will i get into dental school...?

Started by samdig
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samdig

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10+ Year Member
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Overal GPA: 2.94
Science GPA: 2.77
BCP: 2.70

DAT
TS: 21
AA: 20
PAT: 18

where should i apply for my best chances? Should I already start planning to improve my GPA or see if i get any interviews?
 
No, I was just hoping my DAT scores would make up for the low GPA...

PA: 18
QR: 19
RC: 17
BIO: 19
GC: 23
OC: 23
 
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A lot of schools have an undergrad gpa minimum of 3.0 and BCP of 2.75. If you want to offset those gpa's, you need to be making an AA of 23.
 
honestly, i feel the whole "ace the dat to offset low gpa" thing is overrated. u not only need to ace the dat but u need to raise ur gpa to at least 3.0 bcp. just acing the test shows that ur a smart guy, but the low gpa shows that ur either not responsible enough as a student, or cant handle the rigors of school
 
you need to bring up your gpa bud. I'd say at least to a 3.0
I've got a 3.1x undergrad GPA and a 3.7 grad GPA, and I'm still concerned my GPA isn't high enough even with the 21/21/23 scores on the DAT.
 
Like others have said I would try to bring your GPA up. It seems the DAT is very important and you've done well... but in the situation where it might play a big role "making up for GPA" is most likely when the GPA of the said applicant is only .2-.3 below the average accepted GPA. (this just IMO not based on facts).

GL and get that gpa > 3.0
 
Ya, I just figured I'd give it a try this year...though my GPA is below every schools average...my DAT is above some schools averages (like western and ASDOH)...
 
I have to agree with everyone else. Most schools have GPA cutoffs and you have to get the GPA up. A post-bacc would be beneficial. Your DAT may be slightly above average, but you GPA is way below average.
 
An RC of 17 is also a problem, especially combined with your GPA. I honestly don't think you have a chance, sorry. How many schools are you applying to and where?
 
so far 12...ASDOH, USC, UOP, Western, Louiseville, Nova, NYU, BU, Michigan, MidWest Ill, and Marquet
 
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I would agree with people who are saying a post bacc would help. I had similar undergrad scores...with a little higher overall science. I went and got a masters in 9 months...3.77 gpa. Hopefully that will help my situation but im still worried. Just retook DAT on monday:
PAT: 20
BIO: 20
OCHM: 20
GCHM:23
READ: 18
QR: 16
TS: 21
AA: 19

Not sure....ive seen some pretty killer scores on SDN....im worried even with my current stats.
Anyone have feedback for me? :scared:
 
I would say that it would be a looooonnnggg shot.

A strong GPA improvement the last two years would help your case. (bad start, but gradually improved to making 3.5 (or higher) the last 3-4 semesters) (It would also help to have a story - that told why you turned yourself around - wake-up call/trying to get into dental school) I think that would look much better than ~2.9 every semester.

The RC does hurt a little (catches the eye)(mine wasn't great either but at least it was still avg/above avg)

You would also need killer extracurriculars.

I think you should prepare to improve your GPA. If you do get an interview ... its helps to say that you are taking classes to improve yourself to be more competitive next year ... if you are not accepted this cycle. Shows that you will keep trying until you succeed.

Your DAT is great .... but a little higher will grab their attention a little more and may help you get throught initial cutoffs. (Some schools use a mathematical formula (for initial cutoffs) that incorporates GPA/DAT - so one can pull the other up)

My $0.02 ... keep ya head up ....and bust your ass, if dentistry is what you really want to do.
 
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You should raise your GPA, not question about it. But even if you do that, then comes another question of how much you can realistically raise it.

Do Dental schools look at only the over all GPA or do they look at each individual years ?
- For example, if someone has a 2.2 first year and 2.4 second year, even if they get 3.9 GPA for the 3rd and 4th, then they are barely over the 3 which is still not that great. I know UNC does look at each individual year but I can not think of any other school that does that.
 
shahinc said:
You should raise your GPA, not question about it. But even if you do that, then comes another question of how much you can realistically raise it.

Do Dental schools look at only the over all GPA or do they look at each individual years ?
- For example, if someone has a 2.2 first year and 2.4 second year, even if they get 3.9 GPA for the 3rd and 4th, then they are barely over the 3 which is still not that great. I know UNC does look at each individual year but I can not think of any other school that does that.
Click to expand...

An admissions officer at UoP assured me that they did, and I have reason to believe that MWU does as well, once you get past the cut-off.
 
lnngu said:
An admissions officer at UoP assured me that they did, and I have reason to believe that MWU does as well, once you get past the cut-off.
Click to expand...


That is good to hear Inngu
For some reason I aways felt that with all the applications that they have to go through and ... they just simply look at the sGPA and OGPA calculated by the ADDSAS and make their decision based on that and the DAT and ...

However, it is encouraging to know that they actually take the time and may look at the years and the trend in the student's GPA and ...
 
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