How !?

[Ramy]

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For all those who have gotten very high GPA's, even with all this timemanagement and hard work. How is it possible for so many to have high 80's and 90's if at university the class average cannot exceed 70% or else a proffesor must notify the Dean wiith a reason...and if it doesn't go through..marks drop.

How do so many here on SDN surpass that. Maybe its just canadian schooling but its scaring the **** outta me lol. I want DENT so bad!

*PS: i total put this on the wrong thread page if any admin could move this outta DAT discussions and into Pre-dental lol 🙁

 

[doc1986]

For all those who have gotten very high GPA's, even with all this timemanagement and hard work. How is it possible for so many to have high 80's and 90's if at university the class average cannot exceed 70% or else a proffesor must notify the Dean wiith a reason...and if it doesn't go through..marks drop.

How do so many here on SDN surpass that. Maybe its just canadian schooling but its scaring the **** outta me lol. I want DENT so bad!

*PS: i total put this on the wrong thread page if any admin could move this outta DAT discussions and into Pre-dental lol 🙁

Well, let me see.
Number 1: People who are applying to dental school usually have higher GPAs by nature.
Second: A lot of people that are on SDN are overachievers (which is not bad) and tend to represent the higher spectrum of intelligence in the sample of dental applicants (IMO at least).

 

[Doc Smile]

For all those who have gotten very high GPA's, even with all this timemanagement and hard work. How is it possible for so many to have high 80's and 90's if at university the class average cannot exceed 70% or else a proffesor must notify the Dean wiith a reason...and if it doesn't go through..marks drop.

How do so many here on SDN surpass that. Maybe its just canadian schooling but its scaring the **** outta me lol. I want DENT so bad!

*PS: i total put this on the wrong thread page if any admin could move this outta DAT discussions and into Pre-dental lol 🙁

There are like 10,000 applicants. and probs 100 users (consistant users) on SDN. and only about that much that post their DAT / GPA. soooooo 1% of the applicants use SDN.

 

[longhornpride]

There are like 10,000 applicants. and probs 100 users (consistant users) on SDN. and only about that much that post their DAT / GPA. soooooo 1% of the applicants use SDN.

This!!

take all stats on SDN with a grain of salt. Not everyone is scoring 20+ AA out there.

 

[UCfan]

For all those who have gotten very high GPA's, even with all this timemanagement and hard work. How is it possible for so many to have high 80's and 90's if at university the class average cannot exceed 70% or else a proffesor must notify the Dean wiith a reason...and if it doesn't go through..marks drop.

How do so many here on SDN surpass that. Maybe its just canadian schooling but its scaring the **** outta me lol. I want DENT so bad!

*PS: i total put this on the wrong thread page if any admin could move this outta DAT discussions and into Pre-dental lol 🙁

Ramy I am on your side. I think that GPA so many GPAs above 3.7 are not realistic. 3.7 or above means excellent. I have known very smart people in so many fields but I have never seen an excellent person (academically). That is why GPA does not exactly correlate with knowledge. I am not saying people do not deserve to get above 3.7, but I think that undergraduate GPAs above 3.7 are not realistic to me. However the situation depends on schools to schools and professors to professors. Try to do your best in your classes and DAT. Hopefully you will get into dream school you want. Do not worry about SDN. So many people are here very motivated and hard working students.

 

[Doc Smile]

Ramy I am on your side. I think that GPA so many GPAs above 3.7 are not realistic. 3.7 or above means excellent. I have known very smart people in so many fields but I have never seen an excellent person (academically). That is why GPA does not exactly correlate with knowledge. I am not saying people do not deserve to get above 3.7, but I think that undergraduate GPAs above 3.7 are not realistic to me. However the situation depends on schools to schools and professors to professors. Try to do your best in your classes and DAT. Hopefully you will get into dream school you want. Do not worry about SDN. So many people are here very motivated and hard working students.

Huh?

I, like most people with high GPAs I would guess, sacrifice time, fun, and friends to excel on every test, quiz, and homework. Take organic chem for example. The average for second semester was probs a low C. But I still studied and understood the material enough that I got an A on every test and homework. So even without the curve, I received a 4.0 for that class. It is a slap in the face to say that the work and commitment I, and so many others, put into my studies is unrealistic. Maybe it is unrealistic for you to get a 3.7 or above, but it is a definite reality that it is plausible and possible.

Dont discredit the effort of others. It is very disrespectful.

If I am misunderstanding your statement, please elaborate.

 

[Ramy]

By sacrifices what do you mean? Are you saying you gave up all your friends and time outside of academics in order to reach that status? Is it not possible to reach 3.7 status having both a strong academic life whilst maintaining at least a day of rest, relaxation, and social contact.

I didn't think aspiring to become a dentist meant submit to acadamia and walk away from all other life. I just don't know if I have what it takes anymore...I mean just because I study 14hrs a day..that won't even guarantee an 80%.
At SDN I'm talking to the elite--and I'm the average?

 

[UCfan]

Huh?

I, like most people with high GPAs I would guess, sacrifice time, fun, and friends to excel on every test, quiz, and homework. Take organic chem for example. The average for second semester was probs a low C. But I still studied and understood the material enough that I got an A on every test and homework. So even without the curve, I received a 4.0 for that class. It is a slap in the face to say that the work and commitment I, and so many others, put into my studies is unrealistic. Maybe it is unrealistic for you to get a 3.7 or above, but it is a definite reality that it is plausible and possible.

Dont discredit the effort of others. It is very disrespectful.

If I am misunderstanding your statement, please elaborate.

I have never discredit anyone's success. However it is not true to compare easy schools with hard schools. Same situation is applicable to different majors within the same school. At some schools the grades are given as a candy, and some many students ended up with high GPAs. At some hard schools only 1 or 2 students can exceed 3.6 at certain majors. I think that you have not enough idea with hard core science classes and the grading system. I was tired of explaining this fact, but let me do it too. For instance in my undergraduate institution only one student was above 3.6 in chemical engineering major. There were 30 alum. in my year. At the beginning 140 students begin with the chem. engineering major. Only 30 of them could complete the major requirements. Are you thinking that you were more smarter than all the chem e. graduated from UCI at 2007. Or do you think that we did not study or sacrifice our time. The answer is obviously NO! Since our exams were super hard the class average always fall between 40 to 60 percents. I do not remember any single student exceed 85 percent in any of our core classes exams (I believed that you probably fall into the middle of the bell shaped curve- since all the students working very very hard). If you were the best in the class, u were the only one got an A (very rarely two students got A). The rest got Bs,Cs and the worst C- or D+. You cannot explain this situation, because you were not in it. By the way o-chem (undergradute) is an easy class for our degree. I remembered that almost all of us ended up with As. It can be super hard class for bio majors, but it is not for us in general. By the way I am not underestimating other degrees. I am not saying that they are easy either. If you take any of fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, process control, advanced engineering thermodynamics, plant design classes (hard core high level engineering class), you will see what I mean. For instance for my plant design class I wrote 183 pages report in four weeks (ended up with a B-I was very happy with the grade I received). Even if you stay 24/7, you probably cannot understand many of the concepts. Because chemical engineering is blend of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer programming (and interdisciplinary of many other engineering majors). I think that it is better for you think that having high GPAs very rare in some field. I am congratulating you, if you have high GPA 👍. I am not disrespectful any of the other SDNers success. But I know that our classmates were very succesful students too.

 

[Ramy]

Did everyone just enter UNi knowing what your going to do for the rest of your life? Main thing is what was your secret to sucess what made you few completely above the rest.

 

[scuzfly]

By sacrifices what do you mean? Are you saying you gave up all your friends and time outside of academics in order to reach that status? Is it not possible to reach 3.7 status having both a strong academic life whilst maintaining at least a day of rest, relaxation, and social contact.

Yes. That's what it takes. People can have a social life, academic life, and professional life and still excel. I am not one of those people. I worked full time, studied as much as possible and didn't go out and party like everyone else I knew. It sucks but if you don't want to do that pick a different career path.

I didn't think aspiring to become a dentist meant submit to acadamia and walk away from all other life. I just don't know if I have what it takes anymore...I mean just because I study 14hrs a day..that won't even guarantee an 80%.
At SDN I'm talking to the elite--and I'm the average?

You obviously aren't willing to commit to becoming a dentist. If you studied the material 14 hours a day and couldn't get an 80% on a test you're doing something wrong. Either you're trying to learn it all in one day and not understand the material or you're study methods need to be altered. Have you thought about a tutuor? What about talking to the professor? It sounds like you need to walk away from becoming a dentist and continue having fun after class and hanging out, playing video games, watching movies and being social. For those who get into dental school they are social in different ways. These are probably the people you envy because it looks like they have the perfect life and get great grades. All I can say is make the choice and live with it for 40 years.


Oh and if you only pulled a C in Organic Chemistry I'd really pick a different major. It's only going to get harder. I pulled a B in first semester and never cracked a book or paid attention in class second semester and still got a C.

 

[jay47]

I have never discredit anyone's success. However it is not true to compare easy schools with hard schools. Same situation is applicable to different majors within the same school. At some schools the grades are given as a candy, and some many students ended up with high GPAs. At some hard schools only 1 or 2 students can exceed 3.6 at certain majors. I think that you have not enough idea with hard core science classes and the grading system. I was tired of explaining this fact, but let me do it too. For instance in my undergraduate institution only one student was above 3.6 in chemical engineering major. There were 30 alum. in my year. At the beginning 140 students begin with the chem. engineering major. Only 30 of them could complete the major requirements. Are you thinking that you were more smarter than all the chem e. graduated from UCI at 2007. Or do you think that we did not study or sacrifice our time. The answer is obviously NO! Since our exams were super hard the class average always fall between 40 to 60 percents. I do not remember any single student exceed 85 percent in any of our core classes exams (I believed that you probably fall into the middle of the bell shaped curve- since all the students working very very hard). If you were the best in the class, u were the only one got an A (very rarely two students got A). The rest got Bs,Cs and the worst C- or D+. You cannot explain this situation, because you were not in it. By the way o-chem (undergradute) is an easy class for our degree. I remembered that almost all of us ended up with As. It can be super hard class for bio majors, but it is not for us in general. By the way I am not underestimating other degrees. I am not saying that they are easy either. If you take any of fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, process control, advanced engineering thermodynamics, plant design classes (hard core high level engineering class), you will see what I mean. For instance for my plant design class I wrote 183 pages report in four weeks (ended up with a B-I was very happy with the grade I received). Even if you stay 24/7, you probably cannot understand many of the concepts. Because chemical engineering is blend of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer programming (and interdisciplinary of many other engineering majors). I think that it is better for you think that having high GPAs very rare in some field. I am congratulating you, if you have high GPA 👍. I am not disrespectful any of the other SDNers success. But I know that our classmates were very succesful students too.

I understand your situation completely. I maintained a high GPA at my state school and probably worked harder than 99% of the students. Did that mean that I got an A? Yes, but so did a lot of other people; however, wheras they were getting 90's, I was getting 99's and 100's.

The difference is that at your school there is a much higher OVERALL level of student aptitude, therefore your degree and the students in it will be ahead of the curve, so to speak. Therefore there is likely a higher range of academic rigor for achieve a "95 average".

It simply comes down to what type of school you go to and how grades are distributed. Whereas the average aptitude of students at your school may be....in SAT terms....1500..... and at my school 1280.....there are going to be a lot more lower achieving students bringing the average down, making it easier for overachievers like myself to get the A because professors cannot fail everyone (only like 25%, lol), because it is economically unsound to kick students out: it takes more money to lose em than to keep em.

So, are GPAs above 3.7 unrealistic? Depends on the school, but at most schools it is easily possible to achieve 3.7 with enough work: all you have to do is work harder than everyone else. I can assure you, out of the 2,000 or so students at my state school, that graduated with me, only around 10 graduated with a 4.0 or close.

Your comments are well stated and completely understood. I think taking a challenging major at a difficult school makes you a great student: you know the meaning of the word difficult. But, for most students, taking a science related major is their area of interest, even if it means it is slightly less academically rigorous.👍

 

[jay47]

By sacrifices what do you mean? Are you saying you gave up all your friends and time outside of academics in order to reach that status? Is it not possible to reach 3.7 status having both a strong academic life whilst maintaining at least a day of rest, relaxation, and social contact.

I didn't think aspiring to become a dentist meant submit to acadamia and walk away from all other life. I just don't know if I have what it takes anymore...I mean just because I study 14hrs a day..that won't even guarantee an 80%.
At SDN I'm talking to the elite--and I'm the average?

As another poster stated, if you are studying this much and still making a B, you are not studying effectively. Try to meet with other succesful students to see what they do; I think you'll find they don't study this much and still become successful.

I always say "work smart, not necessarily hard", and you'll always get more done. "Work smart AND hard" and you you will maximize return.

It sounds like you may have a low confidence in yourself. People on SDN are often cocky and conceited; don't listen to them. Do the best YOU can with what YOU are given and that's all you can do. Have confidence in your work and your studies and go out and succeed.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Howdy..

So I'd have to agree with the statement made above in reference to most SDN users being "overachievers"....I am one of them, and I've stated this in other threads. Comparing your scores to someone's scores on this sight may disappoint you...However, don't let that bother you!

As far as your comment about professors not allowing teachers to have class averages above a 70 - I have personally never heard of this, in fact, I've always heard if the average is below a 70 the professor gets put on academic probation - which happened to one of my professors...

My OCHEM 1 class started with 70 students...by the drop-date (where you can get a W for withdraw on your transcript, instead of failing) there was 19 students left...Class average was a 59 percent.

Only the 19 students that passed OCHEM 1 could move to OCHEM 2...by the end of the year, 8 of us finished....Thus, my OCHEM professor was put on academic probation (keep in mind the ONLY students taking this class were pre med, pre dent, and pre pharm).

I recieved my first ever B in that class (And keep in mind I was chosen to be a tutor for Organic Chemistry 1 and 2) - and got a 90% on the NATIONAL ORGANIC FINAL - most university professors automatically give you an A if you score 88%+ on that RIDICULOUS final.

Oh well. I have a 3.93 GPA in Human Bio, and 4.0 in Business. High GPA's are difficult...rare you could say as well. Why did I tell you all of this? High GPAs ARE realistic, high DAT scores ARE realistic...

I think that a lot of intelligence depends on what you were taught when you were little...The students that cannot maintain a high enough GPA and thus a high DAT score, are usually, unfortunately, the ones that get weeded out...Everyone cannot be a dentist in this world, afterall 🙂

 

[Ramy]

Alot of what you guys have said makes sense, but when you tell me I should walk away from dentistry I think thats rash. I mean asking for a day of free time----are you seriously telling me you all studied 24/7 and never had a friend, a companion, or went to A party. I never planned on being a partyer or regular guy at the club. I plan on a one day at least a week of rest of all the stress and hardwork.

Dentistry is my choice because i love sciences and i love the lifestyle associated with the job. I dont struggle much in science and i havent even entered the doors of uni yet Im only about to start my first year.
I got about 92 in chem, 85 in bio at highschool i dunno how ill do later.

overacheiver? I just aim for the best and i get angry but i dont dwell on things.

 

[joonkimdds]

I dont struggle much in science and i havent even entered the doors of uni yet Im only about to start my first year.
I got about 92 in chem, 85 in bio at highschool i dunno how ill do later.

overacheiver? I just aim for the best and i get angry but i dont dwell on things.

I think you will do well~ I was a bad student in high school but then I decided to sacrifice everything I had until high school to become who I am today.

 

[Ramy]

I worked full time, studied as much as possible and didn't go out and party like everyone else I knew. It sucks but if you don't want to do that pick a different career path. You obviously aren't willing to commit to becoming a dentist.

Come on, not even a day in the week? I am willing but I need my sanity while im at it. It shouldn't be slave labour lol

It sounds like you need to walk away from becoming a dentist and continue having fun after class and hanging out, playing video games, watching movies and being social. For those who get into dental school they are social in different ways. These are probably the people you envy because it looks like they have the perfect life and get great grades. All I can say is make the choice and live with it for 40 years.

I do want my breaks but that shouldnt be a reason to walk away from something beautiful like a career in dentistry. I want to try my best in managing my time to allow for some relaxation and fun. I dont think any human can stay sane.

It's only going to get harder. I pulled a B in first semester and never cracked a book or paid attention in class second semester and still got a C.

WHAT!? but you studied full time. Thats intense!!!!!!!!! How did you pull a C without litsening or understanding?

 

[Ramy]

As another poster stated, if you are studying this much and still making a B, you are not studying effectively. Try to meet with other succesful students to see what they do; I think you'll find they don't study this much and still become successful.

I always say "work smart, not necessarily hard", and you'll always get more done. "Work smart AND hard" and you you will maximize return.

It sounds like you may have a low confidence in yourself. People on SDN are often cocky and conceited; don't listen to them. Do the best YOU can with what YOU are given and that's all you can do. Have confidence in your work and your studies and go out and succeed.

I used the 14 hours as an example lmao i've never actually done that. And in highschool i crammed LAST MINUTE every single class literally..2 days before the exam at most. Managed 80's and 90's. But uni is different of course. You are very observant, I wont lie my confidence level has completely depleted in terms of intellect and ability to succeed in this career path. I have many values and I cant leave one out and aim for one. I want to follow the work hard, play hard attitude. My family tells me its possible but others tell me its impossible. I just love to hear everyones story. How they managed.

Sacrifice everything--- those words sound so large. EVERYTHING? seriously? thats quite a large toll on the mind.

 

[jay47]

I used the 14 hours as an example lmao i've never actually done that. And in highschool i crammed LAST MINUTE every single class literally..2 days before the exam at most. Managed 80's and 90's. But uni is different of course. You are very observant, I wont lie my confidence level has completely depleted in terms of intellect and ability to succeed in this career path. I have many values and I cant leave one out and aim for one. I want to follow the work hard, play hard attitude. My family tells me its possible but others tell me its impossible. I just love to hear everyones story. How they managed.

Sacrifice everything--- those words sound so large. EVERYTHING? seriously? thats quite a large toll on the mind.

Sacrifice: destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.

Yes, I have sacrificed to go to dental school, and will continue to sacrifice DURING dental school, all with the knowledge that my sacrifices will one day pay off; however, look at it on the other side of things, what if you do not make these sacrifices? You won't be able to practice a great profession and you will have to work another job, most likely one that does not pay as much OR have the day to day satisfaction that dentistry does.

So when you really look at it in the long run, I mean 10-15 years from now, when you are 35-40, what will you be doing? Something you believe you'll love, or something unknown? To me sacrifice is well worth it.

However, you don't have to sacrifice everything. Technically, just make a few more As than Bs, as the average GPA is 3.55, and you're right at the average. Then, score just above average on the DAT, 19, and you have a good shot at getting in somewhere.

 

[Doc Smile]

Come on, not even a day in the week? I am willing but I need my sanity while im at it. It shouldn't be slave labour lol



I do want my breaks but that shouldnt be a reason to walk away from something beautiful like a career in dentistry. I want to try my best in managing my time to allow for some relaxation and fun. I dont think any human can stay sane.



WHAT!? but you studied full time. Thats intense!!!!!!!!! How did you pull a C without litsening or understanding?

Like a poster said earlier, study smart - not necessarily long and hard.

I never had a day where I said. . . "no hw no study." there were some days my fiance and I would do a date night. There were also days I planned studying into the evening the next day so I could go to my fraternity house and just unwind. Smart studying, IMO, is a lot about time management. But RARELY did I ever just give an entire day to doing nothing academic. just thinking abou that makes me feel wierd. Maybe that is because I have taken summer classes since I left the doors of my highschool so I have never even had a SUMMER to devote to nothing. Hell, even my spring breaks I went on medical mission trips and leadership conferences.

In the end, If you want a high GPA (relative to your schools idea of a high gpa - which can be a 4.0 at some schools or a 3.5 at columbia or harvard or such) you are going to be busy a lot, drink more coffee or tea than you ever thought oyu body could contain, and sacrifice many things -> mainly your time. And with sacrficing time comes with sacrificing friends and fun.

But there is always the positive side. Though I have a high GPA, I wouldnt consider myself a stereotypical nerd. I am in a very prestigious fraternity, active in greek life, pres of mortar board, and other societies, and am marrying my highschool sweetheart. You can still have a life and still achieve academic success.

my two cents

 

[Doc Smile]

I want to follow the work hard, play hard attitude.

Any one who works hard, you will find, does not play hard. and everyone who plays hard, doesnt work hard. They may work hard at playing hard, but those who are very succesfull become that way by not playing hard, but by always working hard.

Of course, there are exceptions to what i just said so keep in mind that is IMO and it is a general rule. so dont tell me how your great uncles neices dog keepers pooper scooper made a bajillion dollars but got drunk off his ass every night.

 

[Ramy]

Marrying your highschool sweetheart! 🙂
Oh man congrats that is AMAZING. Is she also doing dentistry or anything?

Yeah see I just want to do the best I can do. Leadership conferences and such arent my thing. But teaching drum lessons, maybe leading a group or something would be my thing. I plan to shadow sometime throught 2nd and 3rd year too.

All your advice seems reasonable. I am going to see how it works soon enough. I only care for my girlfriend, sick parents (heart conditions), and 4-5 friends. Nothing more. And I think its fair to spend some time within the week with them and devote the rest to studies and finding some EC's or volounteer work.

Btw i dont know ANYONE who became rich by luck. My great great grandfather of the last name AL ASSAR is statued somewhere in a France university (ill post some pics up). and my uncle is one of the head pediatrics in Alexandria, Egypt. i can get his documents from McMaster since he got his PHD here. They worked HAAAAAAAAAAAARD---but they go to the gym, have families they tend to very well, and they said in comparison to Egyptian schooling that north american uni and medschool were "Fun".

How did you manage to manage your relationship with that sweetheart!?

 

[Doc Smile]

Marrying your highschool sweetheart! 🙂
Oh man congrats that is AMAZING. Is she also doing dentistry or anything?

Yeah see I just want to do the best I can do. Leadership conferences and such arent my thing. But teaching drum lessons, maybe leading a group or something would be my thing. I plan to shadow sometime throught 2nd and 3rd year too.

All your advice seems reasonable. I am going to see how it works soon enough. I only care for my girlfriend, sick parents (heart conditions), and 4-5 friends. Nothing more. And I think its fair to spend some time within the week with them and devote the rest to studies and finding some EC's or volounteer work.

Btw i dont know ANYONE who became rich by luck. My great great grandfather of the last name AL ASSAR is statued somewhere in a France university (ill post some pics up). and my uncle is one of the head pediatrics in Alexandria, Egypt. i can get his documents from McMaster since he got his PHD here. They worked HAAAAAAAAAAAARD---but they go to the gym, have families they tend to very well, and they said in comparison to Egyptian schooling that north american uni and medschool were "Fun".

How did you manage to manage your relationship with that sweetheart!?

Well thank you.

It seems that you have many smart, well known people in your family so maybe your name can get you a little further than some of us. 🙂

I think your game plan makes sense but it should be altered just a tad bit. Your second and third year are going to be some pretty difficult classes and your DAT and app proces will begun. I think it it best to forge a relationship with a versatile dental group in the area around where you are going to live during the summer and around whee you will live during the school year. Shadow about once a month - 6 hours at a time. That will give you some huge hours over the 3 years and the dentists will give you an oppurtunity to get to know YOU and can write you a great letter of rec. All I did to get a shadow gig around my campus was to start at the A's and work your way down, asking if you can come in and shadow. As fate would have it, my first call landed me at a practice where I will prbably work after dental school! nice huh. Dont forget that hte most important tool you will have in dentisry is not your fancy highspeed drill or massaging chairs, but rather the telephone. . . so get used to using it now.

As far as the whole highschool sweetheart goes. To be kinda corny, it was love at first sight, first week of school, freshman year. We dated a week later and have been going strong for 6 years! She goes to a state school an hour away from my school. We both kep busy though and are graduating a year early from undergrad. She is not a dentist - rather, the opposite, acounting and finance double major, yuck.

Like i said in an earlier post, the key to success is time management. If you are willing to schedule in your dayplanner a meeting with a patient (future) or with your advisor (present) why not schedule in time for your family and/or friends. We kept our relationship alive and kicking by doing just that; keping busy with acedemics which prevented any outside impulses from interfering with our goals and plans, scheduling time to see each other and spend quality time together, and motivate each other to succeed. She is the only reason I stayed sane and motivated to complete a double major in three years. . . (if you search my past posts you can see a pic of her and I that i posted in a thread about pictures of predents. . . )

All in all, you will need to find your groove. You can set your groove to your liking if you so choose. within the first week of school you need to decide if you are going to slack of and be mediocre or work hard and be great. Find your motivation to succeed. It cant be an enjoyable lifestyle. . . that just doesnt 'stick' for the long run. You need something that will make you always strive to be better -> maybe a desire to make people smile.

 

[Ramy]

Well thank you.

It seems that you have many smart, well known people in your family so maybe your name can get you a little further than some of us. 🙂

I think your game plan makes sense but it should be altered just a tad bit. Your second and third year are going to be some pretty difficult classes and your DAT and app proces will begun. I think it it best to forge a relationship with a versatile dental group in the area around where you are going to live during the summer and around whee you will live during the school year. Shadow about once a month - 6 hours at a time. That will give you some huge hours over the 3 years and the dentists will give you an oppurtunity to get to know YOU and can write you a great letter of rec. All I did to get a shadow gig around my campus was to start at the A's and work your way down, asking if you can come in and shadow. As fate would have it, my first call landed me at a practice where I will prbably work after dental school! nice huh. Dont forget that hte most important tool you will have in dentisry is not your fancy highspeed drill or massaging chairs, but rather the telephone. . . so get used to using it now.

As far as the whole highschool sweetheart goes. To be kinda corny, it was love at first sight, first week of school, freshman year. We dated a week later and have been going strong for 6 years! She goes to a state school an hour away from my school. We both kep busy though and are graduating a year early from undergrad. She is not a dentist - rather, the opposite, acounting and finance double major, yuck.

Like i said in an earlier post, the key to success is time management. If you are willing to schedule in your dayplanner a meeting with a patient (future) or with your advisor (present) why not schedule in time for your family and/or friends. We kept our relationship alive and kicking by doing just that; keping busy with acedemics which prevented any outside impulses from interfering with our goals and plans, scheduling time to see each other and spend quality time together, and motivate each other to succeed. She is the only reason I stayed sane and motivated to complete a double major in three years. . . (if you search my past posts you can see a pic of her and I that i posted in a thread about pictures of predents. . . )

All in all, you will need to find your groove. You can set your groove to your liking if you so choose. within the first week of school you need to decide if you are going to slack of and be mediocre or work hard and be great. Find your motivation to succeed. It cant be an enjoyable lifestyle. . . that just doesnt 'stick' for the long run. You need something that will make you always strive to be better -> maybe a desire to make people smile.

I envy your amazing luck with the relationship, i understand that drive and motivation a significant other gives you to do the best and be the best. HOLY! three years!?!?!? wow man thats intense. so you took like over 5 credits a year? What did you major in, infact there are so many types of bio and chem majors i dunno whats best for dentistry 🙁

Hahaha my phone and tongue are my best friends, I wouldnt get anywhere in life without my personality I think I make some kind of impression or something that works to my benefit (most of the time) but i cannot rely on that anymore with these 500+ classes.

Im planning to figure out my uni like the back of my hand, find out that groove and learn to be as productive as possible. It should be in my blood 😛 and i LOVE science, and LOVE integrity. lets hope i LOVE uni. My uncle told me university is what MADE him excel.

 

[Doc Smile]

I envy your amazing luck with the relationship, i understand that drive and motivation a significant other gives you to do the best and be the best. HOLY! three years!?!?!? wow man thats intense. so you took like over 5 credits a year? What did you major in, infact there are so many types of bio and chem majors i dunno whats best for dentistry 🙁

Hahaha my phone and tongue are my best friends, I wouldnt get anywhere in life without my personality I think I make some kind of impression or something that works to my benefit (most of the time) but i cannot rely on that anymore with these 500+ classes.

Im planning to figure out my uni like the back of my hand, find out that groove and learn to be as productive as possible. It should be in my blood 😛 and i LOVE science, and LOVE integrity. lets hope i LOVE uni. My uncle told me university is what MADE him excel.

Yes, 3 years. Biology and Chemistry double major. I took 20 credits every semester and 15 over each summer. When I got my Course Catalog, I figured out what classes I needed to take when.

 

[Ramy]

Dental schools accept summer courses?!

 

[MTD52]

I have never discredit anyone's success. However it is not true to compare easy schools with hard schools. Same situation is applicable to different majors within the same school. At some schools the grades are given as a candy, and some many students ended up with high GPAs. At some hard schools only 1 or 2 students can exceed 3.6 at certain majors. I think that you have not enough idea with hard core science classes and the grading system. I was tired of explaining this fact, but let me do it too. For instance in my undergraduate institution only one student was above 3.6 in chemical engineering major. There were 30 alum. in my year. At the beginning 140 students begin with the chem. engineering major. Only 30 of them could complete the major requirements. Are you thinking that you were more smarter than all the chem e. graduated from UCI at 2007. Or do you think that we did not study or sacrifice our time. The answer is obviously NO! Since our exams were super hard the class average always fall between 40 to 60 percents. I do not remember any single student exceed 85 percent in any of our core classes exams (I believed that you probably fall into the middle of the bell shaped curve- since all the students working very very hard). If you were the best in the class, u were the only one got an A (very rarely two students got A). The rest got Bs,Cs and the worst C- or D+. You cannot explain this situation, because you were not in it. By the way o-chem (undergradute) is an easy class for our degree. I remembered that almost all of us ended up with As. It can be super hard class for bio majors, but it is not for us in general. By the way I am not underestimating other degrees. I am not saying that they are easy either. If you take any of fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, process control, advanced engineering thermodynamics, plant design classes (hard core high level engineering class), you will see what I mean. For instance for my plant design class I wrote 183 pages report in four weeks (ended up with a B-I was very happy with the grade I received). Even if you stay 24/7, you probably cannot understand many of the concepts. Because chemical engineering is blend of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer programming (and interdisciplinary of many other engineering majors). I think that it is better for you think that having high GPAs very rare in some field. I am congratulating you, if you have high GPA 👍. I am not disrespectful any of the other SDNers success. But I know that our classmates were very succesful students too.

I have to comment on this and the other thing you said, and this whole topic as a whole.

Here's the deal: Yes, you have to make sacrifices if you want to be the best. That goes for ANYTHING in life. And yeah, it's damn hard to get into dental school because those people are the best. A school has an average acceptance rate of what, 4%? Something like that. So yes, you have to be willing to work very hard to get to that point.

However, that doesn't equal automatically having no life. I went out and went to parties and did what I wanted the past three years of undergrad. Granted I didn't do it as much as everyone else, and there are times when I have to stay in and study when others went out, but I have no problem with that. Again, that's what it takes to be the best. And I can honestly say that I study less than almost everyone I talk to in my major, and I do better than all of them. So don't be so quick to say you will have NO life.

As for UCfan, I can see where you're coming from, but in general, what you're saying is crap. You basically disrepected everyone who doesn't go to a "hard engineering school" and then at the end claimed that you are congradulating them. Sure there are schools harder than others, but that doesn't mean that anything over 3.6 is "unrealistic." What it means is that it's really hard to do in a harder school, that's it. I was a biomedical engineering major for a short period of time at a damn good engineering school and guess what I got? All A's. So yeah I know what it's like, and I still did it. I busted my ass, but I still went to the gym all the time and I still hung out with people, just not as much. Never did I have to stay 24/7 and still not understand anything.

I have never gotten a B in college and I still do other things. Oh yeah, and I have a sleep disorder that's borderline narcoleptic during nap tests. Try doing all that work sleeping 4-5 hours each night, waking up every 3-5 times in between, and not actually getting any rest even while you're sleeping because your throat is closing and your body wakes up to breathe. It's almost impossible to concentrate sometimes and it's even harder to remember anything. Don't tell me that my 4.0 is unrealistic. If something is harder, work harder. That's what separates you from the rest.

 

[Doc Smile]

I have to comment on this and the other thing you said, and this whole topic as a whole.

Here's the deal: Yes, you have to make sacrifices if you want to be the best. That goes for ANYTHING in life. And yeah, it's damn hard to get into dental school because those people are the best. A school has an average acceptance rate of what, 4%? Something like that. So yes, you have to be willing to work very hard to get to that point.

However, that doesn't equal automatically having no life. I went out and went to parties and did what I wanted the past three years of undergrad. Granted I didn't do it as much as everyone else, and there are times when I have to stay in and study when others went out, but I have no problem with that. Again, that's what it takes to be the best. And I can honestly say that I study less than almost everyone I talk to in my major, and I do better than all of them. So don't be so quick to say you will have NO life.

As for UCfan, I can see where you're coming from, but in general, what you're saying is crap. You basically disrepected everyone who doesn't go to a "hard engineering school" and then at the end claimed that you are congradulating them. Sure there are schools harder than others, but that doesn't mean that anything over 3.6 is "unrealistic." What it means is that it's really hard to do in a harder school, that's it. I was a biomedical engineering major for a short period of time at a damn good engineering school and guess what I got? All A's. So yeah I know what it's like, and I still did it. I busted my ass, but I still went to the gym all the time and I still hung out with people, just not as much. Never did I have to stay 24/7 and still not understand anything.

I have never gotten a B in college and I still do other things. Oh yeah, and I have a sleep disorder that's borderline narcoleptic during nap tests. Try doing all that work sleeping 4-5 hours each night, waking up every 3-5 times in between, and not actually getting any rest even while you're sleeping because your throat is closing and your body wakes up to breathe. It's almost impossible to concentrate sometimes and it's even harder to remember anything. Don't tell me that my 4.0 is unrealistic. If something is harder, work harder. That's what separates you from the rest.

Damn straight.

 

[flying rider]

I find that it's ridiculous to say that in order to do well in your classes and go into dentistry, you have to have absolutely no life. Dental school look for well rounded people. Yes, they look at high gpas and dats but dentistry itself is a very social career. If you have no social skills, that will come through in the interview. They don't want someone who was cooped up in their room 24/7 and did nothing else. In the classes I did badly in, I know that it was because I didn't put enough effort in. However, when I did well in hard classes, for example biochem, I worked hard. Yes, I did sacrifice going out with friends to study, but I still took breaks to hang out with people and unwind for a bit before going back to study. I don't know about you guys but I don't want to be a lonely dentist with no friends. The relationships i have with my family and friends are very important to me - as important as pursuing dentistry as a career. I think it's ridiculous to say you have to have one without the other - that you have to "sacrifice" one.

 

[Ramy]

Three years!?
Wow man, so how many credits is that. Like a 5.0 credit a year here in canada is a full course load for a full-time student.
So are these summer school courses taken into account, I know for medical school they do not accept summer courses towards your GPA.

So how did you study less and do better than the rest, was it natural, or did you just figure out what you NEEDED to study that was crucial for the test and found out the material that the test wouldn't cover.

Any tips would seriously help, like just how you studied, time management skills, anything. I seriously appreciate all the talk on this thread.

 

[Ramy]

I find that it's ridiculous to say that in order to do well in your classes and go into dentistry, you have to have absolutely no life. Dental school look for well rounded people. Yes, they look at high gpas and dats but dentistry itself is a very social career. If you have no social skills, that will come through in the interview. They don't want someone who was cooped up in their room 24/7 and did nothing else. In the classes I did badly in, I know that it was because I didn't put enough effort in. However, when I did well in hard classes, for example biochem, I worked hard. Yes, I did sacrifice going out with friends to study, but I still took breaks to hang out with people and unwind for a bit before going back to study. I don't know about you guys but I don't want to be a lonely dentist with no friends. The relationships i have with my family and friends are very important to me - as important as pursuing dentistry as a career. I think it's ridiculous to say you have to have one without the other - that you have to "sacrifice" one.

This is something I can agree with in terms of how it works, i never intended to even have 50% of the social life i had in highschool but no way can i be cooped up. My values rest in a well rounded life.

BTW just to ask now so i dont end up making another thread. Where do i find out the prerequisite courses for dental school???

I know so far 1 year bio, 1 year chem , 1 year calculus, 1 year physics, but what about english, biochem and kinesiology?

 

[UCB05]

I have to comment on this and the other thing you said, and this whole topic as a whole.

Here's the deal: Yes, you have to make sacrifices if you want to be the best. That goes for ANYTHING in life. And yeah, it's damn hard to get into dental school because those people are the best. A school has an average acceptance rate of what, 4%? Something like that. So yes, you have to be willing to work very hard to get to that point.

However, that doesn't equal automatically having no life. I went out and went to parties and did what I wanted the past three years of undergrad. Granted I didn't do it as much as everyone else, and there are times when I have to stay in and study when others went out, but I have no problem with that. Again, that's what it takes to be the best. And I can honestly say that I study less than almost everyone I talk to in my major, and I do better than all of them. So don't be so quick to say you will have NO life.

As for UCfan, I can see where you're coming from, but in general, what you're saying is crap. You basically disrepected everyone who doesn't go to a "hard engineering school" and then at the end claimed that you are congradulating them. Sure there are schools harder than others, but that doesn't mean that anything over 3.6 is "unrealistic." What it means is that it's really hard to do in a harder school, that's it. I was a biomedical engineering major for a short period of time at a damn good engineering school and guess what I got? All A's. So yeah I know what it's like, and I still did it. I busted my ass, but I still went to the gym all the time and I still hung out with people, just not as much. Never did I have to stay 24/7 and still not understand anything.

I have never gotten a B in college and I still do other things. Oh yeah, and I have a sleep disorder that's borderline narcoleptic during nap tests. Try doing all that work sleeping 4-5 hours each night, waking up every 3-5 times in between, and not actually getting any rest even while you're sleeping because your throat is closing and your body wakes up to breathe. It's almost impossible to concentrate sometimes and it's even harder to remember anything. Don't tell me that my 4.0 is unrealistic. If something is harder, work harder. That's what separates you from the rest.

You should look into a UPPP/ tonsillectomy and a somnoplasty if you haven't had it done yet.

 

[Doc Smile]

Three years!?
Wow man, so how many credits is that. Like a 5.0 credit a year here in canada is a full course load for a full-time student.
So are these summer school courses taken into account, I know for medical school they do not accept summer courses towards your GPA.

So how did you study less and do better than the rest, was it natural, or did you just figure out what you NEEDED to study that was crucial for the test and found out the material that the test wouldn't cover.

Any tips would seriously help, like just how you studied, time management skills, anything. I seriously appreciate all the talk on this thread.

My univeristy offers summer school. so my summer classes go towards my credits an GPA. I did take a few classes at a 4 year univerisyt near my house. My credits transfered but the GPA does not. BUT BE AWARE . . . when you apply to dental school, your GPA is factored into all your transcripts. So my GPA at my university is probs a 3.7. But my overall GPA that dental schools see is higher. comprende?

Here is IU dentals prereqs:
http://www.iusd.iupui.edu/Depts/SA/DDSrequs.aspx

most schools have them on their websites

 

[Ramy]

My univeristy offers summer school. so my summer classes go towards my credits an GPA. I did take a few classes at a 4 year univerisyt near my house. My credits transfered but the GPA does not. BUT BE AWARE . . . when you apply to dental school, your GPA is factored into all your transcripts. So my GPA at my university is probs a 3.7. But my overall GPA that dental schools see is higher. comprende?

Here is IU dentals prereqs:
http://www.iusd.iupui.edu/Depts/SA/DDSrequs.aspx

most schools have them on their websites

Woah alot more courses than I thought! Psychology? I kind of get your summer thing but why did you call it a 4 year university? Aren't all unis 4 years?

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Dental schools accept summer courses?!

lol😀 ofcourse they do. I took 15 credits last summer, and 12 this summer...have to fit the business major in somewhere lol🙂 I took my finance and accountings during the year...but focus on economics, business communications, business law...all those good ones during the summer

 

[ozzie33]

Yes. That's what it takes. People can have a social life, academic life, and professional life and still excel. I am not one of those people. I worked full time, studied as much as possible and didn't go out and party like everyone else I knew. It sucks but if you don't want to do that pick a different career path.


You obviously aren't willing to commit to becoming a dentist. If you studied the material 14 hours a day and couldn't get an 80% on a test you're doing something wrong. Either you're trying to learn it all in one day and not understand the material or you're study methods need to be altered. Have you thought about a tutuor? What about talking to the professor? It sounds like you need to walk away from becoming a dentist and continue having fun after class and hanging out, playing video games, watching movies and being social. For those who get into dental school they are social in different ways. These are probably the people you envy because it looks like they have the perfect life and get great grades. All I can say is make the choice and live with it for 40 years.


Oh and if you only pulled a C in Organic Chemistry I'd really pick a different major. It's only going to get harder. I pulled a B in first semester and never cracked a book or paid attention in class second semester and still got a C.

At the same time don't say that just because a person drinks, has fun, and maintains an active social life, isn't committed to being a dentist. There is more to life than grades, adn college is about developing to the person you want to be for the rest of your life. I know there are people who go overboard, but I have maintained a great social life, and have gotten good grades without sacrificing much. Sure if I stayed in every weekend my gpa might be .1 or .2 higher, but o well, I would rather be a balanced well rounded person. IF what you do works for you then fine, but don't act like people who party and have fun aren't committed to be a dentist, because that certainly is not the case.

 

[zoralsurgeon]

Scuzfly - your advice in reference to OCHEM is horrible. I got B's...and I guarantee a C with my prof. would get me an A ANYWHERE. ANYWHERE.

I got B's and got a 90% on the NATIONAL FINAL. I tutor OCHEM. Grades do not always reflect intelligence, study habits, etc...although most of the time they do. Don't let ONE class EVER determine what you want to do with your life.

If you get a C in OChem and it is not acceptable, take it again, I can assure you that if you work harder you will get a better grade.

DO NOT LET PEOPLE TELL YOU THAT IF YOU CANNOT PASS ONE CLASS YOU CANNOT BECOME WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED. THIS COMMENT MAKES ME SICK

 

[Doc Smile]

Woah alot more courses than I thought! Psychology? I kind of get your summer thing but why did you call it a 4 year university? Aren't all unis 4 years?

Yeah, there are quite a few classes that you have to take outside your major courses. But the good thing is that most of them fulfill your gen ed requirements.

I dont know how it is in canada, but there are junior colleges (aka 2 year colleges) and community colleges. So taking summer courses at a four year university as a guest student is WAY different than taking classes at a community college or junior college.

Hopefully your advisor will fill you in on these details. But not all advisors are helpfull.

 

[nze82]

For all those who have gotten very high GPA's, even with all this timemanagement and hard work. How is it possible for so many to have high 80's and 90's if at university the class average cannot exceed 70% or else a proffesor must notify the Dean wiith a reason...and if it doesn't go through..marks drop.
And who said the class average CANNOT exceed 70%? I have had classes at UCLA, where the class average was 85%+ and there was no need for notifying the dean.
How do so many here on SDN surpass that. Maybe its just canadian schooling but its scaring the **** outta me lol. I want DENT so bad!

*PS: i total put this on the wrong thread page if any admin could move this outta DAT discussions and into Pre-dental lol 🙁

I guess at the end class averages depend on which college you're referring to and you can't come up with a general rule saying that the class average CANNOT exceed 70%.

 

[UCfan]

I have to comment on this and the other thing you said, and this whole topic as a whole.


As for UCfan, I can see where you're coming from, but in general, what you're saying is crap. You basically disrepected everyone who doesn't go to a "hard engineering school" and then at the end claimed that you are congradulating them. Sure there are schools harder than others, but that doesn't mean that anything over 3.6 is "unrealistic." What it means is that it's really hard to do in a harder school, that's it. I was a biomedical engineering major for a short period of time at a damn good engineering school and guess what I got? All A's. So yeah I know what it's like, and I still did it. I busted my ass, but I still went to the gym all the time and I still hung out with people, just not as much. Never did I have to stay 24/7 and still not understand anything.
QUOTE]

I think that you are very disrespectful! I told you my situation. I think that you need to be a super genius like Gilbert N. Lewis. Without giving any reason you reached this conclusion [ I was a biomedical engineering major for a short period of time at a damn good engineering school and guess what I got? All A's. So yeah I know what it's like, and I still did it..] Who said that you are not a good student and did not deserve really high GPA. I only said that you cannot compare the same majors within the different schools. We were not in the same class and same university. I told you that none of alumni finished above 3.7. Who talked crap. It is the reality. If I ended up with 3.2 and you were 3.6 (graduated for same class) then for sure you were more motivated and succesful student than me. I am not claiming that I am a good student either. However you think that you are smart and you deserve to get really high GPA. I bet you many(or a few) class members got As like you . Good job for your success in bio engineering. It is easy to talk!

 

[UCfan]

I have to comment on this and the other thing you said, and this whole topic as a whole.

Here's the deal: Yes, you have to make sacrifices if you want to be the best. That goes for ANYTHING in life. And yeah, it's damn hard to get into dental school because those people are the best. A school has an average acceptance rate of what, 4%? Something like that. So yes, you have to be willing to work very hard to get to that point.

However, that doesn't equal automatically having no life. I went out and went to parties and did what I wanted the past three years of undergrad. Granted I didn't do it as much as everyone else, and there are times when I have to stay in and study when others went out, but I have no problem with that. Again, that's what it takes to be the best. And I can honestly say that I study less than almost everyone I talk to in my major, and I do better than all of them. So don't be so quick to say you will have NO life.

As for UCfan, I can see where you're coming from, but in general, what you're saying is crap. You basically disrepected everyone who doesn't go to a "hard engineering school" and then at the end claimed that you are congradulating them. Sure there are schools harder than others, but that doesn't mean that anything over 3.6 is "unrealistic." What it means is that it's really hard to do in a harder school, that's it. I was a biomedical engineering major for a short period of time at a damn good engineering school and guess what I got? All A's. So yeah I know what it's like, and I still did it. I busted my ass, but I still went to the gym all the time and I still hung out with people, just not as much. Never did I have to stay 24/7 and still not understand anything.

I have never gotten a B in college and I still do other things. Oh yeah, and I have a sleep disorder that's borderline narcoleptic during nap tests. Try doing all that work sleeping 4-5 hours each night, waking up every 3-5 times in between, and not actually getting any rest even while you're sleeping because your throat is closing and your body wakes up to breathe. It's almost impossible to concentrate sometimes and it's even harder to remember anything. Don't tell me that my 4.0 is unrealistic. If something is harder, work harder. That's what separates you from the rest.

To support my argument let me give another example. Once I applied to graduate school (other UCs), I told my school situation. They said that they knew the situation in my school and they told me that they did not accept many 3.8-3.9 GPAs from certain schools, because so many other students recieved those GPAs from certain schools. Please do not reach a smart conclusion like you did before. I do not want to argue useless stuff like this. Try to understand that at certain situations you need to evaluate your condition with your classmates (not the condition you were in your college). Again good job (having 4.0 GPA needs to be hard in wherever you went). Hopefully you will continue your success in DS 👍.

 

[joonkimdds]

You are still in high school and there is no reason to freak out.
Just do your best.

 

[Doc Smile]

You are still in high school and there is no reason to freak out.
Just do your best.

Yes, welcome to the competitiveness of dental applicants. . .

 

[MTD52]

You should look into a UPPP/ tonsillectomy and a somnoplasty if you haven't had it done yet.

Tonsillectomy was done a long time ago. I'm waiting on surgery in the near future.

 

[MTD52]

To support my argument let me give another example. Once I applied to graduate school (other UCs), I told my school situation. They said that they knew the situation in my school and they told me that they did not accept many 3.8-3.9 GPAs from certain schools, because so many other students recieved those GPAs from certain schools. Please do not reach a smart conclusion like you did before. I do not want to argue useless stuff like this. Try to understand that at certain situations you need to evaluate your condition with your classmates (not the condition you were in your college). Again good job (having 4.0 GPA needs to be hard in wherever you went). Hopefully you will continue your success in DS 👍.

I did evaluate it with my classmates. I did better than them.

 

[MTD52]

Scuzfly - your advice in reference to OCHEM is horrible. I got B's...and I guarantee a C with my prof. would get me an A ANYWHERE. ANYWHERE.

I got B's and got a 90% on the NATIONAL FINAL. I tutor OCHEM. Grades do not always reflect intelligence, study habits, etc...although most of the time they do. Don't let ONE class EVER determine what you want to do with your life.

If you get a C in OChem and it is not acceptable, take it again, I can assure you that if you work harder you will get a better grade.

DO NOT LET PEOPLE TELL YOU THAT IF YOU CANNOT PASS ONE CLASS YOU CANNOT BECOME WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED. THIS COMMENT MAKES ME SICK

Truth

 

[Tommy43087]

What a couple people are saying on this thread is really stupid, to be able to do good it just takes motivation, and persistance, NOT giving up your life! Granted there are time where you will have to give up your life for a certain period of time(like me for the past 3 months, studying for the DAT woring 30hrs a week AND taking ochem 2 over summer!) but for the most part you need to have a life. No offense but for you people that NEVER go out and do NOTHING but study all the time, it is definitely noticable! and the person interviewing you at a school will be able to tell! I definitely go out, but i know when to go out and when i shouldnt, school definitely comes first. You can achieve success no matter who you are as long as you are completely motivated and focused. Allthough i do not go to a prestigious school my classes are difficult and for someone to tell me otherwise is just bulls*** i have busted my ass to get good grades and it shows. Although i do not go to pretigious school the classes i have taken have been hard and averages were low with no curve. My ochem 1 class the avg was about 54%, but i managed to get an A-, because i worked my ass off. There were only two A's(including me) in that class. And i didnt find ochem hard at all, his test were just over the top. And although there are definitely harder majors out there, for someone to imply molecular biology or biochemistry is an EASY major should really go win a nobel prize and stop discouraging people on SDN! I have a 3.6 gpa and i worked hard for it especially because the only reason my GPA is 3.6 is because i got straight C's my first year because i didnt take it seriously! Im a high school dropout who was motivated to excel in college and do better, and i have been working hard nonstop. Im just saying that some people make crazy statements about how much harder they had it and assume it was easier for everyone else, dude wake up and stop blowing up your ego...if you worked hard you worked hard. So did alot of other people!

Scuzfly - your advice in reference to OCHEM is horrible. I got B's...and I guarantee a C with my prof. would get me an A ANYWHERE. ANYWHERE.
How do you know the difficulty level of other professeors EVERYWHERE else!?

 

[BShimel]

The irony of the whole gpa argument is that while GPA is a large factor in getting into school, it certainly isn't the end all be all. If GPA was the only thing DS's cared about, why the hell do we take the DAT, have ECs, etc.? Shrug. People with 3.8s, 3.9s, and 4.0s and such will get into school. So will people with 3.0s and 3.1s. Obviously on average more of the higher GPAs will get in. But honestly the pissing contest over how smart everyone is pretty much is moot once you hit actually practicing.

Last I checked, working with patients doesn't = GPA. I think we all can agree it takes a whole lot more than a high gpa to be a good technician and a successful practitioner.

 

[Vicviper]

Yeah, once you get into school the lowest graduate from the worst school is still called a dentist, same as the best graduate from best school.

 

[Doc Smile]

What a couple people are saying on this thread is really stupid, to be able to do good it just takes motivation, and persistance, NOT giving up your life! Granted there are time where you will have to give up your life for a certain period of time(like me for the past 3 months, studying for the DAT woring 30hrs a week AND taking ochem 2 over summer!) but for the most part you need to have a life. No offense but for you people that NEVER go out and do NOTHING but study all the time, it is definitely noticable! and the person interviewing you at a school will be able to tell! I definitely go out, but i know when to go out and when i shouldnt, school definitely comes first. You can achieve success no matter who you are as long as you are completely motivated and focused. Allthough i do not go to a prestigious school my classes are difficult and for someone to tell me otherwise is just bulls*** i have busted my ass to get good grades and it shows. Although i do not go to pretigious school the classes i have taken have been hard and averages were low with no curve. My ochem 1 class the avg was about 54%, but i managed to get an A-, because i worked my ass off. There were only two A's(including me) in that class. And i didnt find ochem hard at all, his test were just over the top. And although there are definitely harder majors out there, for someone to imply molecular biology or biochemistry is an EASY major should really go win a nobel prize and stop discouraging people on SDN! I have a 3.6 gpa and i worked hard for it especially because the only reason my GPA is 3.6 is because i got straight C's my first year because i didnt take it seriously! Im a high school dropout who was motivated to excel in college and do better, and i have been working hard nonstop. Im just saying that some people make crazy statements about how much harder they had it and assume it was easier for everyone else, dude wake up and stop blowing up your ego...if you worked hard you worked hard. So did alot of other people!

I am pretty sure everyone has told the OP that you will have to make sacrifices to time but that doesnt mean you have to be a study zombie. . .

Looking through all the posts, everyone told the OP that taking time out to do stuff and have fun is really important. . .

 

[MTD52]

Yeah, once you get into school the lowest graduate from the worst school is still called a dentist, same as the best graduate from best school.

Scary thought lol