Lost and confused

[rockhound]

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Hello! This is my first post, so please be kind. 😉

So, I have already earned a BA, and I entered the job field for a few years. However, last year, I decided that I didn't like what I was doing. I quit, and I planned on attending nursing school. Long story short, after much thought, I want to be a dentist.

The only prereqs that I have left to take are O Chem and Physics, so I am looking at one more year. However, I would like to apply now, so that I could hopefully get in for fall of 2007. However, I am in school full time, and I am working about 30 hours a week. I am really growing conecrned that I will miss deadlines, etc. I don't know anyone that is a dentist (except for the one that I pay). I guess in a nutshell, I don't know where to start.

I was told that to get in, I need to be sure to apply early. I don't know what early is.

My grades right now are great, but my grades from getting my BA (I graduated in 2000) were not good (2.7ish). I haven't even started to study for the DAT, but I am planning on spending my whole summer on that.

So, am I dreaming to think that I could get in somewhere in fall '07? Will I need to take a year off of school?

Can I take those classes and still make it to interviews (if I were lucky enough to have an interview opportunity)?

I am so very lost, and I could really use any and all help that you are all willing to offer...I need a basic how to guide.

Thank in advance, and I am sorry for the long post!

 

[brittnylee]

Hello! This is my first post, so please be kind. 😉

So, I have already earned a BA, and I entered the job field for a few years. However, last year, I decided that I didn't like what I was doing. I quit, and I planned on attending nursing school. Long story short, after much thought, I want to be a dentist.

The only prereqs that I have left to take are O Chem and Physics, so I am looking at one more year. However, I would like to apply now, so that I could hopefully get in for fall of 2007. However, I am in school full time, and I am working about 30 hours a week. I am really growing conecrned that I will miss deadlines, etc. I don't know anyone that is a dentist (except for the one that I pay). I guess in a nutshell, I don't know where to start.

I was told that to get in, I need to be sure to apply early. I don't know what early is.

My grades right now are great, but my grades from getting my BA (I graduated in 2000) were not good (2.7ish). I haven't even started to study for the DAT, but I am planning on spending my whole summer on that.

So, am I dreaming to think that I could get in somewhere in fall '07? Will I need to take a year off of school?

Can I take those classes and still make it to interviews (if I were lucky enough to have an interview opportunity)?

I am so very lost, and I could really use any and all help that you are all willing to offer...I need a basic how to guide.

Thank in advance, and I am sorry for the long post!

I would definitely take O Chem before taking the DATs - knowing mechanisms and basic reactions (SN2, E1, E2, etc) were helpful - see whether that is taught in part 1 or 2 at your school. The 2.7 may be an issue - it was for my friend, even though he did well in grad school. But do not let this discourage you, plenty of others have gotten in with a low GPA. In this situation, I would make sure I was super prepared for the DATs so that you do very well on them.
As for deadlines, my application was sent out by AADSAS in late September and I had October and November interviews, which were for the first round of interviews at the schools I applied to - so that was good. I would get your application in this summer. Are you taking O Chem now?
I know you probabaly have a ton more questions, I hope this helps - I'd love to answer any more you have as best I can! Good Luck!! 🙂

 

[Han solo]

Hello! This is my first post, so please be kind. 😉

So, I have already earned a BA, and I entered the job field for a few years. However, last year, I decided that I didn't like what I was doing. I quit, and I planned on attending nursing school. Long story short, after much thought, I want to be a dentist.

The only prereqs that I have left to take are O Chem and Physics, so I am looking at one more year. However, I would like to apply now, so that I could hopefully get in for fall of 2007. However, I am in school full time, and I am working about 30 hours a week. I am really growing conecrned that I will miss deadlines, etc. I don't know anyone that is a dentist (except for the one that I pay). I guess in a nutshell, I don't know where to start.

I was told that to get in, I need to be sure to apply early. I don't know what early is.

My grades right now are great, but my grades from getting my BA (I graduated in 2000) were not good (2.7ish). I haven't even started to study for the DAT, but I am planning on spending my whole summer on that.

So, am I dreaming to think that I could get in somewhere in fall '07? Will I need to take a year off of school?

Can I take those classes and still make it to interviews (if I were lucky enough to have an interview opportunity)?

I am so very lost, and I could really use any and all help that you are all willing to offer...I need a basic how to guide.

Thank in advance, and I am sorry for the long post!

Don't get discourage just focus on your studying for rest of classes and DAT. I am in your same situation, I told I needed to study organ for DAT so I am registered to take summer Oraganic I and take DAT in 30th of June. Hopefully few schools will look at my application. Just try to make good hours and experience at local dental clinic, do best on DAT and hope for the best. Good luck!!!

 

[food4thots]

although pulling ur overall gpa may be a tough tasks, don't let that consume you. dental schools look at your gpa trends when they consider you. if you rock the DAT's, that may compensate for your undergrad gpa.

i think june and july would be considered early. but i think it's best you focus on getting your profile strengthened before you worry about applying. this may delay you until 2008, but it think be you'd be prepare because it's more and more competitive. dental schools wants to see dental related experience, so get as much as you can and get a letter of rec from a dentist.

 

[rockhound]

I would definitely take O Chem before taking the DATs - knowing mechanisms and basic reactions (SN2, E1, E2, etc) were helpful - see whether that is taught in part 1 or 2 at your school. The 2.7 may be an issue - it was for my friend, even though he did well in grad school. But do not let this discourage you, plenty of others have gotten in with a low GPA. In this situation, I would make sure I was super prepared for the DATs so that you do very well on them.
As for deadlines, my application was sent out by AADSAS in late September and I had October and November interviews, which were for the first round of interviews at the schools I applied to - so that was good. I would get your application in this summer. Are you taking O Chem now?
I know you probabaly have a ton more questions, I hope this helps - I'd love to answer any more you have as best I can! Good Luck!! 🙂

Thanks to everyone for the great replies!!! I am not taking O Chem yet...planning on doing that next semester. (I can't do summer classes because I am moving mis summer.)

So, experience plays a large role, huh? What kind of job can I get in a dental office with nothing but a BA in geology?

It sounds like I should plan on another year of prep before I get in. Will it hurt me to apply and risk being denied? I read one place that if you are denied once, then you probably won't get in the next time unless you have made "considerable changes." My brother is a vet, and I know that reapplying is very common, and it's seen as a good thing that you have applied before. Is it really different for dental schools?

 

[leia05]

Thanks to everyone for the great replies!!! I am not taking O Chem yet...planning on doing that next semester. (I can't do summer classes because I am moving mis summer.)

So, experience plays a large role, huh? What kind of job can I get in a dental office with nothing but a BA in geology?

It sounds like I should plan on another year of prep before I get in. Will it hurt me to apply and risk being denied? I read one place that if you are denied once, then you probably won't get in the next time unless you have made "considerable changes." My brother is a vet, and I know that reapplying is very common, and it's seen as a good thing that you have applied before. Is it really different for dental schools?

you can shadow/observe in a dental clinic. since you're moving i would just say get out the phone book and start calling dentists in your area. i personally found shadowing not to be as rewarding as when i interned at a clinic. i actually got to do stuff rather than just watch the dentist. i didn't get paid for it, but i walked away from it with rich experiences.

 

[PickMe]

applying early is may/june/july. someone said aadsas sent out their app in late sept, dont confuse this with them submitting it in late sept. aadsas took about 8 weeks to send out apps last summer. i applied in july and my app didnt go out til late sept just to give you an idea.

 

[rockhound]

you can shadow/observe in a dental clinic. since you're moving i would just say get out the phone book and start calling dentists in your area. i personally found shadowing not to be as rewarding as when i interned at a clinic. i actually got to do stuff rather than just watch the dentist. i didn't get paid for it, but i walked away from it with rich experiences.

So, how do you pay your bills during this time?

I can't be in school, work, and shadowing...there just isn't enough time left in the days, but when I am done with prereqs and possibly taking a year off something could work out.

What do you think of trying to get an admin job at a dental office or something like that? Would it be a valuable experience? (I'm sure it depends on the office, but just in case anyone has some specific input.)

I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate the help!!!! Thank you!!!!

 

[sumozmom]

So, how do you pay your bills during this time?

I can't be in school, work, and shadowing...there just isn't enough time left in the days, but when I am done with prereqs and possibly taking a year off something could work out.

What do you think of trying to get an admin job at a dental office or something like that? Would it be a valuable experience? (I'm sure it depends on the office, but just in case anyone has some specific input.)

I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate the help!!!! Thank you!!!!

i'm doing it ...plus i have 2 kids🙂

 

[sumozmom]

Hello! This is my first post, so please be kind. 😉

So, I have already earned a BA, and I entered the job field for a few years. However, last year, I decided that I didn't like what I was doing. I quit, and I planned on attending nursing school. Long story short, after much thought, I want to be a dentist.

The only prereqs that I have left to take are O Chem and Physics, so I am looking at one more year. However, I would like to apply now, so that I could hopefully get in for fall of 2007. However, I am in school full time, and I am working about 30 hours a week. I am really growing conecrned that I will miss deadlines, etc. I don't know anyone that is a dentist (except for the one that I pay). I guess in a nutshell, I don't know where to start.

I was told that to get in, I need to be sure to apply early. I don't know what early is.

My grades right now are great, but my grades from getting my BA (I graduated in 2000) were not good (2.7ish). I haven't even started to study for the DAT, but I am planning on spending my whole summer on that.

So, am I dreaming to think that I could get in somewhere in fall '07? Will I need to take a year off of school?

Can I take those classes and still make it to interviews (if I were lucky enough to have an interview opportunity)?

I am so very lost, and I could really use any and all help that you are all willing to offer...I need a basic how to guide.

Thank in advance, and I am sorry for the long post!

do not dispair....i too have a low gpa like urs almost and i'm takung my pre-rec. I although will not apply till next yr.

Good luck...let us now where you decide to go!
🙂

 

[rockhound]

i'm doing it ...plus i have 2 kids🙂

You are making no money, but you are feeding 2 kids and paying your bills? Will you please explain?

 

[Grasshoper]

I can't be in school, work, and shadowing...there just isn't enough time left in the days, but when I am done with prereqs and possibly taking a year off something could work out.

What do you think of trying to get an admin job at a dental office or something like that? Would it be a valuable experience? (I'm sure it depends on the office, but just in case anyone has some specific input.)

I think an admin job would be good experience in learning how to run a dental office. But it also sounds like you're rushing everything, I recommend taking it a little bit easier and applying for the 2008 cycle. Maybe you can go to UOP and finish in three years instead.

 

[syn_apse]

my grades from getting my BA (I graduated in 2000) were not good (2.7ish).

you'll need to do really well on your DAT to make up for your GPA (i.e., 20+ across the board). the application cycles have been getting more and more competitive... the average GPA for the 2010 incoming class at my school is 3.60. if you don't get in for 2007, you can always re-apply and strengthen your application in the interim.

good luck on your DATs 👍

 

[sumozmom]

I am working...45 hr /wk

 

[leia05]

So, how do you pay your bills during this time?

I can't be in school, work, and shadowing...there just isn't enough time left in the days, but when I am done with prereqs and possibly taking a year off something could work out.

What do you think of trying to get an admin job at a dental office or something like that? Would it be a valuable experience? (I'm sure it depends on the office, but just in case anyone has some specific input.)

I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate the help!!!! Thank you!!!!

like i said..i did mine over the summer when i didn't have to worry about school. also, i'm fortunate enough that my parents have let me live at home until i move for school in order to save some money plus i have minimal bills (credit card, car note, etc). as far as working, i worked 30+ hours per week at my two part-time jobs (flexible scheduling hours, gotta love 'em). i managed to do the interning one to three days per week. how? i would either do a whole day (if didn't have to work the other jobs) or came in for a few hours (like morning through lunch or lunch through closing) depending on my actual work schedule. the dentist was very understanding of my situation and was more than happy to help me out. was it tiring? yes. was it worth it? yes.

oh yeah...and as far as the admin. side of a dental clinic...it's HARD to find those jobs if you don't already have experience doing that sort of thing. trust me on that one--i looked!