Honestly my chances HELP???

[ashman]

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Hello all I am a new-comer to this site but I have read many many posts in regards to everything about getting into dental school. I have read many posts and have seen I have a slight difference from the average or below average applicants. I have been working full time and part time all throughout my undergrad years, not only have I been working many hours I manage a fast pace busy resturant for the past three years; i have also helped open many braches throughout my career. I have had many oppurtunities to grow in the industry but I have always maintained my student mentality and what I initially went to school for. Having this difference with my GPA's being 3.1 and 2.6 (science) with DAT scores of 20 and 18 do I have a chance anywhere. My only other credentials is that I have hundreds of hours with the Boys and Girls Club of the states. Knowing that dentistry is a community based and buisness based practice will these factors help my chances, should I get letters from my employers stating my capacity in what I do. Also I have at least over two years of experience shadowing a dentist will any of this help. If my chances are slim to none is it beneficial to get a masters in buisness management before re-applying. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[busupshot83]

Having this difference with my GPA's being 3.1 and 2.6 (science) with DAT scores of 20 and 18 do I have a chance anywhere. My only other credentials is that I have hundreds of hours with the Boys and Girls Club of the states. Knowing that dentistry is a community based and buisness based practice will these factors help my chances, should I get letters from my employers stating my capacity in what I do. Also if my chances are slim to none is it beneficial to get a masters in buisness management before re-applying. PLEASE HELP!!!

I say take one more year to raise that science GPA. Also, apply to lots of private schools (NYU, Boston, etc.), and a little praying won't hurt .

 

[redhead]

You will be okay! If you really want to go to dental school, you will go! I agree that you should take more science classes to at least get that science GPA to like a 2.9 or 3.0. Your DAT is great! If you can't raise your GPA that high, then retake the DAT and raise it to about 23. Usually, if you have a low GPA, they like to see very high DAT. That is my guess. Just hang in there!! Good luck!!

 

[blankguy]

Also as a backup plan on doing a masters program geared towards premeds instead of doing a masters in business administration. A lot of people will tell you that is irrelevant to dentistry. You sound like you fall under a non-traditional applicant since you seem to have a lot of "life experience" even though you did it while in school. Also how many science courses did you take. If you just did the prereqs then you can significantly raise the science GPA by taking upper level science courses. If it is a lot you may have to take some more courses and do well to get into masters program since by then it will be very difficult to raise the science GPA.

 

[aceking]

did you go to a difficult college?
trying taking some sci classes like the other guys are saying, i think u have good dat. if work is so important to you try to get a paid job at a dental off. or dental lab.

 

[ashman]

Wow cool I didnt think anybody would reply, just to let you guys know I have taken most all my science coarses but two labs so I dont think I can take anymore science classes. I went to UCI and the thing about getting a masters in Biz Management is whether it may be relevant or not Dentistry is a Biz orientated profession, schools offer DDS/MBA programs for a reason so I was thinking getting my masters in that would show alot in what I want to accomplish in the field. Is the relevance of this important or what is it just strickly based on GPA and DAT and not life????

 

[busupshot83]

Wow cool I didnt think anybody would reply, just to let you guys know I have taken most all my science coarses but two labs so I dont think I can take anymore science classes. I went to UCI and the thing about getting a masters in Biz Management is whether it may be relevant or not Dentistry is a Biz orientated profession, schools offer DDS/MBA programs for a reason so I was thinking getting my masters in that would show alot in what I want to accomplish in the field. Is the relevance of this important or what is it just strickly based on GPA and DAT and not life????

There are ALWAYS more science courses you can take... they don't have to be dental school prerequisites.

The MBA is def. relavent to dentistry, however, a Master's in science, such as a post-bac, will be of greater help come admisson time.

 

[aceking]

Wow cool I didnt think anybody would reply, just to let you guys know I have taken most all my science coarses but two labs so I dont think I can take anymore science classes. I went to UCI and the thing about getting a masters in Biz Management is whether it may be relevant or not Dentistry is a Biz orientated profession, schools offer DDS/MBA programs for a reason so I was thinking getting my masters in that would show alot in what I want to accomplish in the field. Is the relevance of this important or what is it just strickly based on GPA and DAT and not life????

hello Anteater
if you want to go to dentasch dont focus so much in your masters or MBA, just take some sci classes and raise your gpa + trying taking some classes at a jc if you want to a easier time

 

[wimmcs]

There are ALWAYS more science courses you can take... they don't have to be dental school prerequisites.

I agree with this post..
how about biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, histology, pathology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, molecular bio, etc...

You really need to get your science GPA raised. I'm just willing to bet that adcoms won't look at your app. with such low science GPA despite your great DAT scores, community service, shadowing, etc. This is only my opinion. Good luck and I wish you the best in the future!!

 

[Sprgrover]

Hi Ashman

I would advise you to take a few more courses to raise your gpa. Your DAT scores are solid (from what I can tell) and as some of the other posters have mentioned you should apply to several private schools (as a general rule out-of-state applicants usually have to have very good stats to compete with the in-state-applicants; this is not the case with private schools). Also, apply early. Doing so will give you a great advantage over other students with similar stats that apply later on. Best of luck! 👍

 

[bouncy_ball]

I agree w/ aceking. I think you need to show that you can do really well in science classes. Adcoms want to see that you will able to do well in the classes you'd be taking in dental school. You've already shown that you have the business skills. Now, do you have the ability to do well in the sciences?? I don't know if jc's are easier, but they sure are cheaper! 👍 👍 BTW, what was your TS in the DAT?

 

[favabean]

I'm in the same boat - overall a 3.1 and a science gpa 2.7+. (ps, so far no interview invites at all and 5 rejections)
I graduated with a 4 year degree, and then decided to take an extra year of science courses. I did extremely well (7A's and 2 B's), however, it was lumped in with my undergrad GPA (we don't have a post-bac program in Canada, or at least none that I have heard of) so instead of seeing a wonderful increase in my gpa, I only improved a smidge. If I were you, I would go ahead and apply with your current stats to the private schools for the next cycle, but also start a post bac or masters. Good luck!

Just a quick question to everyone, since we are on this topic. Since I did in fact get 7A's and 2 B's during my extra year, will that help in the least, even though it only increased my gpa by a bit? Will the adcoms bother to look at my extra year and see that I made a huge improvement at all? I am bit frustrated because I feel that last year's effort is going unnoticed 🙁

 

[transamws686]

hmmmthis year it is getting late and my plan is to got back and get a masters, but againapply next year, how would you go about applying...I know the same way but since I just went back and there isnonew GPA do you send both under grad and grad transcripts, also when they look at the new gpa wich one do they use. thanks

 

[Gurl21]

I'm in the same boat - overall a 3.1 and a science gpa 2.7+. (ps, so far no interview invites at all and 5 rejections)
I graduated with a 4 year degree, and then decided to take an extra year of science courses. I did extremely well (7A's and 2 B's), however, it was lumped in with my undergrad GPA (we don't have a post-bac program in Canada, or at least none that I have heard of) so instead of seeing a wonderful increase in my gpa, I only improved a smidge. If I were you, I would go ahead and apply with your current stats to the private schools for the next cycle, but also start a post bac or masters. Good luck!

Just a quick question to everyone, since we are on this topic. Since I did in fact get 7A's and 2 B's during my extra year, will that help in the least, even though it only increased my gpa by a bit? Will the adcoms bother to look at my extra year and see that I made a huge improvement at all? I am bit frustrated because I feel that last year's effort is going unnoticed 🙁

when did you apply?

 

[favabean]

when did you apply?

I applied August 15 and it arrived at the schools on Oct.6th.

 

[billiken10]

I went back to take some more sci classes as a grad student. However, I was accepted to a STATE school with a science GPA of 2.68ish (its now closer to 2.9/3.0 after 4 A's but that wasn't known when I was accepted).

The most important thing is your committment to becoming a dentist. The amount of passion and work ethic you show to adcoms will go a long way... at some schools. Just keep your spirits up and your nose in the books and you can make it happen! GOOD LUCK!

B10

 

[favabean]

billiken10 - you're my hero🙂 You're story is very inspirational.

 

[transamws686]

I went back to take some more sci classes as a grad student. However, I was accepted to a STATE school with a science GPA of 2.68ish (its now closer to 2.9/3.0 after 4 A's but that wasn't known when I was accepted).

The most important thing is your committment to becoming a dentist. The amount of passion and work ethic you show to adcoms will go a long way... at some schools. Just keep your spirits up and your nose in the books and you can make it happen! GOOD LUCK!

B10

thats awsome bro, I think I may be in the same boat. my gpa is 3.2 and science gpa is 3.2. my Dats are the weak spot AA 17 TS 17 and PAT 18. if I donot get in this year I am going back to grad for a while and then going to try again next year. if you don'tmind me asking what your DAT's were.
thanks
Eric

 

[Nendo21]

I went back to take some more sci classes as a grad student. However, I was accepted to a STATE school with a science GPA of 2.68ish (its now closer to 2.9/3.0 after 4 A's but that wasn't known when I was accepted).

The most important thing is your committment to becoming a dentist. The amount of passion and work ethic you show to adcoms will go a long way... at some schools. Just keep your spirits up and your nose in the books and you can make it happen! GOOD LUCK!

B10

Wow with 2.68 to a state school!! What were your DAT scores?

 

[egpndoc]

Hello all I am a new-comer to this site but I have read many many posts in regards to everything about getting into dental school. I have read many posts and have seen I have a slight difference from the average or below average applicants. I have been working full time and part time all throughout my undergrad years, not only have I been working many hours I manage a fast pace busy resturant for the past three years; i have also helped open many braches throughout my career. I have had many oppurtunities to grow in the industry but I have always maintained my student mentality and what I initially went to school for. Having this difference with my GPA's being 3.1 and 2.6 (science) with DAT scores of 20 and 18 do I have a chance anywhere. My only other credentials is that I have hundreds of hours with the Boys and Girls Club of the states. Knowing that dentistry is a community based and buisness based practice will these factors help my chances, should I get letters from my employers stating my capacity in what I do. Also I have at least over two years of experience shadowing a dentist will any of this help. If my chances are slim to none is it beneficial to get a masters in buisness management before re-applying. PLEASE HELP!!!

listen, i was in a similar situation last year. i had 22 TS, and 21 AA, but a science GPA of 2.88. I had a lot of predental experience, a double major (biology and neuroscience) research experience, volunteer work, and an upward trend of GPA (my senior year GPA was a 3.7). and i only got 2 interviews. i ended up being on 2 waiting lists and did not get in. i could have sat around and moped. but i called the schools i wanted to go to and asked them what i should do. i got the same answer form all the schools.......Go get a masters in the medical sciences. i am now doing that and i have been accepted. just keep working hard and u will get in. dont rush it! take my advice. trust me u will get in. if u cannot get into a masters program, tkae some recommended courses like anatomy, physiology, biochme, etc. let the schools know how u are doing and make sure you do not get any B-'s or lower. get as many A's as u can and i guarnatee u will be in next year, if not the following year.