Need advise

[pdental972]

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Hi,

I currently completed my master's in biomedical science with a 3.0/ bachelor with a 3.3 and have a dat score of 20 and 18 but they are 5 and 2 years old. This cycle I have been rejected from every dental school without interview. Should I consider taking a PhD program and retake the DAT again? I rarely hear of anyone failing as bad as me. So, I feel the path that I am currently on is rare. Thus, there is not so much advise available out there. Can someone please help advise. Thanks.

 

[super frank]

A 3.0 in a master's program hurts you more than it helps you. Before you spend more money on a PhD (which I wouldn't even suggest), take a long hard look at your situation and ask yourself how bad you want it... If you go for a PhD you'd need a 4.0, no excuses. Honestly, the quickest and easiest fix may be to retake the DAT and shoot for a 23 or 24+, and even then gaining admittance with your current GPA will still be difficult.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Hi,

I currently completed my master's in biomedical science with a 3.0/ bachelor with a 3.3 and have a dat score of 20 and 18 but they are 5 and 2 years old. This cycle I have been rejected from every dental school without interview. Should I consider taking a PhD program and retake the DAT again? I rarely hear of anyone failing as bad as me. So, I feel the path that I am currently on is rare. Thus, there is not so much advise available out there. Can someone please help advise. Thanks.

A 3.0 in a master's program hurts you more than it helps you. Before you spend more money on a PhD (which I wouldn't even suggest), take a long hard look at your situation and ask yourself how bad you want it... If you go for a PhD you'd need a 4.0, no excuses. Honestly, the quickest and easiest fix may be to retake the DAT and shoot for a 23 or 24+, and even then gaining admittance with your current GPA will still be difficult.

That's rough. So your 5 year old DAT is 20 and your 2 year old DAT is 18. It went down. You also went down from a Bachelors GPA to a Masters GPA.

I think @Rekker gave you great advice. Retake the DAT. If you can get above a 20, then go into a formal postbacc program. The 3.0 MBS will be the biggest pain for you to overcome. I haven't heard many get that low of a MBS GPA before. Your only option really is to do a formal postbacc geared towards entry into Dentistry, a second Masters, or PhD. The latter is the best option if you ask me ONLY because you can fall back on it should dentistry not work out.

If you retake the DAT first, then you can know which is the best option. If you do worse on the DAT than the 18, then just go for the PhD and maybe come back to try again after you complete it. I don't know. Sorry. You're in a VERY tough spot.

 

[Panis et Circenses]

I wouldn't do the PhD if you want to be a dentist.

 

[ncide]

At this point I'd try to get my career started. Unfortunately a 3.0 GPA in your masters is not going to help you, so I would look into other career options.

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

I agree with some of the posters above. Retaking the DAT and receiving a great score would be the easiest way to gain attention from dental schools. Also, like Rekker said, if you go the PhD route aim for a 4.0, so you can improve your science/overall GPAs and show an upward trend. Neither of these routes will be easy and will take a tremendous amount of effort (more effort than you've given in the past) on your part! Last, the fact that you have been rejected from all of the schools you applied to w/o interview indicates to me that you probably underapplied/applied to the wrong schools, so that is something else to keep in mind.

 

[shwayne]

Having more degrees doesn't mean your chances become any better..

 

[NavyDDS1990]

Even if you retake the DAT and get a 23, it will still be difficult to receive interviews with your GPA. Sorry, but you will need some very serious and professional advice directly from dental schools regarding your situation, not from SDN.

 

[princessdentist]

I think you should go to the USC joint program where you do hygiene school for 2 years and then start at their dental school... I don't know details but I'm sure you can find them online...

I think other schools might have similar programs! I think this way you won't need to take the Dat again and you have a guarantee acceptance at a top school!

Also you can apply now for fall so you don't get held back another year! Or you can try for the ucsf post bac

 

[acesofseven]

I think you should go to the USC joint program where you do hygiene school for 2 years and then start at their dental school... I don't know details but I'm sure you can find them online...

I think other schools might have similar programs! I think this way you won't need to take the Dat again and you have a guarantee acceptance at a top school!

Also you can apply now for fall so you don't get held back another year! Or you can try for the ucsf post bac

The pathway program at USC is a horrible idea and I do not recommend anyone do it. Just think for a moment for how debt you'd be putting yourself in just for a DDS degree (not even a specialty). There is no way any rational human being can justify the cost unless you're: 1. Crazy/Desperate, 2. Crazy Rich, 3. Going Army/Navy/Air Force

 

[Kittenz]

Hi,

I currently completed my master's in biomedical science with a 3.0/ bachelor with a 3.3 and have a dat score of 20 and 18 but they are 5 and 2 years old. This cycle I have been rejected from every dental school without interview. Should I consider taking a PhD program and retake the DAT again? I rarely hear of anyone failing as bad as me. So, I feel the path that I am currently on is rare. Thus, there is not so much advise available out there. Can someone please help advise. Thanks.

Unlike others who have responded, I dont believe your GPA is what's preventing you from entry. With a master's degree in biomedical science, I'd say you're just as competitive as someone with an average bachelor's GPA (3.5). The only thing thats preventing you from entry is your DAT score AS WELL AS things you havent discussed: research, community service, personal statement, letters of rec.. It doesn't sound like you're placing emphasis on what's really important, which is what ADCOM really do care about. That is, why you want to be a dentist.. Why you want to enter a profession in healthcare. And how your experiences have shaped your goals and growth.

My recommendation is to figure out how to improve everything mentioned previously and then retake the DAT. After the DAT, put everything in motion, and you could even be ready to apply by the next application cycle.

 

[rivarat]

Dental school is pretty hard, much more difficult than the courses you've already taken.

Don't burden yourself in a field that will likely be very challenging for you. Contrary to some popular belief, not everyone will make it as a dentist.

With your degrees, you may find a very successful career as a medical sales rep. Start making money, get on with your life.

Good luck