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Member 465747 · 05-01-2012, 06:09 PM

I’d really appreciate a little advice on how to approachthis application cycle. I am currently a junior at a small Baptist college andhave been pursuing pharmacy school for the past 4 years. Recently, I havedecided to change my career to dentistry. I don’t know much about how to applyto dental school but here is a little about me:

I currently have a 2.98 cumulative GPA and a 3.1biology/chemistry GPA. I haven’t taken the DAT yet but plan to this summer. Iwill also have 80 completed hours shadowing/working with a dentist and 20 hourswith an oral surgeon. I am also Secretary of Tri Beta Biological Honors Society at my university.

Important classes/grades:
Organic I –C lab – B-
Organic II –C+ lab – A-
General Chem– B+ lab – B
QuantitativeAnalytical Chem – B- lab – A-
Gross/CadaverAnatomy – A
MammalianPhysiology – B
Embryology –B
Genetics –B+
Cell andMolecular Bio – B
Pathology –A
Microbiology– B

Of coursethese are not all my grades or my GPA wouldn’t be so low. These are my upperlevel and pre-req classes. I only want to attend/apply to Tennessee School ofDentistry – which is in-state for me – so I will need at least a 20 DAT tosurvive. I will be taking Biochemistry and Histology this upcoming fall alongwith other university required courses to complete my degree in Biology. I havealso looked into a Masters in Biochemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology toenhance my GPA.

I guess whatI’m asking is, should I apply this year? If so, would applying in August be early enough?Or should I wait for my fall grades to improve my GPA? What should be my gameplan?

Thanks foryour help!

05-01-2012, 06:09 PM	#1
Member 465747 New Member Status Pre-Health Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 4	Prepharm to Predental: Need a game plan! I’d really appreciate a little advice on how to approachthis application cycle. I am currently a junior at a small Baptist college andhave been pursuing pharmacy school for the past 4 years. Recently, I havedecided to change my career to dentistry. I don’t know much about how to applyto dental school but here is a little about me: I currently have a 2.98 cumulative GPA and a 3.1biology/chemistry GPA. I haven’t taken the DAT yet but plan to this summer. Iwill also have 80 completed hours shadowing/working with a dentist and 20 hourswith an oral surgeon. I am also Secretary of Tri Beta Biological Honors Society at my university. Important classes/grades: Organic I –C lab – B- Organic II –C+ lab – A- General Chem– B+ lab – B QuantitativeAnalytical Chem – B- lab – A- Gross/CadaverAnatomy – A MammalianPhysiology – B Embryology –B Genetics –B+ Cell andMolecular Bio – B Pathology –A Microbiology– B Of coursethese are not all my grades or my GPA wouldn’t be so low. These are my upperlevel and pre-req classes. I only want to attend/apply to Tennessee School ofDentistry – which is in-state for me – so I will need at least a 20 DAT tosurvive. I will be taking Biochemistry and Histology this upcoming fall alongwith other university required courses to complete my degree in Biology. I havealso looked into a Masters in Biochemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology toenhance my GPA. I guess whatI’m asking is, should I apply this year? If so, would applying in August be early enough?Or should I wait for my fall grades to improve my GPA? What should be my gameplan? Thanks foryour help!