A couple of questions

[hauteur]

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So I recently made the decision that I didn't want to be a physician, and chose dentistry as my new hope-to-be profession...I just have a few question that I was hoping all you cuties can answer.

1) Generally, is it easier to get accepted into dentistry schools than med schools?
2) Taking classes for med school kind of screwed over my GPA, and I had a family death in Syria causing me to go down there...right before the embassies closed down due to recent conflict. I had to take a year of absence, withdraw courses etc...do you think this completely screws me over when applying to dentistry schools?
3) I keep hearing people look down on Howard University and Meharry...why is that?
4) Where can I go to find the prerequisites for dental schools in terms of classes that need to be taken?
5) What is the best way to prepare for DAT?

Thank you guys so much. As a sidenote, I go to UCLA and that ****hole is competitive as ****. I can barely keep up Bs in my classes, As is a miracle...do you think dental schools will be sensitive to that?

 

[dentalprodigy]

haven't applied to both schools so can't comment accurately on which one is easier. If I had to guess, both are pretty much the same in my book. Only obvious difference is the mcat vs dat, and I personally think mcat looks harder.

As far as "medical school style classes"go, I think you are a little bit confused. There is no such thing as dental school/medical school style classes. In assuming you meant tough upper level science classes; if so, then yes.. Its a good idea to take them. Imo anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology look particularly good (some schools require genetics aswell). Again, I would advise you to look at prospective schools you will be applying to and double check their requirements page and choose your classes based on that.

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[dentalprodigy]

3) not sure about meharry buy I know Howard caters a specialized type of applicant. From what I have heard, they usually accept minorities and black people.

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[dentalprodigy]

4) U can go to the official schools website, or check out this book called "ADEA guide to dental school". Your local university career center should have it. That book has all the dental schools requirements, student characteristics (race,avg GPA/Dat etc). I highly recommend reading that and getting as much"Intel"on your prospective schools as possible

5) Dat studying? Google/search in this website "Dat breakdown", there are some great study routines with resources, timeline breakdowns etc. its a common question and I don't feel like being repetitive.

Good luck!

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[dru180]

So I recently made the decision that I didn't want to be a physician, and chose dentistry as my new hope-to-be profession...I just have a few question that I was hoping all you cuties can answer.

1) Generally, is it easier to get accepted into dentistry schools than med schools?
2) Taking classes for med school kind of screwed over my GPA, and I had a family death in Syria causing me to go down there...right before the embassies closed down due to recent conflict. I had to take a year of absence, withdraw courses etc...do you think this completely screws me over when applying to dentistry schools?
3) I keep hearing people look down on Howard University and Meharry...why is that?
4) Where can I go to find the prerequisites for dental schools in terms of classes that need to be taken?
5) What is the best way to prepare for DAT?

Thank you guys so much. As a sidenote, I go to UCLA and that ****hole is competitive as ****. I can barely keep up Bs in my classes, As is a miracle...do you think dental schools will be sensitive to that?

1) That depends. Its not a simple answer.
Made by Doc Toothache see: 2010 Ranking of DS Based on GPA/DAT/Other http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=810649
I don't think this shows a few of the brand new schools that opened up though.

2) Completely screwed? No, but you will probably have some explaining to do.

3) Howard/Meharry I believe are both geared towards URMs (Under represented minors). If you are not in this category, you wont have much of an opportunity getting in there. You'd have to lay some convincing evidence why they would want you.

4) Each individual school's website. You will notice that all schools have basically the same required pre-requisite classes. Many schools will have one or a few more required classes in addition to the obvious ones.

5) Peruse the DAT forum.
A breakdown thread of people who got 21+:http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=719712
My breakdown: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=833073


As far as your sidenote is concerned, you need to get over that real quick. Dental schools will not be sensitive to that. If you can't hack it with the best in undergrad, how are you going to hack it with the best of the best in dental school. That is most likely going to be the dental school's mentality. If you are struggling, reevaluate the way you study. I speak from similar experience.

 

[hauteur]

Thank you guys so much for responding, you are really giving me insight onto this whole thing.

As far as Howard/May go, would Middle Eastern be considered a minority? My goal is basically to study dentistry here then go to Syria for a couple years and offer free dentistry for them because that's where I grew up and I would like to get back in touch with my roots etc.

 

[mike ashley]

I really get a good laugh whenever a middle eastern person tries to play the urm card.

You are not a minority with respect to dental school admissions, and you would be wasting your time applying to meharry. In the eyes of meharry, black = platinum victim status.

Also, dental schools will not be sympathetic towards your undergraduate struggles. Academic struggles are rationalized to a much greater extent for hispanics and blacks. If you aren't a urm, then everything is very clear cut. In other words, you simply need to suck it up and do better.

So, stop looking for an easy way out and start getting better grades along with a good DAT score and you'll be in dental school.

 

[wired202808]

So, stop looking for an easy way out and start getting better grades along with a good DAT score and you'll be in dental school.

👍 I agree. No need to look for pity based on excuses from A to Z. Work hard and show your worth it. D-schools want winners who work hard... not excuse seekers.

 

[luxpb]

So I recently made the decision that I didn't want to be a physician, and chose dentistry as my new hope-to-be profession...I just have a few question that I was hoping all you cuties can answer.

1) Generally, is it easier to get accepted into dentistry schools than med schools?
2) Taking classes for med school kind of screwed over my GPA, and I had a family death in Syria causing me to go down there...right before the embassies closed down due to recent conflict. I had to take a year of absence, withdraw courses etc...do you think this completely screws me over when applying to dentistry schools?
3) I keep hearing people look down on Howard University and Meharry...why is that?
4) Where can I go to find the prerequisites for dental schools in terms of classes that need to be taken?
5) What is the best way to prepare for DAT?

Thank you guys so much. As a sidenote, I go to UCLA and that ****hole is competitive as ****. I can barely keep up Bs in my classes, As is a miracle...do you think dental schools will be sensitive to that?

Hi, I want to give you some ideas.

1. It is not easy to get in dentistry. People applying for dental or medical school are all smart.
In addition, the number of dental schools are 65(I am not sure because new dental schools
open up) in the U.S, but the number of medical schools are +200. So, it is not easier to get in dental than medical.

2. You might explain your situation on your essay (not too long). Plus, write and show your strong interest and passion for dentistry. If you are invited to an interview, appeal the situation you had to them. Be confident! No one thinks it is an excuse for your GPA.

3. They prefer minority.

4. Most of dental schools have almost same prerequisite. You said you are attending UCLA. Find and ask to UCLA Dental School.

5. There are many sources such as DAT Breaker, Kaplan courses...
But here is some key point. Anyway, If you have low GPA, then you should do well on DAT. Go for +21 on all of sections.

I wish this would help you. Good Luck!

 

[Tootyfruity]

>switched from premed to predent
>makes Bs
>asks if dental's easier to get into than med

it'd be better for you if you don't come off like dental's your back up plan
schools really really hate that

 

[mike ashley]

3) I keep hearing people look down on Howard University and Meharry...why is that?

Probably has to do with the fact that Howard has a DAT average of 17 and Meharry has a DAT average of 16. The respective gpas are 3.1 and 3.0.

 

[UltimateHombre]

So I recently made the decision that I didn't want to be a physician, and chose dentistry as my new hope-to-be profession...I just have a few question that I was hoping all you cuties can answer.

1) Generally, is it easier to get accepted into dentistry schools than med schools?

Generally.... No. Average GPA for dental school is about 3.5

2) Taking classes for med school kind of screwed over my GPA, and I had a family death in Syria causing me to go down there...right before the embassies closed down due to recent conflict. I had to take a year of absence, withdraw courses etc...do you think this completely screws me over when applying to dentistry schools?

You can address this in your PS. ADCOMS may be somewhat sympathetic, but in no way will it make up for a history of poor performance in undergrad.

3) I keep hearing people look down on Howard University and Meharry...why is that?

If you are not black, hispanic, or native american you have not business applying to Howard or Meharry. You are not a minority.

4) Where can I go to find the prerequisites for dental schools in terms of classes that need to be taken?

Prereqs are same as med school. However some schools require: anatomy, physiology, microbio, or biochem.

5) What is the best way to prepare for DAT?

Most study about 6+ hours a day for about 2 months. A good study plan is here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=719365

Thank you guys so much. As a sidenote, I go to UCLA and that ****hole is competitive as ****. I can barely keep up Bs in my classes, As is a miracle...do you think dental schools will be sensitive to that?

If you have below a 3.0 it will be very difficult for you to get into dental school, regardless of your undergraduate institution. Might i suggest podiatry....

Responses in Blue.

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

So I recently made the decision that I didn't want to be a physician, and chose dentistry as my new hope-to-be profession...I just have a few question that I was hoping all you cuties can answer.

1) Generally, is it easier to get accepted into dentistry schools than med schools?
2) Taking classes for med school kind of screwed over my GPA, and I had a family death in Syria causing me to go down there...right before the embassies closed down due to recent conflict. I had to take a year of absence, withdraw courses etc...do you think this completely screws me over when applying to dentistry schools?
3) I keep hearing people look down on Howard University and Meharry...why is that?
4) Where can I go to find the prerequisites for dental schools in terms of classes that need to be taken?
5) What is the best way to prepare for DAT?

Thank you guys so much. As a sidenote, I go to UCLA and that ****hole is competitive as ****. I can barely keep up Bs in my classes, As is a miracle...do you think dental schools will be sensitive to that?

1) Not really. Both require good GPA's and good test scores (but the DAT is easier than the MCAT). Admission for both is really competitive though

2) I'm sorry about what happened with you. The low GPA will hurt but you have the opportunity of bringing it back up (post bac classes, masters, etc.).

3) Howard and Meharry have a lower avg GPA and DAT scores compared to other dental schools. Keep in mind that they are HBCU schools, meaning they will prefer underrepresented minorities as their students. If you are not an underrepresented minority, it's probably a good idea to not apply there.

4) The pre-reqs are the same as med school. Some individual schools will have more requirements like Biochem, Microbio, and Anatomy/Physio. You can look up the pre reqs on schools' websites but maybe you can find a list somewhere here or through your advisor.

5) This varies from person to person. There's always Kaplan. There are also materials like Crack DAT and DAT Destroyer. Look at the DAT forum to see what people are using and what they like.

It sounds like you're choosing dentistry as a back up. You'll have to work just as hard for dental school as you would have to for medical school. Keep that in mind.