Please help

[Tonya]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi guys,

Do I look indecisive if I complete a CLS program while applying to dental school?
The only reason I was thinking of a CLS degree is to find a good paying job and be able to support myself until I get into a dental school. 🙁

I have a BS in Biology and a MS in Bacteriology ( coursework, none thesis).
I can't even find a good lab job. I have applied to dental schools this cycle. My DAT is 19 and my undergrad GPA is 3.2. I haven't got an interview yet. I am planning to retake the DAT and apply every year to dental school.
Do you guys have any suggestions? Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[wizi]

What is your master GPA? What is your DAT Breakdown? 3.2 is your overall or science GPA?

and what is CLS?

 

[Tonya]

My Masters GPA is 3.2. My undergard overall GPA is 3.2. DAT: AA 19, PAT 17, TS:19 . I am planning to retake the DAT.

CLS is clinical Laboratory Science. I am not saying I want to be a CLS. Ultimately, I want to be a dentist for ever. It is just that I can't find a job since my Master degree was none thesis. What kind of a job do you guys do in your gap year?( Besides shadowing, Volunteering, and all the good stuff to improve your application for dental school). Should I get another Masters degree but do research this time? Should I go to a pre-dent program? I just don't want to repeat my mistakes in the past. My wish was to have a better job prospects while I am waiting for dental school. I have been unemployed for 6 months.

 

[wired202808]

My Masters GPA is 3.2. My undergard overall GPA is 3.2. DAT: AA 19, PAT 17, TS:19 . I am planning to retake the DAT.

CLS is clinical Laboratory Science. I am not saying I want to be a CLS. Ultimately, I want to be a dentist for ever. It is just that I can't find a job since my Master degree was none thesis. What kind of a job do you guys do in your gap year?( Besides shadowing, Volunteering, and all the good stuff to improve your application for dental school). Should I get another Masters degree but do research this time? Should I go to a pre-dent program? I just don't want to repeat my mistakes in the past. My wish was to have a better job prospects while I am waiting for dental school. I have been unemployed for 6 months.

Why do you need to retake your DAT? your DAT is absolutely fine. Your gpa is low, you should fine a way to increase it. Was the Masters in a science field? If no then retake another Masters program or find ways to boost that sGPA and overall GPA>

Again, DAT alone isn't gonna fix your GPA situation, even if you get a 20 you still will struggle because a 3.2 is quite low.

 

[mc719]

Hi guys,

Do I look indecisive if I complete a CLS program while applying to dental school?
The only reason I was thinking of a CLS degree is to find a good paying job and be able to support myself until I get into a dental school. 🙁

I have a BS in Biology and a MS in Bacteriology ( coursework, none thesis).
I can't even find a good lab job. I have applied to dental schools this cycle. My DAT is 19 and my undergrad GPA is 3.2. I haven't got an interview yet. I am planning to retake the DAT and apply every year to dental school.
Do you guys have any suggestions? Your help is greatly appreciated.

What schools did you apply to? From the basic info that you've given us it looks like you should of gotten in somewhere, it is still early in the cycle. If you don't get in this cycle, I would suggest applying to a lot of schools next cycle. Also, make sure that your personal statement is good and your extracurriculars are good and that you have all of the prerequisites complete.

As far as what job to do right now, I would suggest anything that would help you to support yourself. If getting a CLS degree would be your best option for that, then I would do it. But I wouldn't put off other job opportunities that arise to wait for a dental related job. In my opinion, working in a dental related field would only be a minor benefit for you at this point in your application, especially if you have already shadowed a bunch. Also, don't advertise that you are applying to dental school, employers don't want to have to rehire someone in 6 months when you go to d school.

 

[Tonya]

I have a Masters of Science in Bacteriology. Yes. I think I need to retake another master program to boost my GPA.

Does it matter for dental schools if I complete a Pre -dental Master program ( more coursework) or just a Masters in clinical Microbiology ( more research based)?
Thanks for your great advice.

Why do you need to retake your DAT? your DAT is absolutely fine. Your gpa is low, you should fine a way to increase it. Was the Masters in a science field? If no then retake another Masters program or find ways to boost that sGPA and overall GPA>

Again, DAT alone isn't gonna fix your GPA situation, even if you get a 20 you still will struggle because a 3.2 is quite low.

 

[Tonya]

What schools did you apply to? From the basic info that you've given us it looks like you should of gotten in somewhere, it is still early in the cycle. If you don't get in this cycle, I would suggest applying to a lot of schools next cycle. Also, make sure that your personal statement is good and your extracurriculars are good and that you have all of the prerequisites complete.

As far as what job to do right now, I would suggest anything that would help you to support yourself. If getting a CLS degree would be your best option for that, then I would do it. But I wouldn't put off other job opportunities that arise to wait for a dental related job. In my opinion, working in a dental related field would only be a minor benefit for you at this point in your application, especially if you have already shadowed a bunch. Also, don't advertise that you are applying to dental school, employers don't want to have to rehire someone in 6 months when you go to d school.

I applied to Marquette , BU, Temple, tufts, Minnesota, Iowa, and Meharry. I haven't heard back from these schools. Thanks for your advice.🙂

 

[wired202808]

I have a Masters of Science in Bacteriology. Yes. I think I need to retake another master program to boost my GPA.

Does it matter for dental schools if I complete a Pre -dental Master program ( more coursework) or just a Masters in clinical Microbiology ( more research based)?
Thanks for your great advice.

if you already have a bachelors degree its best to go for a Mastes program (non-thesis based one.) A pre-dental program is reserved for study who have no pre reqs i.e. bio, orgo, a&p, gen chem.

 

[Tonya]

if you already have a bachelors degree its best to go for a Mastes program (non-thesis based one.) A pre-dental program is reserved for study who have no pre reqs i.e. bio, orgo, a&p, gen chem.

Thank you 🙂

 

[dru180]

I respectfully disagree with WIRED. I think a retake of your DAT (provided you do better and get into the 20 range) could push you over the edge if you were to not get in this cycle (it certainly would be more cost effective). And even if you decided that you needed to go back to school, dont get ANOTHER masters...continue with your track and get a PhD.

Either way, you should talk directly to your dental schools about how to best improve your application if you get rejected.

 

[Babyblue57]

Another thing you can do is contact the directors of post-Bach programs and see what they would say.

Personally, I get working toward a PhD, not another masters. But I think if you did boost the AA on your DAT to 21 you should get an acceptance.

 

[wired202808]

I respectfully disagree with WIRED. I think a retake of your DAT (provided you do better and get into the 20 range) could push you over the edge if you were to not get in this cycle (it certainly would be more cost effective). And even if you decided that you needed to go back to school, dont get ANOTHER masters...continue with your track and get a PhD.

Either way, you should talk directly to your dental schools about how to best improve your application if you get rejected.

While its cheaper to retake the DAT, theres no need for that. The problem here is obviously GPA (not the DAT) a 3.2 GPA is not competitive and raised to a 3.5 gpa with a 19 dat would make the applicant more in line with other average applicants.

 

[Tonya]

I respectfully disagree with WIRED. I think a retake of your DAT (provided you do better and get into the 20 range) could push you over the edge if you were to not get in this cycle (it certainly would be more cost effective). And even if you decided that you needed to go back to school, dont get ANOTHER masters...continue with your track and get a PhD.

Either way, you should talk directly to your dental schools about how to best improve your application if you get rejected.

So it is possible to get into a dental school with a 3.2 overall GPA if I get high DAT score on all sections. Does my masters GPA count as science GPA?

PhD takes 5-6 years or maybe more. That's why I was thinking of another masters. Ideally I was looking for a one year program.
Thanks for your advice🙂

 

[Tonya]

Another thing you can do is contact the directors of post-Bach programs and see what they would say.

Personally, I get working toward a PhD, not another masters. But I think if you did boost the AA on your DAT to 21 you should get an acceptance.

Thanks for giving me a little hope🙂

 

[wired202808]

So it is possible to get into a dental school with a 3.2 overall GPA if I get high DAT score on all sections. Does my masters GPA count as science GPA?

PhD takes 5-6 years or maybe more. That's why I was thinking of another masters. Ideally I was looking for a one year program.
Thanks for your advice🙂

Anything is possible but unlike (unless you're a URM) I wouldnt bet on getting into d-school with a 3.2

I wouldnt focus on the what ifs or the maybes. Im personally not a risk taker and I would rather take more classes to boost up my GPA then bet on the fact that you might increase your DAT score ( Its not as easy as you think)

 

[Tonya]

Anything is possible but unlike (unless you're a URM) I wouldnt bet on getting into d-school with a 3.2

I wouldnt focus on the what ifs or the maybes. Im personally not a risk taker and I would rather take more classes to boost up my GPA then bet on the fact that you might increase your DAT score ( Its not as easy as you think)

I know what you mean. I need to get close to 4.0 gpa in my next graduate program. Do you think getting a PhD is going to look better on my application or another master? I feel like they will question why I did two masters. I don't want to look indecisive.

Thanks for your great advice🙂

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I know what you mean. I need to get close to 4.0 gpa in my next graduate program. Do you think getting a PhD is going to look better on my application or another master? I feel like they will question why I did two masters. I don't want to look indecisive.

Thanks for your great advice🙂

Whoaaa I think you should take a step back and look at the overall picture for a second. A PhD? To get into dental school? I think that would be a huge waste of your time. You can just enroll in a second masters to boost your GPA and take upper level science classes. You don't have to finish the masters if you get accepted. A 3.2 GPA isn't THAT bad depending on how many science classes you've taken and if there's +/- that needs adjusting. You can get in with a 3.2 but you MUST destroy the DAT. 21+ and no less then a 20 in anything. It's hard but possible. I think that's a better route to take then a PhD.

 

[Tonya]

Whoaaa I think you should take a step back and look at the overall picture for a second. A PhD? To get into dental school? I think that would be a huge waste of your time. You can just enroll in a second masters to boost your GPA and take upper level science classes. You don't have to finish the masters if you get accepted. A 3.2 GPA isn't THAT bad depending on how many science classes you've taken and if there's +/- that needs adjusting. You can get in with a 3.2 but you MUST destroy the DAT. 21+ and no less then a 20 in anything. It's hard but possible. I think that's a better route to take then a PhD.

Thank you🙂

 

[wired202808]

Whoaaa I think you should take a step back and look at the overall picture for a second. A PhD? To get into dental school? I think that would be a huge waste of your time. You can just enroll in a second masters to boost your GPA and take upper level science classes. You don't have to finish the masters if you get accepted. A 3.2 GPA isn't THAT bad depending on how many science classes you've taken and if there's +/- that needs adjusting. You can get in with a 3.2 but you MUST destroy the DAT. 21+ and no less then a 20 in anything. It's hard but possible. I think that's a better route to take then a PhD.

Its a lot easier to boost your low 3.2 GPA than get a 21+ on the DAT. a PHD isn't necessary, just start another masters and boost your GPA and you'll be fine.

Also are you a minority? If so then it might be easier to get admitted.

 

[Tonya]

Its a lot easier to boost your low 3.2 GPA than get a 21+ on the DAT. a PHD isn't necessary, just start another masters and boost your GPA and you'll be fine.

Also are you a minority? If so then it might be easier to get admitted.

I will do that🙂 Thanks much.

 

[youknowthedrill]

Contact the schools where you applied (they may not be willing to talk to you until they finish this application cycle) and ask them what steps you should take to improve your application.

 

[Tonya]

Contact the schools where you applied (they may not be willing to talk to you until they finish this application cycle) and ask them what steps you should take to improve your application.

I got rejected from CASE. I will contact them. 🙁(

 

[Tonya]

Its a lot easier to boost your low 3.2 GPA than get a 21+ on the DAT. a PHD isn't necessary, just start another masters and boost your GPA and you'll be fine.

Also are you a minority? If so then it might be easier to get admitted.

No. I am not a URM.