Getting into Dental School after initial fail

[payne0511]

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Hey all,

I am hoping someone out there can shed some light on this scenario or has some advice for me.

I graduated from undergrad in 2011 from a top tier public school. I was not prepared intellectually or as mature I needed to be in order to do well. I wanted to go to dental school and applied, obviously not getting in. My husband got into medical school out of state so we decided to wait on dental school for me. Now after a few years of working in the real world we're ready to try again.

My Stats:

Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology
GPA: 2.775 (I was the kid in HS that didn't have to try, got into a good school and got wrecked)
DAT(2010): 19
2.5 years of research in a Dental School Lab
2.5 years of working for a science lab(IVF) post-graduation
~100 documented shadowing hours

I have enrolled in classes at another school (16 credits) taking upper level science classes I have not previously taken and I am doing exponentially better and I expect no less than a 3.7 this semester(and every other one).

Ultimately, I am wondering what else I should do to help my cause. I know GPA is a ding on my application(How many new credits should I have under my belt before re-applying?). I need to retake the DAT. I feel like I don't need any more research hours(?). I need to get some volunteer and shadowing hours.

Thanks for all your (anticipated) help!

 

[Naphen]

Yah... there's definitely a red-flag with your GPA and DAT from this alleged top-tier public school. Maybe much effort was not given :/
But, I would definitely retake the DAT shooting for at least a 20AA/20TS/18+ PAT and raise the GPA to AT LEAST 3.0, but realistically like a 3.2 at least.
And with your extracurricular you should be fine. Make sure to get kick-ass Letters of recommendation though.

 

[payne0511]

Yah... there's definitely a red-flag with your GPA and DAT from this alleged top-tier public school. Maybe much effort was not given :/
But, I would definitely retake the DAT shooting for at least a 20AA/20TS/18+ PAT and raise the GPA to AT LEAST 3.0, but realistically like a 3.2 at least.
And with your extracurricular you should be fine. Make sure to get kick-ass Letters of recommendation though.

Thanks for your recommendation.

You'd be correct on the effort assessment, I definitely was not mature enough to take my education seriously. And perhaps I am not in the know, but a top 30 overall school is top tier…no…or maybe I am delusional?

Thanks again!

 

[Gaucho4Life]

Hey all,

I am hoping someone out there can shed some light on this scenario or has some advice for me.

I graduated from undergrad in 2011 from a top tier public school. I was not prepared intellectually or as mature I needed to be in order to do well. I wanted to go to dental school and applied, obviously not getting in. My husband got into medical school out of state so we decided to wait on dental school for me. Now after a few years of working in the real world we're ready to try again.

My Stats:

Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology
GPA: 2.775 (I was the kid in HS that didn't have to try, got into a good school and got wrecked)
DAT(2010): 19
2.5 years of research in a Dental School Lab
2.5 years of working for a science lab(IVF) post-graduation
~100 documented shadowing hours

I have enrolled in classes at another school (16 credits) taking upper level science classes I have not previously taken and I am doing exponentially better and I expect no less than a 3.7 this semester(and every other one).

Ultimately, I am wondering what else I should do to help my cause. I know GPA is a ding on my application(How many new credits should I have under my belt before re-applying?). I need to retake the DAT. I feel like I don't need any more research hours(?). I need to get some volunteer and shadowing hours.

Thanks for all your (anticipated) help!

Post-bac or an SMP would definitely help you out. You mention you're taking upper div's, are you taking them as a non-degree student?

Another thing, you have no choice but to retake the DAT, your score is too old. It can't be more than 3 years for most schools, I think some even state 2 years. Aim for a 21+, it'll help offset the GPA.

 

[sbdento]

Take a full load of post bacc upperdivision bio courses for a couple semesters and retake that dat. Id also Call some schools that you're interested in and see what their admissions department recommend.
good luck! Persistence is key

 

[payne0511]

Post-bac or an SMP would definitely help you out. You mention you're taking upper div's, are you taking them as a non-degree student?

Another thing, you have no choice but to retake the DAT, your score is too old. It can't be more than 3 years for most schools, I think some even state 2 years. Aim for a 21+, it'll help offset the GPA.

Yes I am taking them as a non-degree student. First because it was an impulse to start school and stop wasting time waiting for admission to a program. Secondly, I am limited to where I can go because my husband is in school here and I would prefer to not be away from him for a couple of years. Will schools see my old DAT even though it is no longer available for use on my application? Thanks!

Take a full load of post bacc upperdivision bio courses for a couple semesters and retake that dat. Id also Call some schools that you're interested in and see what their admissions department recommend.
good luck! Persistence is key

Thanks! I have an appt coming up to meet with admissions about it all and hopefully get some guidance.

 

[Gaucho4Life]

Yes I am taking them as a non-degree student. First because it was an impulse to start school and stop wasting time waiting for admission to a program. Secondly, I am limited to where I can go because my husband is in school here and I would prefer to not be away from him for a couple of years. Will schools see my old DAT even though it is no longer available for use on my application? Thanks!

I don't know what state/city you're in, but perhaps there are some programs you can enroll in nearby. SMP (special masters programs) and PB's are geared towards pre-med/pre-dent students like yourself and only take a year to a year and a half.

As for your old DAT, I'm not sure. I'm not speaking from experience, I just know that old DAT scores are not accepted. I think they stay on record permanently and adcoms will see it, but will obviously look mainly at your recent, current DAT score.

 

[dontistwannabe]

sounds like UC Berkeley since the major is MCB lol/ I know for sure that Berkeley can wreck your gpa really bad due to severe competition~

 

[SXCoronado]

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[DentalLonghorn2014]

San Antonio's admissions told me a 25 on the DAT could make up for a 'borderline' GPA of 3.2 I don't know how to come back from under a 3.

This is the part when holistic overview of the application comes into play. If you have a strong upward trend over upper division bio classes, it helps out tremendously and they take that into great consideration (maturity and all that good stuff) . If it's too low (like 2.0 low), a SMP may be required.