Hey fellow forum members! This will be my first time applying to dental school. It's been a long road of schooling to get to this point, and now the reality of the situation is starting to sink in.
First, I want to say that I absolutely 100% want to be a dentist. This is a career that I have always considered, and have gotten serious about pursuing the last 2 years.
Overall GPA: 2.9
Science GPA: 2.9
Will be taking the DAT the first week of July.
My first year at University I was a music major on scholarship. Needless to say, I was young and did verrrry poor with my academics. I then served a 2 year LDS mission, reevaluated my priorities, and enrolled at the local community college because of lower price of tuition, and no longer having the music scholarship. I took lots of classes, retook a number of classes I didn't do well in the first time around, but overall I settled for a number of Bs. I have worked throughout all of my undergrad, and am married. Looking back I wish I put in the extra effort for As, but here we are.
I'm currently at a 4 year university and have gotten a 3.3 GPA the last two semesters, taking the hardest classes towards my major. Upward trend overall. I have 2 semesters left to get my bachelors degree, and when I get a 4.0 during these last 2 semesters it will boost my overall GPA up to a 3.1 and my science up to 3.0.
Extracurriculars:
VP of a pre-medical professionals club (pre-med and pre-dental) for a year. Organized a number of service and fundraiser activities for that.
3 years of work experience as an assistant at an Endodontist's office. (probably more than that, but I'll just round it out to 3 years in total. My father is the Endo)
2 week humanitarian trip in Central America.
2 year LDS mission
Member of an award winning research project, and was the lead presenter at a national chemistry convention.
80 shadowing hours (general densists, oral surgeon)
Lots of volunteer and community service hours.
4 strong letters of recommendation. I have not asked my dad for a letter. I am not planning on mentioning my father as being a dentist in my personal statement.
My GPA is low, and that I will need to apply broadly. Probably 12 schools at the minimum, including many private schools. The two schools my dad attended are not exactly OOS friendly, so I am not banking on legacy being my ticket. I have no idea if legacy is even a benefit, but I'll still apply to them as I'd love to attend either of those schools.
Should I apply to so many schools this time around? Or should I only do a few this time around (<10) and then go all in next cycle when my GPA is marginally higher? Do I have ANY chance or do I need to move on from my dream of being a dentist?
First, I want to say that I absolutely 100% want to be a dentist. This is a career that I have always considered, and have gotten serious about pursuing the last 2 years.
Overall GPA: 2.9
Science GPA: 2.9
Will be taking the DAT the first week of July.
My first year at University I was a music major on scholarship. Needless to say, I was young and did verrrry poor with my academics. I then served a 2 year LDS mission, reevaluated my priorities, and enrolled at the local community college because of lower price of tuition, and no longer having the music scholarship. I took lots of classes, retook a number of classes I didn't do well in the first time around, but overall I settled for a number of Bs. I have worked throughout all of my undergrad, and am married. Looking back I wish I put in the extra effort for As, but here we are.
I'm currently at a 4 year university and have gotten a 3.3 GPA the last two semesters, taking the hardest classes towards my major. Upward trend overall. I have 2 semesters left to get my bachelors degree, and when I get a 4.0 during these last 2 semesters it will boost my overall GPA up to a 3.1 and my science up to 3.0.
Extracurriculars:
VP of a pre-medical professionals club (pre-med and pre-dental) for a year. Organized a number of service and fundraiser activities for that.
3 years of work experience as an assistant at an Endodontist's office. (probably more than that, but I'll just round it out to 3 years in total. My father is the Endo)
2 week humanitarian trip in Central America.
2 year LDS mission
Member of an award winning research project, and was the lead presenter at a national chemistry convention.
80 shadowing hours (general densists, oral surgeon)
Lots of volunteer and community service hours.
4 strong letters of recommendation. I have not asked my dad for a letter. I am not planning on mentioning my father as being a dentist in my personal statement.
My GPA is low, and that I will need to apply broadly. Probably 12 schools at the minimum, including many private schools. The two schools my dad attended are not exactly OOS friendly, so I am not banking on legacy being my ticket. I have no idea if legacy is even a benefit, but I'll still apply to them as I'd love to attend either of those schools.
Should I apply to so many schools this time around? Or should I only do a few this time around (<10) and then go all in next cycle when my GPA is marginally higher? Do I have ANY chance or do I need to move on from my dream of being a dentist?
