Desperate for Help

[Crentist259]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone,

I've been reading and creeping the forum for about a year now. I've read a lot of the "what are my chances" thread and have tried to combine your responses into my situation. But now I have finally decided to face reality in my goal towards dentistry.

My story basically starts with being an engineer in my freshman year. I wanted to open up to new careers in helping people so I started to go into Optometry and interned at two offices (total of 8 months). I didn't like their job and life style so I slowly transitioned into Medicine. For my sophomore and junior year, I did a lot of pre-medical work. Through the experiences (which I listed below), I knew that the medical style wasn't the right fit for me. As I started to do more research about Dentistry, I felt as if all the signs in my childhood lead me to this field. I am now gungho about Dentistry and am willing to do whatever it takes to get into Dental school (especially in California: UoP, UCSF, Western (new), UCLA, USC).

My stats:

GPA: 2.8 (sci: unknown)

DAT:
PAT 23
QR 21
RC 20
Bio 22
Gchem 23
Ochem 25
TS 23
AA 22

ECs:
-- Shadowed and shadowing 3 dentists (1 year)
-- Pre-medical Peer Advisor, now also Pre-dental peer advisor (1 year)
-- Volunteering at Student Run Clinic for 3 years (cancer screening), and secondary research
-- Sports: Tennis Intramurals; Judo team
-- Clubs: Pre-Dental Student Society, Spreading Smiles (UC Davis) – Deciding on whether I should go onto the next trip to a 3rd world country to aid in dental care; VNCARES Cancer Awareness
-- Pre-health fraternity that includes more volunteering, clinical work
-- Letter of Recs from all 3 dentists (3 graduated from UoP), and a few others from english professor, and pre-health staff advisor; working on the science LoRs

I also have a crazy load of hobbies, mostly those involving my hands.
- Piano (MTAC Certified level X) - 13 years
- Work on my car for 2 years
- I can sew clothes and alterations
- Building car models, ships (18th century spanish galleon is my current project)
- More if i can think of it

My personal statement is coming along and is being read and edited by my upperdiv english professor.

I know that Dental schools look at the applicant as a whole...but I know my GPA is a major set back. I am planning to look into doing post-bacc work, but was wondering if I could get any input about my chances when I apply for this upcoming cylce.

Thanks everyone

 

[lemoncurry]

IMO, everything looks great except that GPA. Do what you can to get it up, or perhaps go for some sort of Masters degree like an MPH or something. I'd avoid retaking classes unless you got D's or F's. In terms of what classes you should take, I would look at all the schools you want to apply to and compile a list of courses they recommend or require. This should give you enough options for classes.

 

[laugh]

Very nice EC activities. Very nice DAT score too. Im sure your GPA will be overlooked by your great DAT scores and EC activites. Good luck.

 

[Danny0230]

Very nice EC activities. Very nice DAT score too. Im sure your GPA will be overlooked by your great DAT scores and EC activites. Good luck.

I would not assume that.

 

[Frederico Albin]

You have one of the best DAT's ive ever seen, all above 20's
too bad your gpa is not competitive

 

[Crentist259]

Man... if only you had a competitive GPA, you would be accepted pretty much anywhere

yeah, i know, right...

I'm really frustrated with my performance. I'm going to finish off the next two quarters hopefully with 3.8+ in my science courses and show and upward trend.

ALSO, I haven't looked at the actual application for dental school, but someone told me that there is a specific section to write if you play musical instrument(s)? If so, how much of an impact does it have?

Keep the inputs coming! Good and bad, i want it all.

 

[Montserrat]

yeah, i know, right...

I'm really frustrated with my performance. I'm going to finish off the next two quarters hopefully with 3.8+ in my science courses and show and upward trend.

ALSO, I haven't looked at the actual application for dental school, but someone told me that there is a specific section to write if you play musical instrument(s)? If so, how much of an impact does it have?

Keep the inputs coming! Good and bad, i want it all.

I'm in a similar boat as you. You probably won't like hearing it, but that GPA will always be there to rear its ugly head in any admissions decision. Even if you get an interview, they are going to wonder not whether you have the ability, but whether you really want to do it. There really is no proper retort for such a concern. In my last interview, my interviewer asked me if my GPA was competitive for admissions. I asked him if matriculating students a decade ago were any less skilled than the students admitted recently, and he said no. The GPA inflation we're seeing now has little to do with whether you'd make a good dentist, but is part of the "bureaucratic as all heck" process of admissions. Know that even if you are given an interview, the numbers game will still work against you. It sucks, but it's the state of reality - dentistry is becoming a very hot profession.

Playing a musical instrument, volunteering at a clinics, writing grants for community health care, and etc. are great things to do, but they won't help to cover a poor GPA - trust me. You may have experiences well beyond what your average incoming student will have under their belt, but GPA will always be a consideration.

If you're going to do anything it takes to get in, apply to only a few schools to test the water with them, complete a master's program, and reapply after you've completed the program. It's going to take some time. Just my less than $.02.

 

[Crentist259]

I'm in a similar boat as you. You probably won't like hearing it, but that GPA will always be there to rear its ugly head in any admissions decision. Even if you get an interview, they are going to wonder not whether you have the ability, but whether you really want to do it. There really is no proper retort for such a concern. In my last interview, my interviewer asked me if my GPA was competitive for admissions. I asked him if matriculating students a decade ago were any less skilled than the students admitted recently, and he said no. The GPA inflation we're seeing now has little to do with whether you'd make a good dentist, but is part of the "bureaucratic as all heck" process of admissions. Know that even if you are given an interview, the numbers game will still work against you. It sucks, but it's the state of reality - dentistry is becoming a very hot profession.

Playing a musical instrument, volunteering at a clinics, writing grants for community health care, and etc. are great things to do, but they won't help to cover a poor GPA - trust me. You may have experiences well beyond what your average incoming student will have under their belt, but GPA will always be a consideration.

If you're going to do anything it takes to get in, apply to only a few schools to test the water with them, complete a master's program, and reapply after you've completed the program. It's going to take some time. Just my less than $.02.

yeah i totally understand monsterrat. I've read that you're doing the GREs and stuff. Since i'm a science major, and have the option of graduating this year, should I do a post-bacc (if so what kind? informal or formal?) or continue to take more science classes while performing an high upward trend with my science classes. I can do that because I am able to take more science classes (i have room for more units before the unit max)...what should I do?

 

[Montserrat]

sent you a PM

 

[Crentist259]

Thanks a lot Montserrat!

Does anyone else have any other great advice? Since I am a science major, I would need to go into an "INFORMAL" program, correct?

If so, does anyone know of California schools?

 

[trent]

Aren't you already accepted - at least at Creighton or am I mistaken? But I thought you want to go to Minnesota or you prefer California? Are you willing to wait a year for your first choice, whatever it is, if it doesn't come through this year?

 

[jdoc04]

You have not graduated right? If not stay in school and take as many upper level courses as you can. Earn A's and continue to take course work thorough the application process. Just as you stated you need an upward trend. Your DAT is amazing but you need some sustained coursework with A's.

Stay the course and it will happen!!

 

[Composite A2]

Great DAT scores, I think you will be fine.