Pre-Dental: HELP!

[Naznina Chand]

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So I went to a 4 year university my 1st year and did very poorly, came out with 1.7 GPA. Transferred to a Community College for 1.5 years to bring up my GPA.

My cumulative GPA now is a 2.8, though I'll be graduating a year late,I'll have a full 2 years to work on my GPA at a University I just got accepted to. I am a Biology major as of now, however it does seem impossible to be accepted into any dental school. I'm aiming to get only A's from here on out to bring up my GPA to at least a 3.3.

And I'm thinking of taking the DAT this November, I've taken General Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics up till Calculus 2. The only class I haven't taken is Organic Chemistry which is what I plan on taking over the summer. Luckily I've had my neighbor who is studying for her USMLE help me review for General Chemistry right now, and she's also teaching me Organic Chemistry simultaneously for the next 2 months.

Hoping that I get my GPA up to a 3.3 before I apply to Dental schools next year, and study for every subject inside out for the DAT, should I sign up to take my test this November? Does going to a Community College bring down my chances? And do I have a chance to get into UIC or Midwestern, IL?I do plan on applying out of state to increase my chances but I'm hoping to aim for those schools because they are in state.

Thank you for all those who reply! 🙂

 

[NMC2010]

I'd say try to get your GPA to at least 3.5. Upward trends look good, so if you can show that freshman year was just a difficult transition and that you can handle the higher level bio and chem courses, it will help you. I think with a 3.3 you'll almost certainly need AA 21+, as dental school is getting more competitive every year. It's going to look better for you if you attend a 4 year university to do this.

I do not suggest taking the DAT during the school year. If you're applying next year (June 2015), then take the DAT at the end of winter break after you can study for a solid 3 weeks or so. If not that, do it over the summer before no later than the end of June (this gives you a majority of May and June to study). You're almost always going to have a better chance applying to your state school than OOS schools, but you still need to be competitive.

Best of luck!

 

[Meat Gyver]

My experience (as an Illinois resident): I took the CC route coming out of high school. Without sugar-coating anything, you are at a disadvantage. I read all the forums on SDN regarding CC courses vs 4 years, and how ADCOMS view them (I was discouraged temporarily, but you also see people who have found success). Point of the matter is that you can either dig yourself into a bigger hole or find yourself at leveled ground based on 2 [easy to guess] things: 1) You're success and involvement at the 4 year 2) your DAT. I've been lucky to have received interviews at 4/6 schools I've applied to (2 pre (Illinois schools), and 2 post). Nevertheless I'm still waiting on acceptances, so I may not be the most credible source - but I do admit that one of my interviews could have gone MUCH better. One thing I can tell you is that my time at the CC was never brought up at any of the 3 I've attended. This is because I took a fair share of upper division courses at the 4 year and did fairly well in them (I didn't get straight A's - but I aimed for them). Also try to do research or stay involved during your time at the 4 year. You'll enjoy yourself much more and you might have something on your app that catches the attention of ADCOMS. Like NMC stated, dental school is getting more competitive every year (and its getting worse for Illinois schools because of a low # of applicants they accept). Also come interview time, you want to direct the conversation to something other than grades, and that's where meaningful experience comes handy. If you can do very well on the DAT, there won't be as many questions in regards to your first year and your attendance at the CC (provided you do well at the 4 year). In regards to taking the DAT, listen to NMC's advice. If you do take it in the summer, don't take it too late. You want to apply early, and to a wide range of schools (2 things I didn't do!). Doc Toothache has a great spread sheet that shows the schools that accept CC credit, and how many.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Why are you taking the DAT in November? Study May-July and take it before school starts back. I know you will have orgo also on your plate, but hey, that just means you won't have to do any extra studying for that class! If possible, I wouldn't suggest having a job over the summer--the orgo and DAT prep will be quite enough to have on your plate.

Your GPA isn't great, but it isn't terrible. Your academic history is a bit scattered, but that can be overcome. Just make sure your DAT score is great--that, along with maintaining As in your courses, should be top priority.