I think dentistry might be a no go for me :(

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Bsooner2015

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Hello friends,
So, a little about me. I graduated last year with a 3.11 GPA and a 2.72science GPA (chemistry). Terrible and inexcusable
I did an informal post bac at a 4 year university and I currently have a 3.5 post bacGPA and will probably end up with a 2nd degree in biology. I scored a 22 on the DAT AA overall with a 20PAT. I'm also a TX resident.

I started off the post bac with a 4.0 but I have struggled this year in the spring and fall and got a 3.0 GPA in both. I had some personal problems that I cant discuss and got hammered these past 3 weeks with a sinus infection and a cold..my final exam scores were too low to push me to a 4.0. 🙁 All of these bio classes are 4 hr classes too.

I have MANY shadowing and volunteering hours so I've been busy with those.

My question is... (and I apologize for the ignorance) but did I screw myself out of dental school? From what hear a 3.5 is too low and since a post bac is pretty much a "show me what you got" deal, I messed it up.

I feel so ashamed of myself because I worked so hard but I couldn't get over the obstacles in front of me.
The only backup I have now is to possibly teach hs science, go to nursing school sinc e I have the prereqs done already, or get a masters in education and teach elementary school.
I hate to be over dramatic but I am pretty desperate at this point and I still have loans to pay off :/

I appreciate any and all advice. Please give me the blunt truth.
 
Question, did you apply this cycle or have you applied in the past? (if not why say "no go" unless you give it a shot)
 
Isn't the average stats for TX applicants like a 3.6+?
Ive been reading SDN for a while and before I made my account, I kept seeing people say "3.7+ gpa or you are screwed" or "3.8+"
Since my GPA is so low compared to everyone else, I knew I had to work harder in my post bac to get that 3.8 or so but I couldn't do it this year. I went from my final semeter of undergrad with a 3.4, then 4.0 (post bac), followed by 3.0 and 3.0. That's not a good trend huh?
 
Bsooner2015 said:
Isn't the average stats for TX applicants like a 3.6+?
Ive been reading SDN for a while and before I made my account, I kept seeing people say "3.7+ gpa or you are screwed" or "3.8+"
Since my GPA is so low compared to everyone else, I knew I had to work harder in my post bac to get that 3.8 or so but I couldn't do it this year. I went from my final semeter of undergrad with a 3.4, then 4.0 (post bac), followed by 3.0 and 3.0. That's not a good trend huh?
Click to expand...
Did you apply to the lower tier private dental schools like roseman? Midwestern?
 
No I did not.
TX schools
OU
FLORIDA
LSU
UNC
NOVA

Is it even worth it to go private? The debt is ridiculous but I suppose if it's your passion huh?
 
Bsooner2015 said:
No I did not.
TX schools
OU
FLORIDA
LSU
UNC
NOVA

Is it even worth it to go private? The debt is ridiculous but I suppose if it's your passion huh?
Click to expand...
Have you applied to Baylor's post bacc program?
 
Just apply once more time to see how it goes. I think you would have a shot.

However, be prepared that dentistry might not be the one for you. Let's be real here. There are many things in life that you work hard for it but you won't get it eventually. Accept it and move on.

If anything, why don't you think about pharmacy. They make good living too.

Again, NOT EVERYTHING YOU WORK HARD FOR WILL BE WHAT YOU WANT.
 
I don't want to sound harsh but what's with the lack of confidence?? If you don't believe you can get in, you won't. There are people in my class that have worse stats than you and.....well they are going to be dentists in 3.5 years.

You can do it, two of my classmates got accepted this year after their FOURTH application cycle. I'm not sure how much time you have left in your-post bacc but make the most of it. Make the connections with the advisers that are paid to help you get into to dental school. Call/write the school who rejected you and ask them what they want to see. Now that I have a semester of dental school under my belt I can tell you that you must get used to failure.....and use your failures to get better! Your grades are not great, but they are not horrible either. And you are far, far, far from being a lost cause.

And as others have said don't believe much of what you read here on SDN. Most people likely exaggerate, and all this "if your not first your last" talk is garbage. In the real world people screw up all of the time....that is why you are measured by how you respond to your mistakes.
 
hylecious said:
Just apply once more time to see how it goes. I think you would have a shot.

However, be prepared that dentistry might not be the one for you. Let's be real here. There are many things in life that you work hard for it but you won't get it eventually. Accept it and move on.

If anything, why don't you think about pharmacy. They make good living too.

Again, NOT EVERYTHING YOU WORK HARD FOR WILL BE WHAT YOU WANT.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right.
Isn't Pharmacy saturated though? lol
 
Bsooner2015 said:
Not underserved, not disadvantaged.
Click to expand...
Odd. I know someone in the program now that isn't either of those things.

Nevertheless, I don't think your GPA is low at all. I think the only Texas school with an incoming class with a GPA average significantly higher than that is Houston. (Correct me if i'm wrong.) Your DAT score is very strong and should easily supplement your "low" GPA.
 
Pro-Dentite19 said:
I don't want to sound harsh but what's with the lack of confidence?? If you don't believe you can get in, you won't. There are people in my class that have worse stats than you and.....well they are going to be dentists in 3.5 years.

You can do it, two of my classmates got accepted this year after their FOURTH application cycle. I'm not sure how much time you have left in your-post bacc but make the most of it. Make the connections with the advisers that are paid to help you get into to dental school. Call/write the school who rejected you and ask them what they want to see. Now that I have a semester of dental school under my belt I can tell you that you must get used to failure.....and use your failures to get better! Your grades are not great, but they are not horrible either. And you are far, far, far from being a lost cause.

And as others have said don't believe much of what you read here on SDN. Most people likely exaggerate, and all this "if your not first your last" talk is garbage. In the real world people screw up all of the time....that is why you are measured by how you respond to your mistakes.
Click to expand...

I suppose I have been discouraged so much these past few weeks, I let it get the best of me. You are right. I gotta get back up.
I believe I will be able to finish my degree by next year or Spring 2017.
Thank you for this pep talk. I really needed it.
 
Advance said:
Odd. I know someone in the program now that isn't either of those things.

Nevertheless, I don't think your GPA is low at all. I think the only Texas school with an incoming class with a GPA average significantly higher than that is Houston. (Correct me if i'm wrong.) Your DAT score is very strong and should easily supplement your "low" GPA.
Click to expand...

I believe Houston has a, what 3.8 avg gpa? lol
You think so? I haven't calculated my GPA yet but I'm assuimng it should hit 3.2ish and 3.0ish science GPA. Or BCPM.
 
I also want to point out that I retook my DAT. My 1st score was a 13. Yes. 13. This was before I discovered this little ol site.
 
Bsooner2015 said:
I believe Houston has a, what 3.8 avg gpa? lol
You think so? I haven't calculated my GPA yet but I'm assuimng it should hit 3.2ish and 3.0ish science GPA. Or BCPM.
Click to expand...
Oh I misread the initial post. I was thinking a 3.5. I think Houston is 3.7~
 
Advance said:
Oh I misread the initial post. I was thinking a 3.5. I think Houston is 3.7~
Click to expand...

That makes me feel a little worse hahaha... but it's cool. I think I will endure this.
Btw, what exactly do each of the TX schools look for? Is it true Baylor loves biology majors and volunteer hrs?
 
Bsooner2015 said:
That makes me feel a little worse hahaha... but it's cool. I think I will endure this.
Btw, what exactly do each of the TX schools look for? Is it true Baylor loves biology majors and volunteer hrs?
Click to expand...
I know Baylor weighs upper level biology courses heavily as well as the biology section on the DAT.
 
Advance said:
I know Baylor weighs upper level biology courses heavily as well as the biology section on the DAT.
Click to expand...

I see. Well, I truly appreciate your advice and everyone on here. It really meant a lot.
 
Bsooner2015 said:
No I did not.
TX schools
OU
FLORIDA
LSU
UNC
NOVA
Click to expand...
what was your lowest DAT score? when did you submit your application? did you have plenty of people read over your essays?

i think you should continue to apply, but make sure you get your app in early and maybe take another look at your essays.
also, if you're going to apply OOS you need to be smarter about which schools you choose - OU, LSU, UNC, and UF basically only accept in state. the OOS they accept tend to have much higher than average stats and are generally from neighboring states.
 
Johnwickk said:
Did you apply to the lower tier private dental schools like roseman? Midwestern?
Click to expand...

roseman may be lower tier private dental school but definitely not midwestern-az........may be midwestern-illinois.
 
hylecious said:
Just apply once more time to see how it goes. I think you would have a shot.

However, be prepared that dentistry might not be the one for you. Let's be real here. There are many things in life that you work hard for it but you won't get it eventually. Accept it and move on.

If anything, why don't you think about pharmacy. They make good living too.

Again, NOT EVERYTHING YOU WORK HARD FOR WILL BE WHAT YOU WANT.
Click to expand...

why don't you tie up your boots and leave this pre dental forum. I think you should be prepared for yourself that medicine may not work out for you and you end up having to switch to another career. pre med's talk. Yes, you should be prepared to not get what you want though you work hard for it.

dont advise anyone to another career route unless you are informed on the topic. pharmacy is a poop land field now.
 
Bsooner2015 said:
Yes, you are right.
Isn't Pharmacy saturated though? lol
Click to expand...

Yes but you'll get a job given you're flexible with relocation/night-shift/retail etc.
But it's VERY different from Dentistry. I wouldn't give up on it yet just. Check out the "3.0 and under club" you'll find some wonderful success stories there.
 
darknightzzz said:
why don't you tie up your boots and leave this pre dental forum. I think you should be prepared for yourself that medicine may not work out for you and you end up having to switch to another career. pre med's talk. Yes, you should be prepared to not get what you want though you work hard for it.

dont advise anyone to another career route unless you are informed on the topic. pharmacy is a poop land field now.
Click to expand...

LOL why is he in the dental forums??
 
torontopharm said:
Yes but you'll get a job given you're flexible with relocation/night-shift/retail etc.
But it's VERY different from Dentistry. I wouldn't give up on it yet just. Check out the "3.0 and under club" you'll find some wonderful success stories there.
Click to expand...

The OP has a degree in chemistry so that should help if he/she goes the pharm route ( I don't suggest you do btw). Does a chemistry degree help with pharm school anyways? Or is it unrelated?
 
DentalLonghorn2014 said:
The OP has a degree in chemistry so that should help if he/she goes the pharm route ( I don't suggest you do btw). Does a chemistry degree help with pharm school anyways? Or is it unrelated?
Click to expand...

unrelated. any major can pursue pharmacy after satisfying the given prereqs. the prereqs are kinda similar to dental school (bio with lab, gen chem, ochem, etc)
 
darknightzzz said:
unrelated. any major can pursue pharmacy after satisfying the given prereqs. the prereqs are kinda similar to dental school (bio with lab, gen chem, ochem, etc)
Click to expand...

Oh I see. I think you can get into pharm school without having your BS or BA. No residency either I believe.
 
darknightzzz said:
why don't you tie up your boots and leave this pre dental forum. I think you should be prepared for yourself that medicine may not work out for you and you end up having to switch to another career. pre med's talk. Yes, you should be prepared to not get what you want though you work hard for it.

dont advise anyone to another career route unless you are informed on the topic. pharmacy is a poop land field now.
Click to expand...

Lol, did not know giving out advice would offend you that much. Just a real talk. Everybody has plan B.

You don't have to be that aggressive. "Pre-med" or "Pre-dental" does not mean you have to be in one or another.
 
torontopharm said:
Doesn't help.
If anything, it's a serious overkill if your goal is to get into professional school afterwards. My minor in Chem cost my GPA heavily thanks to all the Phys Chems and the Quantum Mechanics. It's not for everyone.
Click to expand...

My college friends would constantly complain about analytical chem. I nicknamed it "anal chem" Sounds appropriate.
 
Bsooner2015 said:
No I did not.
TX schools
OU
FLORIDA
LSU
UNC
NOVA

Is it even worth it to go private? The debt is ridiculous but I suppose if it's your passion huh?
Click to expand...

The problem is that you applied to mostly public schools and those are pretty hard to get into... Yes, it is worth it to go private, most do.
LSU and OU favor their in state residents.
TX, Florida, and Nova is pretty competitive for your stats.
I would have tried for Roseman, Midwestern, UNLV, Utah(?), maybe even LECOM.
Keep trying, try to enroll into an actual 1 year masters program instead.
 
I have similar stats as you OP and I interviewed at 2/3 tx schools last year, had to reapply and have interviewed at 2/3 again.

I didn't even bother OOS because I knew my best shot was TX.
 
OP there's no reason to be down. Just search this website for 3.0 gpa's and dental school, there are tons that get in every year. It's actually more than I ever expected. Regardless of your recent 3.0, you're still showing an upward trend with you gpa and your DAT is solid. Apply broadly man and you'll get interviews
 
DentalLonghorn2014 said:
The OP has a degree in chemistry so that should help if he/she goes the pharm route ( I don't suggest you do btw). Does a chemistry degree help with pharm school anyways? Or is it unrelated?
Click to expand...

I think so. I was soft "pre-pharm" before I worked in a pharmacy. After that, I realized pharmacy...just is not for me LOL but absolutely chemistry studies help because that is what pharmacy is about. It is about how drugs interact with the body. Seems like a very natural undergraduate path.
 
Pearl E. White said:
I think so. I was soft "pre-pharm" before I worked in a pharmacy. After that, I realized pharmacy...just is not for me LOL but absolutely chemistry studies help because that is what pharmacy is about. It is about how drugs interact with the body. Seems like a very natural undergraduate path.
Click to expand...


So a "glorified and legal" drug dealer huh? Lol
 
cacajuate said:
I have similar stats as you OP and I interviewed at 2/3 tx schools last year, had to reapply and have interviewed at 2/3 again.

I didn't even bother OOS because I knew my best shot was TX.
Click to expand...

Heck, we may all be in the same boat except I haven't taken my DAT yet and still doing a post bac myself.
I'm actually still debating if I should go OoS.. does TX really give us the best shot despite our lower grades?
 
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