Need advice please

[dfymarine]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello!

To start it off, I am currently a junior majoring in biochemistry, and I am trying to apply to dental school. However, my GPA is only average and science GPA isn't that good either because of the organic chemistry, biochemistry and cell biology. I know that biochemistry is not really recommended major for Pre-dental students, but I just wanted the challenge and tried to study hard for it. I guess I was kinda stupid.. heh? 🙁 Furthermore, I have not taken DAT yet, but I have taken the free practice DAT and I got 17. For this reason, I am positive that I won't be able to get into the dental school, accordingly I applied to the fast track MBA program in my school that only takes one year to complete. It combines four years of undergraduate and one year of MBA program into five years.

Generally speaking, I know most of the dentists are private practitioners. So, I am planning to get the MBA degrees and undergraduate degrees altogether a year after the senior year. Meanwhile, I could study for DAT and improve my GPA.

is that a good plan? And what should I do about the science GPA? 😕

P.S. I am currently a treasurer in the club, and a research assistant at university hospital.

any advice would be much appreciated!

Thank you for reading this

 

[Wylde]

what IS your GPA? What benefits a 1.0 is a little different than what will benefit a 3.0

 

[Sephisabin]

If you need to increase your science GPA, you may want to take another years worth of science courses rather than focusing on business. What kind of GPA are we talking? How intense is the MBA program? Is it something where you could concurrently take a science class or two without going down to 4 hours of sleep per night? Biochemistry isn't a bad major for dental school... I recall reading somewhere that it's actually one of the most popular majors for students who get accepted.

Additionally, was your 17 on the practice DAT without studying? If so, don't take that as a good indicator of your actual score. I took one of those free practice things before studying and got a 17 as well, but after studying I got a 22 on the real thing. If you got a 17 without studying, try studying and actually taking the test...

 

[dfymarine]

what IS your GPA? What benefits a 1.0 is a little different than what will benefit a 3.0

Overall GPA 3.3 Science GPA 2.9

 

[dfymarine]

If you need to increase your science GPA, you may want to take another years worth of science courses rather than focusing on business. What kind of GPA are we talking? How intense is the MBA program? Is it something where you could concurrently take a science class or two without going down to 4 hours of sleep per night? Biochemistry isn't a bad major for dental school... I recall reading somewhere that it's actually one of the most popular majors for students who get accepted.

Additionally, was your 17 on the practice DAT without studying? If so, don't take that as a good indicator of your actual score. I took one of those free practice things before studying and got a 17 as well, but after studying I got a 22 on the real thing. If you got a 17 without studying, try studying and actually taking the test...

yes, I took the free practice DAT without studying at all

 

[Sephisabin]

You'd honestly be doing yourself a huge favor if you could bring that science GPA to a 3.0... Take as many science classes as you can do well in during your senior year and make sure to pull A's so you can bring that science GPA up. You may want to consider studying for and taking the DAT this summer... studying for it really does help... haha... If your school offers them, consider anatomy, histology or immunology... dental schools really like those.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

I don't think the MBA route is going to improve your chances for acceptance. Sure it might raise your GPA but adcoms aren't going to be impressed that your business grades are great but science grades not so great. Better to extend your graduation and work on more science courses. Biochem isn't a bad major for predents either, it's not like it's quantum physics or something. Besides, the classes you mentioned that brought your GPA down are classes required in prety much any bio type major. Your best route to dental school is to figure out what's wrong with your study habits, correct it, and then get high grades from here on out (in science courses). Don't sweat the 17 on a prcatice DAT. That's not so bad for taking it cold. Make sure you spend 2 months using DAT prep materials before you actually take it.

 

[dfymarine]

so, what about the post bacc program?

is it a good idea to graduate with my biochemistry degree by doing the best I could to improve my GPA, and taking a year at the post bacc program?

does it really give me a chance to get into dental school?

By the way, I live in New York and there are about 4 schools that have Post Bacc program, mostly the CUNYs. Are they any good for dental?


Thank you in advance

 

[Sephisabin]

The postbacc programs you'd be looking into would just be for science. There are a bunch of dental postbaccs across the country, but they require you to have applied to dental school before... in fact, at some schools, one of the forms they require is a rejection letter... You can do a post-bacc in any science field that interests you (but not nutrition or food science... pick something bio or chem related). You may also want to consider a 1 year masters program... that way you're actually working towards another degree and you get to stick an extra two letters after your name... John Smith, DDS, MS... haha

 

[diplo123]

The practice DAT score of 17 is very good. Many people study for a month or two and get that score. My friend got a 12 on it and studied and got a 20/21.

I got a 15 and am taking the Kaplan course. I think I can improve by 5 or 6 by studying.

I think you should take more science, improve your Gpa, and study for the DAT.

 

[La Dentista]

The practice DAT score of 17 is very good. Many people study for a month or two and get that score. My friend got a 12 on it and studied and got a 20/21.

I got a 15 and am taking the Kaplan course. I think I can improve by 5 or 6 by studying.

Not trying to be rude here, but I never understood (even if it's a practice dat) how a 15 or 17 is considered decent, or as you say "very good." The fact that you did it without studying doesn't really impress either. Obviously you need to study if you haven't already... THAT is a no brainer.
If you think you can ace the DAT without studying, you've got something coming for you. Study for it and your outlook will change.

And no, it was not stupid to take biochem, it was not a good idea to fail it however.

 

[Sephisabin]

Nobody is saying a 17 on the real thing is considered "very good," but people take practice tests to know where they stand before they start studying. Very few people are going to pull 20s without studying... a 17 is a very good starting point for someone who has yet to study. It's better to start at 17 than 13, right? Obviously (at least I hope...) he/she plans to study prior to taking the real thing... and that last line was kind of rude ;-)

 

[La Dentista]

Nobody is saying a 17 on the real thing is considered "very good," but people take practice tests to know where they stand before they start studying. Very few people are going to pull 20s without studying... a 17 is a very good starting point for someone who has yet to study. It's better to start at 17 than 13, right? Obviously (at least I hope...) he/she plans to study prior to taking the real thing... and that last line was kind of rude ;-)

Some people need things non-sugar coated, and I never said anything about the real thing, I meant anything without studying.

I was being nice.👍

 

[Sephisabin]

Haha... fair enough...