Terrified Pre dental student

Started by lemcnei2
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lemcnei2

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ok, i graduated from a prestigous undergraduate college with a gpa of 2.756. I know it sucks and hurts really bad because i think its standing in the way of what i really want to do. I am currently enrolled in post bacc program and i am working my little a** off. Studying night and day, so far so good. This week i almost cried because i made a 85 on a quiz.....cuz i just know i gotta make As. I am so stressed because i know i gotta make straight As to make up for my undergrad. I had trouble adjusting from my high school to my college, and my gpa suffered, not that is any excuse. i am trying to fit as many science classes in , take my prerequisites over, and bring my gpa up to a 3.1 by the end of the year to apply to dental school next fall. I am currently doing hands on work in a local dental clinic. What else can i do to ensure that i get into a dental school? My top choice is a really good school, and my bottom choices are Howard and Meharry ( if no one else takes me).
I dont know if anyone out there has been through what i have been through but I am trying to go against the force pulling me downward away from dentistry. My family has terrible credit, are extremely poor, and I am trying to work my way up the ladder to do what i want to do. I just feel like money always gets in the way. In undergrad i had to work 2 jobs to pay for college and etc. I mean it was like, if i didn't work and i ran out of money, i simply didn't eat at all. ( i went without food for a week once)
I keep this picture in mind of what i want to do, but i keep thinking of how in the world am i going to pay for this and will i even get into school.
I feel like i have no one to give me advise because my parents never went to college, my siblings dropped out of high school. No one in my family understands what i am going through right now.
The reason i want to go into dentistry is because 1. i want to deal with the low income population and provide dental care to them at reduced costs. ( i have a plan for this). 2. I want to be the first to make a legacy in my family, graduate from a dental school and show others that were in my situation how to do the same 3. I love it..........i love going to the clinic and working along side my dentist.
Please someone give me more pointers that i can do to become a competitive candidate. Maybe some summer research opportunites? Has anyone gotten into dental school with a lower gpa.....and what other things did you do to make up for your gpa in your application??? Where did you apply? I need all the help i can get.
 
I'm not sure if you've found it yet but in the pre-dental section there is a thread called the sub 3.0 club. It's really helpful and most of them will give you a great insight into your situation and how you can improve it. I know that I find it very helpful. I hope everything works out for you.
 
There are a surprisingly large number of people in a similar situation. Question: Is your low undergrad gpa as a science major and you're now retaking all those classes? Or are you taking the science classes now for the first time. Also, when do you plan on taking the DAT? Did you do anything in undergrad that you can put on your application/resume? Can you spin your work experience into something helpful -- had to use your hands or be detail-focused? My advice would be to make sure you focus on your grades -- an 85 won't cut it. Don't work (it always amazes me when people say they have to work through school -- I don't know your situation but there are loans!). Spend your free time at the clinic. Start studying for the DAT and plan on taking it sooner rather than later -- maybe right after your Orgo class so it's fresh on your mind? In fact, you're spending all this money on extra classes you might as well sign up for Kaplan. A lot of people say they didn't like it but if you put in the time and treat it like another class and use all their subject tests it can be very helpful -- at least to keep you on track. Do you have anyone who can write a recommendation letter for you?

I graduated from a top liberal arts school with a 2.8 gpa in Philosophy. I took my science classes at a school that was a 2 hour commute from where I was living with my girlfriend (now wife) sometimes sleeping in the back of my van. I got straight A's and pulled my gpa over 3.0. I was engaged in all my classes and got some great recommendations. I aced my DAT and now I'm starting my third year at NYU on a scholarship. It's completely possible! You just have to commit yourself to this 100%. If your family doesn't understand then don't take the time trying to explain it to them. SDN is a great resource and there's some teriffic opinions on here. PM me if you have any other questions -- good luck!
 
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yes i have done things to put on my resume like doing minority summer programs for dentistry, volunteering ( doing hands on things at a local clinic)..i do this8 hours a week, and student organizations i was apart of in undergrad. I am taking my classes over, all except for organic chem,i am taking organic chem for the first time.
As far as loans unforunately,i have no cosigner for alternative loans, my parents have horrible credit. The government only gives you a certain amount of money. So the rest that i need, i have to work for. I am currently trying to beg some distant family members to lend me money for my DAT tests, classes, and application fees.
I am planning to take the DAT this summer and spring......
 
You are doing everything that you can do. I commend you on your hard work! You are going to get accepted into dentistry, it may take a little longer than it will for those students that didn't have to work.
If you are a member of a church, you may want to ask your religious leader if there are any special loan funds available. I know that the Catholic and Methodist denominations (and probably others as well) have special educational loans for their members.
Do not be embarrassed to talk to your professors/financial aid and ask them if there are any grants available to help cover the costs of applying to dental school.
 
I don't want to get too in-depth into your financial situation on an online forum, but if securing a cosigner for undergrad loans has been impossible for you you should be aware that your situation won't change in dental school. And I guarantee you there won't be time to work off your tuition. In fact, the easier schools to get into are the more expensive ones, all of which will force you to take out private gradplus or citiassist type loans to cover what the government doesn't. I'd recommend not only talking with your undergrad finaid rep to see if there's a way you can focus on school without working, but also contact someone at your nearest dental school and find out if you'll be able to secure graduate loans -- it would be a shame to go through all this work and pay all this money to get in only to find out you're not eligible for enough loans... As an example, NYU is just shy of 100k/year. Stafford loans max out at less than half of this. The rest needs to be covered by private loans. The only other option would be to make sure you get into your state school. Or at least a school that accepts out-of-state students but charges them in-state tuition -- do a little research into which schools do this. On the plus side, I agree that you're doing everything right! Hard work does pay off and I feel that those of us who had to put in a little more elbow grease to get ourselves into dental school are better prepared and more emotionally mature to handle everything dental school throws our way. Good luck! PM if you have any questions.
 
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