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Hello folks, been visiting this site for a few months now and finally decided to post all my questions and concerns in 1 post.
My name is Jessica, and I guess people around here would refer to me as a non-traditional applicant. A little story about me, I have been working as a software programmer for almost 4 years now; title: senior software engineer. And almost 3 years ago, I started attending MSU to complete my pre-dent requirements (as a post-bacc student).
So far, in my past 3 years, I have taken 49 credits, with a straight 4.0, classes include my 100, 200, 300 and 400 level biologies and chemistries (General biologies, general chemistries, Organics, human anatomy, genetics, biochemistry I, pharmacology, microbiology, sociology, and I think thats all off the top of my head)
However, When I combine these 48 credits with my old initial undergrad degree (Computer Science major), it totals out to about a 3.28 (or around there). And the reason is, my initial undergrad degree was from 140 credits with a 3.0 GPA. However, my science, right now, I believe it be much higher, more like a 3.8 (maybe even more)
So my current numbers are:
GPA (overall) : 3.28
Science GPA (overall) : 3.8+
Post-bacc : 4.0 (48 credits)
So the questions I have so far are:
1) majority of the dental schools I look at, have higher GPAs (between 3.4 and 3.6), how bad in your opinions does this make me look?
2) The beast: DAT, I have been working on the kaplan blue book 2009-2010 edition, mostly focusing on the Biology part cause I think thats the most broad section of the DAT. When I took the practice test as the end of the book (just for the biology section), I felt it was kinda easy, I scored 36 out of the possible 40, which I think according to thier score is like a 21, In your opinions, is the actual biology DAT similar or harder than this practice test?
3) I bought the newest version of the destroyer (one with 350 biology questions), and I have worked through most of them, I average about 7 correct out of every 10, which is wayyyy lower than what I scored on the Kaplan blue book biology, it is kinda frustrating to me, so what I want to know is, how similar is the actual Biology on the DAT to the destroyer DAT..... I have used the search function of this site regarding this very question, and I always read mixed thoughts, some say its "way off" some say "its very good". But thats kinda confusing to me because I think of the destroyer as a study tool rather than a test simulator.
4) When I read the latest barrons DAT book, they say that 53% of applicants to dental schools get to matriculate at some school each cycle, this number seems a little too high for me, is this true?
well, I don't wanna make this any longer lol, I really appreciate you guys providing me with answers to the above questions.... also, if you have any comments / suggestions (harsh or nice) to make, please feel free to speak your mind
P.S I have not applied yet, and I "might" wait till next cycle since I haven't taken the DAT yet, and won't plan on it till I am VERY ready.
My name is Jessica, and I guess people around here would refer to me as a non-traditional applicant. A little story about me, I have been working as a software programmer for almost 4 years now; title: senior software engineer. And almost 3 years ago, I started attending MSU to complete my pre-dent requirements (as a post-bacc student).
So far, in my past 3 years, I have taken 49 credits, with a straight 4.0, classes include my 100, 200, 300 and 400 level biologies and chemistries (General biologies, general chemistries, Organics, human anatomy, genetics, biochemistry I, pharmacology, microbiology, sociology, and I think thats all off the top of my head)
However, When I combine these 48 credits with my old initial undergrad degree (Computer Science major), it totals out to about a 3.28 (or around there). And the reason is, my initial undergrad degree was from 140 credits with a 3.0 GPA. However, my science, right now, I believe it be much higher, more like a 3.8 (maybe even more)
So my current numbers are:
GPA (overall) : 3.28
Science GPA (overall) : 3.8+
Post-bacc : 4.0 (48 credits)
So the questions I have so far are:
1) majority of the dental schools I look at, have higher GPAs (between 3.4 and 3.6), how bad in your opinions does this make me look?
2) The beast: DAT, I have been working on the kaplan blue book 2009-2010 edition, mostly focusing on the Biology part cause I think thats the most broad section of the DAT. When I took the practice test as the end of the book (just for the biology section), I felt it was kinda easy, I scored 36 out of the possible 40, which I think according to thier score is like a 21, In your opinions, is the actual biology DAT similar or harder than this practice test?
3) I bought the newest version of the destroyer (one with 350 biology questions), and I have worked through most of them, I average about 7 correct out of every 10, which is wayyyy lower than what I scored on the Kaplan blue book biology, it is kinda frustrating to me, so what I want to know is, how similar is the actual Biology on the DAT to the destroyer DAT..... I have used the search function of this site regarding this very question, and I always read mixed thoughts, some say its "way off" some say "its very good". But thats kinda confusing to me because I think of the destroyer as a study tool rather than a test simulator.
4) When I read the latest barrons DAT book, they say that 53% of applicants to dental schools get to matriculate at some school each cycle, this number seems a little too high for me, is this true?
well, I don't wanna make this any longer lol, I really appreciate you guys providing me with answers to the above questions.... also, if you have any comments / suggestions (harsh or nice) to make, please feel free to speak your mind
P.S I have not applied yet, and I "might" wait till next cycle since I haven't taken the DAT yet, and won't plan on it till I am VERY ready.