Do I have what it takes?

[birds123]

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Hey guys

So I will be applying to dental school this cycle but I am a little hesitant about it and need some guidance. Stats aside, I am not 100% sure if I have what it takes to become a dentist. I have done shadowing and have lots of hours under my belt and enjoy helping people, but I dont know if I have the book skills to succeed.

I have struggled in many of my science classes in school, barely pulling A's and B's in most of them. Dental school is gonna more of those at once so I am little concerned. I loved my AP bio class in highschool but it has been a downhill battle for me since then and I didn't legitimately enjoy most of my science classes in college. That AP bio class was the only bio class where I could confidently ace every exam but for some reason, I have never been able to do that in college. Not sure if it was because I was in too much party mode or the professor bored me too much or my study method is all wrong. I am a very slow reader so most of the time, I didnt even get to read most of the chapters they assigned. Memorizing ppts by understanding as much as I can helped me a lot, but I dont know if this will cut it for me in dental school.
Does anyone have any sample texts that dental schools use? What kind of things are taught in the first year? I want to glance through some material beforehand to get a feel for what I will be learning before I invest a lot of money applying.

Additionally, I am really shy. Most people dont notice this apparently, but I dont know how I will react in the interview and I am scared they will be reading me like an open book. Any tips for me there? Thanks!

 

[bpoore19]

If you don't mind me asking, what is your GPA? Have you taken the DAT yet?

Everyone wants to be a dentist to help people, but you have determine why you want to be a dentist. Once you determine why you want to be a dentist, everything else seems to come naturally.

 

[birds123]

GPA is on the low side and DAT is on the high side. I don't feel comfortable posting exact stats.

 

[parham3]

How is anybody suppose to help you, if you dont post your stats?

 

[birds123]

GPA is at around 3.0 and 22 for DAT.

 

[bluemoon27]

Did you enjoy your shadowing experiences? Which science class did you like?

 

[birds123]

Did you enjoy your shadowing experiences? Which science class did you like?

yes. biology

 

[birds123]

bump

 

[Datooth]

IMO, if you could hit a ~22 on the DAT, it seems that you are your own limitation.

 

[BabyShades]

My GPA is a 3.6 and DAT is a 20, I go to one of the prestigious universities. I know that I could've done better on the DAT, and I don't necessary like all my biology courses either. However, we all have to go through the same thing. Not all of us are going be so passionate for science courses, but I am sure all of us are passionate in dentistry. With that being said, your goal is to become a dentist right?

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey guys

So I will be applying to dental school this cycle but I am a little hesitant about it and need some guidance. Stats aside, I am not 100% sure if I have what it takes to become a dentist. I have done shadowing and have lots of hours under my belt and enjoy helping people, but I dont know if I have the book skills to succeed.

I have struggled in many of my science classes in school, barely pulling A's and B's in most of them. Dental school is gonna more of those at once so I am little concerned. I loved my AP bio class in highschool but it has been a downhill battle for me since then and I didn't legitimately enjoy most of my science classes in college. That AP bio class was the only bio class where I could confidently ace every exam but for some reason, I have never been able to do that in college. Not sure if it was because I was in too much party mode or the professor bored me too much or my study method is all wrong. I am a very slow reader so most of the time, I didnt even get to read most of the chapters they assigned. Memorizing ppts by understanding as much as I can helped me a lot, but I dont know if this will cut it for me in dental school.
Does anyone have any sample texts that dental schools use? What kind of things are taught in the first year? I want to glance through some material beforehand to get a feel for what I will be learning before I invest a lot of money applying.

Additionally, I am really shy. Most people dont notice this apparently, but I dont know how I will react in the interview and I am scared they will be reading me like an open book. Any tips for me there? Thanks!

First of all, this many come off as a shock to many of you, but a big reason for picking dentistry is not "because I wanna help people". If thats your primary reason, there are thousands of volunteering positions out there (even oversees) where you can go and do your part, and all of them don't cost $400,000 in tuition.

Dentistry is a profession, and depending on your point of view, it could have advantages that are lucrative; such as job security, 6-figure income, good working hours, solo business ownership (or partner up), heavy interactions with people, and much more.

You say you don't know if you got what it takes to be a dentist. I ask: Do you know what it takes to be a dentist?

There is alot of misconception about what it takes to be a dentist. I tell people the hardest thing about becoming a dentist is GETTING INTO DENTAL SCHOOL (thats where the GPA and DAT come into play), passing dental school with average-to-below-average stats is comparatively easier than gaining admissions. You say you are shy, well, your not the only one. Many people are shy, and they never know how much it hinders their job until they are out there doing it, and its a state that is altered once you identify its causing you professional harm.

You don't wanna list your stats, and thats fine, but believe me, no one is keeping track, your stats are equivalent to a flatulent in a windy day.

 

[NMC2010]

What if we say no? Will that stop you? If we say yes, does that mean you're guaranteed to get into DS and be successful? Only one person on this forum can tell you if you have what it takes: you.

So ask yourself... are you willing to do what it takes to get in and succeed?

 

[sgv]

learning how to memorize, organize your time, read efficiently by predicting what material would be on the exam, and use test taking strategies are all SKILLS...they're not something you're either born with or not.
before you even start studying, learn how to study...google it!
i used to tackle powerpoints or chapters by memorizing the general outline in order and then proceed to gobble up as much information as I can with mnemonics and repeatedly recitation, then i try to connect the content from each subheading of an outline with each other for better comprehension, and finally i test myself and try to find something I don't know. this takes hours...

this can be very difficult at first because you're not disciplined yet and i initially thought it was ADHD but the real problem is that I wasn't goal directed with studying. nowadays, before i study, i write up little goals in my agenda (like study 20 pages within this hour or 90 slides within this hour) and then i track my time as i study to see if i'm on track...this keeps me focused...there's a difference between just wishing you knew the material and really wanting to expand your comprehension and become a more useful person. if you're just wishing you knew the material, you'll easily be distracted by facebook, youtube, emails, and CNN. If you convince yourself that understanding material makes you a better person then you'll be far more focused.

also this is your problem...own it...don't place blame on your genes or whine and say you can't handle it...deal with it and fix it...if you're shy, get out of your comfort zone, smile, think of some things to ask, and go talk to people. Notice how i said to think of things to "ASK". You'll be surprised by how long you can keep up a conversation by just asking open ended questions because extroverts love just talking or talking about themselves. later, you can add your 2 cents to the conversations by sharing a relevant story. a lot of communication is nonverbal so start by smiling, back straight, shoulders toward the person, and look at their eyes. pretend you're an extrovert and usually you can get away with it

 

[birds123]

My GPA is a 3.6 and DAT is a 20, I go to one of the prestigious universities. I know that I could've done better on the DAT, and I don't necessary like all my biology courses either. However, we all have to go through the same thing. Not all of us are going be so passionate for science courses, but I am sure all of us are passionate in dentistry. With that being said, your goal is to become a dentist right?

Yes definitely! I love this field, but my GPA has lead me to have a rock bottom self esteem and I doubt myself constantly.

 

[birds123]

First of all, this many come off as a shock to many of you, but a big reason for picking dentistry is not "because I wanna help people". If thats your primary reason, there are thousands of volunteering positions out there (even oversees) where you can go and do your part, and all of them don't cost $400,000 in tuition.

Dentistry is a profession, and depending on your point of view, it could have advantages that are lucrative; such as job security, 6-figure income, good working hours, solo business ownership (or partner up), heavy interactions with people, and much more.

You say you don't know if you got what it takes to be a dentist. I ask: Do you know what it takes to be a dentist?

There is alot of misconception about what it takes to be a dentist. I tell people the hardest thing about becoming a dentist is GETTING INTO DENTAL SCHOOL (thats where the GPA and DAT come into play), passing dental school with average-to-below-average stats is comparatively easier than gaining admissions. You say you are shy, well, your not the only one. Many people are shy, and they never know how much it hinders their job until they are out there doing it, and its a state that is altered once you identify its causing you professional harm.

You don't wanna list your stats, and thats fine, but believe me, no one is keeping track, your stats are equivalent to a flatulent in a windy day.

I agree with you dentalWorks. It's more than just helping people. There is job security and it's a good career for work-life balance with a good pay. I still have a lot to learn about this field undoubtedly, but I am scared that I may not be good enough or smart enough to succeed in this field. I do have a good work ethic, but am not the most organized with my time which always causes me to be stressed out. Although getting an acceptance would be huge blessing, I am honestly afraid that I may not be good enough and that I will be taking a spot that someone more capable than me could have gotten. I know this probably sounds really weird but this is what I keep thinking about.