Any shot at all? Inconsistency

[Jeff Prince]

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Hello All. Great forum. Been reading for a bit. But haven't found any info regarding this question.

I have wanted to become a dentist for 5 years now. Never really been too serious about it, because I never thought I would amount to much besides "just" a business man. Never thought I would love the science courses, but I have proved myself wrong. I just took Intro to Biology for science majors and got an A in it. This is my 3rd year of college. Starting this Fall, I really found myself, and realized the path I was headed was not the one that leads to success.

During my first year and a half of college, I have dropped 7 courses, and only earned 28 credit hours. One of which was a beginning Chemistry for NON-science majors. I was working 50+ hours per week, and supporting myself fresh out of high school as my parents moved away. And due to family issues and health reasons I had to go back to where they lived to help with my family on multiple occassions. That explains the withdrawals.

As of right now, I have a 2.6 GPA. But I am retaking a Poli Sci course, and I expect an A to replace the D that I prev. had gotten. And the other A's and few B's this semester, should bring my GPA to above a 3.2. My science GPA as of right now is a 4.0. But that's just after one course.

I plan to finish out at 90 hours before I apply to Dental Schools. But if I can show from here on out that I am consistent and receive outstanding grades of at least A's and B's, do I still have a chance at getting into Dental School?? And of course do very well on the DAT, and gain great experience and shadowing.

Thanks so much.

 

[dr.rex]

keep working on your gpa, study hard for the DAT and you will be fine...you will have a good story to talk about in your essays just keep working hard.

 

[metalalchemist]

Work hard. Keep good shape in Science courses. Get some up division credits in biology/biochemistry. Get well prepared for your DAT. U gonna get multiple offers eventually. They want to see ur improvement.

 

[Jeff Prince]

Thank you so much for your quick responses! It really helps in realizing that I still have a chance. I just need to really do well in the rest of my classes, and be extremely prepared for the DAT.

Any other comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well 🙂

 

[Mackchops]

You're in an easy position. You don't have many credits so it's easy to pull up that ol' GPA. When you get to around the 120+ mark (like me) it takes a lot more to move even a little bit. 2-3 years of A's, some solid ECs, and respectable DAT scores and schools won't give your withdrawls and low marks a second glance. If they do, they'll only be impressed by your perseverence.

I also like how you spun the science gpa. 4.0 = nice (even if it is only after one class 🙂)

 

[reapply2007]

Agreed. GPA, BCPGPA, and DAT are the largest factors to get past the initial review. Then you have ECs. Some people would say the ECs are considered before the others. You may also want to consider how you can demonstrate to an adcom how it is that you know you want to be a dentist. Stay focused and build your ECs and your application will be strong when you apply.

 

[Jeff Prince]

Wow. Thank you so much for the responses. I am so thankful to have found this site. I'm def. going to recommend this place to many of my friends who are in Pre-Professional Health programs.

I was so nervous about my situation, but your responses have set a new fire in me to keep doing what I'm doing. Keep working hard, and realize there is a big reward for all the hard work.

I am glad that I have went through the stage of inconsistency and hardship already. As weird as it sounds, I feel that it has made me into such a better person mentally. I have been broken down, but it has made me so much wiser, mature, and responsible. And if this never happened, I don't know if I would be able to realize how to deal with certain situations, study habits, etc. the way I can successfully do them now.

So thank you, and of course, more input and suggestions are always appreciated!

 

[Yeyyy]

Hello All. Great forum. Been reading for a bit. But haven't found any info regarding this question.

I have wanted to become a dentist for 5 years now. Never really been too serious about it, because I never thought I would amount to much besides "just" a business man. Never thought I would love the science courses, but I have proved myself wrong. I just took Intro to Biology for science majors and got an A in it. This is my 3rd year of college. Starting this Fall, I really found myself, and realized the path I was headed was not the one that leads to success.

you can't say that if you've only taken one single science course 🙁

 

[Jeff Prince]

^ Well, see I loved them in High School. But thought they would be horror in College. So I was hesitant to add a science course to my load each semester. Until I finally took the Intro to Biology and loved it. And now I have found myself fascinated by the science behind humans, animals, plants, etc. It is something that interests me heavily, and right now I'm enrolled in the Intro to Physics class, and love every bit of it. As of now my grade is an A. We've had two tests so far, and I've gotten a 91 and a 95 on each one.