Need serious help!

[karmina119]

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So I really need help. I'm in my fourth year of undergrad and I just recently submitted my AADSAS application, but I really feel my chances are slim to none. My science gpa is a little above a 3.0 and my cumulative gpa is a 3.6. I'm planning on taking my DAT at the end of October. I decided just recently that I wanted to pursue dentistry after shadowing a couple of dentists. I think this shows because I still need to take anatomy and physiology as well as biochemistry. And to top things off, I am taking this psych computer class that is really screwing me over. I don't know anything and I'm thinking about dropping it. But having a W would look bad considering I've had 4-5 W's from the first two years of my college. I finally showed an improvement for the last three semesters, so I don't wanna screw that up. But I can't afford a bad grade either. So I don't know what to do. About anything...

 

[Bis-GMA111]

wait until next cycle to apply..

if you were to submit everything by monday, it would take about a month to get everything verified, and then it would take 1-2 weeks after your DAT for schools to get your DAT scores (some schools may accept unofficial reports). either way you're looking at everything being in by november, which is late

 

[SeattleRDH]

If you've already paid for your mailings you might as well go with it at this point. The DAT isn't an easy test so make sure you're on your game. I would wait until you've finished your DAT before you send secondary money, though, because if you score anything less than 20 you might as well wait until next year. Lots of people apply to dental school more than once. It's not the end of the world. 🙂

 

[karmina119]

Thanks for the advice guys! I also wanted to know what you guys think about me dropping the psych computer class that is not only difficult, but taking away from my studying? Would it be bad to have that many W's?

 

[SeattleRDH]

Thanks for the advice guys! I also wanted to know what you guys think about me dropping the psych computer class that is not only difficult, but taking away from my studying? Would it be bad to have that many W's?

That's a lot of Ws. Is the class a psych class or a comp class? What I mean is how would AADSAS categorize it? If it's PSYCH 314 for example I would take the low grade but if it's COMPSCI 314 then it might drop your sGPA below 3.0 which would be bad.

 

[PreDent321]

There are going to be some red flags as to why you shadowed so late and decided to choose dentistry so recently. And since you're pretty late in the cycle, I think your best strategy would be to change your game plan to apply next cycle.

I would reschedule your DAT for next summer when you'll be better prepared to take it. You'll need a high score since your sGPA is on the lower end. Plus you won't compromise your grades this semester trying to study for it. Also, take more science classes next semester to boost your sGPA and do more shadowing in the meantime to show that you're serious and committed to this field. Try to not withdraw from that class but withdraw if you're going to get a C or below if this class falls under the sGPA.

Good luck!

 

[evanyou]

I feel you but try to take DAT and apply dental school when you r fully prepared. To be honest, your chances are slim, now. I am assuming you don't have many extracurricular activities relate to dentistry b/c you just got interested in dentistry recently. Spend more time to involve in those and study for Dat. Then, apply on June 1st next year. Your chance will be significantly increased.

Personally I would delay taking the DAT and not drop the course.

 

[UCLAzy]

There are going to be some red flags as to why you shadowed so late and decided to choose dentistry so recently. And since you're pretty late in the cycle, I think your best strategy would be to change your game plan to apply next cycle.

I would reschedule your DAT for next summer when you'll be better prepared to take it. You'll need a high score since your sGPA is on the lower end. Plus you won't compromise your grades this semester trying to study for it. Also, take more science classes next semester to boost your sGPA and do more shadowing in the meantime to show that you're serious and committed to this field. Try to not withdraw from that class but withdraw if you're going to get a C or below if this class falls under the sGPA.

Good luck!

wait what? not everybody knows they want dentistry from age 5. i certainly didnt. nothing wrong with shadowing and getting turned on to dentistry right after.

isnt that the point?

 

[karmina119]

There are going to be some red flags as to why you shadowed so late and decided to choose dentistry so recently. And since you're pretty late in the cycle, I think your best strategy would be to change your game plan to apply next cycle.

I would reschedule your DAT for next summer when you'll be better prepared to take it. You'll need a high score since your sGPA is on the lower end. Plus you won't compromise your grades this semester trying to study for it. Also, take more science classes next semester to boost your sGPA and do more shadowing in the meantime to show that you're serious and committed to this field. Try to not withdraw from that class but withdraw if you're going to get a C or below if this class falls under the sGPA.

Good luck!

Thank you all for your advice! 🙂
The computer class is not a science class, it's a psych one. Luckily, it won't affect my sGPA. And you're probably right about my chances being better for next year than this year. However, I did address my reasons for going into dentistry very late in the game in my personal statement. And I feel that they are pretty valid. It's not like I ignored that fact because I realize that it would've looked bad if I had just left it open for them to interpret why I had decided on dentistry.

 

[jackalo34]

wait what? not everybody knows they want dentistry from age 5. i certainly didnt. nothing wrong with shadowing and getting turned on to dentistry right after.

isnt that the point?

Yes and no. The point is to expose yourself to multiple levels of dentistry through seeing and asking questions and to see what it takes to run your own business as most dentists do. I didn't know I wanted to be a dentist until 2 months ago, after I shadowed a dentist and there is nothing wrong with that. It only looks bad when you did it RIGHT BEFORE you applied. Makes them think you are trying to squeeze it in for the requirement.

 

[karmina119]

Yes and no. The point is to expose yourself to multiple levels of dentistry through seeing and asking questions and to see what it takes to run your own business as most dentists do. I didn't know I wanted to be a dentist until 2 months ago, after I shadowed a dentist and there is nothing wrong with that. It only looks bad when you did it RIGHT BEFORE you applied. Makes them think you are trying to squeeze it in for the requirement.

By just recently, I do mean back in July. And I do think that that would affect my chances even more. I mean I'm sure they will be skeptical of people who decided that recently on it as opposed to someone who has known for a couple of years.

 

[jackalo34]

By just recently, I do mean back in July. And I do think that that would affect my chances even more. I mean I'm sure they will be skeptical of people who decided that recently on it as opposed to someone who has known for a couple of years.

Of course, that's just how things are (or how we think they are). If you really want to be a dentist, it will show.

 

[mc719]

If I were you, I would finish applying this cycle just in case you still have a chance. If you don't get in this cycle, you can retake the DAT next spring, and apply for next cycle. It might be nice to take a year to work and save up money before dental school anyways. And about the computer class, I wouldn't withdraw. It's just the beginning of the semester and you still have time to catch up and do well in it. See where you're at in it at the end of the semester and then make the decision whether or not to withdraw.

 

[dds ed]

as an interviewer, it looks pretty bad to have that many W. Hard to give good explanations to why you withdrew that many times; seems to indicate poor judgment of courses to take and inability to get through tough courses. Sorry!!!

 

[karmina119]

as an interviewer, it looks pretty bad to have that many W. Hard to give good explanations to why you withdrew that many times; seems to indicate poor judgment of courses to take and inability to get through tough courses. Sorry!!!

They were not all tough courses. Only one was and I ended up taking it a semester later and did fine (fyi this was the last W in the first semester of my sophomore year). The other three were gen ed courses and they were in my freshman year, which were because I did have trouble adjusting. But I have shown a huge upward trend in my gpa and my courseload. Plus I'm not going to end up dropping the one that I'm in (right now as a senior). I'll just suck it up and get whatever grade I deserve.

 

[jackalo34]

They were not all tough courses, first of all. Only one was and I ended up taking it a semester later and did fine (fyi this was the last W in the first semester of my sophomore year). The other three were gen ed courses and they were in my freshman year, which were because I did have trouble adjusting. But I have shown a huge upward trend in my gpa and my courseload. Plus I'm not going to end up dropping the one that I'm in (right now as a senior). I'll just suck it up and get whatever grade I deserve.

And no offense, but as an interviewer you seem to be really be lacking. I mean you don't even know anything about my course history and you're acting like I have no chance based on very little info I have given you about my W's from those previous classes. I actually have gotten much more constructive advice from the pre-dental students on this thread. So thanks, but no thanks to your advice.

Don't bash people that are giving you their honest opinion, especially when he didn't say it to offend you. You didn't give him all of the information, so he was giving his opinion based off what little info he did have. Your explanation is exactly something you would say to interviewers if they did ask about the amount of Ws. He doesn't have your entire profile in from of him to view. I would have thought the same thing without your explanation, but you can't be defensive like that when it happens...just politely explain.

I, for one, am expecting questions regarding my grades being sporadic my first few years and the odd classes I took- I will explain them both, but not defensively.

All I'm saying is, take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt and try to keep it polite. We aren't all here to bash you. GL!

 

[karmina119]

Don't bash people that are giving you their honest opinion, especially when he didn't say it to offend you. You didn't give him all of the information, so he was giving his opinion based off what little info he did have. Your explanation is exactly something you would say to interviewers if they did ask about the amount of Ws. He doesn't have your entire profile in from of him to view. I would have thought the same thing without your explanation, but you can't be defensive like that when it happens...just politely explain.

I, for one, am expecting questions regarding my grades being sporadic my first few years and the odd classes I took- I will explain them both, but not defensively.

All I'm saying is, take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt and try to keep it polite. We aren't all here to bash you. GL!

I didn't mean to come off as bashing him. And of course, in an interview I would never intend on doing that. It seemed like he was saying to me that I had no valid reasons for having that many W's. I mean, I'm sure if someone on this board said that to you, you would be kind of upset considering how sensitive the topic already is (the fact that I most likely won't get in for this cycle). I got defensive because if you read his post again, it really comes off as if he saying I have no shot in hell because of my W's. Don't get me wrong I do need criticism on what I need to fix, but I don't see how what he said is constructive criticism at all. But, I'm really sorry if I did come off harshly to anyone. And thank you for everyone's input.

 

[jackalo34]

I didn't mean to come off as bashing him. And of course, in an interview I would never intend on doing that. It seemed like he was saying to me that I had no valid reasons for having that many W's. I mean, I'm sure if someone on this board said that to you, you would be kind of upset considering how sensitive the topic already is (the fact that I most likely won't get in for this cycle). I got defensive because if you read his post again, it really comes off as if he saying I have no shot in hell because of my W's. Don't get me wrong I do need criticism on what I need to fix, but I don't see how what he said is constructive criticism at all. But again, I'm really sorry if I did come off harshly to anyone. And thank you for everyone's input.

I understand your sensitivity. (Believe me, I empathize.) Sometimes, it takes harsh eye-opening to drive you to fix things. I, not being you, didn't get any harshness from his post, especially with his addition of Sorry at the end. He was saying that an interviewer would be skeptical of all of the Ws and the explanation behind it. (Interviewers are skeptical of anything remotely odd in your application.) His statement brings that to light and gives you the opportunity to constructively explain the situation.

We are always happy to help any fellow SDN-er, especially predents. Good luck this cycle!

 

[SeattleRDH]

dds ed has identified himself/herself as an adcom so be aware that there ARE adcoms on SDN. If an adcom wanted to figure out who you were they could do a predents search of your stats. Best to not throw attitude at the gatekeepers. 🙂

 

[hmmmmm]

dds ed has identified himself/herself as an adcom so be aware that there ARE adcoms on SDN. If an adcom wanted to figure out who you were they could do a predents search of your stats. Best to not throw attitude at the gatekeepers. 🙂

this just scares people away from making a predent profile 🙁

 

[SeattleRDH]

this just scares people away from making a predent profile 🙁

Or maybe on the flip side it will encourage people to keep it positive. It's true, though, the more info you put on predents, the less anonymous you become.

 

[UCLAzy]

Yes and no. The point is to expose yourself to multiple levels of dentistry through seeing and asking questions and to see what it takes to run your own business as most dentists do. I didn't know I wanted to be a dentist until 2 months ago, after I shadowed a dentist and there is nothing wrong with that. It only looks bad when you did it RIGHT BEFORE you applied. Makes them think you are trying to squeeze it in for the requirement.

so when is the cut off for being 'right before'? 2 months? 1 month? 3 weeks?

sounds kind of ridiculous to me.

 

[jackalo34]

so when is the cut off for being 'right before'? 2 months? 1 month? 3 weeks?

sounds kind of ridiculous to me.

Ridiculous or not, it's something they consider- the cut off is for them to decide not us. I'm sure if someone did 100 hours of shadowing June before submitting, they'd get scrutinized.

 

[NguyenDDS]

Thanks for the advice guys! I also wanted to know what you guys think about me dropping the psych computer class that is not only difficult, but taking away from my studying? Would it be bad to have that many W's?

I have 6 Ws on my transcript. It certainly doesn't look pleasing, but it won't solely determine if you get an interview or not. 🙂 Make sure you have a good reason why you have that many Ws.

 

[pacificNW]

I have 6 Ws on my transcript. It certainly doesn't look pleasing, but it won't solely determine if you get an interview or not. 🙂 Make sure you have a good reason why you have that many Ws.

6W's ? Yikes. Again, not to be mean, only to help, but it's hard to imagine how that could be explained in a way that would neutralize the negatives of it.
Honestly, 4W's is a lot. Lack of focus, doesn't see things through, doesn't know what they are doing or where they are going. FWIW, I'm not an adcom, so I could be totally wrong, but this seems like a red flag. Again, sorry for the harshness, trying to be realistic.

 

[dentalpath]

So I really need help. I'm in my fourth year of undergrad and I just recently submitted my AADSAS application, but I really feel my chances are slim to none. My science gpa is a little above a 3.0 and my cumulative gpa is a 3.6. I'm planning on taking my DAT at the end of October. I decided just recently that I wanted to pursue dentistry after shadowing a couple of dentists. I think this shows because I still need to take anatomy and physiology as well as biochemistry. And to top things off, I am taking this psych computer class that is really screwing me over. I don't know anything and I'm thinking about dropping it. But having a W would look bad considering I've had 4-5 W's from the first two years of my college. I finally showed an improvement for the last three semesters, so I don't wanna screw that up. But I can't afford a bad grade either. So I don't know what to do. About anything...

Even though your Ws dont look ideal, what will hold you back currently is your 3.0 GPA. I mean eeven with a 21-22 DAT, your 3.0 sceince GPA will have slight chances of makin it. In my opinion you need to take on some science classes (upper div) and ace those. The adcoms need to see your ability to do well in upper div science, which will form the basis of your 4 years in dental school. Currently, your low science GPA is the biggest hurdle in your path. Bring that up and get a 20 + DAT score, you will be good to go.