No Acceptance or Interviews..what to do now?

[virajpatel]

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Hello everyone. So i applied to dental school in September and have yet to hear for an interview. My DAT score was a 19 and my GPA is a 2.86 but they just sent the Academic update thing to me for the AADSAS application and this semester I will be getting a 4.0. Nonetheless, as of now I have nothing and don't want to keep waiting. I am a PSYCHOLOGY major. What should my next step me if I still want to be in pursuit of dental school? Should I do masters in psychology? Should I do a masters in something else? Should I do a post bacc? What are my other options? I really want to know because at this point I have no idea.
Also, if I am to apply to Masters programs should I be applying already?

I'm highly concerned. I have been working really hard this year to bring my GPA up and really want to get in but if I don't I don't want to sit around and wait I still want to keep doing something in life and make myself a candidate for dental school.

Thank you

 

[lwen5]

Continue to work hard in current classes, study for DAT when you get free time. If you messed up in prereqs, do a post-bac. If you didn't, do a masters. Do a masters in biology. Retake the DAT.

 

[BlueDevil2012]

Is that your overall GPA or Science GPA? I think you should do an informal post bacc taking upper division bios and raise both GPAs to at least 3.0 that will make a big difference in whether or not they truly review your application and will at least give you a chance.

 

[jeffity]

Overall GPA is 2.86? What's your science GPA? Any idea what your estimated GPAs would be with a 4.0 next semester too? Even then, going in with a 19 and scraping in with a 3.0 is going to be a bit of a battle. Higher DAT would be a goal if you're just going to be in the 3.0 range. Post-bacc is still just going to be trying to patch up that current GPA (I don't know what sciences you've had though). If it were me, I'd hit up a one-year maters program; definitely not a psychology masters.

As you shop around a little with your options, I'd follow up with any rejections that do come and ask what the schools think. Admissions people can be generic at times, but it's good to get opinions from schools too.

 

[slm266]

One option would be double majoring and choosing a science major. I'd recommend something like physiology if possible instead of biology.

Good news is that most of those psych classes don't count towards your science GPA. I was psych major for the first few weeks of college but it's a pretty worthless major and I changed it. I definitely wouldn't pursue further psych unless you think there's a good chance you might not get into dental school and it's your top plan B.

If you choose to do a masters/post bac I'd do something in the advanced sciences and nothing related to psych. You're going to need a better DAT as well to offset your well-below-average GPA.

I'd also like to know your science GPA and science background. Have you taken only the prereq science classes?

Before you invest too much more in choosing further education to get you into dental school you might wanna decide how committed you are to dentistry. There are other equally satisfying health fields that might not be as competitive. You might wanna choose a program that keeps doors open to other fields. Another thing is you're going to need 20+ DAT (ideally more like 22). I'd recommend taking that sooner than later unless you plan on taking a lot more upper division science classes that would better prepare you for the DAT. Knowing if you're able to improve your DAT is better to find out now before you invest too much in a future in dentistry

 

[virajpatel]

My science GPA is a 2.76. I am currently taking biochemistry and hoping to get an A in the class which should raise that science GPA a bit. I have only take the prereq courses such a bio, microbio, gen chem, orgo 1 and 2, and am taking gen chem 2 in the winter semester. I have no intent of switching from the field of dentistry because I know what I am capable of as a student. I hit a few bumps in the road earlier in my college career but I am focused student and dentistry is my goal so thats not even a option.

As far as masters programs go if not psychology what would you guys recommend. I am located in Michigan and attend Wayne State University. I cannot seem to find enough information regarding masters programs for students who want to pursue a dental education.

My estimated oGPA would be a 3.0 if I get all A's this semester and would rise even more if I get all A's the semester after that. I am hoping these things can give me a bit of an edge but I really don't know.

 

[virajpatel]

Also, I am already graduating with a degree in psychology. And I personally find it to be quite interesting so I don't have a problem with majoring in it. My only concern is what to do a masters in because I know that doing a masters in psychology will not be pertinent to my dental education.

 

[LaughingGas]

Check sub3.0 part2 forum. It has plenty of info and answers to your question.

 

[virajpatel]

wheres that?

 

[LaughingGas]

You can use search button on top of the page, but here

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/the-under-3-0-club-part-02.362708/page-29#post-14002002