Special situation needs a consultation

[ELMORR]

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Hello Everyone,

I applied to dental schools in the cycle 2018-2019. I got 4 interviews. I went to three and got accepted in all three.

However, I went to dental school for two semesters then I dropped out. I dropped out after having all Cs and Fs. That happened after very special circumstances.

Those scores lowered my GPA tremendously. And I have now total GPA 2.65 and sGPA 2.4. I have 3.4 total GPA and sGPA 3.2 undergraduate. And I have never taken any other graduate schools or programs.

I am very desperate and I really can't imagine myself anything but a dentist since I left engineering position in General Electric to follow my childhood passion.

I took DAT in October 2017 and scored 18AA 17TS and 20PAT.

I applied this cycle again for only 8 schools where 2 of them refused me without secondaries and 3 of them asking me to retake the DAT.

I thought about the masters option or postbac program to enhance my GPA however it will take so long since these two semesters had almost 60 unit credit. Also, I am 29 years old so I am not that young to spend 2 to three years in masters to raise my GPA again.

At the end, is there anyway that can get me back to dentistry?

P.s.: please note that I am so down and after two months of dropping the school, I can't still digest it and believe it. So please while saying your honest opinion, please be as kind as possible. Thanks and good luck to you all.

 

[Biofilm preventer]

why did u drop dental school? C's get degrees in the end

 

[ELMORR]

why did u drop dental school? C's get degrees in the end

I failed 5 classes out of 14 class. This happened because special circumstances as mentioned. And after failing those classes, the school technically forced me to drop.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I failed 5 classes out of 14 class. This happened because special circumstances as mentioned. And after failing those classes, the school technically forced me to drop.

Usually other schools are not going to consider dropouts unless there is at a strongly supportive letter from the academic dean. If you don't have that, this door will remain locked.

 

[clark5013]

I don;t know what your original GPA was, but your problem isn't your new GPA. The C's and F's you got in dental school are not counted when trying to calculate your undergrad GPA. Taking a postbacc wont be 60 credit hours, thats impossible in two semesters.

the way I see it, you have two main problems

1) A below average DAT score. It was fine a few years ago when you applied, but It may not be fine now especially when you look at problem number 2

2) Dropped out of a dental school. I understand that it was under special circumstances, but you wont be like other applicants. Other applicants are fresh/new and trying to convince the admissions that they can handle the rigors of their dental school and give them reasons to take them. You have to explain why you should be taken at a new dental school, after a previous stint at one. It's a much harder job and should probably be talked about in your personal statement.

I think you should reach out to admissions at dental schools to aid in your plight. Ask them what can be done, tell them your story, etc.

 

[ELMORR]

Usually other schools are not going to consider dropouts unless there is at a strongly supportive letter from the academic dean. If you don't have that, this door will remain locked.

My school is not supportive to get this letter. What are you saying is to say bye to dentistry? Sorry I won't do thay 🙂

 

[ELMORR]

I don;t know what your original GPA was, but your problem isn't your new GPA. The C's and F's you got in dental school are not counted when trying to calculate your undergrad GPA. Taking a postbacc wont be 60 credit hours, thats impossible in two semesters.

the way I see it, you have two main problems

1) A below average DAT score. It was fine a few years ago when you applied, but It may not be fine now especially when you look at problem number 2

2) Dropped out of a dental school. I understand that it was under special circumstances, but you wont be like other applicants. Other applicants are fresh/new and trying to convince the admissions that they can handle the rigors of their dental school and give them reasons to take them. You have to explain why you should be taken at a new dental school, after a previous stint at one. It's a much harder job and should probably be talked about in your personal statement.

I think you should reach out to admissions at dental schools to aid in your plight. Ask them what can be done, tell them your story, etc.

I am planning to retake the DAT and try to enhance my scores. And I elaborated on what happened in my personal statement. Hopefully a school understands my situation and what I have been through. Thanks and wish me luck.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My school is not supportive to get this letter. What are you saying is to say bye to dentistry? Sorry I won't do thay 🙂

Effectively, yes. Dentistry is a tight circle, and only under truly extreme circumstances would any school (that I know of) consider anyone that was kicked out or did not maintain good standing. They are the gatekeeepers, and while it only takes one to be okay with you, there are policies that govern this.

 

[ELMORR]

I remember this thread I once opened. I am thankful for your comments and here is my update, I am not giving up on my my childhood and true passion to be a dentist. I have retaken the DAT and scored 22AA and 21 PAT. I am reapplying this cycle again. do you think I have a chance?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I remember this thread I once opened. I am thankful for your comments and here is my update, I am not giving up on my my childhood and true passion to be a dentist. I have retaken the DAT and scored 22AA and 21 PAT. I am reapplying this cycle again. do you think I have a chance?

As I pointed out before, you need to do your homework to see which schools would consider you. Most will not touch you if they see your dropped out of another dental school. I hope you had some very positive feedback from the schools you intend to apply to, or else chances are you are going to waste your money. Did you do this outreach like we suggested?