Need advice.

[ininfinitum]

---

Members do not see this ad.

My stats:

DAT:
PAT: 18
TS: 18
AA: 19
Overall GPA: 2.8

I'm planning to take some classes at a community college to raise my GPA above the 3.0 mark (already graduated). Also, I'm trying to find a research position to get some research experience. I'd prefer some clinical dental research, but I'm not sure where to look.

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

 

[LIer2010]

If you want to raise your GPA, don't do it at a community college. Do it at a reputable school. Also, if your GPA is too low, research experience wouldn't count much.
If I were you, I might think about retaking the DAT to compensate for the GPA.
Good luck!

 

[MC Wiggles]

My stats:

DAT:
PAT: 18
TS: 18
AA: 19
Overall GPA: 2.8

I'm planning to take some classes at a community college to raise my GPA above the 3.0 mark (already graduated). Also, I'm trying to find a research position to get some research experience. I'd prefer some clinical dental research, but I'm not sure where to look.

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Clinical dental research? That seems like something that would be left to ACTUAL dental students.

Your best bet is to do a year of university post-bacc classes and do research with a university faculty member......or get your masters degree and ace your program.

I wouldn't do the community college classes to raise your GPA. How bad would it look if you don't ace those classes? Community college classes aren't always easy A's as most seem to think.

 

[DUBS]

Although your DAT scores are pretty good, I would reconsider taking the test again and getting 20's across the board to compensate for your GPA. Also, as someone else stated, you should take courses at a 4 year university to increase your GPA, not a CC...I think they'll frown on that. Finally, it says that you are located at UCLA. That school has a ton of research opportunities. With some effort, you can easily find some dental-related research. Two most important things though, raise ur GPA and your DAT scores. Good luck.

 

[ininfinitum]

Got it. So if I take some campus extension classes at UCLA and retake my DATs I should be good? I need some research experience or something as well, from what I've been told. I'm thinking the dental-related research would be best. Thanks!

 

[MC Wiggles]

Got it. So if I take some campus extension classes at UCLA and retake my DATs I should be good?

Trying to raise your GPA will be a mighty task. For instance, even if you took 30 hours of post-bacc science classes (15 hours for two semesters) and aced all those classes pulling "A's" your overall GPA only rises to roughly a 3.04 (just figuring you graduated with 120 undergraduate credit hours). That's still very low considering the rising GPA's of most dental schools.

You definitely have to get the DAT up, and I would consider starting a masters program where you'll get a separate GPA for the program.

 

[PDizzle]

I agree that you should retake the DAT and try to get 20+.

But, with a 2.8 GPA you will not even be considered in many, many schools. They won't even look past that 2.8 no matter what your DAT is like.

You can either retake the core sciences you messed up on at the university you went to or maybe do an extension course. At UC Berkeley Extension, certain extension classes will appear on your undergrad transcripts (that is if you went there in the first place). This will directly raise your GPA.

Option 2 is a post-bacc program. You have to ace this.

Remember, AADSAS combines all your grades from all schools. For instance, I did very poorly at Berkeley (2.89 GPA) but almost aced 3 years of courses at a community college (3.97). My grades ended up being 3.5 overall, and a 3.4 science. I'm sure some schools saw the 2.89 at Cal and just tossed my app away (I.E. UCLA) but others didn't and just went by my total GPA.


Good luck and get that GPA up to at least a 3.0 and get a 20+ DAT and you will most likely get in somewhere. Apply to a lot of schools!!!

 

[fightingspirit]

...

 

[SuperC]

1-research is kinda overrated. perhaps in a few years when dentistry becomes as compettitive as med-school, you may need research. but for now, you're cool.[/QUOTE

I will agree that the others are right. When you are at 100+ hours you GPA is pretty hard to change. And because AADSAS averages your grades retaking classes doesn't do much either. So ultimately if you feel that increasing you GPA is the only route a masters is the way to go.

So back to research. I am going to argue that in your case the above statement is NOT true. It will have a huge impact at schools that are research based and in case no one has noticed getting into dental school is VERY competitive.

Doing research will serve two purposes.
1. You will learn a TON and it will give you a heads up on research you may want to do while you are in dental school
2. It will give you a leg up in the application process

That’s my two cents,
-C

 

[sumozmom]

My stats:

DAT:
PAT: 18
TS: 18
AA: 19
Overall GPA: 2.8

I'm planning to take some classes at a community college to raise my GPA above the 3.0 mark (already graduated). Also, I'm trying to find a research position to get some research experience. I'd prefer some clinical dental research, but I'm not sure where to look.

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

all i have to say is that ...CC is not bad...most people go there b/c of money....
i have a BS and i'm taking pre-rec at a CC...it's hard core and it's kicking my ass....

i see nothing wrong w/CC

 

[Gulch]

It's going to take a little more than what will be comfortable--

1.) Post-bacc at UCLA would be ideal; trying to raise your grades after graduation by taking a few class at the CC is like too little too late. Start fresh with a post-bacc to show you can improve with a new beginning, then show you know all your basic stuff by slaying the DAT.
2.) retake DAT until your AA, TS and PAT are about 20 or so.
3.) Don't stress out on the research right now. It would be a misallocation of your energy and time. Maybe you could develop relationships with some admission offices, explain your situation, present your ideas and ask for their advice.

 

[Dental Jedi]

My stats:

DAT:
PAT: 18
TS: 18
AA: 19
Overall GPA: 2.8

I'm planning to take some classes at a community college to raise my GPA above the 3.0 mark (already graduated). Also, I'm trying to find a research position to get some research experience. I'd prefer some clinical dental research, but I'm not sure where to look.

Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Yea I would take anything to raise the GPA, even if its on-line classes. As far as research goes, I would think that shadowing hours would hold more clout than research.

also I have no clue as to what dental clinical research you could do with no clinical training, that sounds odd.

 

[hockeydentist]

1-research is kinda overrated. perhaps in a few years when dentistry becomes as compettitive as med-school, you may need research. but for now, you're cool.[/QUOTE

I will agree that the others are right. When you are at 100+ hours you GPA is pretty hard to change. And because AADSAS averages your grades retaking classes doesn't do much either. So ultimately if you feel that increasing you GPA is the only route a masters is the way to go.

So back to research. I am going to argue that in your case the above statement is NOT true. It will have a huge impact at schools that are research based and in case no one has noticed getting into dental school is VERY competitive.

Doing research will serve two purposes.
1. You will learn a TON and it will give you a heads up on research you may want to do while you are in dental school
2. It will give you a leg up in the application process

That’s my two cents,
-C

Research is okay if you got a year or two to learn . I find it funny when asking students about the research they've done, and they tell me about how they wash dishes. Wow thats sure hardcore research.