Where should I apply/ Chances?

[Doctorman45342]

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GPA at application time: 3.85 (science~ 3.8)
DAT - 21 (haven't taken it yet but I am expecting at least a 20 AA)
160 volunteer hours (hospital, clubs on campus)
100 shadowing hours (6 different dentists, 2 specialists and a GPR)
2 or 3 other clubs
Ohio Resident

Planning on applying to Ohio State for sure (main choice.) Pretty much open to any other school that takes out of staters (OHIOIANS).

Any suggestion of improving app./ what schools to apply to? Please let me know! Thanks

 

[hongbinbaneben]

Write excellent essays, get amazing rec letters, honestly aim higher than a 21, and I think you will get multiple interviews!

 

[Doctorman45342]

Write excellent essays, get amazing rec letters, honestly aim higher than a 21, and I think you will get multiple interviews!

Do you think I have a good shot despite my weak extracurriculars?

 

[Hannah Banana]

GPA at application time: 3.85 (science~ 3.8)
DAT - 21 (haven't taken it yet but I am expecting at least a 20 AA)
160 volunteer hours (hospital, clubs on campus)
100 shadowing hours (6 different dentists, 2 specialists and a GPR)
2 or 3 other clubs
Ohio Resident

Planning on applying to Ohio State for sure (main choice.) Pretty much open to any other school that takes out of staters (OHIOIANS).

Any suggestion of improving app./ what schools to apply to? Please let me know! Thanks

With that GPA, I think you'll have some interviews even with 18 or 19 DAT. But of course, make sure the personal statement and LORs are good, too. Also make sure to submit early.

 

[krdeuce]

Assuming a 21 is a pretty bold strategy

 

[Doctorman45342]

With that GPA, I think you'll have some interviews even with 18 or 19 DAT. But of course, make sure the personal statement and LORs are good, too. Also make sure to submit early.

Okay. Thanks!

What could I do to make myself a shoo in? I think my interviews will be good because I am good with people.

 

[Doctorman45342]

Assuming a 21 is a pretty bold strategy

Well I plan on doing well. I just took a biology practice and got a 20 without even picking up a book yet. I was one of the top students in my general chemistry class scoring in the 95% percentile on my ACS final with minimal studying.

Not bragging but I am confident in my ability and I wanted to just put a plausible number down to accurately reflect what my application will look like. I'm shooting for a few points higher actually.

 

[SXCoronado]

.

 

[Doctorman45342]

lol

lol whats so funny? I have put in alot of work the past 2 years into doing well in my classes. Is it wrong for me to have high expectations or am I missing something else?

 

[Dentase]

I am pretty sure OSU stats are below that, why wouldnt you get into OSU. Plus those Ec's arent that bad its decent especially for dental school

 

[bc1002]

lol whats so funny? I have put in alot of work the past 2 years into doing well in my classes. Is it wrong for me to have high expectations or am I missing something else?

wow, take it easy... it does not matter what people think, you just need to work hard and get the score you deserve. Based on your GPA, I would say 21 is very possible. Good luck!

 

[Doctorman45342]

wow, take it easy... it does not matter what people think, you just need to work hard and get the score you deserve. Based on your GPA, I would say 21 is very possible. Good luck!

Thanks man! I'm not mad I just wasn't sure why he "lol'd" at me. Lol

 

[nonociceptors]

wow, take it easy... it does not matter what people think, you just need to work hard and get the score you deserve. Based on your GPA, I would say 21 is very possible. Good luck!

I'm not disagreeing with you, but just to play devil's advocate...

The OP might go to an "easy" school where a high GPA isn't that difficult. After all, think of all the people you see posting with great GPAs and average or even below average DAT scores. To say the difference in course difficulty doesn't translate to the DAT doesn't make much sense. I go to a pretty competitive UC and live next to a less competitive one. Having taken summer courses at the less competitive UC, I can hands down say there is a significant difference. Maybe you learn the same material, but since classes are curved, if the other students score worse than you'll be better off. 8 A's were given out in the summer microbiology course - every single one were kids from my college.

Anyway, OP if you study hard for a few solid months you'll pull a 21! None of that up there was directed at you.

 

[darknightzzz]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but just to play devil's advocate...

The OP might go to an "easy" school where a high GPA isn't that difficult. After all, think of all the people you see posting with great GPAs and average or even below average DAT scores. To say the difference in course difficulty doesn't translate to the DAT doesn't make much sense. I go to a pretty competitive UC and live next to a less competitive one. Having taken summer courses at the less competitive UC, I can hands down say there is a significant difference. Maybe you learn the same material, but since classes are curved, if the other students score worse than you'll be better off. 8 A's were given out in the summer microbiology course - every single one were kids from my college.

Anyway, OP if you study hard for a few solid months you'll pull a 21! None of that up there was directed at you.

ummm, what are the 2 UCs are that closed to each other, UCLA and UC Irvine? or UCLA and UCSD? or UC Davis and UC Berkeley?

just so you know most of the time, summer classes at UC are easier that give you the impression of the less competitive UC being easier. The lecturer for the summer courses are hired part-time by the UC admin to teach only those particular courses since the full-fledge professors don't wan't to spend that much time in a few week period.

 

[BrazilianRider]

Geez, if you study hard you can totally nail a 20, if you study even harder and are a quick learner you can definitely hit a 21+.

 

[nonociceptors]

.

 

[Dentase]

Its supposed to be nocioceptors

 

[darknightzzz]

The the schools don't have to be close together for someone to take classes at both. Some people fly home to socal from norcal or vice versa, for example, so they can take a summer class close to home. Anyway... at my UC most of the professors who taught over summer also taught over the academic year as well. I know for a fact that the professor I had at UCI was not an adjunct or anything like that. She was a prof that nearly everyone in that major has at one point or another. Besides, that wasn't even my point. Whether the professor is way harder, average, or way easier is irrelevant. As I said, it depends on the other students. So when the only As in a course were given to students from another UC it just means everyone else didn't do as well on the exams.

And I've taken plenty of summer courses at my UC as well. I know sometimes they have grad students or temps to teach the courses but it really isn't as universal as you make it sound. I've only had that happen to me once out of the 6 summer courses I've taken.

umm you said you go to a competitive UC and live next to a less competitive one so im just guessing which set of UCs next to each other!.

yep I know you can take classes at any UC campus in summer once you are a UC student. But from your post I guess you are referring to UCI as a less competitive one and you are going to UCLA. Yep thats why the DAT is the level playing field.