ANOTHER OMG thread

[scuzfly]

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Seriously though this is different. I don't have above a 3.0 but I DO have an increasing trend. Over the last 4 years (i've been in college a while, transfered) I've held above a 3.0 and mostly a 3.3 and above. I've also been working full time and doing research. I have one semester that is MAJOR in the dumbs (read 0.727 gpa) from a college where I was more involved in my fraternity than school (obviously). What do you think competative would be on the DATs and what do you think of my chances of getting in this semester. I feel I have some strong letters of rec (you never know...) from teachers and a dentist I'm shadowing. Do you think I even have a chance? I'm taking the DAT friday and I've been trying to study while working, paying off debt and taking 11 credits this semester and doing 16 hours of research a week for my senior thesis (read published paper). Seriously though, what should I do? I graduate this semester so I'll attempt to look for a job to help me survive after graduating but how can I show that I'm serious about dental school with these grades?

 

[Regmata]

Maybe a masters

 

[kiwipie]

I feel ya dude. I'm in a similar situation, I'm considering a masters program... Some of them are still taking applications for next year.

 

[alanan84]

I'm in somewhat the same boat, maybe a little better shape (a little above a 3.0, haven't taken my upper level Bio courses yet) One of the things I think about is that if a school has a 3.5 gpa average, I'm sure they've accepted some 3.8's and 3.9's which means that there has to be some 3.1's and 3.2's right? I hope so at least. I guess I'm just shooting for one of those that brings down the average gpa of the school. Just kidding.

I know the school that I really want to go to has a post-Bac program which leads to entry into dental school upon completion of the program which is a year long. They don't accept alot of students and you have to be "economically or academically disadvantaged" to apply. If I don't get in anywhere, I'm certainly going to try for that. I'm not sure how many schools have a similar program though.

 

[scuzfly]

the hard part is the Kaplan course though. Everyone on here talks about how much easier it is than the test and if it is I'm in DEEP Shiza if you get my drift.

I don't know of any programs that are still taking applicants for a masters program.

EDIT:
1) how do you show them you are economically disadvantaged
2) WHAT SCHOOL? Maybe we can both go and move our families together and be married dental school buddies. I've never heard of a program that accepts you for a masters and then lets you into dental school. Is that what a D5 program is?

This probably isn't the road I should be going down two days before my test.

 

[alanan84]

I'm not sure how you show that you're economically disadvantaged. In my case I certainly became poor when I got married, had a kid, and transferred to a state school instead of the private school I was at so my tuition doubled. Haha, thats life, I hope if I apply to the program that that counts. They have also said that you are academically disadvantaged if you have a full time job in conjunction with going to school. I qualify there as well.

The school is Baylor. There is actually an active thread on here of people that are currently applying to it. You could check it out. I'm not sure but you may have to be a resident to apply. I haven't doublechecked that though. Not sure what a D5 program is either. What is that?

 

[scuzfly]

I thought the D5 program was what you were describing. Same boat through. Full time job AND 16 hours research since I've been married. You got me on the kid but I'm glad I don't. I wouldn't focus.

I wonder if they count financial aid for you or against you.

 

[doc3232]

the hard part is the Kaplan course though. Everyone on here talks about how much easier it is than the test and if it is I'm in DEEP Shiza if you get my drift.

I don't know of any programs that are still taking applicants for a masters program.

EDIT:
1) how do you show them you are economically disadvantaged
2) WHAT SCHOOL? Maybe we can both go and move our families together and be married dental school buddies. I've never heard of a program that accepts you for a masters and then lets you into dental school. Is that what a D5 program is?

This probably isn't the road I should be going down two days before my test.

What did you get on the Kaplan DAT? and I have been told Kaplan DAT is only lower on PAT I think and almost the same on the rest. As for what DAT you need, from what I know people would say that you need a 21-22
GOOD LUCK SCUZZY

 

[samdds]

A post-bac will help with your GPA. And I heard some schools look at post-bac credits heavier than undergrad credits. But I guess it varies from each school. As for DAT, it might be hard to score well while studying, going to school and work at the same time. It's possible, but it can distracting and requires very good time management.

 

[scuzfly]

I know I need 21s and I'm hoping to get them but I really doubt myself sometimes. Just don't feel smart enough 🙁

As far as a post grad program I was thinking about that, probably when i should have pushed myself to study harder, and I'm probably going to take this year off and work using my degree and spend some hard earned money and apply to a post grad program for fall 2009 if I don't get into dental school for that fall...man that would be sweet!