Here is my dental story:
I started dental assisting when I was 17 (had all my certifications). I've been dental assisting ever since (7 years) and have had several tremendous bosses (dentists) who encouraged me to pursue dental school even when I first started in the dental field. They say I'm smart, have the heart and personality for the job and without sounding arrogant, I believe I would be a great dentist but I feel anything but smart considering my academic situation.
What sealed my decision to pursue dentistry was my first trip to Africa with a dental team...I started doing extractions and administered anesthetic and was in love with helping people by helping their teeth. I have been to 6 different countries with dentists who have trained me in what they know. I have volunteer hours out the wazoo and have assisted for the WREB exam for several dental students the last few years. I'm apart of the pre-dental student organization at my school.
Bottom line. I love dentistry, and I want to be a dentist so badly.
My big dilemma:
my GPA is (2.95) and doesn't reflect my sincere desire to be a dentist and willingness to put effort into my work. I am a junior at a university getting my general science degree. I have completed all but these prereqs: physics and biochem, which I will be taking starting fall of 2010. I got straight C's in general chemistry, a D+ in ochem 1, a C in ochem 2, and right now I am having to withdraw from Ochem 3 because I can't take another C on my transcript and that's where it's headed. I had a D in biology which I re-took and got a B. I am scheduled to take a Kaplan course starting in June and then my DAT in early September, so I have the entire summer to study for it. Believe me, I am fully aware I will have to re-take Gen chem and Ochem.
A few options I've been thinking about, what would you recommend?
Because I would love to be able to apply to dental school asap, once my act is together...should I:
-Wait until next year to take the DAT, and retake ochem during the summer this year to get it out of the way?
-Should I take the DAT this summer and study my heart out to do excellent?
-Is it not a good idea to re-take all these classes, but instead eventually do a masters program once I graduate next year? If I re-take these classes with A grades, will I be in better standing for acceptance or am I too far gone?
Success stories, honestly and HELP please!
I started dental assisting when I was 17 (had all my certifications). I've been dental assisting ever since (7 years) and have had several tremendous bosses (dentists) who encouraged me to pursue dental school even when I first started in the dental field. They say I'm smart, have the heart and personality for the job and without sounding arrogant, I believe I would be a great dentist but I feel anything but smart considering my academic situation.
What sealed my decision to pursue dentistry was my first trip to Africa with a dental team...I started doing extractions and administered anesthetic and was in love with helping people by helping their teeth. I have been to 6 different countries with dentists who have trained me in what they know. I have volunteer hours out the wazoo and have assisted for the WREB exam for several dental students the last few years. I'm apart of the pre-dental student organization at my school.
Bottom line. I love dentistry, and I want to be a dentist so badly.
My big dilemma:
my GPA is (2.95) and doesn't reflect my sincere desire to be a dentist and willingness to put effort into my work. I am a junior at a university getting my general science degree. I have completed all but these prereqs: physics and biochem, which I will be taking starting fall of 2010. I got straight C's in general chemistry, a D+ in ochem 1, a C in ochem 2, and right now I am having to withdraw from Ochem 3 because I can't take another C on my transcript and that's where it's headed. I had a D in biology which I re-took and got a B. I am scheduled to take a Kaplan course starting in June and then my DAT in early September, so I have the entire summer to study for it. Believe me, I am fully aware I will have to re-take Gen chem and Ochem.
A few options I've been thinking about, what would you recommend?
Because I would love to be able to apply to dental school asap, once my act is together...should I:
-Wait until next year to take the DAT, and retake ochem during the summer this year to get it out of the way?
-Should I take the DAT this summer and study my heart out to do excellent?
-Is it not a good idea to re-take all these classes, but instead eventually do a masters program once I graduate next year? If I re-take these classes with A grades, will I be in better standing for acceptance or am I too far gone?
Success stories, honestly and HELP please!
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