Should I take 2 years off?

[sunnycali]

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I just graduated last quarter. I took my DATs the beginning of this year and got a 20/21 but my gpa is super low (below a 3.0 - that low). I was planning on applying this year, which is basically next month but I'm having second thoughts. Should I apply or take ANOTHER year off? (then i'll be taking 2 years off and applying next summer) My DAT scores are pretty solid but I hear that I should take it again to make up for my GPA and shoot for 23s or 24s.

Should I get my masters?...but isn't it too late to apply to masters programs- i would have to apply next year and do my masters during my 2nd year off which means the schools won't see my grad school scores. And then should I get my masters in Bio or public healthi'm thinking bio to prove that i'm really not a 2.8 student...

ahhhhh! I need some advice I'm so confused!! 😕

 

[LarryBobDDS]

To be honest with you, I'm not aware of a dental school that will admit you with a 2.8 GPA regardless of what your DAT scores are. I feel schools are looking less at DAT and more at GPA and college info. I know several people in dental school with DATs bet 16 and 18 but I know no one who had less than a 3.5 GPA. I dont know what your initial degree is in but let me suggest some options. If you hadn't already graduated I would have suggested re-taking some of your lower scoring classes to boost back up your GPA to 3.3 to 3.5 range. Since you've graduated it wouldn't be a bad idea to get your masters. If its an option I would suggest a masters in a business related area. Dental schools like this. As a graduating dental student I can tell you that any classes you can take in business fields, especially relating to management, investing, accounting, etc would be valuable. Bottom line is you have to get past the GPA and realistically more education is going to do that. You DAT score is solid but wont stand alone.

 

[splint]

To be honest with you, I'm not aware of a dental school that will admit you with a 2.8 GPA regardless of what your DAT scores are. I feel schools are looking less at DAT and more at GPA and college info. I know several people in dental school with DATs bet 16 and 18 but I know no one who had less than a 3.5 GPA. I dont know what your initial degree is in but let me suggest some options. If you hadn't already graduated I would have suggested re-taking some of your lower scoring classes to boost back up your GPA to 3.3 to 3.5 range. Since you've graduated it wouldn't be a bad idea to get your masters. If its an option I would suggest a masters in a business related area. Dental schools like this. As a graduating dental student I can tell you that any classes you can take in business fields, especially relating to management, investing, accounting, etc would be valuable. Bottom line is you have to get past the GPA and realistically more education is going to do that. You DAT score is solid but wont stand alone.

I think you should apply, why not. This will give you an opportunity to get into a school and if you don't you can go out and do a masters or just take a full load of classes that will both improve your GPA and get you ready for Dental School (Biochem, Anatomy, Physiology, Micro, Accounting or any business classes). I personally had a 3.2 GPA (24 DAT...I think that helped) and got in no problem with multiple offers. I do think you have to be able to interview well because you'll need all the help you can get. There is a guy on SDN who talks about having a 2.7 GPA in undergrad and he just got into OMFS so its definitely possible, but you got your work cut out for you.
Best of luck!

 

[aphistis]

Moving to pre-dent.

 

[LarryBobDDS]

It also depends on what school you are applying to. My class the average GPA for entry was almost 3.7 and the average DAT was 20. Not all schools are like this. If you would like to apply you should for the experience, but remember it does take a lot of time to get together the letters of rec., the paperwork, etc., and it takes time and money to interview and apply.

 

[NoBraces]

I agree with splint that you should try applying with the GPA and DAT scores that you have now and apply EARLY. If you are a resident of a state with a dental school then you should apply to that along with schools that matriculate a lot of people every year. If you don't get a spot then do a masters. I like LarryBobDDS's idea of working towards an MBA or a MS/MA in some business-related subject that will definitely help you a lot when you have your own dental practice. You could also think of getting a masters in something "different" to make you stand out more as an applicant (i.e. biotechnology, biophysics, bioinformatics, etc.). If you do go for a masters shoot for a 4.0 or close to that.

 

[beezies]

You should apply now, but in the meantime, you should try and do anything you can to boost your GPA. I took a few classes at the Harvard Extension School, that helped. You could try doing their distance learning classes. Anything that will prove you are still going to commit to doing well and learning.

 

[cdmOMR]

Subscribing...lots of good info in here for us crappy GPA fellas. I sense post bacc in my future.

 

[xylashellx]

take the year or years off you need to get into the school you want or would rather go to. my year off has been amazing and i wouldnt trade it for anything...not even the extra money i would be making by getting out of school earlier. good luck

 

[stv2826]

take the year or years off you need to get into the school you want or would rather go to. my year off has been amazing and i wouldnt trade it for anything...not even the extra money i would be making by getting out of school earlier. good luck

What did you do during your year off?