Graduated, but what to do..

[Dentistwilli]

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I looked through thread after thread but couldn't really get my questions answered, so here it goes.
I've been thinking for the past year and finally decided to become a dentist. I recently graduated with 2 majors in business/economics and biology.
cum gpa of 3.07
science gpa of 2.95.
I have not taken my DAT's yet as i have not completed my organic chemistry II course. I have worked 180 hours at a dental office as a dental assistant (will be starting again soon), as well about 160 hours of other medically related volunteer work. I have a LOR from my chem professor, bio professor, business professor, and the dentist i worked for. I am currently a cello teacher, but out looking for a more financially beneficial job. I want to apply next spring, but being so late on coming to this decision, i am a little lost.
Should I take the next year just taking advanced science classes to boost my GPA (assuming i can pull off all A's and A-'s 🙂), and study for DAT's? OR should i study for the GRE's and go for a master's degree early on?
Basically, is there a chance i can make it with my current GPA and hopefully a DAT score of 20 across the board or should I take the longer route of getting my masters?
If i wanted to boost my GPA, would a post bac program be better or just individually take courses?
Finally, does it really matter where i take those course to boost my gpa? (i was thinking Temple U. since it is close to my house). I really want to improve myself as much as possible before applying. thanks in advance.

 

[xaznxcountx]

Well I think if you are applying next Spring you still have a good shot. You should probably take some post bacc science courses to raise your GPA and get 21+ on your DAT. Since you have a 3.05 right now after a year if you take post bacc courses you can probably get it to a 3.1. So a 3.1 with a AA of 21 or 22 should give you some chances.

 

[meowx3]

yeah, i would take some upper level bio courses, if i were in your shoes.

this is generally my advice to anyone who asks anything along the lines of "what should i do now?", but contact the admissions department of whatever dental school you want to go to (your state school, the school you think you're most likely to get into, etc etc) and see what they say. i know it can seem scary to do so and many people think, "oh, the admissions committee is too busy to talk to me", but if you shoot them an email or leave a message, the worst that can happen is they don't get back to you, and i can't imagine that they'd ignore you completely. in my experience, talking to the admissions committee was really helpful and after i did EVERYTHING they suggested, i got in!

 

[ttom]

I would recommend to get a master. In those two years, you need to study hard and get mainly As. Hopefully by the end of the program, you can pull your GPA up to 3.3. It's possible! Get 5As and 1B per semester, and you'll be fine. On the second year of the master program, start studying for the DAT. Getting 20 across the board is definitely sufficient. If higher, great!
To be honest, taking a few courses here and a few courses there will not cut it for you. Dental schools want to see dedicated and committed students. Taking the longer route is not a bad idea. It might take a year or two longer, but surely it will make your application much stronger! And of course you'll feel much more confident going in to the interviews. Though you need to ask yourself if you are committed to study and work hard during those two years. If you're iffy, I suggest you rethink dental school. Be honest to yourself, and set a realistic goal. Only you can answer. Good luck with everything! Don't give up hope, work hard for what you want and those dental adcoms will reward you 🙂

 

[ryanaj]

Personally, I would go for the masters. You could always drop-out if you got into D-School, but if you don't make it next spring then you would have your masters completed for the next go around.