Concerned In California

[NickoT]

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Hey everyone, I'm hoping that I can get some advice on my expectations, i.e. are they realistic or am I totally insane!

I am a post-bac premed student and am currently in the application cycle. I graduated from U of Arizona w/degree in Linguistics and then went on to do intel analyst work for the government. Decided to come back to school two years ago and have been completing my prereqs ever since.

Undergrad GPA is 3.8
Post-bac GPA is 3.8
Science GPA is 3.8
All sounds OK so far, but my DAT wasn't so stellar (took it in Aug)
Ochem 20
GChem 20
Bio 19
Rdg 23
QR 15
PAT 14

Don't know is some schools don't care too much about me bombing the PAT, I have five interviews lined up...Colorado, Washington, Columbia, UNLV, and Arizona.

Problem is that I really want to stay in LA and have not gotten an interview from UCLA (got secondary and sent in Aug) or USC. Does anyone have an opinion on my chances? I don't think UCLA has had interviews yet, but I think USC started in October.

 

[Darksunshine]

Well, I think you are screwed. NO NO NO> Just kidding. Your stats are fine if not above average GPA wise. Look at the stat page and take a DEEP BREATH.

I have been practicing this myself. Also it seems you are worried when as you said yourself, you have 5 interviews lined up, so TAKE ANOTHER DEEP breath and try not to panic.

I know easier said than done. I am nervously chewing my fingernails off as I wait for Dec 1st to roll around but in reality I have done all I can do and really should just work on other areas of my life.

Good Luck, You will be fine.

 

[luder98]

Not sure about UCLA and USC, but you'll definitely have small chance with UOP. They state 16 min on their site. I talked to them today. They are looking for 20s accross all sections. Good luck!

 

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

California Schools really emphasize on PAT. I think you should call them and ask if you need to retake the test or not (just to improve the PAT part, the rest are great!!!).
I also have a question. I know it is better to go to a school in your state so you do not have to move around. However, if other schools accept you, would you go? If you really like dentistry and want to become a dentist, you should be happy if whatever school will accept you and make your dream come true. Many people hope for one school will accept them, here now you have interviews at many other schools, and with your records, I am sure you will be accepted somewhere. Just enjoy the process, wherever you land on in the future will be fate, and let enjoy that too. If you only focus on California schools, then you will miss out alot, espeically what other schools can offer you.

Here is something that Buddha had said:

Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed. 😍

Good luck!



Good luck!!!

 

[KobeInnocent]

Here is something that Buddha had said:

Let yourself be open and life will be easier. A spoon of salt in a glass of water makes the water undrinkable. A spoon of salt in a lake is almost unnoticed. 😍

Good luck!



Good luck!!!

word

 

[luder98]

However, if other schools accept you, would you go? If you really like dentistry and want to become a dentist, you should be happy if whatever school will accept you and make your dream come true.

It's not that easy for some people. In my case, I also applied to three out-of-state schools, but I will still think about it if those turn out to be my only choice. Family is the main reason.

 

[NickoT]

I am happy to have received the interviews that I have thus far, but if I don't get accepted here in California, and in LA to be more specific, I will have a very hard choice to make. My husband doesn't have the flexibility to relocate and it would be tough to ask him to give up his 250K job, actually career which he has invested seven years to. Definitely not saying that it wouldn't be possible and he is quite supportive, but not being accepted here would really complicate matters.

I'll just keep my fingers crossed!

Thanks for all the advice and well wishes. Good luck to you all!

 

[luder98]

My husband doesn't have the flexibility to relocate and it would be tough to ask him to give up his 250K job, actually career which he has invested seven years to.

Why not forget about dental schools and stay home take care of the kids. 😕

 

[NickoT]

No kids...you can't be serious though. If all I wanted to do was stay home I surely would have spared myself two years of science courses.

 

[Darksunshine]

I am happy to have received the interviews that I have thus far, but if I don't get accepted here in California, and in LA to be more specific, I will have a very hard choice to make. My husband doesn't have the flexibility to relocate and it would be tough to ask him to give up his 250K job, actually career which he has invested seven years to. Definitely not saying that it wouldn't be possible and he is quite supportive, but not being accepted here would really complicate matters.

I'll just keep my fingers crossed!

Thanks for all the advice and well wishes. Good luck to you all!

Please, Please, Please, do not make the same mistake I made last year. My husband insisted that I ONLY APPLY to the only INSTATE school because of his job...... sounds like you. Well, I was interviewed and wait listed and not chosen. So here I am up for round 2!

This year I applied 13, and I will move where ever. If my husband can't give up his job, or find a new one where I get in then we have at least agreed this year we will be having a LONG distance relationship. I moved to OR for his job because supposedly as a hygienist I could work anywhere.

Well, now it is time for me to finish following my dreams, and I was made humble last year by having to spend all my time and energy this year to try and get in somewhere.

If you aren't willing to move, and you don't get in you may be stuck applying MANY times.

Please take this as one female to another. I am sure that you didn't spend all this time for nothing. I have 2 kids as well. You just have to realize that moving may not be the worst thing in the world for you. 👍

 

[J2AZ]

I am a post-bac premed student and am currently in the application cycle. I graduated from U of Arizona w/degree in Linguistics and then went on to do intel analyst work for the government. Decided to come back to school two years ago and have been completing my prereqs ever since.

Undergrad GPA is 3.8
Post-bac GPA is 3.8
Science GPA is 3.8
All sounds OK so far, but my DAT wasn't so stellar (took it in Aug)
Ochem 20
GChem 20
Bio 19
Rdg 23
QR 15
PAT 14

QUOTE]

Hate to break it to you but you took the wrong test. Med schools dont accept the DAT. Premed students take the MCAT!!!! Maybe that's why you havent heard anything from UCLA and USC (medical schools I would assume). They are waiting for the correct score report.

 

[luder98]

No kids...you can't be serious though. If all I wanted to do was stay home I surely would have spared myself two years of science courses.

I AM. If I make that much, I will convince my wife to stay home or do some part time job as a hobby or help me. Going after the money is not always a good thing to do. You need to stop at some points and think what is more important. One of the two MUST have a significant amount of time with the kids. Evenif you tell me that you LOVE dentistry and all that, that still doesn't change my view. Maybe it's just me. Let me know what you think ...10 years from now.

 

[Darksunshine]

Why not forget about dental schools and stay home take care of the kids. 😕

She said she doesn't have kids. 😕

So why would she be needing to stay home by herself? 😱

Besides, just because you have doesn't mean you don't want a career and life. Kids don't come in neat little packages, and gone are the days of the stay at home parents in most major cities because YOU must have 2 incomes to survive.

Do you have kids Luder? 🙁

 

[Darksunshine]

wow, i can't believe it took 11 posts for someone to notice the "premed".....

LOL, yah good point. That could be why she hasn't heard from some schools. I know a few schools that don't look highly on you "walking the fence" between dentistry and medicine. Meaning having one of them be a fall back option for the other. 😕

 

[NickoT]

I am a post-bac premed student and am currently in the application cycle. I graduated from U of Arizona w/degree in Linguistics and then went on to do intel analyst work for the government. Decided to come back to school two years ago and have been completing my prereqs ever since.

Undergrad GPA is 3.8
Post-bac GPA is 3.8
Science GPA is 3.8
All sounds OK so far, but my DAT wasn't so stellar (took it in Aug)
Ochem 20
GChem 20
Bio 19
Rdg 23
QR 15
PAT 14

QUOTE]

Hate to break it to you but you took the wrong test. Med schools dont accept the DAT. Premed students take the MCAT!!!! Maybe that's why you havent heard anything from UCLA and USC (medical schools I would assume). They are waiting for the correct score report.

The post-bac premed program isn't limited to med types...there are actually pre-vets and pre-dents in the program. It's just the name of the program. By the way, you would have to be a complete idiot to not know what test is required for either med/dental school!

 

[NickoT]

By the way Dark Sunshine, thanks for the advice. I'll definitely share this with my husband. I think he is under the impression that I'll definitely be getting in to either USC or UCLA...your posting should serve as a reality check.

Oh, and again, I am pre-dent, but the certificate program at USC is called post-bac premed.

 

[Darksunshine]

By the way Dark Sunshine, thanks for the advice. I'll definitely share this with my husband. I think he is under the impression that I'll definitely be getting in to either USC or UCLA...your posting should serve as a reality check.

Oh, and again, I am pre-dent, but the certificate program at USC is called post-bac premed.

Thanks! and You are welcome! I know my husband was in "shock" that I didn't get into my one and only school last years with my stat's/exp/DAT (blah, blah,). I don't think that husbands (insert spouses if you are male) understand how competative this is. SO COMPETATIVE. Good luck to you!
👍

Oh btw, I have interview with USC on Friday, I will let you know my opinion of USC.

So far I have interviewed at AZ, and U of Penn, with my UNLV interview and OHSU interview to go still. (also CO I hope-got a secondary.)

 

[luder98]

She said she doesn't have kids. 😕

So why would she be needing to stay home by herself? 😱

Not now, in future, eventually.

Besides, just because you have doesn't mean you don't want a career and life. Kids don't come in neat little packages, and gone are the days of the stay at home parents in most major cities because YOU must have 2 incomes to survive.
Do you have kids Luder? 🙁

Of course I do. That's why I DO NOT want to move out of North Cal. I decided to make this career change because of him. Although my income is not as good as 1/4 mil, it CAN support the whole family. I don't need to drive latest BMW or MB or Ferrari. It all comes down on how you view life. You'll get tired at some point after chasing these things. You want pursue your dream, that's great. Nothing is wrong with that. It's just about what is important to you. To me, FAMILY.

 

[Darksunshine]

I agree. Family is important. So is being happy at work and all that comes with that decision. Hence why I want to be a dentist. There are lot's of things about this profession that make it a great profession for having a family. BUT, being female means you are the one fat and uncomfortable for 10 months (pregnancy is 40 weeks, so yes really more like 10 months than 9.) and it also means you are the one to have to recover from said joint venture.

But I think it is perfectly OK in this day an age for women to have a career and a family. Also, it is becoming more OK that men stay home and women work. Not to turn this into a sexist thing but we have come a long way in this country and women's rights. Certainly working females has made big changes in the world and also the way we view family.

 

[luder98]

Sorry if you see my post that way. I was not trying to convince you that females should stay home and males should work. Your point of view is perfectly fine with me. In fact, my CEO is female and she is one of the most well known CEOs of the world. I admire many working women, esp. those who have changed the world. I wish you luck!