Anyone else without competitive stats worried about what their plan B is?

[mitrieD]

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I'm about to take the DAT and my GPA is very low. Its a growing possibility for me to consider a plan B if dental school doesn't work out after 3+ cycles. Science degrees are almost useless without at least 1 1/2 of internship just to find low paying lab jobs. The horror stories of people I hear on here never getting in may become a reality .

I really love dentistry but reality may have to kick in sometime.

 

[Blake1e]

I'm about to take the DAT and my GPA is very low. Its a growing possibility for me to consider a plan B if dental school doesn't work out after 3+ cycles. Science degrees are almost useless without at least 1 1/2 of internship just to find low paying lab jobs. The horror stories of people I hear on here never getting in may become a reality .

I really love dentistry but reality may have to kick in sometime.

My plan B for dental school was to come back and try again harder for next cycle.

However, if your stats are beyond salvaging for whatever reason, then trade school would be the way to go. Thats what I would have had done if I werent so stubborn. Do your research and you can find careers thatll allow you to earn way more than any undergrad degree and most (if not all) phds and master degree would ever allow you to earn.

 

[shaidester]

Well don't worry about a plan B yet. You're going to smash that DAT right ?

The DAT really isn't that hard after reflecting on it. Most of the exam is just recalling information you've learned through undergrad (or high school for the QR section). If you study everyday religiously for it, you should be fine.

 

[catman856]

dental hygiene

 

[765876]

undergrad i graduated with a 2.9 science and a 3.2 overall with a 19aa/ts and i didn't get in last cycle. This cycle i got a 3.8 in my first semester of my postbac l and ended with with a few acceptances. If grades are your only problem do a masters if your DAT is average retake it and do better. shadow a lot and volunteer more make your application really strong in these next few months before the cycle opens again

 

[WolfPackSigeEp]

I did a two year Dental Lab Technology program, CRUSHED it, and was accepted to dental school this cycle. If you already have a 4 year degree, these programs are a great way to boost your science GPA(Dental anatomy counts towards your BCP GPA). Not to mention, this program can really show you if you have the hands for dentistry.

These are the classes in our curriculum:

Complete Dentures-
Dental Materials
Dental Anatomy/Physiology
Advanced Complete Dentures
Crown and Bridge
Advanced Crown and Bridge
Wrought-Orthodontic Appliances
Ceramic Techniques
Jurisprudence and Ethics
Cast Partial Dentures
Advanced Partial Dentures
Advanced Ceramic Techniques
Dental Lab Practice

I really didn't want to blow 30 grand on something that wouldn't make me a better dentist, and this was my best option. Hope this helps someone else!

 

[FOX_ONE]

if you're going into dentistry for the money, you're doing it wrong.

the job you have normally is just a means to get starting cash for future endeavors that will make you real money.

get a job and start hustling

 

[Daneosaurus]

if you're going into dentistry for the money, you're doing it wrong.

the job you have normally is just a means to get starting cash for future endeavors that will make you real money.

get a job and start hustling

I highly disagree with this. With no other career that pays what dentistry does do we tell people that. It's outrageous. A job is a job is a job. Unless you would honestly do dentistry for free, you can't tell people not to do it for the money.

 

[Dentalogist]

I heard janitors are in high demand

 

[snipza]

I'm about to take the DAT and my GPA is very low. Its a growing possibility for me to consider a plan B if dental school doesn't work out after 3+ cycles. Science degrees are almost useless without at least 1 1/2 of internship just to find low paying lab jobs. The horror stories of people I hear on here never getting in may become a reality .

I really love dentistry but reality may have to kick in sometime.

@mitrieD , I have a plan B. I have to work very hard to get into a situation where I will be competitive for D-school. I am willing to put up with the financial burden of a post-bacc/DAT/applications/interviews to get in. But, I do have a plan B.

I work in IT, and plan to stay working in IT, at least part-time, during my post-bacc. It's a good degree and industry to fall back on. It makes me glad that I did not initially want to become a dentist/doctor because it led me to major in a potentially lucrative degree (IT admins can be 6 figures in 7-10 yrs).

That being said, no I am not worried because I am very confident in my ability to learn, study, and test that I have developed over the last 2 years of undergrad. Having a back up plan is not a bad thing. Many say that people who have a backup are not fully invested in the pursuit of dentistry. I think it's ludicrous to NOT have a back up plan.

I suggest figuring out what you will do if you do not get in. Grab a part-time lab job to build experience so that if you never get in, you can already have a foot in the door of another industry. But that won't be a problem; you'll get an acceptance!!!

 

[wolfpack10]

I did a two year Dental Lab Technology program, CRUSHED it, and was accepted to dental school this cycle. If you already have a 4 year degree, these programs are a great way to boost your science GPA(Dental anatomy counts towards your BCP GPA). Not to mention, this program can really show you if you have the hands for dentistry.

These are the classes in our curriculum:

Complete Dentures-
Dental Materials
Dental Anatomy/Physiology
Advanced Complete Dentures
Crown and Bridge
Advanced Crown and Bridge
Wrought-Orthodontic Appliances
Ceramic Techniques
Jurisprudence and Ethics
Cast Partial Dentures
Advanced Partial Dentures
Advanced Ceramic Techniques
Dental Lab Practice

I really didn't want to blow 30 grand on something that wouldn't make me a better dentist, and this was my best option. Hope this helps someone else!

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, where did you do this program?

 

[Bucks783]

undergrad i graduated with a 2.9 science and a 3.2 overall with a 19aa/ts and i didn't get in last cycle. This cycle i got a 3.8 in my first semester of my postbac l and ended with with a few acceptances. If grades are your only problem do a masters if your DAT is average retake it and do better. shadow a lot and volunteer more make your application really strong in these next few months before the cycle opens again

did you end up retaking the DAT?

 

[WolfPackSigeEp]

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, where did you do this program?

I went to NCSU for undergrad (as my name implies hahah), then I went to Durham Tech for my DLT degree. It's the only ADA accredited program of it's kind in North Carolina, and it has helped me so much in dental school!