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I'd like to start a thread that can be a one stop shop for western admissions knowledge. I'll write down what I've heard and welcome anyone who has additional info to add to my post.

Component breakdown in 2012 (Pre-ABS):
60% - GPA
15% - DAT 
25% - Interview
http://forums.premed101.com/topic/64946-canadian-dental-schools-recent-statistics-prereqs-charts/
(If anyone has a more up-to-date breakdown including ABS, please share)
 

Statistics
In regards to the DAT, in previous years western used RC as a cut off and looked at AA.
 -RC cutoff is typically 18 or 19 depending on applicant pool
        -last year's admitted average was 21 (22 the year before) (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med_dent_admissions/docs/AdmissionStatistics_Dentistry_Classof2022.pdf-)
-AA is the primary DAT score assessed
        -the last two year's admitted average was 21
-new line added to website: "All sections of the DAT may be considered in the selection process, with the exception of the Manual Dexterity section"
       -implies PAT will be incorporated into formula as this is the only section not previously assessed (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med_dent_admissions/dentistry/admission_requirements.html)
GPA is assessed based on two best years where the course years are reflective of the student's year of study. There is a penalty for reduced course load (degree of penalty not disclosed). Area of study is supposedly not taken into consideration (only completion of prerequisites as a B or higher). (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med_dent_admissions/dentistry/admission_requirements.html)
       -Last year's average admitted GPA was 88.46% (2 years ago was 89.16%)
       -Last year's range of admitted GPA was 83 -94% (2 years ago was 81-97%)

 

Calculating GPA to Percent:

Email from UWO says:
If transcripts show a letter and percentage grade we use the percentage grade.  If transcripts show only a letter grade then we convert the letter grades to a percentage using the OMSAS scale.  Please click on this link to the OMSAS conversion table
https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/omsas-conversion-table/ .  You would need to find which scale represents the university you took the course at and then find the letter grade you received in that scale.  We would then convert to the percentage that is the mid-point in the range listed in scale 3.  So yes, for Queen’s an A would be converted to an 87%.

To be added:
-If anyone has any information on their most recent breakdown including ABS and what they're looking for would be helpful (ie. is there an emphasis on shadowing, leadership, commitment, etc.)
-range of DAT scores accepted to better understand how low an aspect of one's application can be if compensated elsewhere
-how much preferential treatment do western undergrads receive

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5 minutes ago, cando said:

Have you heard anything about how gpa differences correlate to points given? Like what the diff b/w 87 and 88% or 89 vs 90% would be? Has this ever been disclosed in the past?

I'm not aware of their point system and I doubt that has ever been disclosed as that's quite a specific detail of their selection process. I believe all 87% and up applicants would receive an interview barring any applicants with subpar DAT scores and/or ABS. This is only my opinion, but post-interview, I would guess the difference in GPA by a couple percentages is not too significant a determining factor. That being said, every percent helps

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2 minutes ago, BROSCIENTIST said:

Not true.

With the average being 88% last year you don't think so (they still have to meet cut offs and have proper experiences)?
 

14 minutes ago, BROSCIENTIST said:

No preferential treatment for Western undergrads.

I remember reading their preference for western undergrads somewhere (my friend remembers as well), but maybe it's been retracted because I can't find it now. But the 2022 statistics imply such a preference

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17 hours ago, HopefulDDS said:

I'd like to start a thread that can be a one stop shop for western admissions knowledge. I'll write down what I've heard and welcome anyone who has additional info to add to my post.

Component breakdown in 2012 (Pre-ABS):
60% - GPA
15% - DAT 
25% - Interview
http://forums.premed101.com/topic/64946-canadian-dental-schools-recent-statistics-prereqs-charts/
(If anyone has a more up-to-date breakdown including ABS, please share)
 

Statistics
In regards to the DAT, in previous years western used RC as a cut off and looked at AA.
 -RC cutoff is typically 18 or 19 depending on applicant pool
        -last year's admitted average was 21 (22 the year before) (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med_dent_admissions/docs/AdmissionStatistics_Dentistry_Classof2022.pdf-)
-AA is the primary DAT score assessed
        -the last two year's admitted average was 21
-new line added to website: "All sections of the DAT may be considered in the selection process, with the exception of the Manual Dexterity section"
       -implies PAT will be incorporated into formula as this is the only section not previously assessed (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med_dent_admissions/dentistry/admission_requirements.html)
GPA is assessed based on two best years where the course years are reflective of the student's year of study. There is a penalty for reduced course load (degree of penalty not disclosed). Area of study is supposedly not taken into consideration (only completion of prerequisites as a B or higher). (https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/med_dent_admissions/dentistry/admission_requirements.html)
       -Last year's average admitted GPA was 88.46% (2 years ago was 89.16%)
       -Last year's range of admitted GPA was 83 -94% (2 years ago was 81-97%)

 

Calculating GPA to Percent:

Email from UWO says:
If transcripts show a letter and percentage grade we use the percentage grade.  If transcripts show only a letter grade then we convert the letter grades to a percentage using the OMSAS scale.  Please click on this link to the OMSAS conversion table
https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/omsas-conversion-table/ .  You would need to find which scale represents the university you took the course at and then find the letter grade you received in that scale.  We would then convert to the percentage that is the mid-point in the range listed in scale 3.  So yes, for Queen’s an A would be converted to an 87%.

To be added:
-If anyone has any information on their most recent breakdown including ABS and what they're looking for would be helpful (ie. is there an emphasis on shadowing, leadership, commitment, etc.)
-range of DAT scores accepted to better understand how low an aspect of one's application can be if compensated elsewhere
-how much preferential treatment do western undergrads receive

Do you think this means they are going to use PAT this year for sure or they may be experimenting. Also do you think they might use it as a cut off variable like RC?! 

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18 hours ago, BROSCIENTIST said:

Interview/ABS is very important.
Most people/everyone has shadowing experience.
Grad students get a boost.
No preferential treatment for Western undergrads.

Not true.

Grad students get a boost, do you know more about that? Like how much of a difference it makes? Course versus research based masters? Thank you!

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You're asking for details that cannot be given and for all intents and purposes are very hard to put in a calculation. For example: "If I have a 19 on RC, if I add something in my CV that demonstrates leadership, everything will be balanced right?". There are no correct answers to this and "it depends". 

Reality is. If you have good grades, decent DAT, follow your passions and it shows in your ABS then it will come down to doing well in your interview + luck. 

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On 12/21/2018 at 10:20 AM, Prof.A.DumbleDore said:

You're asking for details that cannot be given and for all intents and purposes are very hard to put in a calculation. For example: "If I have a 19 on RC, if I add something in my CV that demonstrates leadership, everything will be balanced right?". There are no correct answers to this and "it depends". 

Reality is. If you have good grades, decent DAT, follow your passions and it shows in your ABS then it will come down to doing well in your interview + luck. 

I don't fully agree. There is a calculation that western uses. We just don't know it's contents fully. Historically RC has just been a hard cutoff at 18 or 19 so in theory your example candidate would likely get an interview.

But yes to be safe, striving for excellence in all regards is a safe bet

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15 minutes ago, HopefulDDS said:

I don't fully agree. There is a calculation that western uses. We just don't know it's contents fully. Historically RC has just been a hard cutoff at 18 or 19 so in theory your example candidate would likely get an interview.

But yes to be save striving for excellence in all regards is a safe bet

The ABS is inherently subjective. My point is yes there is a score given but there is no way of knowing what will give certain points and how specifically or to what magnitude it will make up for a weakness in another aspect of your application. The writing quality, the committtee and their inherent biases and how much it will impact your ABS score cannot be predicted. 

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5 hours ago, GreedyGod said:

How could 20 be the RC cutoff. When we have people with 18 RC accepted last year. 

Can confirm there are matriculated students with an 18 RC. This with the average RC of 21 last year leads me to believe the initial cutoff is likely 18-19 from year to year but it continues to be a factor of evaluation beyond the cutoff.

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Can anyone give insight to why western would reject students with GPAs and DAT scores meeting or exceeding the average of matriculating students (ie 89%+ and 21+ respectively)? And no red flags on their ABS like no shadowing, no club involvement, or doing nothing during summers.

Trying to assess some less obvious weak points as I know they need to differentiate strong candidates somehow.

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30 minutes ago, HopefulDDS said:

Can anyone give insight to why western would reject students with GPAs and DAT scores meeting or exceeding the average of matriculating students (ie 89%+ and 21+ respectively)? And no red flags on their ABS like no shadowing, no club involvement, or doing nothing during summers.

Trying to assess some less obvious weak points as I know they need to differentiate strong candidates somehow.

Interview plays a big role. Was rejected last year with a 91 avg and 21+ DAT as well as a good ABS but felt I did terrible on the interview. 

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