental school, although there could be a slim shot at your state school perhaps. Also, the 16 in RC is also a concern, but for now I'd get that GPA up.

 

[spearmint]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Helps me check my current state. I have a little change to my GPA. Checked my UC's academic history and my overall GPA is 3.097 and Science GPA is 2.874. Is should still stick with option 2 or 3 right? And since everyone is suggesting I raise my GPA, take SMP, or a Post-Baccalaureate program, would my current GPA have a good chance of getting into one?

DAT scores:
PAT 20
AA 19 (GC 20, OC 19, Bio 18)
RC 16
QR 20

Ouch, that RC is a big red flag. I would definitely retake, but only when you're close to finishing your post-bac/master's.

 

[625boi]

I was thinking of RE-applying again this summer, only to a few schools, but apply literally first week of June. Would this make a difference? Should i do it or look into applying to SMP/Post Bac?

 

[4thMolar]

I was thinking of RE-applying again this summer, only to a few schools, but apply literally first week of June. Would this make a difference? Should i do it or look into applying to SMP/Post Bac?

I'd apply to your state school(s), but even then I don't really think it will make a big difference. Start looking into SMPs and Post-baccs NOW if you want to be able to start in the Fall. Some deadlines are probably close or already passed for registration.

 

[beeho]

raise your science gpa, stay in communication with local dental schools, and get better DAT RC scores (yours are bare minimum for some schools)

 

[kevini200]

I'm gonna be honest with you man. You have a really low GPA, average/mediocre DAT, and you applied reaaaally late the first time.

Unless there is something wildly crazy that makes you stand out of the pack (ie, first author of a publication in Nature), I would save my moolah and not apply this cycle. Apply to an SMP or post-bac and raise that GPA. Then re-take the DAT as well. Then apply June 1st (or whatever the first day is next year). Better to save than squander that moolah you worked so hard to make.

Is mid-August really that late!? I thought getting one's application in by the end of summer is the general guideline for being 'early.'

 

[UICDMD17]

I was thinking of RE-applying again this summer, only to a few schools, but apply literally first week of June. Would this make a difference? Should i do it or look into applying to SMP/Post Bac?

Honestly, I would say your only options are to retake the DAT, and hopefully do better, and also earn a Post Bac degree. I think even if you apply at the start of the cycle, your numbers are still a little too low to compete. But if you can raise your DAT score, and get the post bacc, you should be able to make yourself stand out more.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Is mid-August really that late!? I thought getting one's application in by the end of summer is the general guideline for being 'early.'

No, mid August is late. You want your app in by at least mid July to give yourself a decent shot.