Help!

[rb4hu]

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So I was originally pre med for awhile and now after shadowing a dentist for about 10 hours, I am really starting to rethink what I want to do. I used to be really sick so all I used think about was becoming a doctor. However, with the lifestyle I saw dentists have and the patient to patient interaction style, I feel like I would like dentistry more. I have done more than a year and half of neurooncology research, shadowed physicians, volunteered, etc aka the normal pre medical stuff. I have not taken the DATs or MCATs though. My cum gpa is around 3.4 and science gpa 3.2. Any advice on what I can do to make myself a good pre dental candidate if I do look into dentistry more?

 

[Vicviper]

Keep shadowing, you want to know that dentistry is really what you want to do. Also, your research still looks great for dental school - doesn't have to be dental research. I'd suggest to try to go for at least another 15-20 hours.

Your GPA isn't incredibly low... heck, it's better than mine was, but you're going to need to do at least slightly above average on the DAT to be competitive.

Just keep up the good work and do your best to get strong grades. Also, be sure to look into the application cycle timelines and everything, and get ready for the DAT if you know it's what you want to do.

Good luck, and keep on keeping on!

 

[rb4hu]

Thanks for the help! I am definitely going to try to get in more hours done if at all possible. How long should I study for the DATs? I started studying for the MCATs recently...the perceptual test is definitely something that I would probably need to heavily focus on...also do all dental schools require biochem as a pre req?

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

Ahhh, you have found Shangri-la!!! I am trying to have my girlfriend find the light as well.

 

[Vicviper]

Thanks for the help! I am definitely going to try to get in more hours done if at all possible. How long should I study for the DATs? I started studying for the MCATs recently...the perceptual test is definitely something that I would probably need to heavily focus on...also do all dental schools require biochem as a pre req?

You'd probably need at least 2-3 months for the DAT, especially if you're still in school - a lot of people just take it over the summer since you can submit your application without your scores, and if you take it before say... the end of July, your scores would get to the schools before they start looking at application.

Many schools require biochem, but not all. I'd highly suggest taking Biochem though, as it might really limit your top choices of schools. You don't have to complete it before you apply, just before you'd start school.