what to do in the fall

[coheedutk]

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Looking for advice from my fellow pre dents!

This upcoming cycle will be my second time applying to dental schools. I applied late last year (september) and only received one interview, which was from an OOS school and wasn't accepted.

My grades are a little low, 3.2 science 3.3 overall. I have a good DAT thouhg, 19/19/19 lol.

However, my issue is what should I do now, hope to get lucky come December, or continue taking more undergrad classes in the fall? or look into a masters? ( i really am against that route lol). Thanks everyone!

 

[Glimmer1991]

Okay, I'm being blunt here: A 19/19/19 isn't really "good." It's a little below average. I wouldn't count on it making up for grades that are also below average. So, yes, I would suggest taking more classes to boost your science GPA. A master's wouldn't be a bad idea, either. Also, are all of your individual DAT scores above a 17? You may not meet cutoffs if they don't.

Why don't you try to talk on the phone or set up in-person interviews with the schools that rejected you? They may be willing to shed some insight on things you could do to strengthen your application.

 

[AllHasOne]

I think you have three choices, one, retake the DAT and try to get 20/20/20+? or take masters and try to improve that GPA...third one is just to reapply and hope?

 

[DancingBull]

Straight 19's are just average, not below average...

 

[Glimmer1991]

Straight 19's are just average, not below average...

I'm pretty sure the average accepted score is creeping up closer to a 20. That's why I said "a little below." 🙂

 

[CedarZ4]

I'm pretty sure the average accepted score is creeping up closer to a 20. That's why I said "a little below." 🙂

Yup. Last cycle it was around a 19.5 I think... wouldn't be surprised if it's 19.7ish this cycle. Wouldn't call it creeping either... it's been going up real fast.

To OP, 19/19/19 DAT alone should get you some interviews and acceptances, however, combined with that GPA is what is hurting you. Your best chance is doing a Master's. With those GPA, even a 20+ DAT all around wouldn't put you in the "good chance" category. Just trying to be blunt, because I have seen too many "you can do it" posts on other threads that just gives OP false hope. Regardless though, a re-take is definitely in order IMHO. Just re-applying and waiting especially with no new updates/scores more importantly doesn't really show ADCOM dedication to the profession.

 

[free99]

You've already gotten one interview, so your application package is good enough to be looked at, evidently. If I were you, I'd take 3 or 4 classes this fall, get straight A's, then retake the DAT in the winter after the fall semester (only if you feel that you can devote more time/study more efficiently this time around). In the spring, I'd continue to shadow (if your hours are a little low), volunteer, and work to make some bucks.

 

[dchoi]

Increase gpa if you can, but I think a dat retake is a must. Have to have much higher dat scores to makeup for the gpa.

 

[dentalWorks]

Looking for advice from my fellow pre dents!

This upcoming cycle will be my second time applying to dental schools. I applied late last year (september) and only received one interview, which was from an OOS school and wasn't accepted.

My grades are a little low, 3.2 science 3.3 overall. I have a good DAT thouhg, 19/19/19 lol.

However, my issue is what should I do now, hope to get lucky come December, or continue taking more undergrad classes in the fall? or look into a masters? ( i really am against that route lol). Thanks everyone!

I wouldn't retake the DAT... I would continue taking post-bacc courses (to show upward trend in grades). 3.2-3.3 along with 19s are not bad, you are just average-to-below-average standards.

Applying to anything less than 20 schools is SERIOUSLY not worth it. Either go all out (20+ schools) or don't apply at all.

 

[rpatel104]

Looking for advice from my fellow pre dents!

This upcoming cycle will be my second time applying to dental schools. I applied late last year (september) and only received one interview, which was from an OOS school and wasn't accepted.

My grades are a little low, 3.2 science 3.3 overall. I have a good DAT thouhg, 19/19/19 lol.

However, my issue is what should I do now, hope to get lucky come December, or continue taking more undergrad classes in the fall? or look into a masters? ( i really am against that route lol). Thanks everyone!

Which school did you receive an interview at?

 

[tigerteeth22]

Wow I don't agree with any of these posts, just bits and pieces of a few.

Yes, 19 is not SUPER impressive. Your GPA is OKAY but at this stage in the game its very hard to make a GPA go up significantly in just one or two semesters. Your GPA isn't the issue, if you had an amazing DAT, then in my opinion and personal experience ADCOM wouldn't think twice about your GPA because it would prove you know the material. Plus taking the DAT doesn't take as long as taking a whole semester of classes. If you were to study for 8-12 weeks and get 20+ in almost every section, you would definitely get accepted somewhere.

Of course, I am assuming you have incredible and relevant extracurriculars. So if you don't, then take one more year to better your application as a whole. Volunteer somewhere cool and dental-related, take some classes to boost your GPA, and get an awesome DAT score.

Personally a DAT is what breaks up the discretion between grades. Some schools can be considered "harder" than other schools but the DAT is the same for EVERYONE (besides some tests being slightly easier than others) so if you do amazing on that, they can't question your intelligence.

Also take mine and everyone's opinion with a grain of salt and do what is best for YOU.

 

[sbdento]

I wouldn't retake the DAT... I would continue taking post-bacc courses (to show upward trend in grades). 3.2-3.3 along with 19s are not bad, you are just average-to-below-average standards.

Applying to anything less than 20 schools is SERIOUSLY not worth it. Either go all out (20+ schools) or don't apply at all.

which 20 schools do you recommend? I'm from California and it seems like most non-CA schools do not accept too many OOSers.

 

[dentalWorks]

which 20 schools do you recommend? I'm from California and it seems like most non-CA schools do not accept too many OOSers.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046

 

[sbdento]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=635046

Thank you