I need help deciding on my next move

[GolfLover5122]

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Hello all!



Should I:
1- do a master's (lots of money) to show that I can handle dental school coursework. Taking 2 gap years because I'll apply next summer)
2- take classes as a non-matriculated student while still applying. I haven't taken microbiology, physiology, immunology.
3-work at a really cool hospital/university (lab-related/TA) for a year while applying. Maybe take classes?
4- do a post-bac to get rid of the one C in chem 2, and the several B-'s.

I appreciate all the advice in advance!

-golflover5122

 

[StumpMT]

Since your GPA is above 3.0 I'd say take micro, physiology, immunology, and maybe a couple other upper level science courses. Obviously do really well in them, and kill the DAT (21+). Others will be able to build on what I've said and offer additional advice. That strong upward trend will look really good.

To give you some hope I'm 32 and graduated college in 2008. I have a 3.06 oGPA and 3.2 sGPA. It was lower than that but I took 3 upper level classes and got A's in all of them and an A+ in biochem. I scored a 21AA, 21TS, 23PAT on the DAT and have been a clinical laboratory scientist for 6 years. I also had a few hundred volunteer hours. I applied to 23 schools, interviewed at 5, wait listed at 2, and accepted at 1 (NYUCD). You can do it!

 

[youraverageasia]

Hello all!
I'm a senior at a well known liberal arts college. I'll be finishing up my pre-dental track by the end of the semester. I'm really lost on what to do next in terms of getting into dental school. I'm freaking out because I need to make decisions very soon.

Here are my credentials so far:
Major: Biology
New Jersey Resident
GPA: 3.1 (I was really bad at writing, but I've improved by a ton. Strong upward trend 2.67-3.66)
sGPA: 3.1 (I've aced genetics and some biology courses, and my weakness is in all my chem courses, mostly B-'s, no D's. 2 c's in biostatistics and chem 2. Physics 👍)
Research: 1 summer at MIT (cancer-related) and 1.5 years at school (chloroplasts). Neither is dental related.
Volunteer: 65 hours at a hospital, 35 hours in New Orleans St. Bernard project (hurricane victims), 50 hours in a microbio lab overseas. 50 hours Volunteer at an orphanage overseas (will publish on it this summer).
Shadowing: 60 hours of general dentist. (will get more this summer from specialties to reach 100).
ECs: 4-year varsity athlete, tango, lots of art things.
Pre-dental society member (treasurer for a year) 4 years.

I'm planning to take the DATs in August. I'm hoping to do well. (kinda puts me on the later applicants, but it's not TOO late)


Should I:
1- do a master's (lots of money) to show that I can handle dental school coursework. Taking 2 gap years because I'll apply next summer)
2- take classes as a non-matriculated student while still applying. I haven't taken microbiology, physiology, immunology.
3-work at a really cool hospital/university (lab-related/TA) for a year while applying. Maybe take classes?
4- do a post-bac to get rid of the one C in chem 2, and the several B-'s.

I appreciate all the advice in advance!

-golflover5122

Hey so your GPA is really cutting it close. Unless you do phenomenal on your DAT (23+ across the board) it's going to be hard to get in somewhere. Since you live in Jersey I would recommend the masters program at GSBS Newark. It's a 1 yr biomedical science masters, and you can take dental courses along dental students. I know a lot of schools (NYU in particular) likes the students that do well in this program, so I would suggest you look into it!