Pitt GAP Dental Concerns....

Hello there! A couple of weeks ago I got accepted into the guaranteed admissions program for Pitt’s dental school. While I’m super excited about it, I’m not sure if it’s the best choice. Doing some research, I know that Pitt’s requirements in the past were super strict (3.8 GPA and 22 DAT). However, they have now changed it to 3.7 GPA in science core classes (bio chem physics) and a 3.5 GPA overall. As a bonus, the DAT is no longer a requirement. I also live in Pittsburgh, and will most likely receive some scholarships from Pitt. However, I’m concerned about how hard it is to reach those requirements: if I don’t meet those requirements, then I’m kinda “stuck” at Pitt (not to shade Pitt). I’m also applying to Case Western’s 7 year dental program, which is much more expensive, but I need only a 3.5 overall and a 19 on the DAT. So basically I’m wondering how hard is it to get those gpas at Pitt and if not whether or not it’s worth it to still go to Pitt.

I don’t think you are required to go to Pitt for dental school if you have the GAP, but if you end up meeting the requirements then you are in and don’t have to spend time and money applying and interviewing at other dental schools.

Also look at tuition information at other dental schools. You will probably only have loans as “aid”. Instate tuition at Pitt might be a big savings over OOS tuition.

Think about the possibility that you will change your major as well. It’s possible. And a 7yr program is probably not easier either.

Referring to your last statement, that’s one of my primary concerns of going to Pitt. I’ve shadowed dentists before and have wanted to become a dentist since middle school, but there is definitely still a chance that I may want to switch majors.

I still have to wait and see what kind of financial package they’ll offer me, but it seems at the current moment that Pitt is my #1 choice. Hopefully I can come back soon with updates!

Pitt offers all kinds of majors. You can see what you like to study once there, you still have lots of time to decide.

And the dental GAP is a help not a hindrance if you find that after your bachelor’s degree, you still want to do dental school.

Yes, apply to several schools and compare FA packages, you have until May 1 to decide where you want to go.

My son also got in - U Pitt guarantee Dental admission program. That school is ranked 7 in the nation. Just want to know how good is the program and how many students get accepted to this program every year. Any other details/help is greatly appreciated

Yes–my daughter was also admitted and I wonder the same–how many have been accepted? How easy is it to get 3.7 at U Pitt? Are most of these students doing the honors’ program, too?

I’m in the dental GAP at pitt as well! congrats

@Fritocat —I would say it is not easy to get a 3.7 GPA at Pitt. It is not a blowoff school for sure. But one can take advantage of some solid advising, not overload with crazy hard classes every semester and stay prepared.

Does anyone know why it is so much harder to get into the medical school guaranteed admission than the dental school? Is it always this way?

Anyone know how many students get admitted into the program versus how many actually end up meeting the requirements for the program and getting admitted into the Dental School as I too have gotten into the program.

By the time you need to apply to dental school, you will know what your GPA is in most of your sciences classes, right?

It seems you need a 3.5 in BCMP and 3.7 overall.

If you don’t get a high enough GPA, then you will probably have a harder time getting accepted to other dental schools too.

So work hard, and see where your GPA and DAT is when the time comes to apply to dental school.

If it’s high enough for Pitt, then accept the guaranteed seat, if not then you can apply to other dental schools.

@Fritocat I think it just comes down to the fact that so many more people apply to the med program to begin with. With so many applicants standards raise.

@GibbsFreeEnegry I was wondering that too. I know at Case Western their dental program has a 100% success and retention rate. However, when I visited Pitt’s dental school over the summer, no one seemed to know anyone from the program. I don’t know if it was a bad sample group to ask or not but I would be really interested to hear about the stats of the program.

When we visited Admissions yesterday, they said around 12 offers are made and depending on the year 2-6 successfully matriculate. We are having a hard time deciding on this too.

You can go to Pitt for predental and dental school (if you have the GAP and meet requirements), or you can go to another school for predental and then apply to Pitt and other dental schools.

It’s up to you. If your goal is Pitt dental school and you are offered the GAP, you would have a higher chance to go there than others applying from elsewhere.

You can call and ask how many students that had the dental GAP and wanted to attend Pitt dental school didn’t keep their GPA.

Some of those predental students might have changed their mind about their major.

In our area in PA the majority of dentists and oral surgeons seem to have graduated from Pitt dental school.
It is a well respected program.

Maybe the dental school can put you in contact with some alumni.

The Pitt medical gap is very competitive because med school admission in general is very competitive and Pitt has the excellent UPMC system right there in close proximity as well.

They only pick a few med GAP students a year and they have to keep a 3.75 overall GPA I think.

My D was pre-pharmacy and kept a high GPA. She studied a lot. She had to take bio, chem, Ochem, but had AP credit for Calc and didn’t have to take physics.

I also remember asking questions about success rate and numbers last fall. Someone told me 8 matriculated this year. I believe that they lowered science GPA to 3.5 which is helping sucees rate so I do think it’s doable. It is an excellent program.

I think if you have a 1470 or higher SAT in order to get the dental GAP, and did well in your science classes in high school, then you have the ability and potential to do well in the science classes in college.

You will need to be dedicated to your studies. Forming study groups helps, and attending all lectures, recitations, etc.

My impression from my daughter’s experience was that professors wanted the students to succeed, some offered extra review sessions before exams, which she attended.

She also used to go to professor office hours if she had questions, and TAs were available for questions as well.

I went back through my emails and found a response from Pitt Dental Admissions that there are going to be 6 GAP dental students matriculating into the dental school this coming Fall. The success rate seems to be quite variable.

@mommdc would you be willing to share your D’s GPA as a Pitt pre-pharmacy student?

@wisconmom, I will pm you.

I think the number of students matriculating to Pitt dental school via GAP might still not reflect how many had the dental GAP, how many of those changed majors, and how many could have attended Pitt dental school, but decided to either pursue other professional school or matriculated to other dental schools.