Rejected and very confused on what to do right now, desperately need advice (PostBacc?)

[gunner4ever]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys, this was my first time applying to dental school. Some things had come up last summer that caused me not take my DAT in until late (October). I had a 19 AA w/ decent scores all around, except a 14 on OChem that was killer. Was rejected everywhere and got an interview at Touro and am on the Waitlist there.

My overall GPA was a 3.32, but science GPA was around 3.1, and I had a terrible sophmore year that really dragged it down (I did explain this in my app). 3rd/4th years were definitely better.

Anyway, I am currently enrolled in two classes at a local CC, Anatomy and Microbio. I am on track to receive A's in both of them.

My question is this: I feel like I need to do more PostBacc work, but there aren't any more classes at the local CC's that I haven't already taken in undergrad. I know it is very late to apply to programs for fall, and I have tried researching but it is very overwhelming at it seems like pretty much every university has something, and I really don't know what is best.

I want something that isn't exorbitantly expensive, is manageable to get close to a 4.0 in if you work hard, and is still taking students for the fall.

Is it necessary for me to do a program like this? Or a Master's? Or should I just try to take another few classes. I will also be retaking my DAT, and will start studying as soon as these classes finish in a couple of weeks.

Also is it a good idea to apply for something like this right now and also apply for this upcoming AADSAS cycle?

Really would appreciate some help, thank you.

 

[kami_us07]

If u have the money, u can reapply. Why not.
But i would do a master(not a postbacc). Yr GPA is on the lower side and If u reapply without any improvmenet u may not get any interview again.

 

[JLT223]

Your GPA isn't the issue (although it is a bit low), it's your DAT and the fact that you took it in October.

 

[gunner4ever]

If u have the money, u can reapply. Why not.
But i would do a master(not a postbacc). Yr GPA is on the lower side and If u reapply without any improvmenet u may not get any interview again.

There will be slight improvement as I am about to get A's in both the Anatomy and Microbio classes I am currently in. The problem is I haven't really done much else since the last application. Just worked more (unrelated job) and continued doing the same volunteering I had done. I already had like 200+ shadowing hours so I didn't think there was any point in doing more of that.

Also why do you say Master's instead of Postbacc? What is the real difference?

Thanks guys

 

[xerxes106]

Your GPA isn't awful. Calm yourself for a moment and don't panic. Like JLT223 said, your DAT is going to need to supplement your GPA. 14 in O chem is going to get you autorejected.

And as for masters/postbacc look at it this way. Do you want a degree that will get you a job, be free, and gain you skills applicable to research and industry? Do masters!
Do you want to pay a lot to prove that you can handle classes, leave with debt, and have a degree that won't do anything for you if you don't get into dental? Do postbacc!

 

[gunner4ever]

Your GPA isn't awful. Calm yourself for a moment and don't panic. Like JLT223 said, your DAT is going to need to supplement your GPA. 14 in O chem is going to get you autorejected.

And as for masters/postbacc look at it this way. Do you want a degree that will get you a job, be free, and gain you skills applicable to research and industry? Do masters!
Do you want to pay a lot to prove that you can handle classes, leave with debt, and have a degree that won't do anything for you if you don't get into dental? Do postbacc!

Makes sense, thanks. I have also read though that a Master's doesn't count towards undergrad GPA (obviously), but Postbacc does. So on the initial automated screening that a dental school does the Postbacc is more helpful. Not sure how true that is or how much it matters though

 

[kami_us07]

Your GPA isn't awful. Calm yourself for a moment and don't panic. Like JLT223 said, your DAT is going to need to supplement your GPA. 14 in O chem is going to get you autorejected.

And as for masters/postbacc look at it this way. Do you want a degree that will get you a job, be free, and gain you skills applicable to research and industry? Do masters!
Do you want to pay a lot to prove that you can handle classes, leave with debt, and have a degree that won't do anything for you if you don't get into dental? Do postbacc!

Im sorry but i have to be disagree with that. I am doing the master that i can take dental courses alonside dental student, so its not all about research or job. This helped me a lot to get 6 interviews this cycle ( 2 acceptances, 4 waitlists so far)

gunner4ever:
Grades from my masters added to addsas sGPA, so u can bring up yr science GPA, and overall GPA( its not going to be a significant change but it def helps u to get in) If you want to keep that GpA u have to get above 21 on yr DAT.

 

[gunner4ever]

Im sorry but i have to be disagree with that. I am doing the master that i can take dental courses alonside dental student, so its not all about research or job. This helped me a lot to get 6 interviews this cycle ( 2 acceptances, 4 waitlists so far)

gunner4ever:
Grades from my masters added to addsas sGPA, so u can bring up yr science GPA, and overall GPA( its not going to be a significant change but it def helps u to get in) If you want to keep that GpA u have to get above 21 on yr DAT.

Ok, what program are you in? I also don't want to go to a program where it seems nearly impossible to actually pull A's.
The issue is it seems like many programs have deadlines around June 1, and my finals go until the 25th, along with work, I have pretty much no time to look into all this and it's all very confusing. Lots of mixed opinions from people in other threads.

 

[fogorvostan]

Your GPA isn't that bad. It's your DAT score. Redo the DAT, aim high, and reapply.

 

[doc toothache]

My overall GPA was a 3.32 from a top public university, but science GPA was around 3.1, and I had a terrible sophmore year that really dragged it down (I did explain this in my app). 3rd/4th years were definitely better.
Anyway, I am currently enrolled in two classes at a local CC, Anatomy and Microbio. I am on track to receive A's in both of them.
My question is this: I feel like I need to do more PostBacc work, but there aren't any more classes at the local CC's that I haven't already taken in undergrad. I know it is very late to apply to programs for fall, and I have tried researching but it is very overwhelming at it seems like pretty much every university has something, and I really don't know what is best.
I want something that isn't exorbitantly expensive, is manageable to get close to a 4.0 in if you work hard, and is still taking students for the fall.
Is it necessary for me to do a program like this? Or a Master's? Or should I just try to take another few classes somewhere? I am in the Bay Area, CA if that helps. I will also be retaking my DAT, and will start studying as soon as these classes finish in a couple of weeks.

You did well to have had an interview. Have you been notified that you have been waitlisted or is it a presumption? Upper level science courses and CC do not belong in the same sentence and the expected As are not likely to wow anyone that matters. What you "want" may not necessarily be on the menu.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-advanced-placement-and-ds-admission.1138556/
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...age-predental-education-of-enrollees.1070379/

 

[xerxes106]

Im sorry but i have to be disagree with that. I am doing the master that i can take dental courses alonside dental student, so its not all about research or job. This helped me a lot to get 6 interviews this cycle ( 2 acceptances, 4 waitlists so far)

gunner4ever:
Grades from my masters added to addsas sGPA, so u can bring up yr science GPA, and overall GPA( its not going to be a significant change but it def helps u to get in) If you want to keep that GpA u have to get above 21 on yr DAT.

I never said anything about dental interviews, obviously that's what postbacc programs are aimed at, if you can get interviews more power to you. What I'm saying is ff you for some reason don't get in to dental after a postbacc though you will definitely be left at a disadvantage, both financially and hard skills, compared to someone who did a traditional masters.

 

[JLT223]

I was told that the classes I am in are taught at the same level as UC Berkeley. Who knows if that is true. They were certainly intensive tho.

It may be true, but it doesn't matter when your transcript says they were taken at a CC.