High School----> Pre-Dental Programs? Help appreciated

[n54life]

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Hello all
New member here, been doing a bit of searching and keep coming across this site so just joined in. I'm just getting out of High School so I'm not sure on what I'm supposed to be doing(If you want to skip the details, my ultimate question is in the last two paragraphs)

Some background, I'm a senior currently attending Plano West senior High (Texas) which was recently ranked as top 1% of high schools in the nation. It has come time to start applying to colleges and I have been looking at the following: Baylor, A&M, TCU, SMU, Texas Tech, and a few more.

My parents are both in the medical field, psychiatrist and pharmacist, so I've grown up with the mindset of joining the medical field. My parents have always been onto me becoming an MD, but in the past few years I have been thinking of dentistry. Everything about it seems very appealing to me. From the practice itself to the interaction with patients. It was actually almost a year ago that I got to know a dentist/oral surgeon, that I knew that this was the right profession for me. I'm pretty set on this and I wish to take the steps necessary to reach my goal.

I have recently discovered that I can apply for Dental programs that guarantee me a spot or even cut down on the number of years that I have to go to school to become a dentist. I have found a couple of these programs, but the problem is that these schools are very competitive and only allow around 15-40 students per year. My biggest dilemma however is that I have not been particularly studious the first few years of my high school career. As embarrassing it is to say, I have averaged a GPA of 3.3. My 1st and only SAT score was an 1130, which is above average, but by no means special.

I really need some advice on whether there are any schools that I can apply to that I have a chance of getting into with these "programs" that guarantee you a spot. If not, do you recommend just attending a normal 4 year college?Am I supposed to be taking "Pre-Dental" programs? I'm not even too sure what pre-dental is... would this basically substitute what you're major would be? i.e. instead of majoring in biology, major with a pre-dentistry program? What should I be doing now to take the steps to become a dentist? Bear with me, I'm really new to this. 😕

Thank you all in advance

 

[bing12]

im not familiar with these 7-year programs, but i am ASSUMING that you would not be competitive with both your gpa and sat scores . Go to a cheap 4-year college, join the pre-dent club, and work hard for 4 years ( and have fun). You can pick any major you would like. You would be doing a "pre-dental track" where you take intro bio for a year, orgo,gen chem, and physics.

 

[dmdluffy]

Hello all
New member here, been doing a bit of searching and keep coming across this site so just joined in. I'm just getting out of High School so I'm not sure on what I'm supposed to be doing(If you want to skip the details, my ultimate question is in the last two paragraphs)

Some background, I'm a senior currently attending Plano West senior High (Texas) which was recently ranked as top 1% of high schools in the nation. It has come time to start applying to colleges and I have been looking at the following: Baylor, A&M, TCU, SMU, Texas Tech, and a few more.

My parents are both in the medical field, psychiatrist and pharmacist, so I've grown up with the mindset of joining the medical field. My parents have always been onto me becoming an MD, but in the past few years I have been thinking of dentistry. Everything about it seems very appealing to me. From the practice itself to the interaction with patients. It was actually almost a year ago that I got to know a dentist/oral surgeon, that I knew that this was the right profession for me. I'm pretty set on this and I wish to take the steps necessary to reach my goal.

I have recently discovered that (or rather my parents have) that I can apply for Dental programs that guarantee me a spot or even cut down on the number of years that I have to go to school to become a dentist. I have found a couple of these programs, but the problem is that these schools are very competitive and only allow around 15-40 students per year. My biggest dilemma however is that I have not been particularly studious the first few years of my high school career. As embarrassing it is to say, I have averaged a GPA of 3.3. My 1st and only SAT score was an 1130, which is above average, but by no means special.

I really need some advice on whether there are any schools that I can apply to that I have a chance of getting into with these "programs" that guarantee you a spot. If not, do you recommend just attending a normal 4 year college?Am I supposed to be taking "Pre-Dental" programs? I'm not even too sure what pre-dental is... would this basically substitute what you're major would be? i.e. instead of majoring in biology, major with a pre-dentistry program? What should I be doing now to take the steps to become a dentist? Bear with me, I'm really new to this. 😕

Thank you all in advance

For some perspective, my friend from high school went through UoP's four year programs (B.S. + DDS in four years). She was the valedictorian of our HS and likely had very high SATs. I don't know enough about the 7 year programs but my gut instinct is that they want the cream of the crop. I don't think a 3.3 and your SAT is going to cut it. That said, if you are dead set on dentistry, I think you have an advantage over your peers who will also be going through the traditional route to dental school. Study hard for four years, be active, do clubs, volunteer, score will on the DAT and you'll be golden.

 

[n54life]

For some perspective, my friend from high school went through UoP's four year programs (B.S. + DDS in four years). She was the valedictorian of our HS and likely had very high SATs. I don't know enough about the 7 year programs but my gut instinct is that they want the cream of the crop. I don't think a 3.3 and your SAT is going to cut it. That said, if you are dead set on dentistry, I think you have an advantage over your peers who will also be going through the traditional route to dental school. Study hard for four years, be active, do clubs, volunteer, score will on the DAT and you'll be golden.

I see what you guys are saying, I know I wouldn't be very competitive in the accelerated programs.
are there any 8 year programs that can guarantee you a spot into dental school? Schools that are primarily focused on prep for dentistry. I know for example that Texas Tech has a MD program that takes 8 years to complete. It is not accelerated. The only requirement is that you make it the first two years with a given GPA and if you do they will grant you admission into there medical school.

 

[dmdluffy]

I see what you guys are saying, I know I wouldn't be very competitive in the accelerated programs.
are there any 8 year programs that can guarantee you a spot into dental school? Schools that are primarily focused on prep for dentistry. I know for example that Texas Tech has a MD program that takes 8 years to complete. It is not accelerated. The only requirement is that you make it the first two years with a given GPA and if you do they will grant you admission into there medical school.

Something like this?
http://www.bu.edu/cas/academics/undergraduate/special/

I'm not sure how competitive applicants are though I would expect them to be exceptional. Keep in mind, I think alot of these programs only maintain your guarantee for admissions if you maintain a certain level of performance. You're going to want to make sure this is what you really want and stay motivated to get it done. If you haven't shadowed a dentist yet, I highly recommend that.

 

[kristin2th]

I see what you guys are saying, I know I wouldn't be very competitive in the accelerated programs.
are there any 8 year programs that can guarantee you a spot into dental school? Schools that are primarily focused on prep for dentistry. I know for example that Texas Tech has a MD program that takes 8 years to complete. It is not accelerated. The only requirement is that you make it the first two years with a given GPA and if you do they will grant you admission into there medical school.

I went to UOP in the accelerated program, and there are designated "cut-offs" for instance a GPA of 3.70 and SAT of 1300+ are required to get into the 2+3 program, these requirements are less harsh for the 4+4 program... however, at UOP and i assume all of the combined programs, admission to the accelerated or pre-dental path DOES NOT guarantee an acceptance to the dental school.

These programs have criteria that you must maintain throughout undergrad (ie certain grades, and you must obtain certain DAT scores) in order to maintain good standing in the program which guarantees you an INTERVIEW, not an ACCEPTANCE at their dental school.... I just like to clarify this because sometimes it feels like they falsely advertise these programs. (i honestly thought that i was going to get right into dental school by getting into these programs when i was graduating high school... its a much longer process than that....) the criteria you must maintain in undergrad is very rigorous, and if you try and do an accelerated program your life will be very busy (which is good practice for dental school...)

My personal opinion is to try and apply for one of the combined programs if you feel like you are 100% prepared to work really hard. These programs look great on applications because dental schools know how rigorous they are and they give you great connections with dental schools. If you know you want dentistry, but aren't completely ready to throw yourself head first into school I recommend going to a regular 4 year university, major in biology (or chemistry if you enjoy that more...) and be involved in something (pre-dent club, student government etc) and spend time shadowing or assisting a dentist in your "free" time.... space out your classes so that they are manageable to the point where you can get A's in all of your science classes... getting into dental school from a non-combined program is the traditional way, and is not necessarily a better or worse way, because in the end either way you will be a dds and thats all that matters

 

[katwoman1688]

UIC GPPA Dental
Tufts - once you get in you can apply to their straight program after your freshman year barring you did well in prereqs. (Great deal though) --> I went to Tufts so pm if you have more questions. I didn't do that program haha which is why I am applying now. But i I kinda wish I had!
I feel like there a couple others but I can't think of the names.

Also whats an 1130? Did they remove the third section haha when I was applying we were out of 2400. If I were you look into UIC GPPA Dental. Tufts will need a more competitive SAT score I think.

 

[peg lateral]

Hello all
New member here, been doing a bit of searching and keep coming across this site so just joined in. I'm just getting out of High School so I'm not sure on what I'm supposed to be doing(If you want to skip the details, my ultimate question is in the last two paragraphs)

Some background, I'm a senior currently attending Plano West senior High (Texas) which was recently ranked as top 1% of high schools in the nation. It has come time to start applying to colleges and I have been looking at the following: Baylor, A&M, TCU, SMU, Texas Tech, and a few more.

My parents are both in the medical field, psychiatrist and pharmacist, so I've grown up with the mindset of joining the medical field. My parents have always been onto me becoming an MD, but in the past few years I have been thinking of dentistry. Everything about it seems very appealing to me. From the practice itself to the interaction with patients. It was actually almost a year ago that I got to know a dentist/oral surgeon, that I knew that this was the right profession for me. I'm pretty set on this and I wish to take the steps necessary to reach my goal.

I have recently discovered that I can apply for Dental programs that guarantee me a spot or even cut down on the number of years that I have to go to school to become a dentist. I have found a couple of these programs, but the problem is that these schools are very competitive and only allow around 15-40 students per year. My biggest dilemma however is that I have not been particularly studious the first few years of my high school career. As embarrassing it is to say, I have averaged a GPA of 3.3. My 1st and only SAT score was an 1130, which is above average, but by no means special.

I really need some advice on whether there are any schools that I can apply to that I have a chance of getting into with these "programs" that guarantee you a spot. If not, do you recommend just attending a normal 4 year college?Am I supposed to be taking "Pre-Dental" programs? I'm not even too sure what pre-dental is... would this basically substitute what you're major would be? i.e. instead of majoring in biology, major with a pre-dentistry program? What should I be doing now to take the steps to become a dentist? Bear with me, I'm really new to this. 😕

Thank you all in advance

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