Engineer looking to dentistry

[maine11]

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I have recently graduated with an BSE in Aerospace Engineering from a top-20 private school, and I have decided to begin the long journey towards becoming a dentist. I have always been interested in the field, and I am positive that this is the right decision for me. I really enjoy the service aspect of the profession. I am a resident of Maine, and my goal would be to open up a private practice in the state, where there is a shortage of health providers in general.

I graduated with a pretty low GPA (3.2 cumulative and science), so I need to do some GPA repair before I apply. I do have an upward trend, however, averaging ~3.5 for my last 3 semesters. My plan is to start an informal post-bacc full-time at a local university this summer, since I still need to take my biology and ochem prerequisite. My math shows that I can yield a cGPA and sGPA of ~3.4 after approximately 32 hours of post-bacc study. I also plan on shadowing as much as possible and reading dental periodicals to become more familiar with the field.

Assuming that I perform decently on the DAT, would this be sufficient to become a competitive applicant for the 2013 cycle? I am concerned about my GPA and the fact that I will not have a state school to apply to. Thank you in advance for all of your help / replies. I hope to be able to be able to contribute in the future to SDN and help others who may be on similar paths 🙂

 

[Bereno]

Your GPA is fine. Not good, but not bad either. This is based on your upward trend at least. Before you totally commit to dentistry, get some shadowing in, as you mentioned. This is big.

Depending on how many of the pre-reqs you have already taken, I am not too sure that you can complete all of them in one year. Took me 2.5 years lol

Also, most dental schools that have a neighboring state with no dental school are usually friendly to that state. I know UW is quite favorable to Hawaii, Alaska, Montana, etc. I am assuming the Boston schools (or other NE schools for that matter) might look kindly on you because of this.

Good luck! Sounds like you have done your homework and are on a good track thus far. 👍

 

[doc toothache]

You are getting a bit ahead of yourself. Your gpa in bse may be the least of your problem, since you are likely to have had limited exposure to biology and chemistry, which would be the core of the requirements for ds. Why not get your feet wet first and see where that takes you?

 

[93geo]

get a 25 on the dat and stop worrying about it

 

[fujindesu]

You are getting a bit ahead of yourself. Your gpa in bse may be the least of your problem, since you are likely to have had limited exposure to biology and chemistry, which would be the core of the requirements for ds. Why not get your feet wet first and see where that takes you?

I was in your shoes 8 months ago. you're at a big disadvantage. get 22+ DAT and apply to all 50 schools.

 

[maine11]

Thanks for all the help and input guys! I do agree that I need more exposure to biology. I've taken two semesters of chem w/ lab in school, and I did research on polymers for awhile. I'll probably take ochem I and bio I over the summer to see how I fair. I'm not planning on applying until June 2013, so I'll leave myself some time to get as much shadowing and clinical experience as possible.

Funjindesu, what do you mean that I'm at a huge disadvantage? Are you talking about my limited exposure to biology? What did you do to help your chances?

 

[cubs]

I received my BSE in Mechanical Engineering in 2005 and worked in the engineering field before going back to school to get into dentistry. My GPA was a little higher than yours (3.5), but like you I had to take the biological sciences and O-Chem and I am matriculating into dental school 2012. From what I have found, interviewers like engineers. However, in order to get interviews, I would think you need to get nearly all As from here on out and get at least 19-20 on DAT. I agree that shadow is important, but it isn't what will make or break you. In my opinion, you can't get your foot in the door unless you have a strong GPA and DAT. Your engineering background will help in all of your post-bac coursework. Study hard to get the grades/scores you need, and you'll get the interview.

 

[fujindesu]

Thanks for all the help and input guys! I do agree that I need more exposure to biology. I've taken two semesters of chem w/ lab in school, and I did research on polymers for awhile. I'll probably take ochem I and bio I over the summer to see how I fair. I'm not planning on applying until June 2013, so I'll leave myself some time to get as much shadowing and clinical experience as possible.

Funjindesu, what do you mean that I'm at a huge disadvantage? Are you talking about my limited exposure to biology? What did you do to help your chances?

I did some research in fracture mechanics, and solid mechanics with FEM. I applied this July without ochem, missing some gen bio, no shadowing hours. Some school straight up told me I'm not committed to dentistry and denied me, which is cool. I got a 21AA on DAT and applied to a TON of schools.The only mistake I made was not applying on June 1st, most of my interviews are post Dec, and I will be heading to d school this August, unless I get this job offer from an oil company.


IMHO if you can nail 22+ on DAT ( Shouldn't be a big problem because you have time to take it twice, and I will assume you can get 26+ on math and 23+ on PAT as an engineer), apply This cycle to your state school + all the new schools + NYU + USC, ON JUNE 1st. I honestly think you have a shot this year. You can finish your pre req's all the way up to the summer before your matriculate. good luck

 

[dentwise]

I have recently graduated with an BSE in Aerospace Engineering from a top-20 private school, and I have decided to begin the long journey towards becoming a dentist. I have always been interested in the field, and I am positive that this is the right decision for me. I really enjoy the service aspect of the profession. I am a resident of Maine, and my goal would be to open up a private practice in the state, where there is a shortage of health providers in general.

I graduated with a pretty low GPA (3.2 cumulative and science), so I need to do some GPA repair before I apply. I do have an upward trend, however, averaging ~3.5 for my last 3 semesters. My plan is to start an informal post-bacc full-time at a local university this summer, since I still need to take my biology and ochem prerequisite. My math shows that I can yield a cGPA and sGPA of ~3.4 after approximately 32 hours of post-bacc study. I also plan on shadowing as much as possible and reading dental periodicals to become more familiar with the field.

Assuming that I perform decently on the DAT, would this be sufficient to become a competitive applicant for the 2013 cycle? I am concerned about my GPA and the fact that I will not have a state school to apply to. Thank you in advance for all of your help / replies. I hope to be able to be able to contribute in the future to SDN and help others who may be on similar paths 🙂

Definitely get your biological sciences out of the way first. In parallel, if the time allows, try to shadow and volunteer. This will help you better understand what this field is about and learn about the patient side of dentistry. I'm not sure what your course work load was over the past several semesters. Once you'll get your basic bio/chem classes out of the way, you may want to consider a MS program if your finances allow. Instead of taking upper division courses and seeing a small increase in your overall GPA (I assume that you had >150 credits from engineering), having a MS program will give you a standalone GPA. There're 9 month long accelerated MS programs in Biomedical Sciences. The workload is tough, but if you'll get good grades in the program, you will stand out. It will show your undergrad GPA separate from the MS GPA. Add a competitive DAT score to it and you'll be all set. This is one of a few options. Good luck.

 

[Bereno]

I did some research in fracture mechanics, and solid mechanics with FEM. I applied this July without ochem, missing some gen bio, no shadowing hours. Some school straight up told me I'm not committed to dentistry and denied me, which is cool. I got a 21AA on DAT and applied to a TON of schools.The only mistake I made was not applying on June 1st, most of my interviews are post Dec, and I will be heading to d school this August, unless I get this job offer from an oil company.


IMHO if you can nail 22+ on DAT ( Shouldn't be a big problem because you have time to take it twice, and I will assume you can get 26+ on math and 23+ on PAT as an engineer), apply This cycle to your state school + all the new schools + NYU + USC, ON JUNE 1st. I honestly think you have a shot this year. You can finish your pre req's all the way up to the summer before your matriculate. good luck