Confused...

[guitarkid94]

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Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to SDN. I posted back in high school (hence the super stupid name but you live and you learn). I am currently a rising junior at a state school; however, I will have enough credits to graduate after this year with a BA in a social science. By the time I graduate I will I have taken all the prereqs for dental school and I am taking my DAT in August. I also set up shadowing with a local dentist so my shadowing will also be done. I am confused as to what I should do next - my gpa is kind of low (~3.3, sGPA ~3.0). Should I apply this cycle and test my luck? Should I do a post-bacc program to raise my GPA (if so, any recommendations)? Should I do a masters program to prove I can handle upper level science classes (if so, any recommendations)? I'm not the biggest fan of my undergrad school so I would rather not stay for a 4th year if I don't really have a legit reason.

Thanks!

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I would say you want to raise your science GPA. As for how, I'd probably go for whatever is cheaper, because dental school's going to be preeeetty expensive.

 

[ajj70]

I'd focus on nailing the DAT then getting a stellar GPA this year, apply next spring and apply broadly. I would not apply this cycle. Very few schools take students without a bachelor and usually only those with stellar stats. It would just be tossing money out the window to apply now.

 

[guitarkid94]

Thanks for the replies! @ajj70 what would you recommend doing the year I apply then since I will have graduated?

 

[ajj70]

Thanks for the replies! @ajj70 what would you recommend doing the year I apply then since I will have graduated?

Ok, I misread that. I thought you were going to go 4 years for UG. I guess I would not graduate early if you do not have to and take a load of upper level science classes this year to prove you can handle the work before you apply. I guess it depends on how much you are paying for school right now, but graduating early and then just dumping money into a post-bac or Master's program seems a bit silly I think.

 

[super frank]

Finish out your undergrad and receive great grades. See where you stand then. If your sGPA is still below let's say a 3.2-3.3, you should probably look into a masters program. While you're finishing out your undergrad shadow your general dentist a lot.

 

[DetermineDent]

I would say apply next cycle, take upper level science classes, and get all A's. Get a 21+ maybe even push it to 22+.... And hopefully that will compensate for a 3.2 or so sGPA. Apply broadly. And get a ton of volunteering and shadowing in. This next year could make or break you, good luck

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

.

 

[guitarkid94]

Thanks for the advice and responses. I'm going to meet with my advisor tomorrow to discuss options. I definitely think I am going to wait on applying this cycle and maybe consider a masters program. I have pretty good ECs with leadership positions and I'm working on shadowing right now

 

[theteethgeek]

Thanks for the advice and responses. I'm going to meet with my advisor tomorrow to discuss options. I definitely think I am going to wait on applying this cycle and maybe consider a masters program. I have pretty good ECs with leadership positions and I'm working on shadowing right now

I would just say apply and see what happens. I am in the same boat grade wise. A rejection from a school can't be looked at as a bad thing. It's only how you view it. Call the school and see why you didn't get accepted and this can help you figure out what you need to do. If it's your grades then go back to school, if it's your shadowing then get shadowing hours etc... Applications aren't cheap so I would say apply to a few schools you would like to this cycle and see what they say. The next cycle you can apply more broadly.