Year off help my chances?

[CalabasasDental]

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Hello,

Im currently attending SUNY University at Buffalo, which has a very respectable dental program. During the application process I plan to apply to California schools based around the Los Angeles Area for personal reasons. Schools out in that area are very very competitive and my stats are currently (GPA:3.5 SGPA:3.3). I'm very well rounded outside of class as well, involved in major programs, am an eagle scout and also think of myself as a very diligent worker.

My question would be, since the schools out in the LA area are very rigorous for out of state students, would it be beneficial to take the year off, get some work experience after undergrad and then reapply as an instate resident (being that CA is where I look to be residing). I was wondering if anyone had pros and cons to this idea/if that would help my chances into getting into CA schools (AT A MUCH CHEAPER PAYMENT)

 

[periopocket]

Entering Class Size 93
GPA (Undergrad Cumulative) 3.62 mean (range: 2.94 - 4.0)
GPA (Science Undergrad) 3.53 mean (range: 2.73 - 4.0)
DAT Academic Average 20.07 mean (range: 16 - 26)
DAT Perceptual Ability 20.09 mean (range: 15- 27)
Percent Female 51%
Percent Male 49%
Average Age 24
Over the age of 30 4%
In-State 88%
Out-of-State 9%
International 3%

At this point, with no DAT, I would say your barely competitive for your own state school: SUNY Buffalo, let alone places like UCLA or UCSF as an OOS. If you are dead set on California, maybe reach out to Western or USC. ALSO ROCK THE DAT and Pick up the GPA a bit.

 

[super frank]

UCLA is still very competitive for IS applicants. You'd probably need a higher GPA (or a high DAT score).

Focus more so on your stats, after all, that is what gets you in the room with an interviewer.

 

[CalabasasDental]

Entering Class Size 93
GPA (Undergrad Cumulative) 3.62 mean (range: 2.94 - 4.0)
GPA (Science Undergrad) 3.53 mean (range: 2.73 - 4.0)
DAT Academic Average 20.07 mean (range: 16 - 26)
DAT Perceptual Ability 20.09 mean (range: 15- 27)
Percent Female 51%
Percent Male 49%
Average Age 24
Over the age of 30 4%
In-State 88%
Out-of-State 9%
International 3%

At this point, with no DAT, I would say your barely competitive for your own state school: SUNY Buffalo, let alone places like UCLA or UCSF as an OOS. If you are dead set on California, maybe reach out to Western or USC. ALSO ROCK THE DAT and Pick up the GPA a bit.

Thank you for the feedback! I've really been busting it in my academics trying as hard as possible!! Would you think with an average dat score and in state residency that I would be competitive for western? I definitely can pick up my overall GPA a little bit, science will probably stay in that range, possibly 3.4 by the end of the semester

 

[periopocket]

Thank you for the feedback! I've really been busting it in my academics trying as hard as possible!! Would you think with an average dat score and in state residency that I would be competitive for western? I definitely can pick up my overall GPA a little bit, science will probably stay in that range, possibly 3.4 by the end of the semester

You'll likely be in an ok position for western, but bringing the DAT/GPA up will be for the best. It's also best to reach out now before sending the application. I found that this helped me out alot once my application was already submitted. You can try and contact admissions expressing your love for the school even before applying. You can do some research about their mission statement and talk about how it falls in line with what you want for yourself and most importantly apply early.