About Dental School Admission

[Batman2Robin]

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I wanna start off by apologizing for posting this silly thread about myself asking what my chances are for getting into a dental school. However, I just couldn??t stop thinking about it, because my GPA seems very deficient compare to other applicants out there. Should I retake DAT? Is it good enough?

I'm currently 2nd year undergrad international student attending at pharmacy exclusive school (ACP) It's a 6 year intensive program designed for Pharm.D degree.

I realized that pharmacy school is not for me and I want to apply to dental school after my 3rd year. I will be happy to attend "any" dental school out there if I can get in. What are my chances of admission?

Undergrad GPA: 2.9
Science GPA: 3.2
A lot of C's in my transcript, around 6
Because, I didn't do well on humanities and English

DAT score Academic average: 20 PAT: 27

decent recommendations, received a piano composition award, volunteer work at the medical center for 1 year, worked at local pharmacy store and dental office for 1 year, working on my interpersonal skills for a future interview (I have a bad communication skills).

 

[RaiderNation]

No, just go balls out. Your DAT scores are great, but you r GPA is kinda hurtin'. I wouldn't worry about it, some school will accept you. Just fork out the cash and apply like a mad man.

 

[ecdoesit]

Just remember that SDN stats are inflated somewhat.
May I know which schools did you apply to?
What specific things dont u like about pharm d?
How exactly do you know dentistry is for you?
(Just want to make sure that you wont go into a profession that you will regret)

 

[Batman2Robin]

😀
Nice to meet you
I??m currently sophomore at pharmacy college and planning to attend dental school after my junior year. I haven??t applied to any dental schools yet. I recently took DAT in order to see where I stand in the process. I??m very unhappy with pharmacy program here because I just applied without thinking about the type of school I actually wanted to go to. Pharmacy program emphasizes too much on humanities and I realized that my interest lies greatly in bio, chem, and calc. I??m looking for an intellectually stimulating environment and I didn??t find it in this program.
I have done volunteer work since high school and I worked at the dental office and was able to get acquainted with the field of dentistry. I have met an amazing, talented, and very friendly dentist who I worked for over the summer. It??s very exciting knowing that if I become a dentist, I will be a professional dedicated to the healing arts and help patients smile more often. I love helping people and realized a dream of becoming a dentist.

Could you rephrase the "inflated GPA" part... Then what is the "real" average GPA of admitted students?

 

[johndental]

I think you should be looking at a PHD if you are unhappy with pharmacy school.

Dental school is about teeth and gums and the basic science stuff is just a requirement to make a well rounded practitioner.

I am sure you could get in somewhere but as for the "intellectually stimulating" part I think you would be happy in basic science research.

 

[ecdoesit]

Does the 6 year program includes BS and Pharm D?
Do you have a bachular degree?
I mean you may end up have to take all those humanities courses anyway to obtain your BS and other prerequisites.

 

[Batman2Robin]

Currently, I'm in 6 year Pharm.D program.
My plan is to apply dental school during my 3rd year.
If I do get accepted to dental school (hopefully), I'll change my major from Pharm.D to Pharmaceutical Science, which is 4 years.
Is my GPA acceptable? Should I retake DAT?

 

[DrRob]

your reasons for hating the pharm program, will probably cause you to hate dentistry. dentistry is about doing things - if you don't like to do things with your hands you won't like dentistry. I'm afraid I am not that intellectually stimulated day after day.

research or primary care medicine are far more intellectually stimulating than dentistry.

 

[Batman2Robin]

I think I'm very dextrous with my hands.
I play piano and do some piano compositions.
I made a big mistake coming to this college. Now, I know exactly what I wanna do for my future. IT"S DENTISTRY!!

 

[ecdoesit]

Batman2Robin, I hope you understand that we are just concerned that you wont make the same mistake twice.

 

[The Musketeer]

Hey B2R, if you are that determined to get into Dentistry then I suggest that you work your butt off in Pharmacy College now and raise your GPA (esp. undergrad GPA) since they will be looking for a higher GPA from international students than U.S. students. I am not sure what your average marks for English are, or your reading comp. on your DAT, but since all dental schools require one year of English, you should try to attain a reasonable mark in this area (around 3.35 GPA). Your DAT scores are fine, but I think you should continue to volunteer in a dental environment so that you can be exposed to different facade of dentistry and also to reconfirm your desire to pursue dentistry(just one summer of dental exposure is not going to be enough). If you follow these steps then I am sure you will be able to get into several dental schools (of course private schools will be easier than state schools).

Hope that helps!

 

[jack604]

Hey Musketeer
Which schools did you apply to? just curious

 

[The Musketeer]

Originally posted by jack604
Hey Musketeer
Which schools did you apply to? just curious

I've applied to Buffalo, UDM, UMich, Case and Columbia. As you can see, all the schools I've selected are close to T.O. so I can go back home once in a while.😀

 

[compugirl]

27 Pat?? GOOD JOB!!!

 

[discolphie]

Batman,

seems like you and i have some similar stats.. my sci gpa is about a 2.9 under AADSAS, cum gpa is 3.1 DAt was was 23/17. im nto a traditional applicant... been working for about 3 yrs now. as long as you present yourself with a mature attitude that reflects your time off from undergrad, you will be ok. schools will like that you've been out in the real world and thought about your decision instead, say, just going straight into dental school right after college. remember that the average age of a D1 like 24-25 right now.

and to get your hopes up, i applied in late late november and got interviews to 7 schools.. some were columbia..umich..u of maryland..nyu..etc.. so its definately possible..

 

[cusp of carabelli]

do you happen to go to USP? in philly? just curious...

 

[sxr71]

27 is a phenominal PAT score! Your 20 AA is also quite good. I think it also helps that your science GPA is not too bad as I think they give less weight to non-science classes.

Given your international background and some weaknesses in the humanities (I had the same problems) it helps to have a good reading comprehension score.


Some people don't take history classes very well, but they excel in the DAT reading comprehension because the DAT reading comprehension tests your ability to comprehend written scientific material.

You should be in good shape for 2005 just apply early and cast a wide net. You may be surprised at how competitive your application is. Don't forget those two things though: apply early and cast a wide net.