A Slight Dilemma

[Soliden]

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I am currently trying to make a decision right now, and I thought that you folks could help me. Let me give you a run down:

I would consider myself an average student, and I didn't really do anything that made myself stand out. I know that the field is very competitive, so that's a strike right there. In any case, I received a 3.2GPA when I graduated with a BS in MCB and a Chem minor. However, when I filled out the AADSAS GPA it came out to about a 2.9GPA, because it factored in the original grades of courses that I had retaken. My science GPA was a meager 2.7...

On the DAT I received an 18, which is average, but the thing is I did well on most sections.

Bio: 20
Chem: 18
OChem: 19
PA: 22
Reading: 24
and...
Math: 14

The math really messed up my DAT average, so I am definitely looking to retake the DAT again.

In any case, I applied to about 11 different dental schools, and each one decided to send me a rejection letter... 🙁 I then looked at the few post-bacc programs offered, and I was only able to apply to 1 of them as I missed out on the other's deadlines (post-bacc only crossed my mind AFTER I got the first few rejections) That didn't pan out either.

What I would like to know is, what have other people done in my current situation (or similar?) Any input from some career switchers? Would it be worth applying to any post-bacc programs in the future? medical post-baccs? Should I go for a masters degree to try to bring my GPA up, or take more undergrad courses at a local college, even though I completed my bacc degree? Should I go for a master's in dental hygiene and try reapplying to dental school after?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks. 🙂

Edit: Here's some EC information:

Airsoft Team (Vice-President for 1 year), Pre-dental club, Chem club, ~ 60Hrs Community Service

Research: 200Hrs
Shadowing: 80Hrs

 

[cdbebeau]

definitely retake dat. apply for post-bac to raise your science gpa. get straight As. need more extracurricular work, try something dental related. good luck

ps. consider striking that airsoft club from your resume

 

[sacapuntas]

I agree with the previous poster, you need to get your GPA up for a year or two along with re-taking the DAT. Since it sounds like you already have taken a lot of science classes, a masters degree could be the way to go as your science GPA will hardly budge by doing a post-bacc (formal or informal). I would contact some of the schools that rejected you and find out if they would rather see a masters or post-bacc. The good thing for your DAT is that you really only need improvement in 1 section!

 

[Soliden]

definitely retake dat. apply for post-bac to raise your science gpa. get straight As. need more extracurricular work, try something dental related. good luck

ps. consider striking that airsoft club from your resume

Any reason as to why I should remove airsoft from my application? It wasn't the little-kids-in-the-back-yard type of airsoft, but military simulation airsoft that was a part of my university's club sports. (Along with our D1 soccer team) We played on paintball fields and military bases, stressing teamwork and cohesion.

I agree with the previous poster, you need to get your GPA up for a year or two along with re-taking the DAT. Since it sounds like you already have taken a lot of science classes, a masters degree could be the way to go as your science GPA will hardly budge by doing a post-bacc (formal or informal). I would contact some of the schools that rejected you and find out if they would rather see a masters or post-bacc. The good thing for your DAT is that you really only need improvement in 1 section!

Thanks, that's a good idea. I'll contact some of the schools and ask them what would make me a more probable candidate.

 

[Soliden]

Looking for some more input, thanks.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

You should retake the DAT and enroll in a special masters program. With a science and overall under 3.0, there's no point in retaking classes or doing more undergrad. Look into SMPs like one at the Midwesterns or Barry, etc. You can search for them on here.

 

[Soliden]

Thanks, that's more inline as to what I was looking for.

EDIT: Is there any particular name for the SMP's? (Such as Dental Masters, as an example?)

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Thanks, that's more inline as to what I was looking for.

EDIT: Is there any particular name for the SMP's? (Such as Dental Masters, as an example?)

Usually they have names like masters in biomedical science and things like that. Its pretty much for people who want to go to med/dental school but have lower undergrad GPAs. Some of them even guarantee a dental school interview as long as you maintain a certain GPA.

 

[Soliden]

Usually they have names like masters in biomedical science and things like that. Its pretty much for people who want to go to med/dental school but have lower undergrad GPAs. Some of thrm even guarantee a dental school interview as long as you maintain a certain GPA.

Thanks! I'll get to looking into those ASAP. 😀