Do I have a chance?

[TexanMedicRN]

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I have looked through the search options and have not found a case like mine. I am currently and EMT-Paramedic and work full time for a local fire department. I am also going to be graduating nursing school in two semesters. I have always been interested in dentistry. I am 26 years old. I went to college out of HS and attended for two years before leaving school for EMS full time. Needless to say, my GPA was pathetic. We are talking a 1.82 after only accomplishing 39 hours pathetic. I also had alot of class withdrawals. Since I have reentered college, my GPA has been great. My GPA since being back in school has been about a 3.6 or so. Once you add my GPA from school A and school B it is no longer so great. I have taken a few classes over to replace the bad grades from school A.

I am not sure what my cumulative GPA is overall. Do you think that with my positive reemergence in college I will still be a competitive candidate for dental school? Will my experience as a Paramedic and RN have any bearing on dental school admission teams? I still need to take both of my organic chemistry courses and both physics courses. All of my science grades are good so far. I put my science GPA at a 3.6ish.

Any advice would be appreciated. Another option would be NP or PA school.

 

[hsia2]

I think you have a chance
However, you have to pull your overall GPA to be above 3.0
Try to take upper division biololgy courses as well
Once you have your GPA, you have to ace your DAT
try to get 21+ above, the higher, the better
Remember to do some reserach/ shadow dentists if possible
Also, you need professors who are willing to write you references
I think you have a great life experience
Schools such as UoP would love that

Just keep going, don't give up
I know it's hard, but you can do it
Good Luck 👍

 

[TexanMedicRN]

Thanks for the support. I have always been interested in medicine and just want to continue my education in the medical field. I really need to sit down with an adviser at school and see what my actual cumulative GPA is. I am in the beginning stages right now and just trying to do as much research as possible. I am almost certain that my cumulative GPA is near, if not over the 3.0 mark. Once this semester is over I plan to start knocking out the physics and organic chem courses. My BIOL pre reqs are complete with General Bio I, A&P I and II, and Microbiology. Thanks again!😀

 

[doc3232]

You need to start getting A's to make up for your lower grades. IMO, a 3.3 would be great with a decent DAT score.
You have a lot of experience so some schools will be more forgiving to your lower stats.

Also, remember you need 50-100 hours of shadowing a dentist (preferably a GP).

 

[yeodent]

I definetly think that you would fall into the non-traditional student category at most dental schools with your work experience and having attended nursing school. You definetly seem like you have very unique experiences to offer and are hard working. So dental schools might be a little more forgiving of your GPA, especially with some rockin DAT scores. It never hurts to contact admissions counselors at prospective dental schools to feel it out. Best of luck to you!

 

[TexanMedicRN]

Thanks again guys for the words of support. I think my GPA is repairable and think that I am deserving of a second chance when it comes to my advancement in the medical field. My first two years only earned me 39 or so hours of college credit at a 1.82 GPA. I finished 42 hours this past year alone. All of which with a 3.6+ GPA. Too much partying and not going to school at school A. It was more like 3 semesters there because the last semester of year two I dropped everything and left school. Since I have been back in I have realized what future accomplishments I would like to obtain and school is great. I am much more mature now and school is a major priority.

 

[TexanMedicRN]

Had my GPA done today.

Cumulative- 2.973
Sciences- 3.58

If I can make A's and B's(mainly A's) in the chemistry and physics courses my GPA should be even better. 3.3 cumulative sure would be nice.

 

[doc3232]

Had my GPA done today.

Cumulative- 2.973
Sciences- 3.58

If I can make A's and B's(mainly A's) in the chemistry and physics courses my GPA should be even better. 3.3 cumulative sure would be nice.

Work hard and get those A's. You really need them.