Newbie to dental school

[brucema2910]

Hi everyone, I hope you guys can help me out to sort my crisis. So, I just graduated from college with a biochem degree, oGPA 2.97. Since I wanted to do some health related jobs so I actually worked in the ER and volunteer here and there. I just found out that I have a passion with dental school. I also did some research on few dental schools about the GPA or DAT requirements. Some of them even require I have to shadow at least 4 different dentists. So I am really lost right now. Should I take some post bacc to improve my gpa? And currently I am looking for DAT prep courses if you guys have any recommendations please help me out since the only trust-worthy two I found are Kaplan and Princeton Review. Many thanks.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[macsak]

don't do Kaplan or Princeton review...

read the DAT prep subforum...

 

[FanOfCostco]

No matter what you will end up doing self study. The only benefit is Kaplan and Princeton gives you way too easy practice tests.

 

[giannis]

Since you are a biochem major, I wouldn't recommend a post-bac, instead pursue a masters degree.
You definitely do not need to shadow 4 different dentists. Not sure which schools require 4.
Honestly, 1-2 should be fine but make sure you meet the minimum # of shadowing hours required.

DO NOT take any DAT courses. All you need is chads videos [review chemistry], DAT bootcamp, DAT destroyer and another source to supplement for the biology section since its so broad. For the 2 chemistry sections, I can guarantee you at least a 20 if you just use DAT destroyer and really understand the concepts NOT just memorizing the answers.

 

[brucema2910]

Thank you very much guys. You guys are more than helpful. but for my low GPA besides post bacc or master, is there anyway or it is the only way?

 

[brucema2910]

Since you are a biochem major, I wouldn't recommend a post-bac, instead pursue a masters degree.
You definitely do not need to shadow 4 different dentists. Not sure which schools require 4.
Honestly, 1-2 should be fine but make sure you meet the minimum # of shadowing hours required.

DO NOT take any DAT courses. All you need is chads videos [review chemistry], DAT bootcamp, DAT destroyer and another source to supplement for the biology section since its so broad. For the 2 chemistry sections, I can guarantee you at least a 20 if you just use DAT destroyer and really understand the concepts NOT just memorizing the answers.

Thank you Giannis, can you please tell me why I should go for master instead of post bacc since I heard master will give you a new GPA instead of boosting my low GPA. Plus, I also found on google that post bacc can only boost up to 0.3 GPA only.

 

[REACHOn]

For a solid chance you'll need to do a post-bacc or masters and maintain a good grade ~3.5 GPA. DAT destroyer, Chad's videos, Ferralis notes and DAT Bootcamp are what I used back when I was studying for the DAT. You can also find a few practice test. Remember to understand the question and the concept vs memorizing the questions. DAT Bootcamp for example gives you explanations, and if you still feel unsure utilize the web for more info. Turn them weaknesses to strength instead of ignoring them. I scored a 21. I did have a little of Kaplan book on the side because it was easier and it gave me a sense of grasping the concept which allowed me to keep pushing forward, in comparison to DAT Destroyer, which destroyed me. Spend about 2 good month studying for it if you have a solid background and you should do okay. The tips that people are giving you for study material are not definitive. All the resources work differently on different people. The general majority just seems to accept the studying materials listed above.
For the shadowing part, you have to meet a minimum set by the school. Most are about 50-100hrs, but most students applying seem to have well over 100hrs but then those are the more traditional ones. I did not run into a school that required 4 dentist, but I felt 2 was an adequate number. I had 2 general dentist and 1 specialist OMFS under my belt.

Good luck, stay positive and ReachOn

 

[giannis]

Thank you Giannis, can you please tell me why I should go for master instead of post bacc since I heard master will give you a new GPA instead of boosting my low GPA. Plus, I also found on google that post bacc can only boost up to 0.3 GPA only.

You answered your question right there. A lot of schools will just consider your masters GPA separately. It'll be much better to have a 3.7+ in a masters than getting a 3.7 in a post-bacc which will combine with your low undergrad GPA.
Not sure how true this is but I've heard a few schools don't even look at your undergrad GPA and will just look at your masters GPA.