Should I even bother applying to dental school? Please help...

[davdavdav]

Hello, I recently graduated with a BS in biology having a cGPA of 3.06 and science gpa of about 2.8 or 2.9. I have not taken the DAT yet, and I have average extra-curricular activities that I have done so far and nothing stellar. I was planning to take the DAT this summer and apply to dental schools, but I am getting extremely discouraged from seeing applicants with gpa of 3.5+ getting rejected with decent DAT scores like 20. I am currently studying for the DAT and I know that I would have to do extremely well to even be considered for admission. Right now I am not sure if it's really worth it to spend money in applying to dental schools and taking the DAT. I don't even have letter of recommendations yet, but I have professors in mind to ask for them. So my question is, should I even bother studying for the DAT and applying to dental schools? Should I just give up on this profession? I really want to have a profession where I can help people and I thought being a dentist would be very fulfilling to do so. I am not sure if I want to do research, but if there are no other options I will do that also.

tldr; if you were in my shoes, should I study the GRE and apply to 1 year masters or 2 year masters programs? Or should I continue to study for the DAT and apply to dental schools? Also, if I were to apply to masters, which masters program would be most profitable if my pursuit of dental school doesn't work out? Thank you very much for helping me and reading this.

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[AppalachianDentalBoy]

Postbacc or masters. Don’t take the DAT and don’t apply this cycle. Figure out why your grades are bad and show dental schools you’re now a better student by fixing the issues.

 

[Faefly]

Postbacc or masters. Don’t take the DAT and don’t apply this cycle. Figure out why your grades are bad and show dental schools you’re now a better student by fixing the issues.

Like Appalachian said

 

[FanOfCostco]

Don't waste your money. You won't get in with those stats

 

[TheDentalSchoolCoach]

Hello, I recently graduated with a BS in biology having a cGPA of 3.06 and science gpa of about 2.8 or 2.9. I have not taken the DAT yet, and I have average extra-curricular activities that I have done so far and nothing stellar. I was planning to take the DAT this summer and apply to dental schools, but I am getting extremely discouraged from seeing applicants with gpa of 3.5+ getting rejected with decent DAT scores like 20. I am currently studying for the DAT and I know that I would have to do extremely well to even be considered for admission. Right now I am not sure if it's really worth it to spend money in applying to dental schools and taking the DAT. I don't even have letter of recommendations yet, but I have professors in mind to ask for them. So my question is, should I even bother studying for the DAT and applying to dental schools? Should I just give up on this profession? I really want to have a profession where I can help people and I thought being a dentist would be very fulfilling to do so. I am not sure if I want to do research, but if there are no other options I will do that also.

tldr; if you were in my shoes, should I study the GRE and apply to 1 year masters or 2 year masters programs? Or should I continue to study for the DAT and apply to dental schools? Also, if I were to apply to masters, which masters program would be most profitable if my pursuit of dental school doesn't work out? Thank you very much for helping me and reading this.

Logically speaking, there's a <5% chance you will get into a dental school this cycle. So, I would highly discourage from applying. If you are a Texas resident and applying to TMDSAS, the chance is even worse.

That said, work on your grades. Find a good post-bac program or Masters program and try to get at least 3.7 or above. Now, if you already have a poor GPA, it might be difficult to get a better GPA in Masters unless you change something significantly. For example, if your study habits are not working, start from there.

Besides, your core science classes help you with your DAT studying. So, the better you do in your post-bac, the more your chances of doing well on the DAT.

Happy to answer any follow up questions.

 

[toothfairy!5!]

I had VERY similar stats as yours. I had a 3.0 cGPA and 2.9 sGPA when graduating from college in 2016, so I decided to get a masters in microbiology. Got a 3.93 GPA from that, which ended up me having a 3.3 GPA for both. I took the DAT and got a 20AA and 21TS. I did research (still doing research now full time) and was a dental assistant for a year. This cycle I was waitlisted by all 3 schools I interviewed at, but finally was accepted by 1 this past April (re-applicant).

IF dentistry is something you are passionate about, then by all means, get a masters/post bacc to improve your GPA (there are multiple forums about different programs, especially ones from dental schools), wait on the DAT until YOU KNOW YOU'RE READY (preferably after you complete a masters/post bacc program so you can solely focus on it), and keep improving your application with extracurriculars (research, volunteering, shadowing, etc). Maybe do what I did, get a masters to improve your GPA and then work in the dental field for a little to get the experience. By that time, you'll know if dentistry is right for you. Grades do NOT define who you are or who you will be as a dentist, but I know they definitely hindered me from more acceptances this past cycle.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message me!

 

[setdoc7]

Assuming that you do not get in, you are looking at a very expensive and long road to becoming a dentist. With mediocre grades your chances at your state school will be small, and if you gain admission, it may be to an expensive private school landing you in over 500K debt when you add in the post bacc or masters. There are lots of other jobs that will be rewarding and will help others. A bridge MSN program gets you a chance at an RN and a very good and transportable salary for a fraction of the cost of dentistry. For the disciplined and sharp mind, there are lots of other careers. IMHO, dentistry only works if you can financially make it work for you.
And BTW, grades most certainly do not define who you are, and i agree with that premise. Unfortunately, grades are the best predictor adcoms have along with the DAT of your probable success in 4 years of D school. If you cannot handle the sciences in undergrad, it will be worse and more frustrating in D school.
Toothfairy, getting in is only 10%. Getting out is the big win, and you have not even started yet. Let me know how you feel after 4 exams and 3 practicals in one week. First year of D school is no joke.

 

[davdavdav]

Thank you so much for your feedbacks guys.

 

[davdavdav]

I had VERY similar stats as yours. I had a 3.0 cGPA and 2.9 sGPA when graduating from college in 2016, so I decided to get a masters in microbiology. Got a 3.93 GPA from that, which ended up me having a 3.3 GPA for both. I took the DAT and got a 20AA and 21TS. I did research (still doing research now full time) and was a dental assistant for a year. This cycle I was waitlisted by all 3 schools I interviewed at, but finally was accepted by 1 this past April (re-applicant).

IF dentistry is something you are passionate about, then by all means, get a masters/post bacc to improve your GPA (there are multiple forums about different programs, especially ones from dental schools), wait on the DAT until YOU KNOW YOU'RE READY (preferably after you complete a masters/post bacc program so you can solely focus on it), and keep improving your application with extracurriculars (research, volunteering, shadowing, etc). Maybe do what I did, get a masters to improve your GPA and then work in the dental field for a little to get the experience. By that time, you'll know if dentistry is right for you. Grades do NOT define who you are or who you will be as a dentist, but I know they definitely hindered me from more acceptances this past cycle.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message me!

Hi, I wasn't able to start a conversation with you so I will write it on here. Could you be able to tell me which program you took for masters? Thanks a lot.

 

[Dentalnoob]

It's definitely doable. I had a lower GPA than you when i graduated from my undergrad and i got into my first choice. Just do very well on your DAT and focus on upward trend.

How i got into dental school with LOW GPA (under 3.0)

Hi everyone! since the cycle was just opened, i want to share my experience when i was applying to dental schools. When i was applying last year, I was on SDN NON STOP. I was nervous, scared, and full of questions. I'm here to share my experience on how i got into dental school with LOW GPA. If...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[Kiryu Kazama]

I would do a Masters. Don’t do a postbacc. It’s going to do very little for your GPA considering how many credits you have already. Take the DAT by April next year or earlier. Apply day one! Or early June at the very least!