Advice Please Anyone...

[chumpchange06]

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So another semester in the books and now's the time I have to start studying for the DAT, well assuming all goes well and I get into dental school then no problem.

But if I fail to reach my goal right off, what should i do? I don't want to just sit around and do nothing.I had the idea that if i didn't get straight into dental school i would go to hygienist school for the 2 years and then start working and taking night classes to raise the ol' GPA, if that happened to be the problem, and then start applying for dental schools again.

Would this be a good idea, or do you think that I would just be running in circles? Would being a certified hygienist further help my odds of getting into dental school as well, From having that much background and foundation in dentistry already?..I'm sure you all can sympathize any advice helps. Thanks 🙂

 

[sketo43]

In my opinion, going to hygienist school for a couple years isn't going to improve someone's application. Dental school admissions are based mostly on GPA and DAT scores, so try to do well on these. Aim for a 3.5 GPA but at least a 3.0. Aim for a 20 on all sections of the DAT but at least a 17.

It's also good to have community service, extra-curricular activities, and a hobby that involves manual dexterity. Research helps for some schools. If you want to become a dentist, then I would work on your stats and these activities. If you want to become a dental hygienist, that's a great career as well, but I wouldn't do it for the sole reason of becoming a dentist.

Study hard for the DAT. Believe you can succeed. Plan for success, not failure.

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

The previous post is money. 100% correct. What's your GPA like?

 

[MTD52]

Study hard for the DAT. Believe you can succeed. Plan for success, not failure.

x53

 

[jmt1984]

I agree with sketo43, don't take steps sideways with the goal of going forward. Look at your record honestly, and see where you are lacking, and do your best to fix it.

 

[chumpchange06]

well right now i have a 3.0 overall gpa but i have a 3.4 science gpa i think. I appreciate all the advice, so if i don't get in straight away I should just go back and fix what ever problems there are, then go at it again? are alot of school state resident bias? thank you again for all the help! it's hard to make all these decisions by your self sometimes you just need someone to shoot ideas off of.

 

[s2agrado]

Consider a Graduate level post-bacc program if you need additionally grades...Temple has a guaranteed post-bacc program (guaranteed d-school seat with certain requirements). VCU has on too, although its not guaranteeed. If Grades/GPA are your issue, I would think this is the route to go.

All that aside, strengthen everything else, EC's, shadowing, volunteering. Try to make yourself well rounded and supplement a lower GPA.

If you can rock the DAT schools will be more forgiving of a sub-par GPA.

Good luck!

 

[chumpchange06]

thanks that's good info to know and consider. I already have 150 shadowing house from the last few summers, I've done some assisting and plan on doing some more when i shadow again this summer. I will look into temple that's a good idea? do you know what there requirements are for the guaranteed seat?

 

[StirrinIt]

advice: never eat food off the floor and always use a condom.

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

advice: never eat food off the floor and always use a condom.

awesome, exactly what he was looking for😎