Discouraged by a Dentist

[Daydream46]

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Ack. My dad (the dentist) is the most frustrating person on earth.

He hears about how hard dentistry schools are to get into now and he is basically (not so bluntly, but just about) like "You can't do it, you should do podiatry"

and I did take his advice, and I shadowed a Podiatrist... and it was so/so.. but not like my dream, like dentistry...

and I know my dad is just looking out for me because he hears about all these rejections from great students...

And he knows with my life (I have a son) I don't really have the luxury of being in school forever

But will someone tell me please that its possible to get into dental school with like a 3.19 GPA and 3.08 Sci....(which is what I will have after this semester), hopefully even better after spring... (shooting for like >3.2 GPA)

Yes I didn't do so super in a lot of my core chem classes and have some blemishes on my record...but I have a son and a husband and I think that makes me pretty special and mature... I also have volunteer work and shadowing...

I hold 2 academic scholarships at my school... and I am proud of what I have done considering my demanding home life.

Its just upsetting to hear someone you look to for encouragement be so discouraging... If my own father isn't going to believe in me, why should any adcom?

Sigh... someone tell me if it really is a lost cause, so I can just stop wasting my time and move on...

 

[sweetcinuhstix]

Go for your dream. I can understand your position with your own dad discouraging you, but I say its more motivation to prove him wrong! 🙂

 

[burgler09]

yeah go for it, apply next cycle and apply to a lot of schools. Rock the DAT and your Interviews. Find things that set you apart from the rest of the applicants and you might have a shot at least one school! Never settle, you are at the point in your life when you don't have to settle so go for your dreams because everything is within reach.

 

[Regmata]

Not a lost cause...maybe a bit of a long shot...but not a lost cause. If it will make you happy, do it...it is worth it. You don't want to go through life not enjoying what you do.

 

[NewMexDent]

I understand how it could be discouraging for your Father to dissuade you from you desires, but it seems like he is just being realistic. At this point your gpa is lacking and getting into dental school is getting more competitive every year - even if you have decent stats it is never guaranteed. I am not saying this to discourage you (I think that if you raise your GPA and rock the DAT you'll have a shot), I am just saying that maybe your Dad just doesn't want you to get your hopes up.

That being said, I think that if you work hard in the next year to raise your GPA and to improve your application it would be evidence to your father that you really want to be a dentist.

Also, entrance to podiatry isn't a cake-walk either.

 

[UNR.Grad]

You will need to do well on the DAT, a 20+ will make you a competitive applicant. Do you have a state school?

 

[Daydream46]

You will need to do well on the DAT, a 20+ will make you a competitive applicant. Do you have a state school?

Thanks, I do have a state school... UMDNJ (also, my dad is an alum of there, if that means anything)

I do think I could rock the DATs.. cause well, my life depends on it... and I was planning on having my app out in May...

I know if I got an interview I could rock it... dr.s I have shadowed keep saying my personality will take me far.. I guess I just need a chance to show them that...

I am going to apply to as many schools as I can, though I was hoping desperately, for my sons sake, and my husbands job... not to have to move... but at this point I'd take anything

 

[UNR.Grad]

Thanks, I do have a state school... UMDNJ (also, my dad is an alum of there, if that means anything)

I do think I could rock the DATs.. cause well, my life depends on it... and I was planning on having my app out in May...

I know if I got an interview I could rock it... dr.s I have shadowed keep saying my personality will take me far.. I guess I just need a chance to show them that...

I am going to apply to as many schools as I can, though I was hoping desperately, for my sons sake, and my husbands job... not to have to move... but at this point I'd take anything

Sounds like you know what to do: study for the DAT, rock it, get your app in by June 1st and you'll get into dental school.

 

[t man]

as a general rule... on the "big things" in life... I only listen to myself. 👍

 

[armorshell]

You're still well within the GPA of a competitive applicant. If you can get a decent DAT score you'll be set.

 

[SIMBAD]

Hi why don't you try to get into the "Gateway to Dentistry" program at NJDS - its a great intro to the profession - very well run - lots of fun and a great way to get your foot in the door @ NJDS
Good LUCK !! --SIM

 

[Daydream46]

Hi why don't you try to get into the "Gateway to Dentistry" program at NJDS - its a great intro to the profession - very well run - lots of fun and a great way to get your foot in the door @ NJDS
Good LUCK !! --SIM

Thanks a bundle! Do you know anything about that program and acceptance rates and such?

 

[maksidaa]

Seriously, if you can blow up the DAT (take your time studying, take some courses, make sure you're absolutely ready and then crush it) and have that to help get your app thru the first round of rejections, I think any interviewer in the world would have to appreciate your situation and see you for who you are. Don't let your dad tell you whether you can or can't get in b/c he obviously isn't on the adcom at a d-school, and those are the only people who count right now. Call up some admission counselors at the d-schools you're looking at, make some appointments to go chat with them and get to know them and they'll grease the wheels for you.

 

[diane07]

I wouldn't be too hard on your dad. He's probably trying to be supportive in his own way by telling you how he see's the situation because he knows you and the field. That being said, you can still pursue dentistry. It's pretty competitive, but give it your best shot so you won't have regrets later on.

 

[IndianaOD]

Even if you don't make it in, start a master's program. Get good grades for a year and you'll be a strong candidate.

 

[997GT3]

Don't be discouraged. My pre-MD friends who made ~37's on the MCAT also had incredibly low GPA's and now they're doing post-grad/grad school to get their GPA's up. One extra year spent on pursuing your dreams, or even just letting off steam, is a year well spent.

 

[E Nigma]

Pay no mind to the well-meaning discouragers, especially those so helplessly biased as parents.

 

[purplemonkey]

For the past 3 years I have been applying and I have grades that are like yours, the only difference is that once I decided to become a dentists there is nothing that is going to change my mind. I will let you know that, with your situation, you need to have more confidence with yourself. Dental schools are looking for the best and from the point that you decide that you are going to be a dentist you have to believe that you are the best. Also, you shouldn’t be able to be persuaded to just try something else. That being said, if you score well on the DAT you will have a reasonably good chance of getting in. The thing is, it may not be the first time that you apply. There are other things that schools are looking at besides your GPA and DAT. For myself, I’m an avid volunteer and was an assistant for 2 years, which I feel has helped me get some interviews this year. Also, they are looking for applicants with a quiet confidence with a passion for the field. If you can portray that in your application then you have something that a lot of people with a high GPA’s don’t and admission to some schools take that in to great consideration. With that being said good luck and hopefully you make the decision to follow your dreams and not someone else’s advice.

 

[JMJRDH1]

as a general rule... on the "big things" in life... I only listen to myself. 👍

And to anyone that supports your goals!👍

 

[usernametaken]

Don't EVER let anyone tell you what you can and can't do with your life.

 

[sublimegd]

You're still well within the GPA of a competitive applicant. If you can get a decent DAT score you'll be set.

Listen to this guy, he knows what hes talking about. Rock the DAT. I'm not qualified to make this assessment but i'm pretty sure a good DAT score and a little over a 3.0 beats a sub par DAT and a high GPA.

 

[Streetwolf]

Thanks a bundle! Do you know anything about that program and acceptance rates and such?

Definitely do it. I did it June 2006 and it kicked ass! Plus it costs just $20 (plus $25 refundable deposit)!!! How can you say no to that?

It's a two week program.

Check here: http://dentalschool.umdnj.edu/gateway.htm

Unfortunately they took my picture down it seems 🙁

You just need to submit basic things, including one letter of recommendation. I am not sure how they select people, since this one guy I went to college with never got accepted and he was definitely brighter than at least half of my group. Probably a whole combo of things. Either way it isn't as competitive as getting into D-school, not by a long shot.

 

[HenryH]

Definitely do it. I did it June 2006 and it kicked ass! Plus it costs just $20 (plus $25 refundable deposit)!!! How can you say no to that?

It's a two week program.

Check here: http://dentalschool.umdnj.edu/gateway.htm

Unfortunately they took my picture down it seems 🙁

You just need to submit basic things, including one letter of recommendation. I am not sure how they select people, since this one guy I went to college with never got accepted and he was definitely brighter than at least half of my group. Probably a whole combo of things. Either way it isn't as competitive as getting into D-school, not by a long shot.

That program sounds like a really swell deal; you wouldn't happen to know of any similar programs offered by other schools, would you?

 

[doubledizzle13]

I was in a similar position to you last year and I know how hard it is, I had a 3.5 overall and 3.19 sci, a 19 on the dat and no interviews whatsoever with 14 schools applied to (oregon was my state school and they are hard to get into). It's crazy how one year later there is a huge light at the end of the tunnel (6 interviews already-not oregon yet interestingly enough) when last year there I was on the verge of giving up. All I did was take a decent courseload worked my butt off for that year, raised my sci gpa up a bit and shadowed another 60 hours or so, volunteered a bit, and got lucky to do some research (although this doesn't seem like that big of a deal to most schools) and this year has been a whole new ballgame (although obviously I have yet to be accepted the odds are looking good). It seems to me that schools like second year applicants and so if I were you I wouldn't give up quite yet. Hope this helps a bit..I know I would have liked to hear it last year.

 

[Elipar]

Keep in mind that most of the adcoms are made up of people like you --- working parents. They understand that children come first, so your grades might be less than other applicants. IMO, the essay will be a make-or-break item for you. That's where you have a chance to show the adcoms who you are, and your personal circumstances.