College Career Change: Any Advice?

[Chson]

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I'm finishing up my Junior year in Computer Engineering with a 2.2 GPA.

If I wanted to get accepted into Dental school, should I just "start over" with a fresh GPA and new major? Or should I just take the prerequisites Chemistry/Biology courses during and after my CompE degree?

I prefer the second choice but in the end my GPA would probably be a 2.5 so I don't think that'll be sufficient.

 

[Regina330]

If I were you, I would just take the prerequisites. But make sure you do well in them (A's, B+'s, B's). You have the chance then of having a high science GPA and learning the material well enough to get a good score on the DAT. I think it would be too much of a hassel to start back over. Plus, with your degree, you will add diversity to the dental school applicant pool. Also, to supplement your application and to make sure dentistry is right for you, start contacting dentists and specialists asap to shadow. Hope this helps!

 

[Chson]

Thanks for your advice. I guess at the very least I'll end up with a minor in one of the sciences.

 

[Happy Gingiva]

I think those dental schools know that Computer Engineering is a hard major. As long as you take the preq. classes and do well, I think you will be ok. Like you, I also changed my career goal from engineering to dentistry.

Also
1.) Volunteer in the dental clinic and get a letter of rec there.
2.) Research-show you care about improving the dental or the health science field in general.
3.) Get above 20 on all catogories for DAT

I think if you do these, they will overlook your previous GPA, since you have proven to them that you care and you are enthusiastic about going into dentistry.

Just my 2 cents

Good luck!!!

 

[Chson]

Thanks Gingiva.

Another question for anyone who's willing to answer.

I go to a pretty expensive private university so I don't want to take the 2 years worth of prereq's there. Could I just complete my CompE degree and then just take the pre-req's at a public state university? Is that normal procedure for situations like mine?

 

[space kacy]

That sounds like a great idea. Do that. Dental school is hella expensive and the less loans you have to pay back the better. If you take it at a university and not a community college or something, then that's fine. It doesn't really matter where you get your pre-req's as long as you do well in them.

 

[Chson]

Thanks for the info space kacy.