I currently have a 3.2 gpa, but have only recently decided to try to go to dental school and do the prereqs. I have done the math, if I really bust my butt and get straight A's for the next two years of science classes, I will have about a 3.4ish. I currently work 40 hours a week and I'm always worried when I read about other Pre dentals who do all of these other activities, etc. I really don't have time for that, I have to work. Will that be taken into account by dental school admissions? I am trying to join my university's Pre dental society as well. Also, assuming I do have a chance to get accepted (I'm really hoping to go to the University of Louisville), what sort of a DAT score should I shoot for to be safe? I wanted to also say this is my first time posting here, but I have done much reading and this forum has been amazing, it is an excellent resource. Thanks in advance for your helpful information.
Do I have a chance?
- Thread starter BaBam
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I was a third year when I decided to be a predental. Luckily, I had some science credits due to AP and took Orgo I during my second year, but my GPA was around 3.2 and 3.3, which fell below average of other predents. I took rest of prereqs during second semester of my third year and last year, but still ended up with 3.3 overall and 3.2 for science. I still got in this cycle with those stats (21AA/21TS).. I think my extracurriculars and recommendation letters helped out a lot (~1000hrs of shadowing/assisting/volunteers + dental mission trips).
You're in a better situation than I was in back then.. You have two full years plus summer and J-terms to take all your classes. Since it seems you haven't taken any science courses yet, if you work really hard and have your science gpa 3.5+ (or even 3.4 i'd like to say) & do well on DAT (21+), you'll have a good shot. You should get involved in assisting & volunteering asap as well.
G luck.
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We are very similar. I started doing pre-reqs in 2007 while working fulltime. Except you are better off.... I had 3.0 GPA from undergrad, your 3.2 is significantly better
Assuming you bring that 3.2 to 3.4, don't forget, your science GPA is going to go even higher... the science GPA (assuming you get mostly As during the upcoming classes) is going to be the biggest advantage.
Suppose you have 3.4 overall and 3.5+ science, According to today's standards, I believe a 19+ DAT will be nice fit.
In regards to shadowing / volunteering. You have 2 years ahead of you, I am sure you can squeeze 100 hours worth of shadowing. Do a search for dentists who open on Saturdays (they are very rare), if you can find one to shadow on Saturdays, that would be great.... If not, do Friday shadowing, are you able to have a flexible schedule at your job? Maybe you can work 10 hour shifts from Monday-Thursday and Friday half day so you can leave at noon and go shadow....
If friday doesn't work like I suggested, hmm.... Heres a gutsy move, take 2 weeks off from work (vacation)... and basically go fulltime shadowing between 1-3 dentists.
And about volunteering, yes thats not going to be easy. What I did was, I spent about 1.5 years volunteering at a hospital only on Sundays for about 3-4 hours a time. The volunteering, I dunno how important it is, but many school's websites say they like to see applicants be involved with their community through volunteering activities. Oh and by the way, the volunteering you do does not have to be healthcare related, it can be in anything. Habitat for Humanity is another thing I got involved with especially in the summer, Power tools + me = fun
Assuming you bring that 3.2 to 3.4, don't forget, your science GPA is going to go even higher... the science GPA (assuming you get mostly As during the upcoming classes) is going to be the biggest advantage.
Suppose you have 3.4 overall and 3.5+ science, According to today's standards, I believe a 19+ DAT will be nice fit.
In regards to shadowing / volunteering. You have 2 years ahead of you, I am sure you can squeeze 100 hours worth of shadowing. Do a search for dentists who open on Saturdays (they are very rare), if you can find one to shadow on Saturdays, that would be great.... If not, do Friday shadowing, are you able to have a flexible schedule at your job? Maybe you can work 10 hour shifts from Monday-Thursday and Friday half day so you can leave at noon and go shadow....
If friday doesn't work like I suggested, hmm.... Heres a gutsy move, take 2 weeks off from work (vacation)... and basically go fulltime shadowing between 1-3 dentists.
And about volunteering, yes thats not going to be easy. What I did was, I spent about 1.5 years volunteering at a hospital only on Sundays for about 3-4 hours a time. The volunteering, I dunno how important it is, but many school's websites say they like to see applicants be involved with their community through volunteering activities. Oh and by the way, the volunteering you do does not have to be healthcare related, it can be in anything. Habitat for Humanity is another thing I got involved with especially in the summer, Power tools + me = fun
So I suppose there is some hope, I just need to step up the studying. Up to now I have never put much effort into school. Thanks for your input. But do you think my work history could help me? I'm 22 and have been working at the same place since I was 17, and the last year of which has been in a pharmacy. This could be irrelevant I suppose, but I was hoping my dedication and reliability in my job and the fact that I have at least some sort of healthcare experience would help.
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Im sure work experience "helps" ... but no where nearly as much as GPA/DAT.
I guess you're right. If I were one to decide who would or wouldn't be future dentists I wouldn't look too favorably on someone with worse marks and an excuse of "I had to work for a living." I think I'll just really hit the books for the next two years and study for the DAT a few minutes every day for a year or so before I take it (obviously more when it gets close). Maybe I'll also make an appointment with my dentist and ask her about her road to dentistry and see what she suggests, and hopefully I can shadow her. I really appreciate the input.
