Pretty upset, should I still apply?

[Likkriue]

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Currently 3.7 ogpa with 3.6 sgpa

Taking dat next month.

My commitee denied me a commitee letter because they felt my ECs weren't good enough.
Due to working fulltime(sometimes sixty hour weeks!) to pay through college thus I haven't been able to do much.

I have currently 140 shadowing hours, and 100 volunteering Hours. About a years worth of research no publications.
Only been in two clubs without leadership experience.

Chairperson told me I should do a masters program, even though my gpa isn't bad!? I'm pretty upset because I'm being deemed a worst candidate because I had to work 60 hour weeks with two jobs All four years paying for college and living expenses.

If I wait till next year, that's two years before I could start dental school. What should be my plan? Would love some help.

 

[O Gaúcho]

You don't have to have a committee letter of recommendation to apply. My school doesn't even offer a committee letter. Find two science teachers (depending on what school you are applying to) who are willing to write you a letter of recommendation. Use this as motivation to crush the DAT to show this fraud committee at your school that you are capable and qualified enough to get into dental school.

 

[JLT223]

Having a committee letter only benefits you when your school is known to have a strong commitee. This is especially true for schools that don't have dental schools associated with them and send many applicants to surrounding states. Sounds like yours isn't great. What kind of advisor tells someone with your GPA to do a masters? Kill the DAT and you will be fine.

 

[dPseh]

Your dedication will show. Do well on the DAT and I don't think you'll have a problem when you apply. 🙂

 

[iAwesomE]

1) Forget your committee.
2) Get individuals' letters. (Science professors and Dentists you shadowed)
3) Beast that DAT to go along with that great gpa.
4) Put together a complete application.
5) get interviews.
6) get accepted.
6) enjoy your time in dental school.

 

[fogorvostan]

Screw the committee. Get individual letters. I didn't use my committee and I had several acceptances.

Not once in any of my interviews did my volunteering come up but my work experience did.

No need for a Masters. Your GPA is fantastic. Do well on the DAT and you'll be good to go.

 

[kholley25]

Don't do a masters with that GPA unless you want to. These are the LoR's I'd try to get if I were you:

• 1 from your research PI
• 1 from another science professor who knows you
• 1 from a dentist
• 1 from your work manager, emphasis on your work ethic and personality.

If you decide not to get a LoR from a work-related person, I'd mention your working a full-time job somewhere in your personal statement, how you maintained grades and budgeted your time wisely while trying to make ends meet. This is a powerful narrative and (in my opinion) will outweigh any negative connotations associated with your perceived "lack" of ECs.

At this point though, I would focus on rocking that DAT. A high GPA/DAT combo makes anyone a very competitive applicant.

Good luck!

 

[Likkriue]

Thanks guys! I'm using this as extra motivation to completely crush the DAT. Seems like the committee letter wasn't as important as I thought.

 

[super frank]

What the hell? Your advisor is nuts. 100 volunteer hours is great and your GPA is solid. My school has a dental school, and I was surprised to see some students get granted committee letters (awful credentials, subpar grades)... I did the committee because they organize my letters and send them out in a single package which makes it easier on us. I don't see much of an advantage other than that.

 

[jsptr986]

you have plenty of time, ask for letters now though

 

[Weakfart]

That's messed up, no additional advice from me. Just be proud that you worked your butt off while keeping good grades.

 

[Carbon1211]

Most dental schools don't require a committee letter. Your gpa is great and all your work experience will help show how you can time manage. Just do well on the DAT and you'll be fine! Good luck

 

[SableFire]

That's messed up, no additional advice from me. Just be proud that you worked your butt off while keeping good grades.

That avatar tho

 

[sjk20]

Just wanted to add- while your school might not consider a demanding job/a stellar GPA a significant combo...dental schools ABSOLUTELY will. When you get into dental school please go back and tell that committee they are crazy and need to question their understanding of what makes a "good" dental school applicant.

 

[JLT223]

Just wanted to add- while your school might not consider a demanding job/a stellar GPA a significant combo...dental schools ABSOLUTELY will. When you get into dental school please go back and tell that committee they are crazy and need to question their understanding of what makes a "good" dental school applicant.

Colleges really are disconnected sometimes, it's sad.

 

[SableFire]

Colleges really are disconnected sometimes, it's sad.

The Health Proffesions advisor at my school sucks. They don't even know the pre-reqs for dental school. My four year plan from them ended up being way different than what I actually did because I actually did some research and realized they had me taking 2-3 unnecessary classes.