Bad advice on forum

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DentalHopeful13

DentalHopeful13

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Hello!

Firstly, I want to start by saying that I am NOT a Dean or Admissions Director. I feel like something needs to be addressed. As a frequent browser of this site I am shocked and appalled with some of the advice/comments that I read--especially the response comments made to students with a low DAT score or GPA. It is clear to me that many of you do NOT know what you are talking about. Some of you are providing BAD ADVICE! Who am I? I am the daughter of a top 15 university Dean and Vice Chancellor. If you have an idea of who I am, then I ask that you please respect my families privacy and not post my name. 🙂 Now, moving on. This particular forum is meant to motivate future dental professionals as well as providing SAGE advice. A common trend I have noticed is that someone will make a post inquiring about their chances of dental school acceptance with a low/shaky DAT score or gpa, and some of the responses read "sorry, but you won't get in. I am being honest. This probably isn't for you." That is not helpful or nice. In fact, just because someone has poor grades, does not mean they are incapable of achieving success and following their dreams. Instead of telling someone what won't happen (which you don't know), it is better to recommend what they can do to improve their scores/gpa. There are a lot of contradictions on many of the threads and sometimes once you get to the end of the post the issue is not resolved.

Buckle up pre-dents. Note: I am going to give you some tips that seasoned admissions veterans from a highly respected and top university shared with me. I am using my own voice to convey the information provided.

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. I am also on the path towards becoming a dentist. My mother used to tell me in so many words "Once a task has begun, do it right until it's done." Basically you should not live life doing things halfheartedly. Think of all the people you let down when you aren't really committed to something--co-workers, customers, patients, the community, or whoever and most importantly, you are not exuding your full potential. Dental school is NOT a decision one should make over night. In my experience through shadowing and working as a dental assistant, it is highly recommended that you seriously think about entering dentistry. It is a life-long commitment that requires a lot of your time and attention. If ever you are on the fence about entering the medical world, then please speak to a counselor, your own dentist, a seasoned dental student, an admissions person, or someone with authority in the field. The forum is a good tool use when you want to see how measure up to the other candidates and to learn about various experiences in a dental career or D-school, but I would not use this website as my main reference. Please take things with a grain of salt. Just because one person had a bad experience does not mean everyone will. Use your common sense. If that is hard to do, then you need to ask yourself "How many people are enrolled at a university? And how many people posted on a particular thread about a certain issue?" If the enrollment trumps the number of posts, then clearly not EVERYONE feels that way. SDNF is very helpful and interesting site,but there are a lot of other solid resources available that one should use. I recommend reading the post by Dr. Dai Phan and Somthinpositiv. Their posts are fabulous.

SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT:

2. Ok, I don't literally mean make a fool of yourself. What am saying is let your presence be known. Admissions people LOVE to see reoccurring faces. My father told me that the candidates who go to the open-house, a meet and greet, a university fair, and other social gatherings are making a name for themselves. Often times students believe they are not being observed, WRONG! You are! For most admissions people your continued interest shows commitment and drive and believe it or not this may improve your chances when applying. Social gathering are not the time to be bashful. Ask questions, shake the coordinators hand, walk around and mingle with other potential candidates. For those introverts, like myself, I know that breaking out of your shell can be very challenging. However, you have to push yourself and practice approaching people. Once you become a dentist you have a lot of freedom to interact with people however you choose. Until that day arrives, you will have to do a lot of things you are not comfortable with. I'm sorry, but that's life. We want to be doctors, not average.

BE REALISTIC. MAKE A PLAN:

3. A. Where to go: If you do have a low DAT/gpa all hope is not lost. You may have to work a little harder than average applicant, but do not despair. If you are frequently attend social gatherings that D-schools or post-bac programs provide, then you are definitely on the right track. Stick with it and give it the best you can. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you genuinely tried your best and used ALL of your resources. Everything else is out of your control. There is nothing wrong with wanting to attend a great school. In fact, you should only focus on schools that will provide you with the best education for YOUR needs. Please do not get caught up in a name. Not every school is for everyone. And while it may be nice for some people to go to Harvard, it may not be the best place for you. It is important to focus your energy applying to places that will provide you with excellent resources, faculty support, and an all around stellar education. There is NOTHING wrong with seeking help, You are foolish not to do so.

B. Low scores/gpa plan: You may have to retake the exam or enter into a post-bac program to help you improve your grades. Whatever your issue is, you will have to work. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE have a plan. I cannot stress this enough. There are a lot of steps and requirements when applying to a post-bac or D-school. Other than a rejection letter, nothing hurts more then having to defer your applications plans because of negligence. READ EVERYTHING CLOSELY AND CAREFULLY!

SMILE

4. As a society, we do not smile enough! A smile goes a long way. After all, you are working with TEETH! 😀 Take the time to smile when you pass a stranger on the street. Even if they don't smile back, you keep smiling. Typically friendly people are nice people. You never know how that one smile can change a person's life.

Thanks guys. Good luck to everyone.
 
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DentalHopeful13 said:
Hello!

Firstly, I want to start by saying that I am NOT a Dean or Admissions Director. I feel like something needs to be addressed. As a frequent browser of this site I am shocked and appalled with some of the advice/comments that I read--especially the response comments made to students with a low DAT score or GPA. It is clear to me that many of you do NOT know what you are talking about. Some of you are providing BAD ADVICE! Who am I? I am the daughter of a top 15 university Dean and Vice Chancellor. If you have an idea of who I am, then I ask that you please respect my families privacy and not post my name. 🙂 Now, moving on. This particular forum is meant to motivate future dental professionals as well as providing SAGE advice. A common trend I have noticed is that someone will make a post inquiring about their chances of dental school acceptance with a low/shaky DAT score or gpa, and some of the responses read "sorry, but you won't get in. I am being honest. This probably isn't for you." That is not helpful or nice. In fact, just because someone has poor grades, does not mean they are incapable of achieving success and following their dreams. Instead of telling someone what won't happen (which you don't know), it is better to recommend what they can do to improve their scores/gpa. There are a lot of contradictions on many of the threads and sometimes once you get to the end of the post the issue is not resolved.
.
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First off, I've been on here for two years and am headed to dental school as well. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about with your self-righteous rant against SDN. People on here are for the most part honest and well-intention, and rarely mean or rude. Some people are and eventually get banned.

But there is no point in lying to someone with a 2.0 GPA and 15 on the DAT in there 7th year of undergrad, and telling them they have a chance. There chance is as likely as the existence of unicorns. "Follow your dreams" is meaningless without having the basics down, like a decent GPA or DAT or minimum cognitive ability. Its like telling me to keep practicing and one day I'll be in the NBA. Terrible advice. I'm too short, fat and slow, and its unrealistic people like you that tells people that its possible. Its really not.


Good advice is in 90% of the posts. Although SDN is not a perfect site, it does not need a savior like you to condemn the community while claiming you know the "secret". You should start your own blog or forum.

And all your advice are redundant; do a search and a thread is already out there. Your advice from a 'highly respected" veteran is the same advice my dentists and SDN gave me.
 
Way to call everyone out and then post advice that's been on here a thousand times...
 
Couldn't agree more nondescriptive / mmmsteakdinners.
 
I disagree with having to show your face at the school before the application process and interview. I think most of us that have been accepted to schools have never even set foot in those schools before being interviewed....correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Lol I love your credentials, "daughter of a top 15 university dean". You obviously know what you're talking about. And who do I talk to be invited to these admissions meet-and-greets?!
 
Msmouth said:
I disagree with having to show your face at the school before the application process and interview. I think most of us that have been accepted to schools have never even set foot in those schools before being interviewed....correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

You are correct. The OP thinks we can afford to travel across the country and show our face to each school we applied to. I guess it couldn't hurt to show your face but I don't think it makes much difference.
 
Some of the comments are clearly bitter and it could not be more obvious. I said the post was uplifting those folks with low gpa scores and shaky DAT scores.

For the poster who made a reference to showing face to admissions people: If you are in the trenches with your grades, it is what you do. Last time I checked none of you were admissions people so I am not concerned about your opinions.

You are exactly the people I was referring to that comment when your advice is unwarranted. I clearly stated this site is an interesting but I would not use it as my number 1 resource. Moreover, i praised two people who I thought were standouts on the forum. I am entitled to my opinion. End of story. So keep it moving..
 
I applaud you for saying what you did. I agree that sometimes people can be very harsh on this site or give silly advice in what seems to be a way of discouraging others for their own benefit. Although no one I've spoken with has been mean or rude to me, I see it from time to time on threads and it irks me because someday we may be dentists in the same community and I would hope we can be supportive of each other rather than try to bring each other down.

I don't think OP is talking about the people with 2.0 GPAs because obviously that's out of the realm here, but for those bordering on the edge of what's considered acceptable still have a chance if they put more work into their lives than they've ever done before (and this speaks to myself as well). I just think we need to give positive advice (which doesn't mean misleading) and be inspirational more than anything -- tell someone what's worked for you. It may seem obvious to you, but to those just starting the process it's very daunting and scary, quite frankly.
 
HI! Well all of the programs have a coordinator. You can simply send them an email or call them! My personal friends and family members all agree that you should make yourself known. Even if you cannot physically get the campus, make sure you have a connect from the inside. You want to maintain DIRECT correspondence with someone who can help guide you through the process. I hope this helps. GOOD LUCK!
 
RIGHT ON TEETHS! You got it 100% I read some horrible posts today that were down right rude. Thank you for understanding my post and clarifying anything I missed.
 
why is that i find these threads more often in the dental forum instead of the pre-med forums ...
 
I've come across more good advice than bad ones. Care to give us clear examples? Maybe a link to a thread?
 
Nondescriptive...you make an ass out of yourself when you assume. I never said that. You should have asked for clarification. Since it is unclear to YOU then please refer to Teeths post. Also, of a candidate has top choice and they are on the fence with the requirements, then one should try to show their face at the social gatherings OR make your presence known via email/phone. Not everyone is applying to schools across the country. Some people are applying locally or within close proximity to their current residence. Use your common sense.
 
DentalHopeful13 said:
Nondescriptive...you make an ass out of yourself when you assume. I never said that. You should have asked for clarification. Since it is unclear to YOU then please refer to Teeths post. Also, of a candidate has top choice and they are on the fence with the requirements, then one should try to show their face at the social gatherings OR make your presence known via email/phone. Not everyone is applying to schools across the country. Some people are applying locally or within close proximity to their current residence. Use your common sense.
Click to expand...

Real clever. Funny the rest of SDN doesn't support you. Good for you that you are the daughter of an uncle who has a cousin who know the secretary of a dean who slept with the niece of someone on the board of admissions for some college.
 
nondescriptive said:
Real clever. Funny the rest of SDN doesn't support you. Good for you that you are the daughter of an uncle who has a cousin who know the secretary of a dean who slept with the niece of someone on the board of admissions for some college.
Click to expand...

:laugh:^9000
 
DentalHopeful13 said:
Nondescriptive...you make an ass out of yourself when you assume. I never said that. You should have asked for clarification. Since it is unclear to YOU then please refer to Teeths post. Also, of a candidate has top choice and they are on the fence with the requirements, then one should try to show their face at the social gatherings OR make your presence known via email/phone. Not everyone is applying to schools across the country. Some people are applying locally or within close proximity to their current residence. Use your common sense.
Click to expand...

Good God! Do you realize what kind of person you come off as if you actually said this in real life?

Go ahead, say what you just wrote out loud to yourself and tell me if you still view "colleagues" as equals. Whatever message you're trying to chide us with loses all gravity once you commit the same vices.
 
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SDN was a great resource for me and I really think reading it puts applicants light years ahead of the pack.


We tell people with 16AA's and a 2.5GPA that no, you have very low chances of acceptances. The bad advice is yours. You tell people what? Think about it! Make a plan! Smile 🙂)))))!


That is useless advice. Begone troll.
 
Again, move along then. I have received private messages in support of my statement. But thanks anyway though.
 
Where did I ever use numbers in my posts? I didn't. I never gave any stats for anything. The people who this applies to know who they are. Again, where did I ever bash SDN as a resource? I do not care if I come off as arrogant. Not all of us have to struggle get where we want to go. I am sorry if you have insecurities of your own to work out. I am not ashamed of my father and it's very disgusting anyone would patronize me in reference to him. I merely stated my connection to show a credible connection.
 
You'd be surprised how many DENTAL school deans and faculty who are on the adcoms talk to dental students about the admissions process. The university dean and vice chancellor do not make decisions on students being accepted or rejected. Dental school faculty do. They review 1000s of applications. They know how they choose students. Of course luck is always a factor and there are surprises during the admissions process, but most of the advice on here is fairly realistic. If you're a dental student on SDN, go ask your director of admissions something about the process and report here. That's accurate information. Usually, the best answer you give someone on SDN is "to call the school and ask."
By the way, why do you have to preface your statement with "top 15 university?" Does it make your post more legitimate than if you said some top 50? If you really know SDN well, you'll know rankings don't mean that much in dental school. Dental schools are not ranked and I go to a dental school at a "top 15 undergraduate university" where they accept a ton of student from non Ivy League schools and no top 30, 50 whatever ranked schools.

You have take everything with a grai of salt on any forum for any subject.
 
I said PRIVATE MESSAGES. You missed suggestion number 3: Read carefully.
 
DentalHopeful13 said:
It is clear to me that many of you do NOT know what you are talking about.
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Who are these "many"?


DentalHopeful13 said:
A common trend I have noticed is that someone will make a post inquiring about their chances of dental school acceptance with a low/shaky DAT score or gpa, and some of the responses read "sorry, but you won't get in.
Click to expand...


Where is the "common trend"?

You make broad statements about many people, who are these people?
 
My goodness. People just do not read carefully anymore. The posts that I have read are all wrapped up in a name instead of the quality of the school. Never one did I advocate applying to a school based on the the name.
 
DentalHopeful13 said:
My goodness. People just do not read carefully anymore. The posts that I have read are all wrapped up in a name instead of the quality of the school. Never one did I advocate applying to a school based on the the name.
Click to expand...

It would be nice if you quoted who you are referring to; it appears your are beset on all sides. I plan to attack from the flank.
 
DentalHopeful13 said:
My goodness. People just do not read carefully anymore. The posts that I have read are all wrapped up in a name instead of the quality of the school. Never one did I advocate applying to a school based on the the name.
Click to expand...

It goes without saying that your comments make you out to be a terrible person. Luckily, people can change. Please provide evidence to recent trend of SDN providing terrible advice.
 
A common trend I have noticed is that someone will make a post inquiring about their chances of dental school acceptance with a low/shaky DAT score or gpa, and some of the responses read "sorry, but you won't get in. I am being honest. This probably isn't for you."

Yes, do not apply with a 3.2 gpa and 18 DAT to a school that accepts 10 OOS and avg GPA is 3.7 and DAT is 23. Of course you have a chance, but you would be better off using that application money towards a school that is closer to what you application offers and accepts more OOS. There are lots of schools to apply to.
 
Ok? And? Good for you. You don't run anything and certainly not me. I am free to post and stay on this site as long and as often as I would like. It's for the better those alleged "1 BILLION" have not commented. I will let the haters try to pick my post apart. I could care less. You all have fun wrangling over my post. Those who know the academic system know where I am coming from.
 
This thread is amazing. DentHopeful you are so unaware that it pains me. Yeah, I mean there are threads out there that offer terrible advice but i'd say a majority of the threads offer constructive criticism. Please don't parade your "holier than thou" attitude, because you are only making yourself look foolish.
 
211719d1293751133-deadmau5-thread-locked-forum-pics.jpg
 
DentalHopeful13 said:
Ok? And? Good for you. You don't run anything and certainly not me. I am free to post and stay on this site as long and as often as I would like. It's for the better those alleged "1 BILLION" have not commented. I will let the haters try to pick my post apart. I could care less. You all have fun wrangling over my post. Those who know the academic system know where I am coming from.
Click to expand...

Please use quotes. It helps to reference the response.😀
 
DentalHopeful13 said:
My goodness. People just do not read carefully anymore. The posts that I have read are all wrapped up in a name instead of the quality of the school. Never one did I advocate applying to a school based on the the name.
Click to expand...

You aren't so hot at reading yourself if you think what you've shared here is so radically groundbreaking and new. A mature applicant knows how to look past the murk of SDN.

By they way, you're being a little generous by calling that a top 15 school.
 
Here's what I do:

  1. Finds thread
  2. Reads post that contains statement (not opinion).
  3. Statement looks suspicious.
  4. Let me Google that.
  5. It was BS.
  6. Repeat Steps 1-5.
 
Off topic question for DentalHopeful13.

Why do you capitalise words various words throughout your posts. I've noticed some people do this and I always read it as if you are yelling just those words. I get that you're going for emphasis, but is it really that hard to use boldface?

It grinds my gears.
 
UCSFx2017 said:
Here's what I do:

  1. Finds thread
  2. Reads post that contains statement (not opinion).
  3. Statement looks suspicious.
  4. Let me Google that.
  5. It was BS.
  6. Repeat Steps 1-5.
Click to expand...

Bro, you're like obviously being bitter and it's like totally obvious.
 
tumblr_m6huu1hvQL1rys4czo1_400.gif



This thread will self destruct in 3......2......
 
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