Does Dental School GPA Matter?

[cleorkwk]

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Hi. I am curious whether dental school GPA matters when you want to get hired as an associate after you graduate. Of course higher GPA would be better, but can you still get hired as an associate with 2.0 GPA if you obtain DDS/DMD degree? I am a predental student and I'm stressed alot b/c of GPA, and I thought it would be nice to know whether I would have to compete for gpa in dental school as well or just study hard without worrying about gpa. Thank you.

 

[HupHolland]

It doesn't matter a whole lot if you're going to be an associate straight out of school. Any successful dentist knows that GPA does not correlate well with "real life dentistry" potential.

If you're looking to be a GP, I wouldn't stress about grades too much. Just do your best and chances are you'll end up in the top half of the class anyways. You never know- you may end up wanting to do a GPR/AEGD and being in the top 1/2 of class helps, but certainly not a requirement.

Hup

 

[Winter Wind]

Dental GPA doesn't matter that much unless you want to specialize.

 

[John Durian]

Grades don't matter much so long as you get your DDS. BUT you might be closing doors in the future to specializations if you cruise haha

 

[ogopogodude]

I graduated "DMD with Distinction" which means above 85% overall average. Great Distinction was over 90%.

But WHO CARES? There is a guy i my class who BARELY graduated with the bare minimum and he makes two to three times more money than me. He works in a hick town where there is no other dentist and he is, .. well, ... "it".... if one has a tooth ache.

So here's a question: what do the call the guy with the lowest grades in dental (or medical) school? ....... Answer: "doctor" 🙂

 

[schen140]

just wanted to bump this thread and ask those who have experience applying for associate positions:

do the private practice owners ask you for your gpa? do you put your gpa on your resume?

i just want to do general dentistry and right now am cruising my way through school (getting b's and c's). hopefully it's not going to screw me over in the long term

thanks!

 

[7amsho]

bump

 

[ClosetNerd828]

Is this even an option? I feel like I can't help but work my tail off and make the best grades I can.. though I have yet to be warn down by dental school haha

 

[Faux]

i read grades matter for top residences, like at a VA, even for general dentistry.

 

[tc434]

I have worked as an associate for a few different offices in the past few years and have never been asked what my GPA was. When you go to an interview people care how you come across as a person and how you interact with their staff. It shows how well you will treat their patients. GPA will make a huge difference if you plan on specializing. If you decide to specialize a few years after practicing as a general dentist, the emphasis on GPA will go down. I am planning on going back to do a residency and at least that is what I have been told.

 

[Daurang]

Study hard and do the best you can cause you paid way too much.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

I'm not a dental student yet but my mentality is that it is a privilege to be able to gain admission to dental school and study there. I would value that opportunity as if my life depended on it...which it does lol

 

[Weakfart]

bump

Go study, get off SDN.

 

[Daneosaurus]

At my school, you have to keep above a 2.6. If you want to specialize, you will need much higher.

 

[ywcywc]

bump