Dental school in Canada or George brown (hygiene)?

[hasibullah]

Im currently in my 4th year of undergrad at UofT (scarborough). My first two years were horrible in terms of GPA (around 1.8 I'm assuming) but my last two years were relatively higher than 3.0 (depending on which semester, in some semesters I got 3.1 and 3.3 etc) and my overall GPA (cumulate 4 years) would be 2.2 I think atm. I'm gonna be finishing biology and health studies degree.
However, Ive been searching that they will drop my worse year and that they will consider my best two years (depending on the school). And Ive heard that my courses have to be full course load but my UofT (UTSC) considers 60% full course load (3 per semester) in which I have done, in some semesters I had 4 or 5 courses.

So I was planning on taking DENTAL PREP COURSES in the summer (while finishing my last course to graduate) and hopefully apply for November exam or the February exam time. As ive mentioned, my cumulative GPA isn't good looking but my last two years I'm trying really hard to get above 3.5gpa in UofT. I'm trying to apply within Canada Dental schools. So what are my chances of getting in? should I do my dental prep course and go for it? I feel like its not enough right now cos of my GPA (either my last two years or my cumulative). Ive heard from other forums that its not enough and ill be wasting my time and $$$. Some said to take a different easier degree to boost my GPA and that will most likely take 3 years to complete which I dont wanna waste time tbh.

But however my plan B was to go for Dental Hygienist which I would love to for George Brown College in Toronto. and I checked they do transfer courses from my University but I still gotta apply through the Ontario colleges giving in my highschool and university transcript. My average in high school was I believe 78-80% average in grade 12. So suppose I go for Dental Hygiene, what are my chances of getting in here? Even though the application is closed for this year (upcoming fall) mostly likely ill have to wait for next year 2018.

What are your opinions guys?



Really could appreciate the help.



Thanks.

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[oralcare123]

Your chances for Canadian dental schools are 0. Dental hygiene is more realistic

 

[futuresurgeon00]

Your chances for Canadian dental schools are 0. Dental hygiene is more realistic

Im currently in my 4th year of undergrad at UofT (scarborough). My first two years were horrible in terms of GPA (around 1.8 I'm assuming) but my last two years were relatively higher than 3.0 (depending on which semester, in some semesters I got 3.1 and 3.3 etc) and my overall GPA (cumulate 4 years) would be 2.2 I think atm. I'm gonna be finishing biology and health studies degree.
However, Ive been searching that they will drop my worse year and that they will consider my best two years (depending on the school). And Ive heard that my courses have to be full course load but my UofT (UTSC) considers 60% full course load (3 per semester) in which I have done, in some semesters I had 4 or 5 courses.

So I was planning on taking DENTAL PREP COURSES in the summer (while finishing my last course to graduate) and hopefully apply for November exam or the February exam time. As ive mentioned, my cumulative GPA isn't good looking but my last two years I'm trying really hard to get above 3.5gpa in UofT. I'm trying to apply within Canada Dental schools. So what are my chances of getting in? should I do my dental prep course and go for it? I feel like its not enough right now cos of my GPA (either my last two years or my cumulative). Ive heard from other forums that its not enough and ill be wasting my time and $$$. Some said to take a different easier degree to boost my GPA and that will most likely take 3 years to complete which I dont wanna waste time tbh.

But however my plan B was to go for Dental Hygienist which I would love to for George Brown College in Toronto. and I checked they do transfer courses from my University but I still gotta apply through the Ontario colleges giving in my highschool and university transcript. My average in high school was I believe 78-80% average in grade 12. So suppose I go for Dental Hygiene, what are my chances of getting in here? Even though the application is closed for this year (upcoming fall) mostly likely ill have to wait for next year 2018.

What are your opinions guys?



Really could appreciate the help.



Thanks.

You have to remember that Canadian Med/Law/Dental schools are extremely competitive and it is very difficult to get into. What is your DAT Score (if you have taken it?) There are also the programs that like the comeback kids - those who start off with a low GPA, turn it around with insane DAT Scores, extracurriculars and a much higher GPA - those are also more rare cases.

I would really focus on getting a higher GPA, it might take longer, but if you really want to be a dentist, you'd have to really put in the effort, even though there still might be no guarantee you would get in.

However, from reading your post, it seems like you would not mind being a dental hygienist, so I would definitely recommend going down that pathway, and if you decide later on that you still want to be a dentist, you could always go down the Non-traditional path.

 

[KG99]

Go with the hygiene option and don't waste any time trying for dental school. The interview cut off at UofT was a 3.91 this year.
I also had terrible grades in my first two years and even with a 3.9 masters GPA I didn't even get an interview.
Just as the person above said, getting in to ANY professional school in Canada is ridiculously hard

 

[NYDentalgirl]

Dental Hygiene. If you want to stay in Canada, then your chances are nonexistent to very low. I think the average GPA to get into any Canadian Dental school is about a 3.6 - 3.8 and you are close. Dental Hygiene is an amazing career path! Every hygienist I've met is very happy with their lives!

 

[Steins;Gate]

Dental Hygiene. If you want to stay in Canada, then your chances are nonexistent to very low. I think the average GPA to get into any Canadian Dental school is about a 3.6 - 3.8 and you are close. Dental Hygiene is an amazing career path! Every hygienist I've met is very happy with their lives!

The average accepted GPA for the University of Toronto was 3.93/4.00 in the 2016-2017 application cycle and this includes masters students that have a bonus (and therefore may have lower GPAs). 3.85+ is 100% necessary for Toronto, 3.9+ to be competitive.

 

[NYDentalgirl]

The average accepted GPA for the University of Toronto was 3.93/4.00 in the 2016-2017 application cycle and this includes masters students that have a bonus (and therefore may have lower GPAs). 3.85+ is 100% necessary for Toronto, 3.9+ to be competitive.

I meant for all Canadian Dental Schools. Not just U of T.(I forgot exact numbers but I know it's very high for all Canadian schools) OP's GPA is definitely not competitive for DS in Canada. Very unlikely in the US either since they prefer Americans over international.

 

[Steins;Gate]

I meant for all Canadian Dental Schools. Not just U of T.(I forgot exact numbers but I know it's very high for all Canadian schools) OP's GPA is definitely not competitive for DS in Canada. Very unlikely in the US either since they prefer Americans over international.

Oh yeah for sure. OP said George Brown so I just used the closest dental school for reference.

 

[Zesta]

Don't listen to these people. Your chances for Canadian schools is NOT zero. Your only chance is at Western since they look at your best 2 years and so you would have to do 2 extra years of undergrad. If this is something you want bad enough, I would suggest doing this route or doing dental hygiene instead. And don't take a prep course for the DAT, it's a waste of money.

 

[futuresurgeon00]

Don't listen to these people. Your chances for Canadian schools is NOT zero. Your only chance is at Western since they look at your best 2 years and so you would have to do 2 extra years of undergrad. If this is something you want bad enough, I would suggest doing this route or doing dental hygiene instead. And don't take a prep course for the DAT, it's a waste of money.

I'm not trying to be off-putting and harsh, but just honest, because I have been in the position of applying to Canadian/US/International Dental Schools.

It's also unrealistic to provide false hope to people. Western is also an extremely difficult school to get into - and applying to only 1 Canadian school is honestly like putting all of your eggs in one basket.

Canadian schools ARE more difficult to get into, it's why a lot of applicants end up applying to the US or internationally. I also applied to the US and internationally because it's honestly better to be realistic.

Some said to take a different easier degree to boost my GPA and that will most likely take 3 years to complete which I dont wanna waste time tbh.

Also, as OP mentioned, they don't want to put in extra years for an undergrad to boost their GPA.

 

[Zesta]

I'm not trying to be off-putting and harsh, but just honest, because I have been in the position of applying to Canadian/US/International Dental Schools.

It's also unrealistic to provide false hope to people. Western is also an extremely difficult school to get into - and applying to only 1 Canadian school is honestly like putting all of your eggs in one basket.

Canadian schools ARE more difficult to get into, it's why a lot of applicants end up applying to the US or internationally. I also applied to the US and internationally because it's honestly better to be realistic.



Also, as OP mentioned, they don't want to put in extra years for an undergrad to boost their GPA.

Yea you're right, but it comes down to the OP to reflect on his/her abililty to pull a high GPA. If he/she knows she can pull 2 years with a GPA high enough to meet UWO's cutoffs, then he/she should chase after their dreams to becoming a dentist. At the end it really comes down to how badly you want it, it's difficult but it's better to try if you want it badly enough especially since they'll look over all your other grades.

 

[futuresurgeon00]

Yea you're right, but it comes down to the OP to reflect on his/her abililty to pull a high GPA. If he/she knows she can pull 2 years with a GPA high enough to meet UWO's cutoffs, then he/she should chase after their dreams to becoming a dentist. At the end it really comes down to how badly you want it, it's difficult but it's better to try if you want it badly enough especially since they'll look over all your other grades.

True 🙂

 

[KG99]

Don't listen to these people. Your chances for Canadian schools is NOT zero. Your only chance is at Western since they look at your best 2 years and so you would have to do 2 extra years of undergrad. If this is something you want bad enough, I would suggest doing this route or doing dental hygiene instead. And don't take a prep course for the DAT, it's a waste of money.

Western is not easy to get in to either and they really put an emphasis on having a full course load
taken from their site: "If the course load is less than five a slight penalty is assessed against the grade, to reflect the fact that it is based on a lighter course load."

Also Canadian dental schools have way less seats than US ones. For example Dalhousie has under 30 spots (I forgot the number) and they give preference to students from maritime provinces

 

[Steins;Gate]

Need a full course load (5.0 courses/year) for Western starting 2017-2018 cycle.

 

[futuresurgeon00]

Western is not easy to get in to either and they really put an emphasis on having a full course load
taken from their site: "If the course load is less than five a slight penalty is assessed against the grade, to reflect the fact that it is based on a lighter course load."

Technically you have two options with Western:

1) To transfer in - which is MUCH more difficult to do as according to Western "Individuals applying as transfer students must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% in all previous university studies at an accredited degree-granting institution and have experienced no extensive academic difficulty to be considered for admission."

2) Become a Special Student "Applicants who have already graduated with an undergraduate degree are referred to as Special Students. You will be considered for admission as a Special Student if you have a degree from an accredited university that is equivalent to at least a 3 year Bachelor’s Degree at Western and if you have achieved a minimum overall average of 60% in the context of Western’s grading system."

I'd definitely recommend OP reading more about this below - or even calling them up and asking.

Canadian University Transfer - Admission Requirements - Welcome to Western - Western University

 

[KG99]

Technically you have two options with Western:

1) To transfer in - which is MUCH more difficult to do as according to Western "Individuals applying as transfer students must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% in all previous university studies at an accredited degree-granting institution and have experienced no extensive academic difficulty to be considered for admission."

2) Become a Special Student "Applicants who have already graduated with an undergraduate degree are referred to as Special Students. You will be considered for admission as a Special Student if you have a degree from an accredited university that is equivalent to at least a 3 year Bachelor’s Degree at Western and if you have achieved a minimum overall average of 60% in the context of Western’s grading system."

I'd definitely recommend OP reading more about this below - or even calling them up and asking.

Canadian University Transfer - Admission Requirements - Welcome to Western - Western University

Even their admission requirements drive me crazy! Hahaha

 

[futuresurgeon00]

Even their admission requirements drive me crazy! Hahaha

I know!!!

 

[SmileItsLife]

Go with the hygiene option and don't waste any time trying for dental school. The interview cut off at UofT was a 3.91 this year.
I also had terrible grades in my first two years and even with a 3.9 masters GPA I didn't even get an interview.
Just as the person above said, getting in to ANY professional school in Canada is ridiculously hard

Is it 3.9 on a scale of 4.33??? Also what percentage is equal to an A? In the USA its usually 93%-97% is an A....

 

[Steins;Gate]

Is it 3.9 on a scale of 4.33??? Also what percentage is equal to an A? In the USA its usually 93%-97% is an A....

4.0 scale. 90%+ is A+ = 4.0. 85-89 is A = 3.9. The average, not the cutoff was 3.91/4 including master's students with a bonus. Post-interview, the average GPA jumped to 3.93/4 including master's students with a bonus. So basically the average undergrad had about 3.93/4 to get the interview and 3.95/4 to get the offer.

 

[SmileItsLife]

4.0 scale. 90%+ is A+ = 4.0. 85-89 is A = 3.9. The average, not the cutoff was 3.91/4 including master's students with a bonus. Post-interview, the average GPA jumped to 3.93/4 including master's students with a bonus. So basically the average undergrad had about 3.93/4 to get the interview and 3.95/4 to get the offer.

Okay, thanks! I guess it is around the same as the USA when comparing the actual percentage comparison. 3.9/4.0 scared me...

 

[Steins;Gate]

Okay, thanks! I guess it is around the same as the USA when comparing the actual percentage comparison. 3.9/4.0 scared me...

U of T and other Canadian schools are very competitive these days. Having a GPA in the 3.9s is often the norm and there have been 3.99-4.0s that have been rejected post-interview quite often.

 

[drblancos]

Does anyone have suggestions where I can find sample tests similar to what i would expect on a Pre-Admissions exam for a Toronto Dental College?