Is there any point?

[Daydream46]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello there.

I am a pretty untraditional student. I have a husband and a son. My dream has always been to follow in my dads footsteps and become a dentist.

I was pretty discouraged with my grades (3.1 GPA YUCK, but should be a 3.2 after this semester) and just about gave up... and kind of slid into a bit of a career related depression...

Well, I snapped out of it and decided I can do it. I know I don't have amazing grades (or even good grades per say) but if I can get an interview I know I can wow them. I have some extra curriculars and I think I have done really well for a young mother and wife... and instead of getting down on myself... I am just going to do what it takes to get into dental school... its whats best for me and my family.

Now to my question... would there be any point in taking my DATs in.. say Dec... (which is also when my semester grades will be posted, which will bring up my GPA).. and getting my app. together and ready to send out by the 1st of the year??? I mean is it way too late by then?

I do realize I may not get in anywhere due to my GPA (although I have seen people on predents.com with similar GPAs)... and I may have to take a year off (or back at school pulling it up), and I know that... but really what I want is just to know if taking your DATs in Dec. and applying that late in the game is even possible...(lets just assume i ROCK it)

I truly believe if I get an interview I can wow them.... The Docs I shadowed said the same... I just have really good people skills... (which I'm sure aren't being conveyed over the computer, as I am babbling on)

Thanks guys


Editing this is.. i just read in another post that this is considered at late application already??? I thought some schools said they accept apps until Feb.... I guess there really is no point, If I probably wouldn't get in as a regular app... there is no way Im gunna in as a late app

 

[Daydream46]

A part 2. to the question...

Take a school like Howard... their web site says


Do you have to complete all required coursework or have taken the DAT before applying to HUCD?
No, you do not have to complete all required coursework or take the DAT before applying to HUCD. However, if you receive an offer of acceptance, you must complete all requirements as specified in your acceptance letter. Otherwise, your offer will be rescinded.




Um... since I dont think I can take my DATs until Dec... should I bother applying???

are there other schools with similar policies?

 

[electron]

If I were you, I would save the money and boost that GPA up and study hard to get the best DAT scores you can.

Make an AADSAS account now and print off the entire application so you can write your personal statement and know exactly what information you'll need when you apply next cycle. Get everything ready and in order so you can copy and paste it into your 2009 application come May 15th. Have everything refined.

Build up your application as much as possible and get your Letter of Recs now.

After May 15th you should only be playing the waiting game and with a good DAT I think you'll be landing interviews. If your as passionate as you say, you'll be in.

Good luck

 

[electron]

Also, yes, at this point you are very late.

 

[Daydream46]

Wow, I really really appreciate your advice! That makes so much sense...

I may take a Kaplan DAT course in Nov. and then see how I feel... the nice thing about Kaplan is I can retake the class for free a 2nd time... so I'll do a refresher course in the spring... That seems like a nice plan.

I'm feeling good.. thanks.. I just didn't want to p*ss away a year... Its hard enough to live in NJ with a kid on one income... but I think if I got everything together by May, and I wouldn't feel like I'm waisting too much time... You know, I just want to give my son the world...

 

[Regmata]

Do not apply now, take the Kaplan course...study for the DAT until you can't take it anymore and take the test. It is up to you if you want to boost that GPA or not next year...if you don't do great on the DAT you may want to. You could probably take off the spring semester to study for the DAT. You are going to have to take a year off, it will allow you to either get a job, more dental experience, more classes or all three together...Either way, it isn't really wasted time, just one more year until you are a dentist.

 

[Daydream46]

You are going to have to take a year off, it will allow you to either get a job, more dental experience, more classes or all three together...

Thanks, My only question is... if I apply in May, not much I do in my year off will strengthen my application right? or is there?

 

[SanOnofre2002]

I agree w/ everyone else on waiting, but ensure you make the most of your year off gap. Schools will ask during interviews what you've been doing, and that goes for the other years b/f you went back to college. I'd say the best option is to do some 1 year post-bac program since it will improve your GPA too. If you have to work instead, do some shadowing on the side. Then you can explain you needed the income but kept pursuing dentistry through the shadowing.

 

[Daydream46]

I agree w/ everyone else on waiting, but ensure you make the most of your year off gap. Schools will ask during interviews what you've been doing, and that goes for the other years b/f you went back to college. I'd say the best option is to do some 1 year post-bac program since it will improve your GPA too. If you have to work instead, do some shadowing on the side. Then you can explain you needed the income but kept pursuing dentistry through the shadowing.

Thanks again! I really appreciate the advice!

Do you think if I do the 1 year post bac any of my grades will even be in before the interview? Maybe if I take a couple quickie summer classes?

I only had 1 year off before, to have my son, which is pretty good explanation I think...

 

[lemoncurry]

I agree with everyone. Pass on this year, but get a good feel for the application itself and pay attention to this board (there is some helpful information buried beneath the stress and insecurity 🙂) to get an idea about what the schools you are considering are looking for or require for their applications. Read up as much as you can from both AADSAS and the school's web site.

Send your app out in May, but you might want to wait to submit your transcripts until your spring grades are included, at least if it helps your GPA. Check the DAT boards for tips on what are good prep tools (I liked topscore pro, other people have found DAT destroyer to be helpful). If you can't get your GPA up to 3.4-3.5 range, you need to rock the DAT, and even then, you should be aiming for 20s on every section. Don't neglect the Reading Comprehension! Many schools place special emphasis on this. Do not get less than 18 on this section!

Anyway, I'm digressing into specifics, but the general advice is to wait until next year but prepare yourself this year as if you were applying. Heck, you might even try just sending out an app to 1 school just to get some experience. I definitely learned a lot from my first year which has served me well in this my second year.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

Thanks again! I really appreciate the advice!

Do you think if I do the 1 year post bac any of my grades will even be in before the interview? Maybe if I take a couple quickie summer classes?

I only had 1 year off before, to have my son, which is pretty good explanation I think...

Yah, that's a good point, the grades won't be in. Plus your previous gap was very short and for good cause. I didn't think that out well. Perhaps you should use that year to kick butt on the DAT and then focus time on apps and interviews. Maybe do Kaplan review in late spring/early summer and take the DAT in July. From Sep through Nov can be very hectic w/ interviews so you don't want to be bogged down w/ much else. Don't sweat the low GPA too much. You said it's around 3.1 and trending up, so if you do above average on the DAT you can feel confident you'll have a highly probable chance w/ some d-school out there. Shoot for 20's across the board. Save up for the apps. I'm non-trad also and decided to spread out my chances w/ lots of apps (32); and it's very expensive (over $8k spent on everything so far, including flights, etc.). But I've received a lot of interview invitations so I'm comfortable w/ my chances now. Don't apply to as many as I did though; do 22 maximum. Good luck to you!