Need advice..

[hope_to_match]

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Hi guys...So I have been debating whether or not I should apply this year and I was hoping to get some advice from you all. Before you do so I would like to give your my background:

oGPA 3.437
sGPA: 3.3

I am currently taking some post-bacc science classes and studying for DAT and planning to take it no later than the first week of September. I am also planning to take AP-1 and AP-2 and possibly microbiology this coming school year (fall 2013 and spring 2014).

Throughout my years in pre-health as an undergrad I have volunteered in both medical and dental fields. I also have community service hours that are not related to health. I have also tutored and worked in the chemistry lab doing research+ attended various ACS meetings and presented my research. One of the meeting I attended was the National ACS Meeting in PA in August of 2013. Basically my extra-curriculars are set. I am planning to go bak to volunteering once I am done with DAT 9if hopefully I do well on it)...

As I said earlier I have volunteered in med and dental as a pre-med/pre-dent because I was debating where to apply. I am not one of those people who knew that they wanted to be one or the other right away. Nevertheless, I decided to pursue a career in medicine. Took the MCAT and did not do as well as I expected (oh well) and decided to apply to med schools regardless...and I should have known better (more on that later). Because of my not so good MCAT I applied to some Caribbean schools and got into AUC school of med and moved down there this past January. I absolutely hated it when I was there and once we got to the head and neck portion of the anatomy I fell in love with what we were learning as well as the oral anatomy. I took my block exams for that portion and withdrew from medical school without finishing one semester (I was only there for less than 2 months)because I realized that my heart lies in the dentistry and I want to concentrate and pursue what I now realize is my dream of becoming a dentist. I moved back to the states, did some research on which materials I need to use to prepare for DAT and started studying almost right away.

Now..I understand that withdrawing is a big downside of my future application and I assume dental schools prefer students who didn't make the same mistake I did but I was hoping that they would still give me a chance and overlook this factor based on other aspects of my app. I realize that my gpa is not stellar but I am hoping to make up for it with a decent/good DAT score (I don't want to think I will absolutely get a 25 or whatever, I am not trying to think about the DAT grades at all actually I am just working hard to learn the material).

Now going back to my question: should I apply this year? I haven't started filling out an app yet since I have been debating whether I should wait to take the test first/finish all post-bacc classes that I want to take and then apply next year? I also do not want to pay for my application now if I decide to send it before taking the DAT. Honestly, I would much rather not have that pressure on me and concentrate on the exam and then take it from there. If I take it as planned no later than the first week of September/ end of August and given that I do well and prepare my application then (I have all letters of recommendation ready at the pre-health advisors office)- would that be too late? Has anyone else been in the same situation as I am in (i.e. withdrawing from one grad program and then applying to dental schools)?

I will really appreciate any advice and please don't be judgmental as people tend to make mistakes and so as long as we realize we made a mistake and work hard to correct it I truly believe it's possible though it might take some time...

Thanks in advance for your replies and I hope to see something that will help me decide what I should do in my situation 🙂

 

[gn4]

Your GPA is not that bad. If you were to make a 20 on the DAT, I think you would be accepted with your GPA. However, since you're taking the DAT in September, that seems a bit late in my opinion. I'm sure some people have applied that late and gotten accepted but it might be hard to do.

 

[hope_to_match]

Your GPA is not that bad. If you were to make a 20 on the DAT, I think you would be accepted with your GPA. However, since you're taking the DAT in September, that seems a bit late in my opinion. I'm sure some people have applied that late and gotten accepted but it might be hard to do.

that;s the thing..i know someone who applied last year in december! and got in (similar stats and ~20 DAT)...

what is your opinion on the fact that i withdrew from med school earlier this year?

 

[gn4]

that;s the thing..i know someone who applied last year in december! and got in (similar stats and ~20 DAT)...

what is your opinion on the fact that i withdrew from med school earlier this year?

the withdrawing from medschool shouldn't be an issue as long as you are honest and upfront about it. You can't be penalized for realizing later what you really want to do with your life. If you had failed out of medschool, that would be a different issue.

 

[hope_to_match]

the withdrawing from medschool shouldn't be an issue as long as you are honest and upfront about it. You can't be penalized for realizing later what you really want to do with your life. If you had failed out of medschool, that would be a different issue.

this makes me feel better 🙂

 

[aznnytezx]

Withdrawing medical school showed your dedication for dentistry. It really shows in some way, that you are not in it just for the money.

 

[hope_to_match]

What about my mcat? I mean I understand that I have to report it onthe app as well: how much value will they put on it?

 

[gn4]

They won't care about your MCAT. The most it can do is show that you were interested in medicine at some point. Other than that, there really is nothing to worry about. They won't really care. Just rock your DAT and apply to dental school.

 

[hope_to_match]

Thanks!

 

[DngU2013]

Hi I was just wondering if you did get a W in med school because I was in similar situation but it was nursing school. When I withdrew I got W grades in all of my nursing classes 🙁 because I knew nursing is not for me but dental. I feel discouraged to apply to dental school because of the withdrawal but I truly hope dental schools will give us a chance.

 

[hope_to_match]

Yes I got W's for all my classes because I withdrew. We have to stay positive! I am trying and doing everything I can to be prepped well for DAT. Are you currently studying as well or you have taken it already?