Losing hope :( Any one know of any post-bac programs?

[CSade469]

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I'm starting to lose hope, haven't gotten an interview, thinking about retaking my DAT soon.. Think it was my low DAT scores that cause me not to get an interview... Does anyone know of any post bac programs other than Creighton that is geared to dental students?


Thanks,




Caroline

 

[geckel]

I'm starting to lose hope, haven't gotten an interview, thinking about retaking my DAT soon.. Think it was my low DAT scores that cause me not to get an interview... Does anyone know of any post bac programs other than Creighton that is geared to dental students?


Thanks,




Caroline

I'm not so sure that it really matters about the program. As long as you take science classes and raise your GPA's you'll be on the right track. What do these specific programs offer you that can't be accomplished taking a couple of semesters of science classes at a university?

 

[anonymuz]

I'm starting to lose hope, haven't gotten an interview, thinking about retaking my DAT soon.. Think it was my low DAT scores that cause me not to get an interview... Does anyone know of any post bac programs other than Creighton that is geared to dental students?


Thanks,




Caroline

hey im just wondering what your stats are if u dont mind me asking.. gpa/dat scores?

 

[CSade469]

hey im just wondering what your stats are if u dont mind me asking.. gpa/dat scores?

I retook all my science courses, but at a community college, and that doesn't raise you GPA much. So I'm thinking if i took like a grad type of course that would should them that i'm serious and will do anything to get into dental school. My sats are bad... do to working and family problems. But I grad. from a 4-year university with a GPA of 3.0, AADSAS cacl. my science as a 2.7, DAT scores very low, aa- 12. But i am planning on retaking them 2/10/06. I've been taking online Kaplan prep, so hopefully that would help, i don't see how my scores can get any lower...

 

[syn_apse]

hey caroline, i hate to step on your dreams, but this will be an uphill battle for you. you had to retake some of your science classes (not a good sign) at a community college (which some dental schools won't accept) and your science gpa still only improved to a 2.7... and an academic average of 12 is going to scare a lot of adcoms even if you nail the DAT the second time around.

i really hope you prove me wrong but it will take a lot of work to turn it around

 

[polarnut]

normally i try to console and say something nice to keep fellow predents' spirits up because i really mean it. but in this case i would be lying if i told you to keep your hopes up.

frankly i cant believe you even had the balls to appy with AA of 12!! my sweet caroline, what were you thinking!?!?! when the adcoms saw that number they probably laughed and passed it around to their colleagues or just got so frustrated after reading 500 applications they decided to not even look at your name (which is what you want, you dont want them recognizing you next year) 😱

definitely scratch this year, hope that adcom people next year dont remember your name when you re-apply, re-take your DAT, do some volunteering, raise your GPA if you can, and then re-apply in may/june.

you definitely lost the battle, but you havent lost the war yet.

 

[Rezdawg]

BU has a masters in science program where the students all want to go to dental school. They take some of our basic science courses with us (physio, micro, biochem, etc...). I'd look into that.

 

[bkwash]

I'm starting to lose hope, haven't gotten an interview, thinking about retaking my DAT soon.. Think it was my low DAT scores that cause me not to get an interview... Does anyone know of any post bac programs other than Creighton that is geared to dental students?


Thanks,




Caroline

Here is a pretty good list of postbac programs....

http://hpap.syr.edu/LISTPB.HTM

 

[PDizzle]

Well, here is the bright side of your story....

You're right, you can't get any lower then you are right now. An AA of 12 is almost guessing on every question. That, plus ur GPA, you will have absolutely no chance of getting into any school this round.

Wait, thats not the bright side, here is the bright side....

Turn your situation around 180 degrees. Study your a$$ off for the DAT and get into a post-bac program and ACE it! Get into D-School next year or the following year and you can brag for the rest of your life how you did the impossible. You will be inspiration for a lot of people, especially SDN'ers.

If being a dentist is your dream then you can do it. I suggest you go out and rent the movie, "Rudy" and watch that 4 or 5 times.

Good luck

 

[CSade469]

Well thanks for some support, but, i didn't take all my science courses over. I just retook.. bio 102, & chem 101 over. But i took those over at a community college. All the rest of my courses were taken at a 4 year college, i'm not sure how they calc. my science GPA seeing that they were from different schools. I didn't fail those courses at the 4 year college, I just recieved a C. So when i retook them at a Community College they don't calc. replace them b/c i didn't fail those courses. I grad. from a 4 year college with a degree in Psycology with a GPA of 3.0, I then took Phys. 201, Phys. 202, Organic I and II, and Anatomy I and II at a Community college. My GPA at the community college was a 3.7. I have a hard time with science courses, but everything else I made A's. So my science GPA is what is weighting down my whole overall score. Also I went to school full time and worked full time at a dental office, not by choice. So i have plenty of experience. I think that the post-bac program would help not only to raise my science GPA, but it would help me with the DAT's. Science is my weakest subject, but i feel that if i'm just focusing on science, then the DAT's would not be so difficult for me. I also have been taking Kaplan's online course, so hopefully that would help to improve my score. Dentistry is what I love to do and i am going to do whatever i can to get in.

 

[polarnut]

Well thanks for some support, but, i didn't take all my science courses over. I just retook.. bio 102, & chem 101 over. But i took those over at a community college. All the rest of my courses were taken at a 4 year college, i'm not sure how they calc. my science GPA seeing that they were from different schools. I didn't fail those courses at the 4 year college, I just recieved a C. So when i retook them at a Community College they don't calc. replace them b/c i didn't fail those courses. I grad. from a 4 year college with a degree in Psycology with a GPA of 3.0, I then took Phys. 201, Phys. 202, Organic I and II, and Anatomy I and II at a Community college. My GPA at the community college was a 3.7. I have a hard time with science courses, but everything else I made A's. So my science GPA is what is weighting down my whole overall score. Also I went to school full time and worked full time at a dental office, not by choice. So i have plenty of experience. I think that the post-bac program would help not only to raise my science GPA, but it would help me with the DAT's. Science is my weakest subject, but i feel that if i'm just focusing on science, then the DAT's would not be so difficult for me. I also have been taking Kaplan's online course, so hopefully that would help to improve my score. Dentistry is what I love to do and i am going to do whatever i can to get in.

make sure you include in your essay what you just said. but definitely get those DAT scores up. 😉

 

[PDizzle]

I have a hard time with science courses....

Science is my weakest subject....

Dentistry is what I love to do and i am going to do whatever i can to get in.

Adding those three statements equals a very rough road for you! I wish you the best of luck!

 

[timthomascu05]

Well thanks for some support, but, i didn't take all my science courses over. I just retook.. bio 102, & chem 101 over. But i took those over at a community college. All the rest of my courses were taken at a 4 year college, i'm not sure how they calc. my science GPA seeing that they were from different schools. I didn't fail those courses at the 4 year college, I just recieved a C. So when i retook them at a Community College they don't calc. replace them b/c i didn't fail those courses. I grad. from a 4 year college with a degree in Psycology with a GPA of 3.0, I then took Phys. 201, Phys. 202, Organic I and II, and Anatomy I and II at a Community college. My GPA at the community college was a 3.7. I have a hard time with science courses, but everything else I made A's. So my science GPA is what is weighting down my whole overall score. Also I went to school full time and worked full time at a dental office, not by choice. So i have plenty of experience. I think that the post-bac program would help not only to raise my science GPA, but it would help me with the DAT's. Science is my weakest subject, but i feel that if i'm just focusing on science, then the DAT's would not be so difficult for me. I also have been taking Kaplan's online course, so hopefully that would help to improve my score. Dentistry is what I love to do and i am going to do whatever i can to get in.

This is alittle advice for the DAT... a postbac will not help you on the science sections for the DAT. The reason why is that the DAT tests basic sciences of Biology, Chemistry, and Organic. Study on the other hand your Kaplan blue book and the online materials. If there is something you don't understand in the kaplan book since it is a review book, look it up in your science textbooks. Learn concepts that will be tested on the DAT don't just memorize facts. I personally made notecards for every chapter of the Kaplan blue book and that helped me since I learn by writing and constant repetition. Other than that you have to but the time in I studied for like 8 hours a day for 6 days a weeks the last month before taking the DAT. And before my final hardcore review I studied three months gathering Information In notecard form and fulling understanding the concepts. Good Luck and God Bless you. 🙂

 

[CSade469]

This is alittle advice for the DAT... a postbac will not help you on the science sections for the DAT. The reason why is that the DAT tests basic sciences of Biology, Chemistry, and Organic. Study on the other hand your Kaplan blue book and the online materials. If there is something you don't understand in the kaplan book since it is a review book, look it up in your science textbooks. Learn concepts that will be tested on the DAT don't just memorize facts. I personally made notecards for every chapter of the Kaplan blue book and that helped me since I learn by writing and constant repetition. Other than that you have to but the time in I studied for like 8 hours a day for 6 days a weeks the last month before taking the DAT. And before my final hardcore review I studied three months gathering Information In notecard form and fulling understanding the concepts. Good Luck and God Bless you. 🙂

Well thanks for your support. I have been studying for 3 months now. The first time i took the DAT, I didn't really study. I just glanced over the Kaplan blue book and was thinking yea i remember this stuff.. but in reality, if you can't close your book and teach someone else something that you just read, then you don't know your stuff. And I think that is why I scored soo low. So over the months I have been working with the Kaplan online course, and just practicing taking the test, using the flashcards, and re teaching myself alot of the information. Thank God I didn't sell any of my science books, so I just use those for references if i get stuck. Also I've been using TopScore, which is alot of help also. Well D-day is in about 1 week, so wish me luck. I just have been expecting to get rejection letters, but the schools i have applied to, are waiting to see what i do on this coming DAT test. So I'm thinking i have at least a small, micro chance of getting accepted somewhere. But even if i don't get in this year, there is always next cycle. I hate to say that b/c I am thinking i'm getting old.. (23), but i just don't want to be a student for life if you know what I mean. Soo thanks for everyone's support!!

 

[PDizzle]

I hate to say that b/c I am thinking i'm getting old.. (23), but i just don't want to be a student for life if you know what I mean. Soo thanks for everyone's support!!

LOL! 23 is getting old for D-School??

Come talk to me in 10 years

 

[dn6603]

Well thanks for your support. I have been studying for 3 months now. The first time i took the DAT, I didn't really study. I just glanced over the Kaplan blue book and was thinking yea i remember this stuff.. but in reality, if you can't close your book and teach someone else something that you just read, then you don't know your stuff. And I think that is why I scored soo low. So over the months I have been working with the Kaplan online course, and just practicing taking the test, using the flashcards, and re teaching myself alot of the information. Thank God I didn't sell any of my science books, so I just use those for references if i get stuck. Also I've been using TopScore, which is alot of help also. Well D-day is in about 1 week, so wish me luck. I just have been expecting to get rejection letters, but the schools i have applied to, are waiting to see what i do on this coming DAT test. So I'm thinking i have at least a small, micro chance of getting accepted somewhere. But even if i don't get in this year, there is always next cycle. I hate to say that b/c I am thinking i'm getting old.. (23), but i just don't want to be a student for life if you know what I mean. Soo thanks for everyone's support!!

Best of luck Caroline

 

[marciallacua]

Is this possible? I heard of this somewhere in this forum but I'm not sure if the schools will be happy if I go from a C- in the second half of inorganic chem to say an A. I really want to do it again in the summer even though it's not a D grade. The rest of my prerequisites are ok and done already but this one was just hard for me...I emailed some schools but they are all busy with the 2006 applications and I'll apply for the 2007 admissions. Also for all the people that have been accepted this year or anyone else....how does it work w/ the grades/courses in the fall (that end in december) of the year (2006) previous to the year (2007) that you apply for? When will the committee get a chance to look at them? Anyways, I wanna nail my summer courses so plz anyone help

Thanks in advance,

Marcia

 

[DIRTIE]

There are people who get into dental school with sub 3.0 gpa. Most schools have people in every class with that. You will need to get a 20 on the DAT most likely, also it would help to move and get residency in certain states which have a state school, especially one that heavily favors instate applicants, you would be amazed at the difference that can make. Good luck, do your research and if you need to move to another state or what not to get in by all means do so.

 

[DIRTIE]

There are people who get into dental school with sub 3.0 gpa. Most schools have people in every class with that. You will need to get a 20 on the DAT most likely, also it would help to move and get residency in certain states which have a state school that have a low number of in state applicants, plenty of those around if you look , especially one that heavily favors instate applicants, you would be amazed at the difference that can make. Good luck, do your research and if you need to move to another state or what not to get in by all means do so.

 

[berryfremont]

just make sure to say that the computers broke on your DAT when you got the 12...do not tell them you tried!

 

[VSecret]

Caroline, don't lose any hope! That's the last thing you want to do right now. Concentrate on your studying. Try as hard as you can to achieve your goals no matter how discouraged you may get and regardless of how many people with high GPA's and great scores on DAT's you will meet. Let it be a challenge in your life 🙂 I do realyze you don't stand out as a strong candidate this year, but when you raise your GPA and get a good score on DAT you will be extremely proud of yourself knowing how hard you 've worked for it and made such a big difference in your score. Also, if anyone from the committee will remember your file and your name from this year and will see that you've improved a lot, it will show them you were trying very hard to get in and really want to be a Dentist. The fact that you got a 12 on your DAT , most likely, will not get you in the dental school but it does not say you aren't smart or unintelligent. There are different obstacles in life and we're all humans, we can all understand. Definitely work hard, and try next year. I want to see you get in!!!

 

[CSade469]

Caroline, don't lose any hope! That's the last thing you want to do right now. Concentrate on your studying. Try as hard as you can to achieve your goals no matter how discouraged you may get and regardless of how many people with high GPA's and great scores on DAT's you will meet. Let it be a challenge in your life 🙂 I do realyze you don't stand out as a strong candidate this year, but when you raise your GPA and get a good score on DAT you will be extremely proud of yourself knowing how hard you 've worked for it and made such a big difference in your score. Also, if anyone from the committee will remember your file and your name from this year and will see that you've improved a lot, it will show them you were trying very hard to get in and really want to be a Dentist. The fact that you got a 12 on your DAT , most likely, will not get you in the dental school but it does not say you aren't smart or unintelligent. There are different obstacles in life and we're all humans, we can all understand. Definitely work hard, and try next year. I want to see you get in!!!

Well thanks for your support people, I'll keep those things in mind, and if i get into school you'll be the among the many I will thank!!