Need some advice

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hs2013

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Alright so I am going to be a Sophomore this year with 41 credits and have a 3.85 overall and science GPA. Lately I've been thinking maybe I should just apply to dental school after Sophomore year and not complete my undergrad degree because you can still matriculate to dental school with 90+ credits. I really don't want to wait another year if I don't have to nor do I care much about an undergrad degree, the main priority is that DDS.

Now please, don't base your response off something like you need to take your time and enjoy undergrad, you won't get this chance again, blah blah blah, it doesn't apply to me, I don't care about fun in undergrad, I want to be a dentist ASAP.

I am going to outline my schedule for the next 2 year and then you tell me about my chances if I do this route.

Sophomore 1st semester: Organic Chem, Evolutionary Bio, gen ed, gen ed
Sophomore 2nd Semester: Organic Chem 2, Cell Molec Bio, Microbiology, gen ed

Also by the time I apply I would have:
100-125 hours at a free dental clinic
100-125 hours boys and girls club
100-125 hours shadowing
100-125 hours homeless shelter
Pre Dental Club for 2 years with 1 year minor leadership position and then 1 year remaining during my junior year

Take DAT and Apply summer after Sophomore year.

Junior 1st semester: Physics 1, Biochem, Anatomy, another bio class
Junior 2nd semester: Physics 2, Genetics, Physiology, another bio

Go to Dental School?

How does this plan look?

Considering I keep my GPA about a 3.85 overall and science, plus all the extra curriculars/shadowing by the time I apply and a good DAT score, do you think I would have a good chance to get in with just the 90+ credit requirement and without a degree?
 
Just do it. You sound like thats what you want to do.
 
cacajuate said:
Just started sophomore year with 41 credits, you want to apply after your sophomore year, you need 90 credits to enter dental school. Where are you going to fit 48 credits in one year?
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I have 41 credits right now, and during sophomore year I will have 26 credits and during junior year I will have 28 credits. 41+26+28=95 So I would have 95 credits before entering dental school.
 
cacajuate said:
Just do it. You sound like thats what you want to do.
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But would I still pretty much be guaranteed admission as long as my LORs are good and I have a good interview if I keep up my GPA and do good on DAT?
 
Nothing is guaranteed. Just go through with your plan but do realize that if you don't get in the first year, you're probably going to need to finish up your degree. Hopefully, you're not just taking pre-requisites are completely abandoning an idea of getting a degree.
 
Danielqta said:
Nothing is guaranteed. Just go through with your plan but do realize that if you don't get in the first year, you're probably going to need to finish up your degree. Hopefully, you're not just taking pre-requisites are completely abandoning an idea of getting a degree.
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I know nothing is guaranteed, but I feel like if I have such good stats, I would have a great chance of getting in without a degree but just want to make sure I do. Plus I will still take degree requirements.

But one thing I want to know is, if I don't get in the first year, would it affect my chances negatively or positively at all for the 2nd time I apply?
 
I'm sure I have better stats, and I don't feel nearly as confident as the way you sound. I don't think it will affect you negatively if you don't get in the first year. If you didn't get admitted, it may just be because you're still early in your academic career.
 
Danielqta said:
I'm sure I have better stats, and I don't feel nearly as confident as the way you sound. I don't think it will affect you negatively if you don't get in the first year. If you didn't get admitted, it may just be because you're still early in your academic career.
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So you are saying you have better than 3.85 science and overall GPA and more volunteering/extracurricular hours than would have when I would apply and you aren't confident you will get in? Why aren't you confident? I feel like as long as you get good LORS and aren't socially inept you should get in.

Edit: Actually just saw you have your stats in your sig and you're not confident you will get in? If I were you I would be hella pissed off if I didn't get in.
 
I say that I am not confident because you don't necessary know what the admissions board is looking for. As for the being pissed off part, I will still get pissed off if I don't get in. lol I'm happy with what I am working with. But it all depends on what you want in the end. Do you want to go to dental school? Or do you want to go to a good dental school. I want my top three. That's what I'm not confident about. I'm sure that I'll get into a school, I just don't know if I'll get into MY school.
 
I'll say this: Keep up the good work and give your plan a shot. It's like I just said, you don't exactly know what the admissions committees are looking for. They may just be looking for a hard-charging sophmore that year.
 
Its a bad idea. Be realistic, you are not going to maintain a 4.0 in all those classes for the next 2 years unless you are at a community college or a genius. Your current gpa is meaningless since you have basically not taken any of the pre reqs yet either. And then you have to study for the DAT and do well. Not to mention that most schools really like a 4 year degree.

This is a pretty bad plan.
 
Im not sure about other schools. But all of my top schools strongly prefers a degree.

But im sure there are plenty of schools out there that do not care.
 
scrambledgreggs said:
Its a bad idea. Be realistic, you are not going to maintain a 4.0 in all those classes for the next 2 years unless you are at a community college or a genius. Your current gpa is meaningless since you have basically not taken any of the pre reqs yet either. And then you have to study for the DAT and do well. Not to mention that most schools really like a 4 year degree.

This is a pretty bad plan.
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Lol, this post is filled with so many assumptions it's not even funny.

First off I don't need a 4.0 for next 2 years, only Sophomore year because then I will have a 3.9 science and cumulative GPA and that's what will go on my application, and who are you to say I can't maintain a 4.0 for that long? It doesn't take a genius to do that at a 4 year Uni, plus I'm pretty smart, not cocky but true.

Next, my current GPA is meaningless and I haven't taken any pre reqs yet? You are a fool, I have taken gen chem 1 & 2, 2 semesters of biology, Calc 1 & 2 to give me a 3.85 science GPA, that's meaningless? OK.

Plus I have taken psychology and 2 semesters of english which many schools require and still have a 3.85 cumulative and science. So don't tell me my GPA is meaningless when I have taken quite a few pre-reqs.

"And then you have to study for the DAT and do well" Who says I can't do well, I am confident I could get 20+ across the board and am shooting for 23+ on several categories.

It may not be possible for you, but I very well know I can do it if I don't lose motivation an continue to study.
 
Danielqta said:
I'll say this: Keep up the good work and give your plan a shot. It's like I just said, you don't exactly know what the admissions committees are looking for. They may just be looking for a hard-charging sophmore that year.
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Yea that's the plan I have, it's definitely worth a shot and if I get in, awesome, if not well that's fine because I would then expect to get in after Junior year and finishing my degree.
 
hs2013 said:
Lol, this post is filled with so many assumptions it's not even funny.

First off I don't need a 4.0 for next 2 years, only Sophomore year because then I will have a 3.9 science and cumulative GPA and that's what will go on my application, and who are you to say I can't maintain a 4.0 for that long? It doesn't take a genius to do that at a 4 year Uni, plus I'm pretty smart, not cocky but true.

Next, my current GPA is meaningless and I haven't taken any pre reqs yet? You are a fool, I have taken gen chem 1 & 2, 2 semesters of biology, Calc 1 & 2 to give me a 3.85 science GPA, that's meaningless? OK.

Plus I have taken psychology and 2 semesters of english which many schools require and still have a 3.85 cumulative and science. So don't tell me my GPA is meaningless when I have taken quite a few pre-reqs.

"And then you have to study for the DAT and do well" Who says I can't do well, I am confident I could get 20+ across the board and am shooting for 23+ on several categories.

It may not be possible for you, but I very well know I can do it if I don't lose motivation an continue to study.
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You are taking his comments too personal. He is being realistic, and he's not attacking you. Planning on getting certain grades and certain DAT is good, because it gives you a purpose or goal. However you never know what can happen in those 2 years. E.g you could get into a car accident and taut could affect you performance, hence your GPA would be affected. You are in the right track, and you should be fine about getting into dental school. Good luck.
 
hs2013 said:
Lol, this post is filled with so many assumptions it's not even funny.

First off I don't need a 4.0 for next 2 years, only Sophomore year because then I will have a 3.9 science and cumulative GPA and that's what will go on my application, and who are you to say I can't maintain a 4.0 for that long? It doesn't take a genius to do that at a 4 year Uni, plus I'm pretty smart, not cocky but true.

Next, my current GPA is meaningless and I haven't taken any pre reqs yet? You are a fool, I have taken gen chem 1 & 2, 2 semesters of biology, Calc 1 & 2 to give me a 3.85 science GPA, that's meaningless? OK.

Plus I have taken psychology and 2 semesters of english which many schools require and still have a 3.85 cumulative and science. So don't tell me my GPA is meaningless when I have taken quite a few pre-reqs.

"And then you have to study for the DAT and do well" Who says I can't do well, I am confident I could get 20+ across the board and am shooting for 23+ on several categories.

It may not be possible for you, but I very well know I can do it if I don't lose motivation an continue to study.
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Like @MasterDental, theyre not attacking. This is the reality of life. Most of us have graduated or graduating and you have just finished your first year in college.

Like you, I had a 3.85 during my first years with pretty much the same classes. Thought I was pretty smart. Compared to higher level science courses, those are a walk in the park.

But it sounds like you have a plan. If you can make it work, do it. You asked us for advice, and we're giving it. Just happens it's not what you want to hear.
 
MasterDental said:
You are taking his comments too personal. He is being realistic, and he's not attacking you. Planning on getting certain grades and certain DAT is good, because it gives you a purpose or goal. However you never know what can happen in those 2 years. E.g you could get into a car accident and taut could affect you performance, hence your GPA would be affected. You are in the right track, and you should be fine about getting into dental school. Good luck.
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Either way though, it doesn't make my plan a "bad idea" or "pretty bad plan"
 
hs2013 said:
Either way though, it doesn't make my plan a "bad idea" or "pretty bad plan"
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Lol. No one is saying that. Again , no one is attacking you. You asked for advice and people told you what they thought. As dental dodge said, you have been in school for 1 year only. See how it goes for the next two years , and post back on this thread. One of the issues with a lot of dental schools with 20 year olds, is maturity. Don't let that be your downfall
 
MasterDental said:
Lol. No one is saying that. Again , no one is attacking you. You asked for advice and people told you what they thought. As dental dodge said, you have been in school for 1 year only. See how it goes for the next two years , and post back on this thread. One of the issues with a lot of dental schools with 20 year olds, is maturity. Don't let that be your downfall
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Except that's exactly what scrambledgreggs said, and I'm not going to sit there and let him tell me I have a bad plan and that I can't do this and that. I also have a right to refute his opinion and I strongly disagree with his opinion.

Now I know you and dental dodge have said nothing against me and I appreciate your comments, but I just happen to believe I can do as I stated in my original post and given that, I just wanted to see what people would say in terms of my chances of getting in.

Sure there is no guarantee that after Sophomore year I'll have a 3.9 c/s GPA and a 20+ on the DAT, but in my opinion I can do that without much difficulty and given that I do that, I just wanted to know about my chances without a degree.
 
I don't know about your "chances" but I think schools care about a obtaining a degree at least a little bit otherwise they wouldn't ask you on your AADSAS application what your major is and when your expected date of graduation is.
With that being said I don't know what your chances are but I also know that you need to have a back up plan. What if for whatever reason you get accepted to dental school but don't end up graduating or practicing as a dentist.
Just some thoughts for you to chew on. 🙂
 
clawso23 said:
I don't know about your "chances" but I think schools care about a obtaining a degree at least a little bit otherwise they wouldn't ask you on your AADSAS application what your major is and when your expected date of graduation is.
With that being said I don't know what your chances are but I also know that you need to have a back up plan. What if for whatever reason you get accepted to dental school but don't end up graduating or practicing as a dentist.
Just some thoughts for you to chew on. 🙂
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I know my chances would be better if I had a degree, but if I can save a year and get in without a bachelors, why not?

If I get in and don't practice as a dentist, well then I know I wouldn't use my biology degree either because I am not working in a lab for the rest of my life. I would then be screwed, but luckily I am set on dentistry.
 
DentalDoge said:
I mean, what do you want to hear from us? It sounds like youre going to do what youre doing regardless of what anyone say.
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I was just thinking the same thing. This thread seems pointless [emoji58]
 
Wow, from what you have posted it looks like you would be a very good candidate. If I may ask, why the rush?
 
People have done it sure. I would still recommend finishing a 4-year degree.

You wouldnt be waiting or wasting a year. You'd be getting a degree.
 
sounds like you've already made up your mind.
 
No one on this forum will know your chances.

Depending on what school you're going to, I just have to tell you, Physics, Biochem, and Anatomy, AND another bio class is basically an
academic risk. YMMV, but at my University, this is not feasible at all. I wouldn't know what to do myself. Assuming you have labs for both Physics and Anatomy, that's already two lab classes that take up a huge chunk of your day during the week. Anatomy is so heavily based on memorization and so is Biochem (+ some applications), and then there's Physics.

You seem to be quite set on this route, so no one is stopping you, but realize it is OKAY to drop some of these classes and rearrange your schedule to make your life a little easier.

Good luck!
 
I think its great to have a mix of opinions in response to your questions. It means your idea is controversial. If you want a useful response, you want all sides of the equation presented to you, that you may not have had the foresight for at this stage of your academic career. Respect the opinions of those ahead of you - they've been where you are already.

If your schedule is as tough as you have planned, be prepared to have your gpa come down a little. If you are as smart as you say, than you'll maintain a gpa good enough to get you into dental school - if not when you want than for sure after a degree.

I do think you are underestimating the value of a degree though. Even if it is not that "valuable" in your own eyes, you are underestimating its value in terms of what dental schools are looking for. In addition the foundation of knowledge it gives you entering a professional health faculty goes further than you may realize. First, as already mentioned by someone above, it's a maturity issue - which can be hard to swallow when you believe your stats match up, if not far exceed others. Although I am extrapolating from my first degree in pharmacy, both of these were a much bigger issue than I would have ever imagined. Students who got in with less undergrad experience STRUGGLED significantly academically AND their immaturity was embarrassing at times in lab situations when working with patients. I'm not saying they were unprofessional either; mature students just know how to handle themselves so much better when working with people, can adapt on the spot better, and just overall deal with stress, conflict, and criticism** better.

There's nothing wrong with applying a year earlier. Financially the money invested in applying is worth it for a shot at a year's less expenses in university. Just don't be too surprised if you don't get in, I think that's all people are trying to say.

Switching back to the degree subject - my brother was furious when he didn't get in with a 3.85 gpa and 23 average on the DAT because he knew people with poorer stats that got in - with a full degree though. I'm curious - anyone know the stats on how many applicants get in per year without a degree? I know at the U of A (Canada) it's something like 0-1 per year. Not a good parallel for US uni's though, I realize.
 
Here is my two cents. If you will regret not applying after your sophomore year, then go for it. But make sure to do research because some schools ONLY accept students with 4 year degrees. As for applicants who apply early in their undergrad career, it is VERY RARE that they get in. I spoke with an admissions counselor at the UW back when I was a sophomore and she said that unless you have stellar stats and something very unique about you/your application, they won't even offer you an interview.

Also, applying without a degree shouldn't affect you negatively. It shows you're determined. And if you end up having to reapply, you'll get feedback on what they want you to improve upon, therefore making you an even stronger candidate the next time around. You might as well give it a shot if you're compelled to do so but as kimothy stated, don't be surprised if don't get accepted the first time around. And if you do get in, you've saved a whole year of time and money and will feel that much more satisfied that you gave it a try! Good luck! :]
 
DentalDoge said:
Fine line between that and stupidity.
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Lol ok, I respected your opinion up until that point, because it doesn't show stupidity at all.

I'm going to go ahead and get myself a 4.0 Sophomore year, finish up my volunteering and shadowing hours to get 100+ in several places, destroy the DAT, and hope I get in next cycle. If not, well then I know I will get in the cycle of that with a degree completed by the time I matriculate.
 
You've got a very focused, clear plan, and you seem incredibly motivated. I think you'll definitely have a good chance of achieving your goal. However, it seems that you're very defensive when it comes to taking input from others. You have to understand, when you post a question asking others about their opinions, you're going to get many varying viewpoints. Oftentimes, those opposing arguments are based in experiences that you might not have had. Anyway, I think your super motivated attitude will get you far. Good luck!
 
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hs2013 said:
Lol ok, I respected your opinion up until that point, because it doesn't show stupidity at all.

I'm going to go ahead and get myself a 4.0 Sophomore year, finish up my volunteering and shadowing hours to get 100+ in several places, destroy the DAT, and hope I get in next cycle. If not, well then I know I will get in the cycle of that with a degree completed by the time I matriculate.
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I've saying the same thing all along. Think about what I said, and it just might make sense.

Im not here to say confidence and determination is a bad thing. I dont know you. I dont know what you are capable of. Maybe you're like my best friend who is just a monster at anything he does. Im just saying I can relate to you since I once thought like you did.

Now I am much more tactful, less of a high-risk, high-reward kind of guy. Open to all opinions. Never hurts to take a few moments consider what people have to say, you just might strike oil.
 
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