Thinking about getting on this path again, wondering if its even realistic for me.

[thisismyacct]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone I'm a soon to be senior who was going to pursue becoming a dentist until last Fall when I said "s***w it" and decided to change my major to history. Since Freshman year, I've had some personal issues come up and this affected me academically. Add immaturity, not knowing how to study, along with arrogance to the mix and it was a recipe for disaster. Last Fall was probably me at my worst, and I made the decision to not pursue it anymore, however...

nothing else really feels right for me, and I'm in a much better place now thanks to the help of family and friends and a part of me is itching to go back on this path. The problem? my GPA, specifically my science GPA. As it stands right now, it is at a 2.24 which is absolutely horrible. My overall is close to 3.00 (2.9X). last fall I retook gen chem 1 (received a B-) and gen chem 1 lab (got an F, long story and I am embarrassed about my grade in this class).

These are my other science grades:
bio1 B-
bio1 lab C+
zoo B
micro D
bio elective, 200s level A-
cell bio (upper level) C-
cell lab C-
career seminar (1 credit) A-

chem1 D
chem1 (retake)B-
chem1 lab C-
chem1 lab (retake) F
chem2 D
chem2L B-
orgo1 D+ (should have been a B but I misread something in the syllabus)
orgo1 lab B-
orgo2 B-
orgo2 lab B-
chem elective (100s level) B
chem elective (2oos level) B+

I have yet to take physics. I know I need to retake chem 1 lab (third time is the charm hopefully), chem 2, and orgo 1. Micro I'm 50/50 on. I was "doing the math" and I could bring my science GPA over a 2.70 in a year if I put my head to it, and then idk if I should do a SMP or just apply.

I'm not too concerned about extracurriculars as mine are solid:
-volunteering at a place of worship for almost 4 years
-played a club sport then stopped due to injury
-peer mentored freshman last year and will do the same this year
-unique job since 2016, PM me if you want to know. It’s nothing bad, I just want to stay as anonymous as possible.
-have yet to shadow

The DAT concerns me but I took a practice bio section test and I got a 20 on it so hopefully I should handle the rest fine (yes I realize that was a score on 1 section). And I plan on studying seriously for it.

I guess my question is, is it worth pursuing again, if my head is in a better place?

 

[MavsFanForLife]

If you were set on pursuing a career in dentistry, I would graduate doing the best in the rest of your classes (obviously). Apply for a masters program and study for the DAT like you life depended on it. If you were to dominate a masters degree and perform well on the DAT, some schools may overlook your poor performance in your undergrad. Best of luck!
Edit: I would not apply, even if your sgpa was above a 2.7.

 

[butterchkn]

Since you are iffy about wanting to pursue dentristy again and backed out once before, you should shadow or volunteer in a dental office ASAP to make sure that you actually want to pursue dentistry and are up for the challenges to come. Out of curiousity, why would you like to be a dentist? As for just applying straight away with a 2.7 sGPA, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all - sorry if that sounds harsh by any means. Also, I am pretty sure that many (if not all) schools have a 3.0 cutoff for oGPA and yours is 2.9. Even if you scored 20AA+ on the DAT, they would still not overlook your GPA.

If you know wholeheartedly that dentistry is your calling, I highly recommend obtaining a one year MS degree and knocking it out of the park to prove to the admissions committee that you are indeed serious about this. Furthermore, continue shadowing, volunteering, and anything else you can think of to show commitment.

Good luck to you! Glad you’re back on track. 🙂

 

[thisismyacct]

Since you are iffy about wanting to pursue dentristy again and backed out once before, you should shadow or volunteer in a dental office ASAP to make sure that you actually want to pursue dentistry and are up for the challenges to come. Out of curiousity, why would you like to be a dentist? As for just applying straight away with a 2.7 sGPA, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all - sorry if that sounds harsh by any means. Also, I am pretty sure that many (if not all) schools have a 3.0 cutoff for oGPA and yours is 2.9. Even if you scored 20AA+ on the DAT, they would still not overlook your GPA.

If you know wholeheartedly that dentistry is your calling, I highly recommend obtaining a one year MS degree and knocking it out of the park to prove to the admissions committee that you are indeed serious about this. Furthermore, continue shadowing, volunteering, and anything else you can think of to show commitment.

Good luck to you! Glad you’re back on track. 🙂

Thank you for the honest response, and no you weren't harsh at all.

I'm going to try and find a dentist to shadow for the reasons you stated.

I want to be a dentist because I like how its a combination of healthcare and working with your hands. I'm not one to be able to sit still with nothing to do, and I think dentistry would provide me with an exciting career.

I was under the impression all SMP were 2 years long, any links to 1 year programs?

edit: also, my overall will be above a 3.0 by the end of this upcoming school year.

 

[thisismyacct]

If you were set on pursuing a career in dentistry, I would graduate doing the best in the rest of your classes (obviously). Apply for a masters program and study for the DAT like you life depended on it. If you were to dominate a masters degree and perform well on the DAT, some schools may overlook your poor performance in your undergrad. Best of luck!
Edit: I would not apply, even if your sgpa was above a 2.7.

Thank you!

 

[MavsFanForLife]

Thank you!

Of course! I hope everything works out for you!

 

[butterchkn]

Thank you for the honest response, and no you weren't harsh at all.

I'm going to try and find a dentist to shadow for the reasons you stated.

I want to be a dentist because I like how its a combination of healthcare and working with your hands. I'm not one to be able to sit still with nothing to do, and I think dentistry would provide me with an exciting career.

I was under the impression all SMP were 2 years long, any links to 1 year programs?

edit: also, my overall will be above a 3.0 by the end of this upcoming school year.

USF has a 1 year Medical Science's program and I also have heard of many people attending Tulane's 1 year Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program who then applied to dental school and got in.

Let me know if you need any further help searching for more. I would definitely post links for you, but I am new to posting (although I have been lurking behind the scenes since high school) and am limited in doing so until I reach 10 messages. 😡

 

[Big Time Hoosier]

***Disclaimer: This is all just one anonymous internet person’s personal opinion.***

Firstly, I’d retake those undergrad classes you did poorly in. I’ve never had any role in admissions, but I would personally expect someone to get an A in a repeated course. I mean, it is the second time they have seen the material. Essentially they have an advantage over those taking it for the first time.

If you do a 1-year SMP, you’ll have to have finished it before you apply for it to have any real effect. You aren’t going to be able to apply the same summer/fall that you start the SMP. Schools will want to see how you did, and B’s absolutely won’t cut it. If you don’t perform very well, you’ll have just reinforced your undergrad performance to adcoms.

I’d also do all I could to score 23+ on the DAT, which is absolutely easier said than done because that’s probably the top 2-5% of test takers. An average score is not going to help make up for a significantly below average GPA.

One other very big thing to think about is debt. Schools that tend to have lower GPA and DAT averages are also very, very expensive private schools. If you do get in, there’s a very good chance you’ll have $500,000+ in student loans. That’s not Monopoly®️ money. You’ll actually have to pay that back. Your monthly loan payment will be $3,800 for the next TWENTY years. That’s $45,000 every year of after tax money. Which means you need to earn around $60,000/year just to not default on your student loans. And again, this will be for two decades of your life. Student loans are no joke!

You have a long road ahead of you. You’re probably not going to be able to make it all happen in a single year. Best of luck to you!

Big Hoss

 

[thisismyacct]

***Disclaimer: This is all just one anonymous internet person’s personal opinion.***

Firstly, I’d retake those undergrad classes you did poorly in. I’ve never had any role in admissions, but I would personally expect someone to get an A in a repeated course. I mean, it is the second time they have seen the material. Essentially they have an advantage over those taking it for the first time.

If you do a 1-year SMP, you’ll have to have finished it before you apply for it to have any real effect. You aren’t going to be able to apply the same summer/fall that you start the SMP. Schools will want to see how you did, and B’s absolutely won’t cut it. If you don’t perform very well, you’ll have just reinforced your undergrad performance to adcoms.

I’d also do all I could to score 23+ on the DAT, which is absolutely easier said than done because that’s probably the top 2-5% of test takers. An average score is not going to help make up for a significantly below average GPA.

One other very big thing to think about is debt. Schools that tend to have lower GPA and DAT averages are also very, very expensive private schools. If you do get in, there’s a very good chance you’ll have $500,000+ in student loans. That’s not Monopoly®️ money. You’ll actually have to pay that back. Your monthly loan payment will be $3,800 for the next TWENTY years. That’s $45,000 every year of after tax money. Which means you need to earn around $60,000/year just to not default on your student loans. And again, this will be for two decades of your life. Student loans are no joke!

You have a long road ahead of you. You’re probably not going to be able to make it all happen in a single year. Best of luck to you!

Big Hoss

Thanks for the reply Big Hoss.

I agree with your point regarding the grades in repeated courses. If I do the SMP, I won't settle for less than a B+ since anything lower than that is really just a waste of time. I've also heard the admissions people want to see 3.5+ in SMPs.

I intend to study my can off for the DAT. I took a practice bio section test on the DAT Bootcamp website and I scored a 20 so I'm hoping I can do better with actual studying.

You are correct about the student loans, and the large amount of debt is something to keep in mind. However, I plan on taking the money I earn as a dentist in putting it into other areas that can make me money.

Oh, and I'm thinking it'll be another 2 years after I graduate until I'm ready to apply. 1 year informal post-bacc and 1 year SMP.

 

[ncide]

I'm gonna be blunt.

I don't care about the spirits you believe in and the time you spent in worship of them.

I don't care about the sports you played. If you can kick a ball well, great for you, but I could care less. It isn't gonna be useful for dental school.

What is worthwhile to me is the time you spent helping people around you better their education. This underscores a willingness to help those in need and this a valuable trait to have.

Dental school is gruelling, and you don't want to be the fellow who spends $200,000 to ultimately get asked to leave dental school because of poor academic performance. This has happened in my class. If you do not prove yourself as a dedicated student who can undertake the challenges of undergrad, you are looked on as a risk rather than an asset. For most undergraduate educations, dental school is significantly more difficult. A doctor has to be fully invested in their education to provide the best care possible to their patients. You need to show that. Stop making excuses and pick up your slack, otherwise no one will take you seriously.

 

[thisismyacct]

I'm gonna be blunt.

I don't care about the spirits you believe in and the time you spent in worship of them.

I don't care about the sports you played. If you can kick a ball well, great for you, but I could care less. It isn't gonna be useful for dental school.

What is worthwhile to me is the time you spent helping people around you better their education. This underscores a willingness to help those in need and this a valuable trait to have.

Dental school is gruelling, and you don't want to be the fellow who spends $200,000 to ultimately get asked to leave dental school because of poor academic performance. This has happened in my class. If you do not prove yourself as a dedicated student who can undertake the challenges of undergrad, you are looked on as a risk rather than an asset. For most undergraduate educations, dental school is significantly more difficult. A doctor has to be fully invested in their education to provide the best care possible to their patients. You need to show that. Stop making excuses and pick up your slack, otherwise no one will take you seriously.

I appreciate you being blunt, as I'm not a fan of sugar-coating anything, especially in matters where legitimate and honest advice is needed.

Your last paragraph is my biggest fear, and that is something I want to avoid. I intend to put 100% into my studies from here on out, and have already laid out a plan on what I need to do the next couple of years.

 

[pinwheeels]

USF has a 1 year Medical Science's program and I also have heard of many people attending Tulane's 1 year Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program who then applied to dental school and got in.

Let me know if you need any further help searching for more. I would definitely post links for you, but I am new to posting (although I have been lurking behind the scenes since high school) and am limited in doing so until I reach 10 messages. 😡

Western U has a one year program called the MSMS and anyone who takes it is essentially a shoe-in to Western’s dental school. I just spoke to a 3rd year who went this route after she failed to get accepted to 16 schools, then applied to only Western her 2nd cycle while doing the MSMS degree and got in. She said everyone who wanted to get into the dental school who was in the program got in.

 

[thisismyacct]

Western U has a one year program called the MSMS and anyone who takes it is essentially a shoe-in to Western’s dental school. I just spoke to a 3rd year who went this route after she failed to get accepted to 16 schools, then applied to only Western her 2nd cycle while doing the MSMS degree and got in. She said everyone who wanted to get into the dental school who was in the program got in.

Awesome, I'll keep this in mind, thank you.

 

[AKtoTXstudent]

I disagree with another poster. No one should dump on you for your beliefs or where you worship. Their post was not blunt but just rude. I am not quoting that post because there is no reason to derail your thread with an argument. I will also not reply to any comment that that poster may follow up with.

They are correct in that ECs alone dont get you into dental school. You gotta step up your game and start making As. Upward trends are a must for you.

SDN is great but cut out any distractions and evaluate your study habits. You gotta find out how you need to study so you can succeed. Undergrad is your audition for dental school. If you cant succeed in undergrad then dental school wont happen for you. Stay positive and work hard to chase your goals. Best of luck!

 

[AKtoTXstudent]

***Disclaimer: This is all just one anonymous internet person’s personal opinion.***

Firstly, I’d retake those undergrad classes you did poorly in. I’ve never had any role in admissions, but I would personally expect someone to get an A in a repeated course. I mean, it is the second time they have seen the material. Essentially they have an advantage over those taking it for the first time.

If you do a 1-year SMP, you’ll have to have finished it before you apply for it to have any real effect. You aren’t going to be able to apply the same summer/fall that you start the SMP. Schools will want to see how you did, and B’s absolutely won’t cut it. If you don’t perform very well, you’ll have just reinforced your undergrad performance to adcoms.

I’d also do all I could to score 23+ on the DAT, which is absolutely easier said than done because that’s probably the top 2-5% of test takers. An average score is not going to help make up for a significantly below average GPA.

One other very big thing to think about is debt. Schools that tend to have lower GPA and DAT averages are also very, very expensive private schools. If you do get in, there’s a very good chance you’ll have $500,000+ in student loans. That’s not Monopoly®️ money. You’ll actually have to pay that back. Your monthly loan payment will be $3,800 for the next TWENTY years. That’s $45,000 every year of after tax money. Which means you need to earn around $60,000/year just to not default on your student loans. And again, this will be for two decades of your life. Student loans are no joke!

You have a long road ahead of you. You’re probably not going to be able to make it all happen in a single year. Best of luck to you!

Big Hoss

I second this