Advice on Gap Year

[Patelji12]

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[darklordzzz]

I am stressing about this gap year I am about to have. Should I get a Master's with my 1 year off or work in a, let's say dental lab while I take a gap year and also improve my DAT score?

DAT - So I took the DAT last summer (and studied from May-July). I got a 16 on the DAT and I got very depressed and started thinking I will never get into dental school now. But I kept my head high and got all As last Fall Semester of my senior year and plan to take the DAT again.

GPA - My GPA is 3.449 right now. I was setting at a 3.130 after freshmen year and I worked hard to bring it up to where it is now.

So what do you guys think I should do? Go get a Master's to make my self more competitive or work in a dental lab?

are you applying this summer? if you dont, then you will take 2 gap years (1 gap year improving,1 gap year waiting)

just drop everything and study as hard as possible for DAT after you graduate (3.49 GPA what is ur sGPA if it is 3.4 also), you should take science courses at 4 year college only after a solid DAT score. buy bootcamp, destroyer, qvault, crack the DAT to practice speed and knowledge synthesis. a 16 is just a lack of preparation, that is all.

even if you have 3000 hours in a dental lab, without a solid DAT and a 3.4 GPA, dental school's doors will not be wide open for you.

 

[studentdental8]

If you land a 20 DAT (every section as well) or higher you will have a great chance for getting in

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

I don't think your GPA is much of an issue since it seems right around the average, maybe a smidgen under. What does your dental experience look like? If you have a lot under your belt already, I don't think working in a dental lab is necessary unless you really want to and/or need it. What does need improvement is your DAT score which you are already aware. Now it's just a matter of which option can allow you more time to focus on the DAT? Also, have you even scoped out for any dental related job listings yet, or is this all hypothetical? Looking for dental jobs isn't easy (take it from me), especially if you don't have any certification for a lot of things. Many months ago, I tried looking for any job offerings I could find on Craigslist around my area as a dental assistant, and my search was unsuccessful because I wasn't qualified for many (i.e. at least 2 years experience, x-ray certification, know how to use specific computer software, etc.). I imagine dental lab technicians may also need some sort of previous experience to permit interviews, so I would suggest researching for job offerings first to see if it's plausible before you even think of ditching the Master's route because at least a Masters will give you something to fall back on.

 

[Patelji12]

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[Patelji12]

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[okiedokeartichoke]

I don't have much but I have shadowed 3 different general dentist and had about 110 hours. I have volunteered at Dentals clinics (1 thats happens in various location in the state of North Carolina, and 1 local dental clinic in my hometown) for 150+ hours. I met up with one 1 dental lab and like of hanged out at their lab a year ago to know what exactly happens in a dental lab. I talked to him about my situation and he said he will keep in touch if anything pops up.

If you don't mind me asking you, how did you handle your situation (did you land a job in your gap year or...)?

I don't mind! I'm on my gap year now (graduated college in May), and I did indeed land a job as a dental assistant 3 months later--unintentionally, might I add. Craigslist was a fail. I remember checking every day for weeks on end for offers to pop up, but like I said, I didn't qualify for many. I went to two interviews before I have the job I had now, but I didn't get the position mostly due to my availability since I was planning on attending classes at the same time. They also wanted someone who was long-term (years), not temporary since I was going to quit as soon as I would matriculate into DS. So those unsuccessful attempts were a bummer. After feeling discouraged, I just decided to shadow a general dentist by cold calling an office in my town. And lucky for me, after just two weeks of shadowing, the dentist and her team loved me so much she offered me a job on the spot. I was honestly at the right place at the right time. It worked out for me in the end!

Edit: I would also like to add that working in a dental office is so great because I'm learning so much. It's also a great way to foster a good relationship with your dentist and making those connections. For instance, all day today I was at a big dental conference with my dentist and she was introducing me to all her alum friends, colleagues, and even spoke with a 3rd year dental student who works with admissions and the Dean. So many doors! Thus, I encourage you to get your foot in the door working in a dental office under a dentist who's supportive and will help you because: 1) the experience; and 2) exposure and connections