Need advice on if I should cut my losses and move on?

[TheProcess76]

Hey all. I've been really down lately and need advice. I'm 27 and graduated with my BS in Bio back in 2017. Since I had no idea with what I wanted to do with it and had no real study skills, I ended up with a 2.9 science and 3.14 overall. After working for a bit and volunteering, I decided I wanted to pursue dentistry, took the DAT (20AA), and enrolled in a SMP this past fall after a failed application cycle knowing that I had only one chance to make it.

Long story short, getting adjusted to moving 17hours away, getting back into school with a program at such a fast pace, and taking classes I never did in undergrad such as A&P destroyed me. I ended up failing anatomy 1 (also got 2 C's in phys and molec bio) bringing my gpa to a 2.4 and just to get my degree I will have to retake the class which is only offered in the fall semester. I know that my dental dreams are basically over even if I aced this semester, but at this rate, while I know I will do better this semester than the previous, it is highly unlikely that I will get a 4.0 so I am starting to come to peace with the fact that dental school may be out of my future will probably have to find a job. Honestly, at this point, I have become so down on myself that I have been running very low on motivation aside from feeling like I need to finish what I started, but I don't really know what this degree (MS in Biomedical Sciences) will give me job-wise aside from being a masters degree. My question is, do you think it is worth finishing my degree even if I will have to do an additional semester paying per credit or just cut my losses and withdraw all together to completely change careers? It seems as if a bio degree is useless unless you go for professional school or the research route and I feel like I would rather work in healthcare management over research. Sorry for the long post, but I really appreciate the advice.

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[OncePreDent]

Hey all. I've been really down lately and need advice. I'm 27 and graduated with my BS in Bio back in 2017. Since I had no idea with what I wanted to do with it and had no real study skills, I ended up with a 2.9 science and 3.14 overall. After working for a bit and volunteering, I decided I wanted to pursue dentistry, took the DAT (20AA), and enrolled in a SMP this past fall after a failed application cycle knowing that I had only one chance to make it.

Long story short, getting adjusted to moving 17hours away, getting back into school with a program at such a fast pace, and taking classes I never did in undergrad such as A&P destroyed me. I ended up failing anatomy 1 (also got 2 C's in phys and molec bio) bringing my gpa to a 2.4 and just to get my degree I will have to retake the class which is only offered in the fall semester. I know that my dental dreams are basically over even if I aced this semester, but at this rate, while I know I will do better this semester than the previous, it is highly unlikely that I will get a 4.0 so I am starting to come to peace with the fact that dental school may be out of my future will probably have to find a job. Honestly, at this point, I have become so down on myself that I have been running very low on motivation aside from feeling like I need to finish what I started, but I don't really know what this degree (MS in Biomedical Sciences) will give me job-wise aside from being a masters degree. My question is, do you think it is worth finishing my degree even if I will have to do an additional semester paying per credit or just cut my losses and withdraw all together to completely change careers? It seems as if a bio degree is useless unless you go for professional school or the research route and I feel like I would rather work in healthcare management over research. Sorry for the long post, but I really appreciate the advice.

You can absolutely get into dental school if you want; many people get accepted with much lower statistics than you. My brother did a Master's through Boston University's master's program (Oral Health Sciences) and ended up failing both biochemistry and A&P courses in the fall semester. He thought that it would hurt his chances of getting accepted, and to obtain the degree he also had to pay for an extra semester to get the MS. After that cycle, he interviewed at a couple of different schools and ended up gaining a few acceptances as well.

It's not the end of the world, but I would make sure to get the highest GPA possible for this spring semester. If dentistry is genuinely your dream then don't give up! I know another person that did a post-bacc program (didn't do well in it) and is currently in a master's and just received an acceptance to his dream school with a 2.6gpa and a 19AA with a 16organic chemistry.


Did you apply to dental school this past cycle, or are you planning to this upcoming one? No matter what, at this point, I would finish the degree.

 

[TheProcess76]

You can absolutely get into dental school if you want; many people get accepted with much lower statistics than you. My brother did a Master's through Boston University's master's program (Oral Health Sciences) and ended up failing both biochemistry and A&P courses in the fall semester. He thought that it would hurt his chances of getting accepted, and to obtain the degree he also had to pay for an extra semester to get the MS. After that cycle, he interviewed at a couple of different schools and ended up gaining a few acceptances as well.

It's not the end of the world, but I would make sure to get the highest GPA possible for this spring semester. If dentistry is genuinely your dream then don't give up! I know another person that did a post-bacc program (didn't do well in it) and is currently in a master's and just received an acceptance to his dream school with a 2.6gpa and a 19AA with a 16organic chemistry.


Did you apply to dental school this past cycle, or are you planning to this upcoming one? No matter what, at this point, I would finish the degree.

Thanks for the reply! I did apply this cycle, but I've been ghosted from every school. Those stories do give me hope and I really am on the fence about applying again. Dentistry is the dream, but I think the main issue for me is that every class requires rote memorization and my mind just struggles with it. Essentially I find that I am always getting behind in the material because I can't memorize fast enough compared to my peers. I've tried anki/quizlet and spoke with both my professors and university tutoring resources and basically everyone just tells me that I just have to deal with it and work harder. Honestly, this program has really knocked my confidence, but maybe you are right about finishing

 

[OncePreDent]

Thanks for the reply! I did apply this cycle, but I've been ghosted from every school. Those stories do give me hope and I really am on the fence about applying again. Dentistry is the dream, but I think the main issue for me is that every class requires rote memorization and my mind just struggles with it. Essentially I find that I am always getting behind in the material because I can't memorize fast enough compared to my peers. I've tried anki/quizlet and spoke with both my professors and university tutoring resources and basically everyone just tells me that I just have to deal with it and work harder. Honestly, this program has really knocked my confidence, but maybe you are right about finishing

You've got this! My friend who just got an acceptance, it was his 3rd or 4th time applying, and he never had an interview before this cycle. Also, if you are deadset on dentistry, I would potentially think about applying to another post-bacc program that has guaranteed admission into their dental program (Ik more debt and another year of school). You should already have a good background in the core classes so I think you would do well in the program. But some of the programs are extremely helpful for applications who haven't had any luck. Creighton has a guaranteed acceptance, I believe colorado has a good program too, tufts might also be a guaranteed acceptance (I think they have two programs). But it helps a lot to do the Masters or post-bacc through a dental school. Your DAT is definitely good enough to get an acceptance, mine is 19AA, and I have gotten multiple offers with 7 interviews. You should for sure apply again if this is your dream! You can absolutely make it happen

A few Questions:
1) What Master's program/what school are you doing your master's through?
2) How many schools did you apply to this cycle? How many cycles have you applied?

 

[Slueman33]

Logically, the end of the road is a poor SMP. However, I imagine the most highly willed individuals have somehow even overcame that.

Honestly though, it just depends financial sensibility at some point.

 

[PerioDont]

Logically, the end of the road is a poor SMP. However, I imagine the most highly willed individuals have somehow even overcame that.

Honestly though, it just depends financial sensibility at some point.

agreed

even if possible, is it worth the $$ investment

 

[Ryxndek]

Logically, the end of the road is a poor SMP. However, I imagine the most highly willed individuals have somehow even overcame that.

Honestly though, it just depends financial sensibility at some point.

Agree, it will be hard to convince schools you can handle dental school after not doing well in an SMP. That’s sorta a last ditch effort to try and get in.

However if this is truly something you’ve set your mind on, you will find a way to make it work. But at the end of the day it will cost $$ and you’ve gotta have a heart to heart moment on if you want to keep pushing or being done and moving on.

 

[NavyBlueSuit]

If you can finish the program you should. At least then if you decide to pursue the career still you won't look like a quitter.

It ain't gonna be easy, but my advice would be to take some time off. You sound burnt out more than anything else. Take it from someone who went through damn near the same path, albeit a few years earlier.

Once you have decided if you really want this, then you need to treat it like you have everything to lose. Doesn't matter if you like something, doesn't matter if it's hard, all that maters is making an application resilient and strong enough you can't be ignored. You will likely need a strong support system for this as well. A mentor, colleague, family, all of it. The process is emotionally grueling if you aren't Perfect Patty.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

As I like to ask: what are the faculty in your program telling you?

 

[TheProcess76]

If you can finish the program you should. At least then if you decide to pursue the career still you won't look like a quitter.

It ain't gonna be easy, but my advice would be to take some time off. You sound burnt out more than anything else. Take it from someone who went through damn near the same path, albeit a few years earlier.

Once you have decided if you really want this, then you need to treat it like you have everything to lose. Doesn't matter if you like something, doesn't matter if it's hard, all that maters is making an application resilient and strong enough you can't be ignored. You will likely need a strong support system for this as well. A mentor, colleague, family, all of it. The process is emotionally grueling if you aren't Perfect Patty.

Thank you all for the advice. Tbh you are right and I am pretty burnt out but I just don't know if it is worth sticking through to get the degree now because it was so hard getting back into school after 6 years in the first place for me and probably because I moved to start the program 2 days after taking the DAT, I think I started the program burnt out which backfired on me. I feel like if I leave now I probably won't come back and will probably switch gears to find a job in the business side of healthcare and maybe pursue an MBA in the future? Maybe it's me being emotional right now, but I am really unsure if this type of hardcore science is right for me and I think it would be best for me to take some time to work but I don't really like that fact that an MS in Biomedical Science doesn't give me any practical skills since my program is solely lecture with no research or lab component.

 

[TheProcess76]

As I like to ask: what are the faculty in your program telling you?

So at the end of my first semester, the faculty told me I could either continue making sure I retake the class to get my degree or withdraw and to do what I think is best. Honestly, the vibe I have gotten is that they don't really care what I do because either they get more money from me or they lose me to increase their outcome stats.

Specifically for anatomy, I have trouble memorizing so much information at this pace and end up getting behind really quickly. I went to my tutors, learning specialists, and professor and basically my professor was like "I am sorry that you are having trouble and that I cannot give you any advice. Basically you just need to put more time into it" It's weird because last semester I had a epidemiology class which was more critical thinking and I did really well compared to my classmates (15-20% above the average on each exam), but every class that was solely rote memorization, they were doing really well and I was struggling. Maybe my mind is wired in a different way which makes me wonder if this path is not right for me especially if all I am ever going to do is be forced to rote memorize?

 

[PerioDont]

So at the end of my first semester, the faculty told me I could either continue making sure I retake the class to get my degree or withdraw and to do what I think is best. Honestly, the vibe I have gotten is that they don't really care what I do because either they get more money from me or they lose me to increase their outcome stats.

Specifically for anatomy, I have trouble memorizing so much information at this pace and end up getting behind really quickly. I went to my tutors, learning specialists, and professor and basically my professor was like "I am sorry that you are having trouble and that I cannot give you any advice. Basically you just need to put more time into it" It's weird because last semester I had a epidemiology class which was more critical thinking and I did really well compared to my classmates (15-20% above the average on each exam), but every class that was solely rote memorization, they were doing really well and I was struggling. Maybe my mind is wired in a different way which makes me wonder if this path is not right for me especially if all I am ever going to do is be forced to rote memorize?

tbh a lot of dental school (and even residency now for me) is rote memorization.

I think it can be done by most people but it requires a high level of motivation and studying using anki and other resources.

you need to figure out if its something you want to do though.

do you have any mentor figures in your life, parents, family, pastors, or anyone that knows your situation better you can talk to?

 

[NavyBlueSuit]

So at the end of my first semester, the faculty told me I could either continue making sure I retake the class to get my degree or withdraw and to do what I think is best. Honestly, the vibe I have gotten is that they don't really care what I do because either they get more money from me or they lose me to increase their outcome stats.

Specifically for anatomy, I have trouble memorizing so much information at this pace and end up getting behind really quickly. I went to my tutors, learning specialists, and professor and basically my professor was like "I am sorry that you are having trouble and that I cannot give you any advice. Basically you just need to put more time into it" It's weird because last semester I had a epidemiology class which was more critical thinking and I did really well compared to my classmates (15-20% above the average on each exam), but every class that was solely rote memorization, they were doing really well and I was struggling. Maybe my mind is wired in a different way which makes me wonder if this path is not right for me especially if all I am ever going to do is be forced to rote memorize?

You're professor was nicely telling you that you were full of ish.

There's a lot of resources for rote memorization. Kahoot or Anki would likely help a lot with Anatomy. Flash cards can be worked into even the smallest gaps in schedule.

How did you study for these more difficult classes?

 

[Lemillion]

So at the end of my first semester, the faculty told me I could either continue making sure I retake the class to get my degree or withdraw and to do what I think is best. Honestly, the vibe I have gotten is that they don't really care what I do because either they get more money from me or they lose me to increase their outcome stats.

Specifically for anatomy, I have trouble memorizing so much information at this pace and end up getting behind really quickly. I went to my tutors, learning specialists, and professor and basically my professor was like "I am sorry that you are having trouble and that I cannot give you any advice. Basically you just need to put more time into it" It's weird because last semester I had a epidemiology class which was more critical thinking and I did really well compared to my classmates (15-20% above the average on each exam), but every class that was solely rote memorization, they were doing really well and I was struggling. Maybe my mind is wired in a different way which makes me wonder if this path is not right for me especially if all I am ever going to do is be forced to rote memorize?

This is a good observation. If you find yourself doing better with critical thinking and at a crossroads with your career; pursuing something that lines up better with your strengths may be the way. I've had some engineer friends who are amazing at what they do but would hate dental school due to all the memorization. I typically had done well with memorization but not great in critical thinking classes which is why I am not an engineer/in highly analytical jobs. Granted there are some people who are able to pursue different paths successfully and are "multi-wired". However, I believe that one of the things in life that come with time is learning and understanding what you are good at, enjoy and ultimately want to do.

Overall, if you find yourself not enjoying this type of learning and courses then the first two years of dental school will be a struggle. It's primarily a lot of science courses, exams and a lot of memorization......

However, if you do have a passion for dentistry and are motivated then it sounds like others who have been in your boat have been able to make to the other side. There's hope!

One of my neighbors growing up was successful with a company (drove a nice car, seemed happy, had multiple rental properties as a side hustle). Come to find out when I told him I was going to dental school, he told me that he was in dental school for one year (was a chemical engineer major), found out he hated it and cut his losses early. He hasn't looked back since.

 

[AONLINE]

This is a good observation. If you find yourself doing better with critical thinking and at a crossroads with your career; pursuing something that lines up better with your strengths may be the way. I've had some engineer friends who are amazing at what they do but would hate dental school due to all the memorization. I typically had done well with memorization but not great in critical thinking classes which is why I am not an engineer/in highly analytical jobs. Granted there are some people who are able to pursue different paths successfully and are "multi-wired". However, I believe that one of the things in life that come with time is learning and understanding what you are good at, enjoy and ultimately want to do.

Overall, if you find yourself not enjoying this type of learning and courses then the first two years of dental school will be a struggle. It's primarily a lot of science courses, exams and a lot of memorization......

However, if you do have a passion for dentistry and are motivated then it sounds like others who have been in your boat have been able to make to the other side. There's hope!

One of my neighbors growing up was successful with a company (drove a nice car, seemed happy, had multiple rental properties as a side hustle). Come to find out when I told him I was going to dental school, he told me that he was in dental school for one year (was a chemical engineer major), found out he hated it and cut his losses early. He hasn't looked back since.

I was a Chemistry/ChemE double major in college. I aced all my higher-level calculus, chemistry and physics classes but I sucked at my biology classes since I hated memorization. Having seen how competitive the engineering job market is, I knew I wanted to be a dentist for the easy guaranteed income. When was the last time you heard of a dentist that struggled to find any job? Granted it might not be easy to find a dream job as an associate dentist, but if you're not too picky you will always have a job as a dentist since teeth are not going anywhere. My didactic grades were not great in dental school as memorization wasn't my cup o' tea, but I knew to focus on understanding enough of the basics and ignore all the fluffs. I did not fail a single class in dental school, and now as a new dentist I am quite satisfied with the income and lifestyle that dentistry gives me. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mcat__cat!!!]

I feel for you man. I also graduated undergrad in 2017 and a reapplicant, but I have to be realistic here. Getting in to Dental school is just the first step toward that DDS/DMD degree. There are people in my school that have have to repeat a year or 2 because they were a few points off on one exam out of many many exams. The first two years are mostly memorization if not ALL exams are memorization. And if you cannot quickly memorize a lot of materials then it will be very hard to pass these courses.
I’m certain anyone can get it done but the road mights be harder for some. Anyhow think hard if you want to spend your time and $$$ in dentistry. I wish you the best In whatever you decide to do.