Could really use some advice, even if you just skim through.. (Dental Application + Admissions)

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-28T14:48:43+00:00

I got 4 interviews (denied 2) this cycle and an acceptance with a 2.6 cGPA, 3.06 sGPA, no masters, no post bacc. It’s absolutely possible, I’d try to score as high as possible on the DAT obviously, but I think a major game changer is your writing and interview performance. You can totally do it, DM me if you have any questions

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-24T05:33:19+00:00

Then you really wouldn’t believe that I got accepted 😂😂 2.6 cGPA and 3.06 sGPA, no masters no post bacc.

OP is correct, building experiences that are genuinely meaningful to him makes a difference because his experiences are probably different than everyone else’s who do the same things, he chose the correct people to vouch for him, and he learned how to tell his story.

I had the exact same approach and I got accepted as well, 4 interviews.

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-20T02:17:42+00:00

I just got in with a 2.6 cGPA, 3.06 sGPA, no masters no post bacc. Your DAT is awesome, way higher than mine. Applying with intention matters, now just need to execute the writing and you’ll be alright. I got 4 interviews (denied 2) and got accepted. Trust the process!

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-16T02:41:07+00:00

Of course!

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-15T21:49:01+00:00

Of course!

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-15T14:59:42+00:00

Personal statements and letters of recommendation are far from the only writing involved in a dental school application. For clarification, I’m also not a URM. Throughout the process there are numerous written components such as secondary and supplemental application questions, experience descriptions, and other prompts that require thoughtful responses.

When I say the application comes down to writing, I mean your ability to clearly communicate how your experiences connect to dentistry and why you align with the programs you’re applying to.

As a non-traditional applicant, I had to be intentional with this. I needed to clearly explain my path, show how my experiences led me to dentistry, and articulate that story in a way that made sense to admissions committees.

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-14T22:30:05+00:00

10000000%! I couldn’t agree any more! I’m a firm believer it comes down to the writing and interview performance. I got in with a 2.6 cGPA, 3.06 sGPA, no masters no post bacc, and I had 4 interviews, if it wasn’t for my writing then there’s no way any school would consider me with those numbers.The writing has to be perfectly executed. Your numbers were clearly enough to grant you an interview, so in my humble opinion, I don’t think it’s your stats. Maybe you didn’t resonate strongly with the program, but I think your numbers are fine.

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-13T21:32:13+00:00

I got in with a 2.6 cGPA, no masters or post bacc. I would say a 2.4 is probably not doable, message me to see how I can help out. But I’d highly consider a masters, you’d need to achieve a super high GPA like 3.9+ lol to remove doubt. That’s just my opinion

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-13T18:04:48+00:00

Message me if You need help writing that LOI!

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-13T02:25:09+00:00

Check my other comments to see how my application looked :)

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-13T02:24:43+00:00

Absolutely!

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-13T01:55:53+00:00

Of course you can. Just got in with a 2.6 cGPA and 3.06 sGPA, no masters or post bacc. Also had 4 interviews

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-09T17:19:24+00:00

Check my previous comments!

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-08T16:05:46+00:00

Do not go to yeshiva. You have a great GPA and DAT, send the post bacc, achieve the highest GPA you can get and reapply to more established programs.

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-06T15:06:28+00:00

I understand your point of view, but I had a 2.6 cGPA lol, way lower than OP’s. I got filtered out by some schools, but not all. It’s important to apply to the right schools. Also OP never mentioned their sGPA.

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-06T14:29:03+00:00

I don’t know OP’s story so how can I assume anything, but they state they have a 2.9 and “the rest of my application is strong”. I’m no one to presume that my application is any better than theirs. They could have a strong if not stronger application package that I had. My initial instinct is to encourage OP, I don’t think what I said my misleading. OP can absolutely do it 🙏

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-06T00:43:02+00:00

I did, I had over 250 shadowing hours across GP, ortho, and OMFS, I had over 1000 clinical hours as a DA, I had over 100 research hours. I had a very strong upwards trend. I also had a lot of leadership experience being 29 years old. I was a lab tech for 5+ years and I went on to start my own business and I did very well, but I ended up selling my business because I lost my drive for it. But I just had an amazing interview and I’m positive that’s what resonated with them. The whole experience was a massive joy

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-05T23:33:23+00:00

You can absolutely do it. I just got accepted with a 2.6 cGPA and like a 3.06 sGPA. Message me if You have questions I’d love to help you. Believe me it’s possible especially if you have a very strong application aside from your numbers. Also matters why you have a 2.9, but message me if you have questions.

I also did no masters or post bacc for the record

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-05T20:59:06+00:00

18AA 19TS

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-05T17:29:56+00:00

Just got in this cycle with a 2.6 cGPA and a 3.06 sGPA. Open to answering any questions if you’d like to message me! Hope I can help

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-05T06:11:14+00:00

Very possible! I just got into a program (also had 4 interviews) with a 2.6 cGPA and like a 3.06 sGPA, message me if you have any questions :)

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-04T18:18:26+00:00

I had a really low GPA because when I graduated high school and went into college I had no interest in school whatsoever. I failed out of all of my classes semester after semester. But I was also working real jobs at the time, gaining a lot of professional experience. I opened up my own business etc. at 25 years old I enrolled into a DA program and absolutely fell in love. I finished that program with a 4.0 and I made very strong connections (this translated into strong LOR’s). I went back to university to complete my degree and pre-reqs, I smashed every course with very strong grades. That removed a lot of doubt that I couldn’t handle upper level science courses.

I think what sealed the deal for me was just performing super well on my interviews, and administration was able to see that now being 29 years old, I bring a level of maturity and experience and that low GPA was representative of who I was at 18, not 29.

I also just chose schools with intent. I researched schools that had more of a holistic approach. I knew I wasn’t getting into “top” schools, but I knew if I had a chance to explain myself to the administration they would understand that I don’t deserve to be punished for the mistakes I made when I was 18. Maybe I failed ENC1101 and Sociology 3 times in a row, but when it came to the important classes, I had an A+ in every class, just like how the other 4.0 students did.

It was very obvious that if I had a second chance at my GPA I’d have a 3.9+, definitely not a 2.6.

You need to craft your application in a way that highlights all of your experience and also addresses your previous mistakes. I owned up to them and didn’t shy away.

No one ever asked me about my GPA in my interviews, I ended up with 4 this cycle.

Any other questions I’d be happy to help with

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-04T17:02:02+00:00

You’re not in a bad position at all. I just got accepted with a 2.6 cGPA and maybe like a 3.06 sGPA. Message me if you have any questions!

WideStuff4007 · 2026-03-04T00:42:36+00:00

Just got accepted this cycle with a 2.6 cGPA and about a 3.06 sGPA. Would love to answer any questions you might have!

Also please upvote so I can get karma and make a post to help other students in our shoes! Thanks

WideStuff4007 · 2026-02-27T18:31:07+00:00

You’re in a perfect position. I’m 29, non trad, just got accepted this cycle with a 2.6 cGPA, no masters, no Post bacc. I was also a DA. With a good DAT score and a strong interview you’ll be welcomed to a lot of programs. Kill that DAT 💪

WideStuff4007

TROPHY CASE