WAMC? 2024-2025 Cycle (Low GPA)

[Smilin'JackLambert]

Overall GPA: 2.9 (2.53 undergrad, 3.95 post bacc)
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 23 AA, 23 TS, 21 BIO, 26 GC, 26 OC, 21 RC, 21 PAT, 19 QR
State of Residence: PA

Undergrad Attended: Pennsylvania State University (2020)
Major: Biology
Minor: N/A
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes, graduated college with no outlook towards my future and applying to dental school 4 years after graduation. Difficulties finding a career direction and decided to return to school and work towards a professional medical profession. I was exposed to the field of dental medicine and returned to school. Began at a community college in August 2022 and took night classes for OC and Physics while working full-time at a nearby dental school in their patient services department. In May 2023 I was accepted into a pre-medicine post-bacc program at a local university and transitioned to working part-time, I will be obtaining my certificate this spring and have taken 50 credits. I took my DAT in January 2024.

Shadowing Experience: 40 hours general, 16 hours general, 28 hours periodontist, 18 hours orthodontist


Volunteering Experience: 32 hours of dental assisting/patient triage at a Mission of Mercy event (2022 and 2023), 360 hours of volunteer dental assisting experience at a general dentistry practice (October 2022-Present)


Employment:

September 2020-July 2022: Research assistant in a histology and biospecimen processing core associated with local university.

October 2021-July 2022: Second job as bartender at local restaurant.

July 2022-Present: Patient experience specialist at local dental school, coordinating the administrative aspects of providing dental care to patients in the comprehensive care clinic.


Research: Unsure if first employment experience would count towards research… no publications but would service PI’s with sectioning and IHC/special stains on clinical samples.

Other Extracurriculars: During undergraduate I was president of my fraternity, visual contributor for a student run news blog, and on the new member committee for a philanthropy student organization. (Should I still include these)?


Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? Established relationships with members at nearby dental school through networking ability with my employment. MoM is associated strongly with local dental program. Dentists I have shadowed also have close relations with local dental program.


Relevant Honors or Awards: Deans list every semester since May 2022 (Good to add? no other accolades)


LOR type and strength: Committee letter including associate dental professor, department director, and immediate supervisor (strong). Community college OC professor (strong). Post-Bacc biochemistry professor/prehealth advisor (very strong). General dentist who I have been assisting (strong).


Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: 2.53 in undergrad at PSU didn’t apply myself to schoolwork and the passing of my father my junior year disrupted my focus, using personal statement to explain my process of maturing and applying myself to my full academic potential. Worried because of cumulative undergrad GPA is only 2.9 with my 3.95 in post-bacc. I will be applying early in the 2024-2025 cycle. What should I do in order to improve my competitiveness? Do I stand a chance with my upward trend, despite a 2.9 overall GPA?


School list: (East Coast)
Pitt, Case Western Reserve, LECOM, Temple University, Ohio State University, University of Maryland, Virginia Commonwealth University, Marquette University, UNC, University of Iowa, Rutgers, West Virginia. Would love suggestions and advice with this section, should I send emails out to schools?

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[macsak]

Overall GPA: 2.9 (2.53 undergrad, 3.95 post bacc)
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 23 AA, 23 TS, 21 BIO, 26 GC, 26 OC, 21 RC, 21 PAT, 19 QR
State of Residence: PA

Undergrad Attended: Pennsylvania State University (2020)
Major: Biology
Minor: N/A
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes, graduated college with no outlook towards my future and applying to dental school 4 years after graduation. Difficulties finding a career direction and decided to return to school and work towards a professional medical profession. I was exposed to the field of dental medicine and returned to school. Began at a community college in August 2022 and took night classes for OC and Physics while working full-time at a nearby dental school in their patient services department. In May 2023 I was accepted into a pre-medicine post-bacc program at a local university and transitioned to working part-time, I will be obtaining my certificate this spring and have taken 50 credits. I took my DAT in January 2024.

Shadowing Experience: 40 hours general, 16 hours general, 28 hours periodontist, 18 hours orthodontist


Volunteering Experience: 32 hours of dental assisting/patient triage at the Mission of Mercy (2022 and 2023), 360 hours of volunteer dental assisting experience at a general dentistry practice (October 2022-Present)


Employment:

September 2020-July 2022: Research assistant in a histology and biospecimen processing core associated with local university.

October 2021-July 2022: Second job as bartender at local restaurant.

July 2022-Present: Patient experience specialist at local dental school, coordinating the administrative aspects of providing dental care to patients in the comprehensive care clinic.


Research: Unsure if first employment experience would count towards research… no publications but would service PI’s with sectioning and IHC/special stains on clinical samples.

Other Extracurriculars: During undergraduate I was president of my fraternity, co-visual leader for a student run news blog, and on the new member committee for a philanthropic student organization. (Should I still include these)?


Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? Established relationships with members at nearby dental school through networking ability with my job. MoM is also associated strongly with local dental program. Dentists I have shadowed also have close relations with local dental program.


Relevant Honors or Awards: Deans list every semester since May 2022 (Good to add? no other accolades)


LOR type and strength: Committee letter including associate dental professor, department director, and immediate supervisor (strong). Community college OC professor (strong). Post-Bacc biochemistry professor/prehealth advisor (very strong). General dentist who I have been volunteering for (strong).


Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: 2.53 in undergrad at PSU didn’t apply myself to schoolwork and the passing of my father my junior year disrupted my focus, using personal statement to explain my process of maturing and applying myself to my full academic potential. Worried because of cumulative undergrad GPA is only 2.9 with my 3.95 in post-bacc. I will be applying early in the 2024-2025 cycle. What should I do in order to improve my competitiveness? Do I stand a chance with my upward trend, despite a 2.9 overall GPA?


School list: (East Coast)
Pitt, Case Western Reserve, LECOM, Temple University, Ohio State University, University of Maryland, Virginia University, Marquette University, UNC, University of Iowa, Rutgers, West Virginia. Would love suggestions and advice with this section, should I send emails out to schools?

what's your science gpa?

 

[macsak]

Overall GPA: 2.9 (2.53 undergrad, 3.95 post bacc)
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 23 AA, 23 TS, 21 BIO, 26 GC, 26 OC, 21 RC, 21 PAT, 19 QR
State of Residence: PA

Undergrad Attended: Pennsylvania State University (2020)
Major: Biology
Minor: N/A
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes, graduated college with no outlook towards my future and applying to dental school 4 years after graduation. Difficulties finding a career direction and decided to return to school and work towards a professional medical profession. I was exposed to the field of dental medicine and returned to school. Began at a community college in August 2022 and took night classes for OC and Physics while working full-time at a nearby dental school in their patient services department. In May 2023 I was accepted into a pre-medicine post-bacc program at a local university and transitioned to working part-time, I will be obtaining my certificate this spring and have taken 50 credits. I took my DAT in January 2024.

Shadowing Experience: 40 hours general, 16 hours general, 28 hours periodontist, 18 hours orthodontist


Volunteering Experience: 32 hours of dental assisting/patient triage at the Mission of Mercy (2022 and 2023), 360 hours of volunteer dental assisting experience at a general dentistry practice (October 2022-Present)


Employment:

September 2020-July 2022: Research assistant in a histology and biospecimen processing core associated with local university.

October 2021-July 2022: Second job as bartender at local restaurant.

July 2022-Present: Patient experience specialist at local dental school, coordinating the administrative aspects of providing dental care to patients in the comprehensive care clinic.


Research: Unsure if first employment experience would count towards research… no publications but would service PI’s with sectioning and IHC/special stains on clinical samples.

Other Extracurriculars: During undergraduate I was president of my fraternity, co-visual leader for a student run news blog, and on the new member committee for a philanthropic student organization. (Should I still include these)?


Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? Established relationships with members at nearby dental school through networking ability with my job. MoM is also associated strongly with local dental program. Dentists I have shadowed also have close relations with local dental program.


Relevant Honors or Awards: Deans list every semester since May 2022 (Good to add? no other accolades)


LOR type and strength: Committee letter including associate dental professor, department director, and immediate supervisor (strong). Community college OC professor (strong). Post-Bacc biochemistry professor/prehealth advisor (very strong). General dentist who I have been volunteering for (strong).


Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: 2.53 in undergrad at PSU didn’t apply myself to schoolwork and the passing of my father my junior year disrupted my focus, using personal statement to explain my process of maturing and applying myself to my full academic potential. Worried because of cumulative undergrad GPA is only 2.9 with my 3.95 in post-bacc. I will be applying early in the 2024-2025 cycle. What should I do in order to improve my competitiveness? Do I stand a chance with my upward trend, despite a 2.9 overall GPA?


School list: (East Coast)
Pitt, Case Western Reserve, LECOM, Temple University, Ohio State University, University of Maryland, Virginia University, Marquette University, UNC, University of Iowa, Rutgers, West Virginia. Would love suggestions and advice with this section, should I send emails out to schools?

how did you choose your list?

 

[Smilin'JackLambert]

what's your science gpa?

Overall Science GPA: 2.65

Undergrad Science GPA: 2.20

Post Bacc Science GPA: 3.96

 

[Smilin'JackLambert]

how did you choose your list?

My list is in no order, what had the most weight on the schools selected was their proximity to family members. I’m from PA and I have family in NC, WI, and IA. OH, VA, MD, and NJ are close driving. I have meet their required prereqs, DAT numbers, and shadowing hours, although excluding an overall GPA number. I will have to depend on a committee to view my app holistically. In my personal statement I talk briefly about my growth and maturity as well as my academic discipline, I'm praying that they can see the difference in who I was. I know that my professor recommendations will strongly support not only my academics but also leadership. I show strong trends, but I didn’t hit the mark. I wanted others’ opinions on what I will be presenting.

I want to submit my app right at the opening in June. Tell me if I should be thinking about other programs or ways on how I should alter my list. No matter what I am going to apply this upcoming cycle.

 

[macsak]

My list is in no order, what had the most weight on the schools selected was their proximity to family members. I’m from PA and I have family in NC, WI, and IA. OH, VA, MD, and NJ are close driving. I have meet their required prereqs, DAT numbers, and shadowing hours, although excluding an overall GPA number. I will have to depend on a committee to view my app holistically. In my personal statement I talk briefly about my growth and maturity as well as my academic discipline, I'm praying that they can see the difference in who I was. I know that my professor recommendations will strongly support not only my academics but also leadership. I show strong trends, but I didn’t hit the mark. I wanted others’ opinions on what I will be presenting.

I want to submit my app right at the opening in June. Tell me if I should be thinking about other programs or ways on how should alter my list. No matter what I am going to apply this upcoming cycle.

you need to show schools that you have mission fit (not proximity to family)

and you need to include more private schools, your list is almost all OOS publics...

 

[Smilin'JackLambert]

you need to show schools that you have mission fit (not proximity to family)

and you need to include more private schools, your list is almost all OOS publics...

Thank you for the information, where would you recommend?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Unless you grew up in Appalachia, West Virginia won't be a good fit. However if your Mission of Mercy experience was in rural Appalachia, if your passion is to help there, you can apply there. As in-state, Pittsburgh would fit you better.

I don't get the sense Maryland is OOS friendly. If you love urban dentistry, Temple works better. So would Detroit Mercy (as you have Case and Marquette).

UNC, Ohio State, and Iowa will be a reach with your GPA history. I could keep Rutgers.

 

[Smilin'JackLambert]

Unless you grew up in Appalachia, West Virginia won't be a good fit. However if your Mission of Mercy experience was in rural Appalachia, if your passion is to help there, you can apply there. As in-state, Pittsburgh would fit you better.

I don't get the sense Maryland is OOS friendly. If you love urban dentistry, Temple works better. So would Detroit Mercy (as you have Case and Marquette).

UNC, Ohio State, and Iowa will be a reach with your GPA history. I could keep Rutgers.

Thank you for letting me know about WV, and Pittsburgh has been a top option of mine. I continue to remain in close contact with those involved with the program.

I will look into Detroit Mercy, along with continuing to do more research into the schools I have already selected. Should I be calling these programs now? Later? Or just send an email? Informing them of my situation but my strong intention to pursue dentistry and my interest in their program…

 

[macsak]

Thank you for the information, where would you recommend?

i recommend you do your own research and come back with your new list...

 

[macsak]

Overall GPA: 2.9 (2.53 undergrad, 3.95 post bacc)
DAT score (include AA and all sections): 23 AA, 23 TS, 21 BIO, 26 GC, 26 OC, 21 RC, 21 PAT, 19 QR
State of Residence: PA

Undergrad Attended: Pennsylvania State University (2020)
Major: Biology
Minor: N/A
Minority? No
Reapplicant? No
Nontrad? Yes, graduated college with no outlook towards my future and applying to dental school 4 years after graduation. Difficulties finding a career direction and decided to return to school and work towards a professional medical profession. I was exposed to the field of dental medicine and returned to school. Began at a community college in August 2022 and took night classes for OC and Physics while working full-time at a nearby dental school in their patient services department. In May 2023 I was accepted into a pre-medicine post-bacc program at a local university and transitioned to working part-time, I will be obtaining my certificate this spring and have taken 50 credits. I took my DAT in January 2024.

Shadowing Experience: 40 hours general, 16 hours general, 28 hours periodontist, 18 hours orthodontist


Volunteering Experience: 32 hours of dental assisting/patient triage at a Mission of Mercy event (2022 and 2023), 360 hours of volunteer dental assisting experience at a general dentistry practice (October 2022-Present)


Employment:

September 2020-July 2022: Research assistant in a histology and biospecimen processing core associated with local university.

October 2021-July 2022: Second job as bartender at local restaurant.

July 2022-Present: Patient experience specialist at local dental school, coordinating the administrative aspects of providing dental care to patients in the comprehensive care clinic.


Research: Unsure if first employment experience would count towards research… no publications but would service PI’s with sectioning and IHC/special stains on clinical samples.

Other Extracurriculars: During undergraduate I was president of my fraternity, visual contributor for a student run news blog, and on the new member committee for a philanthropy student organization. (Should I still include these)?


Have you volunteered/shadowed/attended events at any dental schools? Established relationships with members at nearby dental school through networking ability with my employment. MoM is associated strongly with local dental program. Dentists I have shadowed also have close relations with local dental program.


Relevant Honors or Awards: Deans list every semester since May 2022 (Good to add? no other accolades)


LOR type and strength: Committee letter including associate dental professor, department director, and immediate supervisor (strong). Community college OC professor (strong). Post-Bacc biochemistry professor/prehealth advisor (very strong). General dentist who I have been assisting (strong).


Misc Info/Things not stated elsewhere/Red Flags: 2.53 in undergrad at PSU didn’t apply myself to schoolwork and the passing of my father my junior year disrupted my focus, using personal statement to explain my process of maturing and applying myself to my full academic potential. Worried because of cumulative undergrad GPA is only 2.9 with my 3.95 in post-bacc. I will be applying early in the 2024-2025 cycle. What should I do in order to improve my competitiveness? Do I stand a chance with my upward trend, despite a 2.9 overall GPA?


School list: (East Coast)
Pitt, Case Western Reserve, LECOM, Temple University, Ohio State University, University of Maryland, Virginia University, Marquette University, UNC, University of Iowa, Rutgers, West Virginia. Would love suggestions and advice with this section, should I send emails out to schools?

there is no "virginia university" dental school
UNC is very OOS unfriendly, OOS acceptances generally have really high stats
your list of 12 schools is way too short...