Please help me out!!

[dentzee]

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Hello SDNers!!

I am really confused and need your help/suggestions/opinions in deciding what I should do next year.
I graduated from East carolina university in 2007 with a 3.33/3.45 (science/overall) gpa. I applied last year, but did not get in, cuz I never sent in the secondary/supplemental applications (Despite the fact that I was more than a 100% sure that I wanted to be a dentist, I wasn't ready for D-school then - needed a break, but my parents were..so I had to apply!)
This year I was ready n applied to the schools, but did not get in. I was told that I needed to work on my DAT scores. So I shadowed a bunch of dentists, while studying to retake the DAT for the 3rd time (been studying on and off since the past couple of months or so) and have decided to apply in may. My scores are:
first time - 17/16/16, 2nd time - 16/16/23

The questions I need your opinion on are:
1. What should I do next year, after I apply to the dental schools? Should I do masters or something for that one year?
2. What should I do right now? Should I take a break from studying for the DAT now and apply for the programs that I could do next year?
3. Are there any predental programs/internships offered by dental schools which I could/should apply to?

Please help me if you can,
TIA!!

 

[NewMexDent]

Hello SDNers!!

I am really confused and need your help/suggestions/opinions in deciding what I should do next year.
I graduated from East carolina university in 2007 with a 3.33/3.45 (science/overall) gpa. I applied last year, but did not get in, cuz I never sent in the secondary/supplemental applications (Despite the fact that I was more than a 100% sure that I wanted to be a dentist, I wasn't ready for D-school then - needed a break, but my parents were..so I had to apply!)
This year I was ready n applied to the schools, but did not get in. I was told that I needed to work on my DAT scores. So I shadowed a bunch of dentists, while studying to retake the DAT for the 3rd time (been studying on and off since the past couple of months or so) and have decided to apply in may. My scores are:
first time - 17/16/16, 2nd time - 16/16/23

The questions I need your opinion on are:
1. What should I do next year, after I apply to the dental schools? Should I do masters or something for that one year?
2. What should I do right now? Should I take a break from studying for the DAT now and apply for the programs that I could do next year?
3. Are there any predental programs/internships offered by dental schools which I could/should apply to?

Please help me if you can,
TIA!!

If I were you I would put all my energy/focus on improving my DAT score. Your GPA is ok, you just need a better DAT score. I wouldn't worry about doing a masters or a predental program, but I would take some upper division science courses as a non-degree seeking student. But, others will have different opinions.

 

[blankguy]

I think a 3rd retake on your DAT is in order. 16 just doesn't go to well with your GPA. At this point a masters program is not necessary.

 

[dentzee]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Newmexdent n Blankguy!!
So, basically, should I just take my DAT as soon as I get ready for it?
I was just wondering that if I dont apply for any master's/dental programs, what should I do for the rest of the next year? I mean would it look bad on my application? (I didn't really do anything other than shadowed, applied to D-school n bombed my DAT this entire year!!)

Newmexdent,
Can we just register for classes without applying for a program/degree?? I'm sorry for being so academic illiterate!

Thanks once again!!