The Under 3.0 Club part 02

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pogue said:
I finished up my masters program in May. I finished up with a 3.4, so I could have done a little better but we did have another kid in the middle of my second semester- the day before an exam. Oh well. Can't plan everything perfectly.

My overall GPA was 2.37 and now it's probably about 2.40. It would literally take me another 5 years of solid work to get it above 3.0 so I will forever be an under 3.0.

I finished up my application. I am applying to 4 schools, and I think I will get into 1 (but that's all I need).

For anyone wondering what you should do with your horrible academic record, I would go visit your local dean of admissions. Let him/her examine your transcript. Mine pretty much told me exactly what I had to do and I followed his advice to a T. I feel like he's going to drag me over the finish line of this marathon.

Good luck to all of my fellow under 3.0'ers.

Respectfully yours,
-The guy with the lowest GPA 👍👍
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Good luck and wish you the best!

Just curious - what does your DATs look like and what did they recommend you get to make you competitive?
 
pogue said:
So that school that I wrote off? I'm interviewing the 1st week in February. Based on my portfolio, I can only assume that my personal statement was outstanding.

I'm going in and laying it all on the table. I have nothing to lose, and I am pumped up to at least have a shot! 🙂
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seriously pogue your an inspiration.. im glad you have kept positive!
 
shindrome said:
imo you don't have to spend that kind of money at a masters program. i spent 3000/yr for 2 years at my state school masters program. if money is an issue (which it was for me) then opt out for a state school and bring your numbers up that way!
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how exactly is everyone incorporating their masters? are you guys using your science pre reqs as electives for masters or what? please let know.😳
 
I went to a university close to home for my first year and did pretty good, a 3.3 gpa. I decided to transfer after my first year to another university that was farther away from home where i could live in residence. I ended up doing poorly in my biology classes which is my major and i am not sitting at a 2.5 gpa. I'm still at this university and i graduate this coming year but i know that with my transcript being less than impressive my chances are slim to none.

Since my gpa at the original university is still a 3.3, what if i went back and took the required courses their and applied with those marks, omitting my marks from the university i am at now. Can you do that?

I will be getting my degree from the university i'm at now so it seems like a significant detail to leave out of the application process but again, it was just a thought.
 
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i suppose if you do not send them ur transcripts, im not sure how else they would find out? then again, if you take classes you did bad in over again i think they will consider your higher grades, but i would call each school and ask them what their policy is.
 
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uncbestyet said:
Good luck and wish you the best!

Just curious - what does your DATs look like and what did they recommend you get to make you competitive?
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What did my DAT look like? Not good. But, I must admit that I went into the exam cold (maybe 10 or 12 hours total prep time).

Academic Average: 17
Perceptual Ability: 18
Quantitative Reasoning: 17
Reading Comprehension: 21
Biology: 17
General Chemistry: 15
Organic Chemistry: 16
Total Science: 16

I was told I needed a total science of 18 and the rest of the scores were fine.

Oh, I take it again in about 10 days. We'll see how I do when I try! : )
 
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scottkennedy29 said:
I went to a university close to home for my first year and did pretty good, a 3.3 gpa. I decided to transfer after my first year to another university that was farther away from home where i could live in residence. I ended up doing poorly in my biology classes which is my major and i am not sitting at a 2.5 gpa. I'm still at this university and i graduate this coming year but i know that with my transcript being less than impressive my chances are slim to none.

Since my gpa at the original university is still a 3.3, what if i went back and took the required courses their and applied with those marks, omitting my marks from the university i am at now. Can you do that?

I will be getting my degree from the university i'm at now so it seems like a significant detail to leave out of the application process but again, it was just a thought.
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The only problem with your little plan is that you are REQUIRED to send in transcripts from EVERY institution you have attended. Withholding any such information is not only dishonest, but grounds for rejection.
 
allover said:
i suppose if you do not send them ur transcripts, im not sure how else they would find out? then again, if you take classes you did bad in over again i think they will consider your higher grades, but i would call each school and ask them what their policy is.
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Please, I implore you, do some research before you start giving out terrible and potentially detrimental advice to prospective applicants. It is required that he send in ALL transcripts from ALL institutions he has attended, no exceptions.
 
dentaldawg32 said:
The only problem with your little plan is that you are REQUIRED to send in transcripts from EVERY institution you have attended. Withholding any such information is not only dishonest, but grounds for rejection.
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Thats what i needed to know. Thank you. Also just to clarify this was never at any point my plan, it was just a thought. I would never have done such a thing without obtaining the appropriate information. I Just figured i would ask on this forum rather than calling a dental school and asking a potentially laughable question. Thank you though!
 
allover said:
i suppose if you do not send them ur transcripts, im not sure how else they would find out? then again, if you take classes you did bad in over again i think they will consider your higher grades, but i would call each school and ask them what their policy is.
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Not true. If there is a dental school that allows for grade replacement as opposed to grade averaging please enlighten me.
 
I am reapplying to schools..i got rejected last time from about 8 schools...i decided to give it a shot but didn't work out

overall GPA is 3.14
science GPA is little under 3.0

I got a 19 AA/ 16 PAT first time I took the DAT

I applied relatively late so I know that didn't help...

Average extracurricular stuff + shadowing experience of 5 months + decent PS + good Recs + employment in education

I graduated in 3.5 years but I didn't pursue Post-Bac or Masters because of financial strains (and some hope that maybe I'll get in somewhere)....so I got a job instead.

I am planning on taking the DAT again and applying really EARLY (working on apps. now)

I guess I am relying solely on my DAT scores to get accepted.

What is the minimum I need to make to have a good shot?
My personal goal is 24 AA, 21 PAT...or is that not even reasonable?

Thanks for the advice! I am trying to stay positive....:xf:
 
Man I wish you it was true all the time. I hate that I am plagued with my out of control freshmen year. It really brings down my SGPA
 
Im somewhat in the same boat. We can do it!!!

chessmaster10 said:
I am reapplying to schools..i got rejected last time from about 8 schools...i decided to give it a shot but didn't work out

overall GPA is 3.14
science GPA is little under 3.0

I got a 19 AA/ 16 PAT first time I took the DAT

I applied relatively late so I know that didn't help...

Average extracurricular stuff + shadowing experience of 5 months + decent PS + good Recs + employment in education

I graduated in 3.5 years but I didn't pursue Post-Bac or Masters because of financial strains (and some hope that maybe I'll get in somewhere)....so I got a job instead.

I am planning on taking the DAT again and applying really EARLY (working on apps. now)

I guess I am relying solely on my DAT scores to get accepted.

What is the minimum I need to make to have a good shot?
My personal goal is 24 AA, 21 PAT...or is that not even reasonable?

Thanks for the advice! I am trying to stay positive....:xf:
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Hey guys, First post, looking for some advice.

First off, my oGPA is 3.11 and my sGPA is ~2.7. Yeah, pretty low I know. I've done about 100 hours shadowing and have been taking a few courses at a local community college. I haven't taken the DAT yet.

Just looking at my grades, I don't feel like I can realistically get into any Dental Schools. I've read around the forums and special masters programs and Grad programs keep popping up, but there is a lot of talk about whether or not they really help because grad grades are inflated and what not.

I guess I'm just sort of losing hope and wondering if my gpa is just too low. Also, I'm confused about whether I should study for the DATs to get into a SMP or the GRE's for a Grad program. I was also wondering if there were any SMPs that took the GRE's?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.
 
I'm in a similar situation. I can only speak of louisiana schools, cause that's where I'm from. Tulane has a realy good SMP that accepts studenets with GRE scores. Also some dental schools will look at only your highest grade in any given class. Meaning if you retake a class they would look at you highest grade.
 
Docplaque said:
I'm in a similar situation. I can only speak of louisiana schools, cause that's where I'm from. Tulane has a realy good SMP that accepts studenets with GRE scores. Also some dental schools will look at only your highest grade in any given class. Meaning if you retake a class they would look at you highest grade.
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eh? really? look only the highest grade??? could you be more specific ?
 
What he means is that dental schools want to see your progress overall. If you took the effort to bulldoze a couple classes and do well in them, they would definitely take note of that! For example: I get a D in genetics, but over the summer I study my booty off and get an A-. Dental schools would be like, "wow, this kid really put in some effort" and it would look better on your part 😀
 
a2ndragoon89 said:
What he means is that dental schools want to see your progress overall. If you took the effort to bulldoze a couple classes and do well in them, they would definitely take note of that! For example: I get a D in genetics, but over the summer I study my booty off and get an A-. Dental schools would be like, "wow, this kid really put in some effort" and it would look better on your part 😀
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may I ask which school told you this? who is your source? Are you sure you are not saying it just to make your self feel better?
 
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Hmmm... from what I gather it's best to get the A the first time around, but at least you showed you can perform. The admission committe will probobaly have higher marks for you if you show the good grades/upward trend with classes that are not retakes.
 
chessmaster10 said:
I am reapplying to schools..i got rejected last time from about 8 schools...i decided to give it a shot but didn't work out

overall GPA is 3.14
science GPA is little under 3.0

I got a 19 AA/ 16 PAT first time I took the DAT

I applied relatively late so I know that didn't help...

Average extracurricular stuff + shadowing experience of 5 months + decent PS + good Recs + employment in education

I graduated in 3.5 years but I didn't pursue Post-Bac or Masters because of financial strains (and some hope that maybe I'll get in somewhere)....so I got a job instead.

I am planning on taking the DAT again and applying really EARLY (working on apps. now)

I guess I am relying solely on my DAT scores to get accepted.

What is the minimum I need to make to have a good shot?
My personal goal is 24 AA, 21 PAT...or is that not even reasonable?

Thanks for the advice! I am trying to stay positive....:xf:
Click to expand...

My stats are just like yours... I got a 20AA on my DAT so Im gonna go ahead and apply... I did a postbacc though so hopefully that helps, but today I made the decesion to continue studying for my DAT until the end of this app cycle in case I dont get in i will retake and make sure I pull near 30s across the board:laugh::laugh:
 
pogue said:
What did my DAT look like? Not good. But, I must admit that I went into the exam cold (maybe 10 or 12 hours total prep time).

Academic Average: 17 19
Perceptual Ability: 18 19
Quantitative Reasoning: 17 17
Reading Comprehension: 21 24
Biology: 17 19
General Chemistry: 15 17
Organic Chemistry: 16 17
Total Science: 16 18

Oh, I take it again in about 10 days. We'll see how I do when I try! : )
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Not outstanding, but at least it's somewhat average. 🙂

I should have visited the DAT thread a lot earlier. I thought reading a 2-year old Kaplan book was sufficient.
 
Good morning. Long time reader, first time poster.

Figured I'd start here by letting you all know that I want to be a dentist. I've been a consultant for a global telecommunications company in the DC area for four years, prior to that I was in commercial real estate finance. I entered the workforce seven years ago after quite simply getting burnt out on college with no real direction or focus to speak of whatsoever. And it shows:

(Per the AADSAS conversion sheet)

BCP GPA: 2.75
Science GPA: 2.82
Cumulative GPA: 2.62
on about 157 attempted credit hours

My undergrad major was science heavy (biochem) and while I've taken all of my pre-reqs, the youngest is about 7 years old (will likely be closer to 9 or 10 when I'm ready to apply).

As far as extracurriculars go, I've been volunteering randomly for over a year, light shadowing of an ER doc for three months last year, and no dental shadowing yet. I'm nurturing a burgeoning photography hobby and have been homebrewing beer for over a decade. In the past I was a kung-fu instructor for beginner children (Northern Style).

Since it appears to be important to this forum I guess I should disclose that I am Mexican-American.

From what I've gathered in this thread, and the advice given to others in situations similar to my own, I need to knock at least two years of academics out of the park. While I am completely prepared to rise to the challenge, I'm not quite sure which way I should go about it.

This week I will be registering for fall 2010 courses at a local university and I'm lost on what I should sign up for. On one hand I feel I should retake my pre-reqs given the length of time it's been since I've seen the material. On the other, I feel I should dive right into advanced science coursework to show adcoms I can hack it.

Keep in mind that this fall and spring I will continue to work my full time day job and take around half time credits at night. I intend to use these initial two semesters to get accustomed to academics and if I come out with straight A's or mostly A's, that will be my signal to resign from my career and return to school full steam ahead.

Any help here is greatly appreciated.
 
youre going to spend a year testing the waters?

Well be prepared to do an additional 2 years of classes after that because this first year wont count as part of your 2 year knock out.
 
Well...yeah. The other reason is that I want to wring every last drop out of my nice salary before chucking my job in one of the highest cost-of-living metropolitan areas in the US. Not exactly necessary, but highly preferable.

It seems like you're saying that adcoms won't care about a schedule of volunteering + full time work + part time school, even if nothing but A's are earned. I can understand that, since D school is "super full time" school...but I figured it all comes down to occupied hours per week.

Thanks for that response, and sick DAT score.
 
supposedly, a master's degree in bio is best in your situation. go for one in your local university and apply, but while you're waiting to get accepted, you ask them if you can take classes (biology) while you're waiting to get accepted.

What I'm doing is applying for the spring 2011 master's degree in bio at my local university and during the fall, I'm going to sign up for graduate bio classes (through open university, ask your local college if they are one) so it can transfer over when I get into the master's program.

This way, you're not waiting for anything, but constantly doing something to improve your application.

I am also in a similar situation as you (low gpa), but not URM and haven't worked that long! gl!


btw, gotta kill that DAT.
 
allover said:
:shrug:
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im not sure how it works for every masters program...but my program had a set of prerequisites (ie. all the science prerequisites + psych + english) just to get in and they had to be strong scores as well.....After graduation from masters program.....ur overall gpa is not going to be affected that much but dental schools apparently favor masters students gpa's and look at them first (b4 undergrad work)....
 
pinhi said:
dental schools apparently favor masters students gpa's and look at them first (b4 undergrad work)....
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i really hope that is the case... where did you get this information from? because in grad school, you don't take nearly as many classes as in undergrad, so the credits in grad <<< undergrad.
 
Hello Everybody,

I have been very stressed out lately as I am nearing my senior year and have yet to decide which route I should take to get into Dental School. My main dilemma is that I am unsure of whether I should try to just ace my DAT and apply for dental school OR apply for special masters program. I also plan to go abroad this fall (during my senior year) for a internship (a very good medical internship) and Spanish classes. Here are my "stats":

  • Boston University (2011): Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology and Hispanic Language and Literature.
  • Overall GPA: 3.07, Science GPA: 2.78
  • Work: Lab Job (1 Year)
  • Volunteer: I coordinate and teach Piano lessons at a local neighborhood center for underprivileged children.
Please guide me through this difficult decision, its really making me anxious 🙁. Thanks!
 
xMyStiCx said:
Hello Everybody,

I have been very stressed out lately as I am nearing my senior year and have yet to decide which route I should take to get into Dental School. My main dilemma is that I am unsure of whether I should try to just ace my DAT and apply for dental school OR apply for special masters program. I also plan to go abroad this fall (during my senior year) for a internship (a very good medical internship) and Spanish classes. Here are my "stats":

  • Boston University (2011): Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Biology and Hispanic Language and Literature.
  • Overall GPA: 3.07, Science GPA: 2.78
  • Work: Lab Job (1 Year)
  • Volunteer: I coordinate and teach Piano lessons at a local neighborhood center for underprivileged children.
Please guide me through this difficult decision, its really making me anxious 🙁. Thanks!
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if you're confident of your intellect, ace the DAT (21+) and try applying, but imo, that's the hard route. If you're a hard worker, go for master's in biology. I feel that the master's route is safer because your gpa is low and even with a 21+, an interview is not guaranteed.

Also, from the advisors i've talked to in Dschool, master's is better than post-bacc because it's valued higher (grad gpa vs undergra gpa). post-baccs only add onto your undergrad gpa and it doesn't show any challenge.

It seems to me that trying to ace the DAT is a gamble, whereas going for a master's is insurance; the perfect DAT score might seem easier (5-hr test), but that biotch is one tough mo'fo because you have to spend a lot of time studying like crazy and almost no one I know got a 20+ on their first try.
 
chessmaster10 said:
I am reapplying to schools..i got rejected last time from about 8 schools...i decided to give it a shot but didn't work out

overall GPA is 3.14
science GPA is little under 3.0

I got a 19 AA/ 16 PAT first time I took the DAT

I applied relatively late so I know that didn't help...
Click to expand...


Similar to my GPA. Haven't taken and DATs yet, but in the middle of studying for the Canadian one. Do lots of practice PATs to raise your score. Once you do more and more you develop strategies. I'm sure pre-dents have posted some advice somewhere on this forum. Also, it might help to take a DAT course. I know they're pricey, but some are pretty good.
 
XZeRO said:
i really hope that is the case... where did you get this information from? because in grad school, you don't take nearly as many classes as in undergrad, so the credits in grad <<< undergrad.
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everything i have been told leans this way...all of my professors stand by it and i have spoken w/several adcoms who said the same
 
I am entering my final year of undergrad...going to get my BS in Molecular Biology in June 2011. I can't say that I messed around my freshman year or any of that...genchem and ochem just bascially screwed me over. I was consistently getting stuck about 0.1% away from the next grade up and got too many C+'s. However everything else was solid B's or A's. My junior year I had an overall 3.7 gpa all year long and lots of A's. With no C's at all! I'm hoping to do the exact same this final year.

I have a ogpa: 3.05 and sgpa: 2.8

If I do just as well this year I can pull that ogpa to about 3.3 and sgpa to 3.0. I know that wno't cut it but at least if they are both above 3.0 I'll feel much better. If you look at my transcript you can see just drastic improvement and I know that upper division classes are a lot harder at my school so I think that should indicate that I know my material: biochem, molecular bio, plant bio, genetics, emrbyology, neurobiology, etc etc.

I'm also taking my DAT's in a month and have been studying super hard.

I've shadowed orthodontists/dentists/oral surgeons since my junior year of high school. I have about 200+ hours. I have 100+ hours of volunteering. I am a science writer for our school newspaper. Outreach coordinator for a cultural club on campus. etc etc.

my dream is to stay in CA...but iono. help and adivce please!:xf:
 
Hi Guys,

Hoping for a little advice. I'm applying for this 2011 cycle, and now realize i am on the later side of applying as I will e-submit sometime next week. I'm a canadian URM. Dat is to be written on september 8th, (studying hard as we speak). I have an ogpa of about 2.95. Although, my last 2 years were a 3.7 in all uper level biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry and biology classes. ( My major is Microbiology & Biochemistry). I'm wondering how they look at trend, will i be considered or automatically cut off? When they calculate BCP, do they only look at 1st and 2nd year classes or will they take the best, or an average? Anyways a lot of questions, but if someone could guide me a little, or let me know which schools I should consider applying (if any) it would be greatly appreciated. OH and I have lots of EC, shadowing and research experience
THANKS
 
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I know for a fact that some schools in California do look at the upward trend. Make sure and kill your DaT and I am sure you will up your chances of getting in.
 
it's possible to get 20+ on DAT on the first try, you just have to believe!

But it's been a month after my DAT score and I am really wondering how much that score will affect my getting in. It seems that there are still so many people with better scores XD


I personally have a ~3.2 for GPA with no upward trend. My undergrad GPA for each semester just fluctuated around 3.0 for 5 years, pretty low course load over 12 semesters while I worked. This is probably worst than people with a lower GPA and an upward trend. I am just hoping that my Masters will pull me through although that also has a low unit count... 😳 Will be doing 18 units this coming semester, hope that will make the difference 😳
 
CANgnome said:
it's possible to get 20+ on DAT on the first try, you just have to believe!

But it's been a month after my DAT score and I am really wondering how much that score will affect my getting in. It seems that there are still so many people with better scores XD


I personally have a ~3.2 for GPA with no upward trend. My undergrad GPA for each semester just fluctuated around 3.0 for 5 years, pretty low course load over 12 semesters while I worked. This is probably worst than people with a lower GPA and an upward trend. I am just hoping that my Masters will pull me through although that also has a low unit count... 😳 Will be doing 18 units this coming semester, hope that will make the difference 😳
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CANgnome, you are my hero👍
 
You will feel like a high DAT doesn't even matter when you are at my stage 😳. Only feel differently when you get that final acceptance letter.
 
Long-time Under 3.0 Club member. Applied twice previously with a sub 3.0 science/overall/bcp gpa. Put in nearly 2 years of full-time upper-division bio coursework and am currently applying for a 3rd time. Just got a interview invite from Midwestern (my first interview invite ever!). While I haven't gotten in yet, just wanted everyone to know that it is very possible to rebound from bad stats with hard work/time. Don't give up guys!
 
dctim211 said:
Long-time Under 3.0 Club member. Applied twice previously with a sub 3.0 science/overall/bcp gpa. Put in nearly 2 years of full-time upper-division bio coursework and am currently applying for a 3rd time. Just got a interview invite from Midwestern (my first interview invite ever!). While I haven't gotten in yet, just wanted everyone to know that it is very possible to rebound from bad stats with hard work/time. Don't give up guys!
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just wondering. what's your DAT and path to compensate for you gpa?
 
DunStopBelievin said:
just wondering. what's your DAT and path to compensate for you gpa?
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Don't have the exact #s on hand but I'm pretty sure they are 21/20/21 (AA/TS/PAT). Not as good as I'd hoped but that's what I have. What I'm hoping will get me over the hump is the 36 semester units and 9 quarter units I've taken post college (all upper-div bio except for a microecon course) during which I've kept a 4.0
 
dctim211 said:
Don't have the exact #s on hand but I'm pretty sure they are 21/20/21 (AA/TS/PAT). Not as good as I'd hoped but that's what I have. What I'm hoping will get me over the hump is the 36 semester units and 9 quarter units I've taken post college (all upper-div bio except for a microecon course) during which I've kept a 4.0
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I wish you the best! I'm aiming for a similar route, so I'll be monitoring your predent.com! gl.
 
Exhibit "A" in my case that persistence pays:

dctim211 said:
Long-time Under 3.0 Club member. Applied twice previously with a sub 3.0 science/overall/bcp gpa. Put in nearly 2 years of full-time upper-division bio coursework and am currently applying for a 3rd time. Just got a interview invite from Midwestern (my first interview invite ever!). While I haven't gotten in yet, just wanted everyone to know that it is very possible to rebound from bad stats with hard work/time. Don't give up guys!
Click to expand...

Congrats on the interview! I look forward to a celebratory post on December 1st.
 
DunStopBelievin said:
I wish you the best! I'm aiming for a similar route, so I'll be monitoring your predent.com! gl.
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pogue said:
Exhibit "A" in my case that persistence pays:



Congrats on the interview! I look forward to a celebratory post on December 1st.
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Thanks guys! Just wanted to post cause I know it's easy to get down on yourself/your situation. If you know that you want it (a career in dentistry), you just gotta figure out what it's going to take to get there and keep moving forward.
 
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