Chances for top tier Dental programs?

[PreDental_1]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I majored in Education & Ecology during College. Had no real intention of pursuing a pre-health track. Graduated, and am now considering Dentistry because my cousin is doing really well in his private practice.

cGPA: 3.65
sGPA: 3.45
DAT: 24 composite
Generally strong research (10+ presentations, 2 Pubs), EC's, and LOR's. Shadowed General Dentist for 100 Hours, done a good amount of non-clinical/clinical. For the past year, I've been teaching as a Middle School Life Sciences Teacher. I did have a few questions that I was hoping pre-dent students could answer

1. In the practice of Dentistry, is it important to sell yourself? I want to have a pretty quiet existence, work at a practice (not really interested in owning my own), do my job, and go home. I mean ideally, 5 years in I'd be working 3 days a week, which is my cousin's experience (He practices in FL).
2. Do Dental Schools do grade replacement? If they do,I'd have a 3.80 sGPA and a 3.68 cGPA.
3. What are my chances at the following schools, to whom I will be submitting an application this June:

• Harvard
• U Penn
• Columbia
• UConn
• Maryland
• Boston
• Tufts
• VCU

Thanks for the help!

 

[DATtestTho]

No grade replacements for the AADSAS to my knowledge. And yes you should be fine just apply early.

 

[Incis0r]

UConn, I know, has a 3.6-3.7 avg incoming GPA overall and science. DAT is around a 20-21AA. So as @DATtestTho said, you're fine if you apply early

 

[Incis0r]

Why work only 3 days a week? DENTISTRY IS FUN. DENTISTRY IS LIFE.

 

[beingaunicorn]

1) Well, yes in the sense that you need to sell yourself as a practioner. You need patients and need to work at getting patients to keep coming to you. I mean, I don't think it'll l be hard if you work at an established practice like you want, but you need to be charismatic when needed. You're always selling your skills and time. But yes, you can have an easy existence with dentistry. However, thinking about only working 3 days a week in 5 years might be a bit myopic just because depending on some of the schools listed, you might have a lot of debt on your hands.

2) I don't know :\ Sorry.

3) Yep. I currently attend one of these schools you listed and had a slightly lower sGPA, slightly higher cGPA, and a similar DAT score but not much research experience or publications, so I think you're good to go. Best of luck!

 

[Drswole242]

is boston and tufts considered top tier?

 

[Incis0r]

The majority of people on this forum advocate lower cost/less debt over a "top school." If you just want to be a General Dentist, few will ask where you went for your DMD/DDS.

 

[DentalDoge]

There isnt an official list of schools that are "top tiered" because the way dental education is set up. There's literally no bar to set that would apply to every school.

For example, as Ivy league schools Harvard and UPenn are supposibly pretty far apart on the dentistry spectrum. Where UPenn has excellent clinic programs and Harvard not so much. Harvard dental is suppose to be pretty much like Harvard med and heavily favors you to specialize.

And yes, Tufts has a pretty great clinic programs as far as I can tell but cant say for sure as I didnt apply to any of those.

And BU is sort of on the rocky road lately.

The better question to ask is: What do you want to do with your DMD/DDS?

 

[Incis0r]

There isnt an official list of schools that are "top tiered" because the way dental education is set up. There's literally no bar to set that would apply to every school.

For example, as Ivy league schools Harvard and UPenn are supposibly pretty far apart on the dentistry spectrum. Where UPenn has excellent clinic programs and Harvard not so much. Harvard dental is suppose to be pretty much like Harvard med and heavily favors you to specialize.

And yes, Tufts has a pretty great clinic programs as far as I can tell but cant say for sure as I didnt apply to any of those.

And BU is sort of on the rocky road lately.

The better question to ask is: What do you want to do with your DMD/DDS?

True.

 

[pinkster]

There isnt an official list of schools that are "top tiered" because the way dental education is set up. There's literally no bar to set that would apply to every school.

For example, as Ivy league schools Harvard and UPenn are supposibly pretty far apart on the dentistry spectrum. Where UPenn has excellent clinic programs and Harvard not so much. Harvard dental is suppose to be pretty much like Harvard med and heavily favors you to specialize.

And yes, Tufts has a pretty great clinic programs as far as I can tell but cant say for sure as I didnt apply to any of those.

And BU is sort of on the rocky road lately.

The better question to ask is: What do you want to do with your DMD/DDS?

Why is BU on a "rocky road"? I am curious because I see people talk about issues, but I never see too many details. It seems like people don't even really know what they are talking about. Just curious.

 

[Incis0r]

Why is BU on a "rocky road"? I am curious because I see people talk about issues there, but I never see too many details. It seems like people don't even really know what they are talking about. Just curious.

Yep

 

[DentalDoge]

Why is BU on a "rocky road"? I am curious because I see people talk about issues, but I never see too many details. It seems like people don't even really know what they are talking about. Just curious.

I've heard things are better now. I really wanted to visit the school and see for myself but they have decided against it. Of course, the people who are studying there would have the best idea.

I want to be a GP, maybe do some teaching, work in a CHC, and someday own my practice.
Which of the schools from OP's original list would work for this?

If you think you might like teaching, then DMD/PHD programs will give you the best chance. UConn has one as Im sure many other schools on that list. But it IS a big commitment.

Sorry to say that is the extent of my knowledge on such matter. I have no motivation of doing any teaching or research.

 

[Incis0r]

@DentalDoge You're awesome!