Late in the game Switcheroo

[addison1203]

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I've finally seen the light. I spent my first two years in undergrad with dentistry as my dream and then I made my unfortunate mistake. My science GPA didn't look save-able and my DAT wasn't the best. I spent my junior year and this semester pursuing pharmacy (where my scores are quite competitive), taking the PCAT, getting my pharmacy applications together.

Now that it's down to the wire and time to turn in my applications I'm having second thoughts about giving up my dream of going to dental school. I have a 3.51 overall GPA and 3.39 science GPA. An 18 AA DAT with 17 PAT and a miserable 12 quantitative score. So my question to you guys is what should I do now?

I've got this next year so what should I do with it? Go to pharmacy school for a year and then apply to dental? Get a job/shadow a dentist? Take a one year masters program in medical science? I realize that whatever I choose the big part will be studying for the DAT, but what else should I do?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[dentalpath]

The problem isn't so much your GPA but your DAT (especially the 12 on QR) aim for a 20 AA and an above 18 on all sections....you will get in with that GPA...

 

[MrAvicii]

I've finally seen the light. I spent my first two years in undergrad with dentistry as my dream and then I made my unfortunate mistake. My science GPA didn't look save-able and my DAT wasn't the best. I spent my junior year and this semester pursuing pharmacy (where my scores are quite competitive), taking the PCAT, getting my pharmacy applications together.

Now that it's down to the wire and time to turn in my applications I'm having second thoughts about giving up my dream of going to dental school. I have a 3.51 overall GPA and 3.39 science GPA. An 18 AA DAT with 17 PAT and a miserable 12 quantitative score. So my question to you guys is what should I do now?

I've got this next year so what should I do with it? Go to pharmacy school for a year and then apply to dental? Get a job/shadow a dentist? Take a one year masters program in medical science? I realize that whatever I choose the big part will be studying for the DAT, but what else should I do?

Thanks for the advice!

you have to retake the dat and then apply. a 12 qr is not going to get you admitted anywhere. just study and retake it. 3.39 sGPA is not that bad, people get in with that type of sGPA, if you can get a 20 or 21 AA on the DAT you should be competitive. even then a years worth of masters can fix the gpa. go for it, if u really want it.

 

[addison1203]

Thanks for your help! I will definitely be doing some major DAT studying before I take it again next year. Other than that would you guys suggest that I do the masters program (more school to pay for but if it gets me into dental school it's worth it) or just do some shadowing or work for a dentist?

Thanks again

 

[destinedsirius]

Thanks for your help! I will definitely be doing some major DAT studying before I take it again next year. Other than that would you guys suggest that I do the masters program (more school to pay for but if it gets me into dental school it's worth it) or just do some shadowing or work for a dentist?

Thanks again

Don't do masters because your GPA is good if you apply to the right places. Buy the ADEA guide to dental school book to see which schools you have a shot at. Instead of spending time with a master use that time to get better DATs.

 

[addison1203]

Would it be helpful to apply this year even though I won't get in? Will they look more favorably on me if I got declined and then improved my stats or will it not matter?

 

[AmpedUp]

GPA is fine. Work on the DAT. Get that PAT score up!! (most schools want a 20 in that)

My suggestion: Get Crack DAT for QR and PAT (and maybe get RC if you want more practice). Get the Destroyer for sciences and Cliff's AP Biology. If you rinse & repeat, you will be golden!

 

[tayloreve]

I agree with everyone else. Don't give up your dreams!!!!! Especially if you don't think you will be happy in pharmacy school.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you prepare for QR?

 

[addison1203]

I didn't prepare for it. I was on a really tight study schedule and I ran out of time!