Lost student looking for some advice

[hopeful-dentist]

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Hello everyone,

After contemplating for a long time, I've decided to make a username and post on SDN. First, thank you in advance to anyone that replies. The reason I am posting today is to get some advice about whether my dream is realistic or not. To explain more about my situation, I graduated from college a few years ago with a very low GPA. After working a few years in the corporate world, I realized that I wanted to become a dentist for a multitude of reasons.

I guess my question is that if I get a high enough DAT score, 23-26, do I have a realistic chance of getting an interview/acceptance for a dental school? I've taken a few practice tests and have been averaging around 22 for my AA. I also have already taken most of my pre-requisite courses already, so I'd only be taking a 2-3 courses more. If you don't think it's realistic, are there any alternative paths I can take to achieve my goal of going to dental school? Any advice is helpful and once again I do appreciate everyone that answers.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Those 2-3 courses will be considered your postbacc. You need to aim for a 4.0 or close. You probably have too many credits to even bring your Undergrad GPA anywhere near a 3.0. Most schools won't even look at your app with a sub 3.0 science GPA or BCP GPA. Be aware of those schools and don't apply to them.

You'll most likely need to do a Masters. By most likely, I mean definitely in this case. I would recommend a SMP (Masters) from the schools that offer it to gain entry into their Dental School. I hear Temple has the best guarantee if you do well in their Masters programs.

Best of luck!

 

[hopeful-dentist]

I was looking at the few post bacc programs that I could find, including the temple one. All of them state that they have a minimum GPA of 3.0 as well. Does anyone know if this is a hard cutoff?

 

[EndoDreams]

As stated above, you will likely need a 3.0 in order to enter any masters program. I would look into the University of Northern Colorado's 9-month Masters in Biomedical Science program though once you achieve that GPA requirement. They have both a face-to-face and 100% online pilot program for 2016-17, of which I am a part of, and they are cheaper than most other master's programs with courses that, in my opinion, are more relevant to the dental field. This program has regional accreditation by the HLC, one of six regional accreditation bodies in the United States. This is a relatively unknown program on SDN, so I think it would be worth investigating into and applying given that you will likely have less competition. The class size is 24 students/year.

 

[setdoc7]

I hope your multitude of reasons are good ones because you are embarking an an uphill challenge which includes a large financial commitment.

 

[blenise]

I was looking at the few post bacc programs that I could find, including the temple one. All of them state that they have a minimum GPA of 3.0 as well. Does anyone know if this is a hard cutoff?

I believe since that called it a minimum gpa requirement rather than a recommendation, then it likely is a hard cutoff.


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[hopeful-dentist]

As stated above, you will likely need a 3.0 in order to enter any masters program. I would look into the University of Northern Colorado's 9-month Masters in Biomedical Science program though once you achieve that GPA requirement. They have both a face-to-face and 100% online pilot program for 2016-17, of which I am a part of, and they are cheaper than most other master's programs with courses that, in my opinion, are more relevant to the dental field. This program has regional accreditation by the HLC, one of six regional accreditation bodies in the United States. This is a relatively unknown program on SDN, so I think it would be worth investigating into and applying given that you will likely have less competition. The class size is 24 students/year.

First of all congrats on getting into Dental School! Second, if you don't mind me asking more about the program, how did you perform in this program? I'm assuming that you went into the program to supplement your application and it obviously helped. Did the school(s) you get accepted into mention this specific program? When you say it's accredited by the HLC, is that better recognized by dental schools compared to other SMPs? Sorry for the dumb questions, but I just don't really know how to compare masters programs that would be better for Dental School applications.

 

[hopeful-dentist]

I hope your multitude of reasons are good ones because you are embarking an an uphill challenge which includes a large financial commitment.

They're good enough to make me try anything! 🙂

 

[hopeful-dentist]

Those 2-3 courses will be considered your postbacc. You need to aim for a 4.0 or close. You probably have too many credits to even bring your Undergrad GPA anywhere near a 3.0. Most schools won't even look at your app with a sub 3.0 science GPA or BCP GPA. Be aware of those schools and don't apply to them.

You'll most likely need to do a Masters. By most likely, I mean definitely in this case. I would recommend a SMP (Masters) from the schools that offer it to gain entry into their Dental School. I hear Temple has the best guarantee if you do well in their Masters programs.

Best of luck!

Thanks for your reply! I was searching through SDN and couldn't find a definitive list with schools that offer to gain entry to their dental schools. Does anyone know or have a list of these schools?