Where should I apply given my stats?

[GoVegan]

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I'm applying this cycle to dental school and I want make sure the schools I have chosen to apply to are the best given my stats.

I'm a female, born in Cuba, and went to UF.

My overall GPA is a 3.23 with 2.76 science GPA. My biggest GPA burdens were the several Cs I got my first two years and the fact that I failed Orgo II the first time I took it. I retook it and got an A.

I have over 100 hours of shadowing, over 80 hours of volunteering at the UF Dental Student Clinics, and over 40 hours of non dental related volunteer work.

I will be taking my DAT July 7th and hope to score 20+.

I know it's a little hard since I don't have my DAT score yet but I just want a general guide for what schools to apply to.

Here's the list I have so far from my DAT application:

BU, Howard, Indiana, Meharry, NYU, Nova, Temple, Tufts, UF, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia

Also, would it be a waste of money to apply to Howard & Meharry?
I've also been looking at the list of OOS friendly schools and realize that I shouldn't apply to some of these...

Thank you! 🙂

 

[dentalWorks]

I would also add both midwestern (AZ and IL campus), they are both OOS-friendlies

 

[Destiny11]

I would also add both midwestern (AZ and IL campus), they are both OOS-friendlies

but be aware that they have BCP cutoffs at 2.75

 

[Maygyver]

Personally I would apply next year. Your science GPA is extremely low and you haven't taken your DAT yet. You need like a 25+ to make up for that GPA. I would suggest doing a post-bacc and showing schools that you are actually serious about your education. A transcript full of Cs and Fs doesn't do that very well.

 

[MowgliR]

I would also add both midwestern (AZ and IL campus), they are both OOS-friendlies

What if she hasn't taken physio (also in my case), is applying to MWU a good move? Can we count on schools saying "just make sure to take it in the Spring"?

 

[4thMolar]

I honestly think you should wait and apply next year, after you take another year of classes. Your science GPA is way too low and some schools may automatically cut you off if you don't meet certain GPA requirements. You can try to apply to your state school and maybe a select few, b/c there is a chance you can get an interview if you do really well on your DAT.

 

[glo1984]

I will mirror what others have said; wait a year. You WILL be weeded out based on the low science gpa regardless of a 24/25 DAT which happens to be like 99.7 percentile. Given the ~14,000 Pre-Dents who take the DAT, you'll understand how hard it may be to land in that range... It comes down to a few lucky or well informed guesses. Definitely shoot for the stars but stay realistic as it will help you through this grueling process before successful matriculation.

 

[THRILLOFDAFILL]

What if she hasn't taken physio (also in my case), is applying to MWU a good move? Can we count on schools saying "just make sure to take it in the Spring"?

i was in that situation and although they would rather you not do that it, I told them I would take anatomy, physio, and microbio in the spring and they were ok with it.

 

[HappyDental14]

It wouldn't hurt applying is you have extra $$, but i'd only apply to a few schools...but you need to raise that sciGPA to at least a 3.0 with a good DAT to become competitive, schools place more importance on GPA than the DAT, well most.

 

[glo1984]

It wouldn't hurt applying is you have extra $$, but i'd only apply to a few schools...but you need to raise that sciGPA to at least a 3.0 with a good DAT to become competitive, schools place more importance on GPA than the DAT, well most.

I strongly disagree. I don't care if she can gladly burn 1-4k, applying with those current stats is not a good decision. Each school will save her previous application and will definitely notice the initial sgpa when making a decision. They will question your logic/intelligence regarding why YOU thought YOU were competitive. Why even let that happen, apply after you have raised the sgpa or you will be fighting a uphill battle.

 

[GoVegan]

Thank you all for your comments.

I already graduated so my only option would be to do a post-back or Masters program.

I understand my stats are low but I have decided to apply to a few schools anyway. I've been going back and forth with this a while but decided to try. I personally know someone with stats similar to mine who got in, so why not? It can happen.

I'll definitely do a post-back or Masters program if I don't get in my first try.

Anyway, do you guys this I have a shot in Meharry or Howard even though I'm hispanic?

 

[taiji]

Thank you all for your comments.

I already graduated so my only option would be to do a post-back or Masters program.

I understand my stats are low but I have decided to apply to a few schools anyway. I've been going back and forth with this a while but decided to try. I personally know someone with stats similar to mine who got in, so why not? It can happen.

I'll definitely do a post-back or Masters program if I don't get in my first try.

Anyway, do you guys this I have a shot in Meharry or Howard even though I'm hispanic?

Know of two hispanic males who talked to Howard and were advised to retake the DAT due to their low QR scores to be more "competitive." Their scores were 19/19 for AA and TS.

Then again, 3 blacks that I know of who had similar QR scores but lower AA and TS were told that they were "golden."

So, go figure. IMO, Howard comes off as a school that tries to find any reason to reject you if you're not black. Then again, they say that their class is only like...60% black? I dunno can't hurt to try.

 

[dentalWorks]

What if she hasn't taken physio (also in my case), is applying to MWU a good move? Can we count on schools saying "just make sure to take it in the Spring"?

Yes ofc you can.... schools understand you might still need to complete pre-reqs before matriculation (especially since the application process takes about a year)..

The important thing is to complete the pre-req (in this case physio) before matriculation

 

[MowgliR]

Yes ofc you can.... schools understand you might still need to complete pre-reqs before matriculation (especially since the application process takes about a year)..

The important thing is to complete the pre-req (in this case physio) before matriculation

Do I have to add it in my future coursework? I will already be at 17 units the spring semester, and would only take physio if I got accepted and a school required me to do so. If I add it on my app, am I tied to signing up for it?

 

[dentalWorks]

Do I have to add it in my future coursework? I will already be at 17 units the spring semester, and would only take physio if I got accepted and a school required me to do so. If I add it on my app, am I tied to signing up for it?

I wouldn't add it on the future list on AADSAS... its not necessary.

If/when the school accepts you, they will stipulate on the acceptance letter that you must complete course name XYZ (physio in ur case) before matriculation.

 

[Destiny11]

What if she hasn't taken physio (also in my case), is applying to MWU a good move? Can we count on schools saying "just make sure to take it in the Spring"?

Unfortunately yes. Schools will accept someone who has not taken the upper-div pre-reqs and a 3.5 GPA at the time of application over someone with upper-div pre-reqs and a 3.2 GPA.

 

[Maygyver]

Unfortunately yes. Schools will accept someone who has not taken the upper-div pre-reqs and a 3.5 GPA at the time of application over someone with upper-div pre-reqs and a 3.2 GPA.

A couple upper div courses shouldn't bomb a GPA to a 3.2.

 

[UFRalo]

To be honest, I would not apply to dental school this cycle and apply next year. If you want to do a Master's that would be the ideal thing to do. I personally got an MSc thru UF, so PM me if you want details on the program.

If you were to get the MS and do very well, you sound like a lot of student who get into UF. Meaning, didnt do so hot in undergrad, really wanted to go to dental school, so they busted their butts in grad school/post-bacc work to show that they are highly motivated to pursue dentistry.