Non-Traditional Student Interested in Dentistry. Chances?

[Dent007IST]

Hi SDN Pre-Dent Forum!

I recently graduated with my Masters in Biomedical Engineering (BME) and also have my B.S. in BME. After my MS, I found my passion in pursuing dentistry. I worked in a lab that researches dental implants and biomaterials properties as well as craniofacial and maxillofacial research. After this experience, I decided it was to time to apply for dental schools. What are my chances? I am taking my DAT by August. Here are my credentials so far:

Undergrad Overall GPA: 3.4
Undergrad sGPA: 3.5
Masters GPA: 3.8 with 3 published papers in dental research. Also presented research in American Association of Dental Research (AADR); also won awards in AADR
DAT Score: TBD

I am lacking shadowing dentist hours but have strong LORs

Thank you for taking the time to look at my post. Let me know your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions!

PS: Any recommendations for DAT prep is much appreciated! Thanks 🙂

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[TopDog]

Hi SDN Pre-Dent Forum!

I recently graduated with my Masters in Biomedical Engineering (BME) and also have my B.S. in BME. After my MS, I found my passion in pursuing dentistry. I worked in a lab that researches dental implants and biomaterials properties as well as craniofacial and maxillofacial research. After this experience, I decided it was to time to apply for dental schools. What are my chances? I am taking my DAT by August. Here are my credentials so far:

Undergrad Overall GPA: 3.4
Undergrad sGPA: 3.5
Masters GPA: 3.8 with 3 published papers in dental research. Also presented research in American Association of Dental Research (AADR); also won awards in AADR
DAT Score: TBD

I am lacking shadowing dentist hours but have strong LORs

Thank you for taking the time to look at my post. Let me know your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions!

PS: Any recommendations for DAT prep is much appreciated! Thanks 🙂

You should have a great shot. The only negative if you are applying this cycle is that you will be applying very late, decreasing your chances at acceptance. You would still have a chance, but probably better to build up shadowing and apply next year!

 

[malikhind]

Imo if you score at least a 20 on the DAT you have a really high chance of acceptance. BME is an extremely difficult major, let alone getting your masters in it, and dental schools will recognize that.

 

[2jz]

Yeah if you grab a 20 or higher on the dat just straight up apply. I had similar stats but in microbio, took my dat in Sept and applied in Oct. So glad I didn't wait a year.

 

[Pearl E. White]

Wow! Go for it! Rooting for you 🙂

 

[dent_wannabe]

Your GPA is competitive. Once you have a DAT score, then we can say more. I would have to agree that waiting until next year to apply might be a better choice. Applying in August/September is already considered quite late in the game. I would feel more at ease applying only after having a DAT score in my hands. If you get a DAT score by maybe January of next year, then you can retake in April if need be (because you need to wait 90 days to retest). At the same time, most dental schools prefer to see the DAT just once and done. Once the application opens, you can focus on the application, without the distraction of studying for the DAT.

Also, many schools that require a certain number of shadowing hours require that those hours be completed at the time of application (NOT prior to matriculation, unlike prerequisite coursework). To cover most schools' shadowing requirement, you will want at least 100 hours. If you do not have a school's shadowing requirement done prior to the time of your application, your application gets discarded without further consideration. In addition, you may want to do some dentistry related volunteer work. Do you have any activities (other than your publications) that demonstrate interest in dentistry?

Apply only when you are ready, there is nothing wrong with waiting an extra year if you need that time. I too got a master's in engineering (but I did the more traditional electrical engineering major) and just recently graduated before applying this cycle. I am working a full time engineering job this year so that I can make money to support myself for the time being. The application process is very expensive, and it would also be nice to save up for living costs while in dental school. If you can find an engineering job for your gap year(s), I would recommend it.

 

[MavsFanForLife]

I would also start shadowing dentist ASAP if you can. That way when you submit your DAT score you can have some hours under your belt!

 

[aggie-master]

Definitely apply this year no matter what. I would get some shadowing hours prior to applying like everyone is suggesting.

I was in a similar position to you a year before I applied and I ended up deciding to wait a year so I could get a stronger application and I got in first round to all the schools where I applied. I think I would have been better off just applying a year earlier and I probably would have gotten in somewhere and I would have traded one year of dentist salary for one year of the previous bad salary I was making before dental school.

If you apply this year and don’t get in the worst thing that can happen is you waste a little money and a little time but even if you don’t get in I think you’ll learn a thing or two that will help you be a better applicant next year.

 

[AKtoTXstudent]

Definitely apply this year no matter what. I would get some shadowing hours prior to applying like everyone is suggesting.

I was in a similar position to you a year before I applied and I ended up deciding to wait a year so I could get a stronger application and I got in first round to all the schools where I applied. I think I would have been better off just applying a year earlier and I probably would have gotten in somewhere and I would have traded one year of dentist salary for one year of the previous bad salary I was making before dental school.

If you apply this year and don’t get in the worst thing that can happen is you waste a little money and a little time but even if you don’t get in I think you’ll learn a thing or two that will help you be a better applicant next year.

Depends on if OP is shooting for his/her state school or just any school. State school vs some private schools can be like 100k difference.

Applying late with good stats still gets interviews just most likely not pre-december. All depends on the DAT though. I shadowed and studied at the same time. It can be done. But DAT > shadowing hrs in terms of importance.

Plenty of people with 2 yrs of dental assisting experience and like 100o hrs of shadowing but 16 or 17AA and they have to reapply and retake the DAT.

Gotta kill the DAT to even be considered. Best of luck!

 

[Dent007IST]

Hi SDN Pre-Dent Forum!

I recently graduated with my Masters in Biomedical Engineering (BME) and also have my B.S. in BME. After my MS, I found my passion in pursuing dentistry. I worked in a lab that researches dental implants and biomaterials properties as well as craniofacial and maxillofacial research. After this experience, I decided it was to time to apply for dental schools. What are my chances? I am taking my DAT by August. Here are my credentials so far:

Undergrad Overall GPA: 3.4
Undergrad sGPA: 3.5
Masters GPA: 3.8 with 3 published papers in dental research. Also presented research in American Association of Dental Research (AADR); also won awards in AADR
DAT Score: TBD

I am lacking shadowing dentist hours but have strong LORs

Thank you for taking the time to look at my post. Let me know your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions!

PS: Any recommendations for DAT prep is much appreciated! Thanks 🙂

Hi guys!

An update: I just took the DAT and scored a 19. I have been racking up dental shadowing hours as well and working in my dental laboratory. Do you guys think I need to take the DAT again or is my score okay? I really appreciate everyone's feedback. You guys have been great!

 

[dent_wannabe]

Hi guys!

An update: I just took the DAT and scored a 19. I have been racking up dental shadowing hours as well and working in my dental laboratory. Do you guys think I need to take the DAT again or is my score okay? I really appreciate everyone's feedback. You guys have been great!

In that case, it is going to depend on the breakdown. What were your section scores? Do you have any section below 17?

 

[Dent007IST]

In that case, it is going to depend on the breakdown. What were your section scores? Do you have any section below 17?

Here is my breakdown:

Perceptual Ability: 18
Quantitative Reasoning: 18
Reading Comprehension: 21
Biology: 17
General Chemistry: 19
Organic Chemistry: 18
TS: 18
AA: 19

 

[dent_wannabe]

Here is my breakdown:

Perceptual Ability: 18
Quantitative Reasoning: 18
Reading Comprehension: 21
Biology: 17
General Chemistry: 19
Organic Chemistry: 18
TS: 18
AA: 19

I wouldn't say that your scores are an immediate deal breaker, but having most of your section scores below 20 will definitely work against you. There are people who get in with your stats, so it is still possible for you to get in. But in general, most dental schools typically only forgive one or two section scores which are between 17 and 19.

Did you end up applying this cycle? If so, I would hope for the best this cycle, but be prepared to have to reapply next cycle with improved DAT scores. That means, study now and be prepared to retake by early next May. That way, you will be ready to submit early to mid June next year if it comes down to that. You should retake the DAT and have all section scores be 20+. Note that when one retakes the DAT, dental schools may set higher expectations for you vs somebody who had it once and done.

 

[MathGRL]

They love non-traditional students. I have a BS and MS in Mathematics and worked as a statistician before applying to dental school. I walked into my interview with 15 co-authored publications and a few presentations from annual meetings. I applied to 20 schools. Got interviewed in all 20 with 15 acceptances. My stats were similar to yours. I would apply. Good luck

 

[jLaws]

I don’t think anyone has mentioned community service. Without ANY community service you are unlikely to get an interview.

 

[Dent007IST]

I don’t think anyone has mentioned community service. Without ANY community service you are unlikely to get an interview.

Are they solely looking for community service relating to dentistry or some community service though various clubs count? Thanks for mentioning community service 🙂

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[DSchoolorBust202X]

Are they solely looking for community service relating to dentistry or some community service though various clubs count? Thanks for mentioning community service 🙂

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Absolutely does not have to be dental related. They want to see that you care about issues and are willing to put in the effort to make the world a better place.

 

[jLaws]

Any kind. I was a literacy tutor. You just need to show some kind of community involvement.

 

[aubreyjokes]

I would highly recommend more dental involvement/shadowing/volunteering. Especially with applying late or whatever. The issue here isn't being smart or just making grades it's why dentistry. Coming to it late (and quickly) makes it look like you just woke up one day and decided to try dentistry without being super committed to it and knowing what its really about.