Thirty-something 3.0GPA...should I give up my DDS dream?

[Blondie5000]

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I made the big decision to attend college at the age of 31. For the last 2yrs I've been taking basic classes in hopes of transferring into a program of interest. My passion is patient care in dentistry and I've been a dental assistant as well as surgical assisting OMFS for the last 15yrs. I've seen alot and I actually gained a great deal of knowledge however, my grades have been so so the first 2yrs of college. 3.0. If I continue with all the sciences the next 2yrs and get good grades will dental schools hold the first 2yrs of my college education against me? Got all B's. I did receive A's in A&P I&II and ENG I&II however I did receive a D-

in ECON my first semester back to college(adviser recommended). I also withdrew some classes(math) that my adviser also said would not hurt me. yikes! Could that blow my chances? I've received no guidance and I wish that I would have found SDN sooner. Any info/suggestions guys and gals?

 

[bing12]

that D- will not influence your science gpa, so you know thats gonna be higher than a 3.0 ( assumption based off the limited info you provided). you have about a million shadowing and experience hours, so thats gonna be a big plus. keep up the great work, take some upper level bios such as biochem, cell bio, microbio, and genetics. you deff have a chance.

 

[bing12]

oh, and btw, if you ever think you are going to get below a C, just withdraw. a D- just kills your gpa, dont let that happen again.

 

[Blondie5000]

thanks for the insight!

 

[dentalWorks]

I made the big decision to attend college at the age of 31. For the last 2yrs I've been taking basic classes in hopes of transferring into a program of interest. My passion is patient care in dentistry and I've been a dental assistant as well as surgical assisting OMFS for the last 15yrs. I've seen alot and I actually gained a great deal of knowledge however, my grades have been so so the first 2yrs of college. 3.0. If I continue with all the sciences the next 2yrs and get good grades will dental schools hold the first 2yrs of my college education against me? Got all B's. I did receive A's in A&P I&II and ENG I&II however I did receive a D-

in ECON my first semester back to college(adviser recommended). I also withdrew some classes(math) that my adviser also said would not hurt me. yikes! Could that blow my chances? I've received no guidance and I wish that I would have found SDN sooner. Any info/suggestions guys and gals?

I was in a very similar GPA-situation. I was a software engineer with 3.0 GPA when I decided to go for healthcare.

Anyways, I went back to school, took all my pre-dental sciences and bunch of upper level bios. I did very well, I brought my new GPA to 3.3, and science went up to a whooper of 3.6. That huge upward trend + a good DAT secured me alot of interviews & acceptances.

I don't see why you can't have the same level of success (assuming of course you do well in your upcoming 2 years)

 

[SeattleRDH]

You should recalculate your GPA with the AADSAS criteria. You can find the info in FAQs on the ADEA's website. Figure out your BCP and science GPA, then take classes that will strengthen these. If you can bring your stats up to 3.3 with a strong DAT you'll be fine.

 

[yappy]

Hey man - there is hope! If you work very hard.

Lets face it, this is make or break for you. You're no longer a young student who is freshout of high school - you're an experienced health care provider who knows what they want.

There is no reason you should not be making 3.5+. Most of the pre-dental studies are all about outworking the material and other students. Make getting A's your full time job.

Just to be clear: 2 yrs of 3.0 + 2 yrs of 4.0 = 3.5 overall.

Make this your goal and go for it!

Here are some tips for you:

-preread all material before lecture.
-do the problems in the back of the book
-go to office hours if you have quetions
-utilize math help sections
-use ratemyprofessor.com to find the teachers that will help you in getting your A's.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

I didn't even bother reading your story because you're 30 and therefore you're getting in.

If you're married, too, apply to a mid-tiered school. If you're married AND have kids, apply to an Ivy league. Two non-traditionals in my Master's program are graduating here with a 3.2 and 3.1.

Both got into Washington and UCLA.........................................

Apparently the key to getting in with a crappy GPA is to put family ahead of career and start popping out babies. Perhaps then I'll be able to compete with these older applicants.

 

[zatoichi]

I didn't even bother reading your story because you're 30 and therefore you're getting in.

If you're married, too, apply to a mid-tiered school. If you're married AND have kids, apply to an Ivy league. Two non-traditionals in my Master's program are graduating here with a 3.2 and 3.1.

Both got into Washington and UCLA.........................................

Apparently the key to getting in with a crappy GPA is to put family ahead of career and start popping out babies. Perhaps then I'll be able to compete with these older applicants.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

I didn't even bother reading your story because you're 30 and therefore you're getting in.

If you're married, too, apply to a mid-tiered school. If you're married AND have kids, apply to an Ivy league. Two non-traditionals in my Master's program are graduating here with a 3.2 and 3.1.

Both got into Washington and UCLA.........................................

Apparently the key to getting in with a crappy GPA is to put family ahead of career and start popping out babies. Perhaps then I'll be able to compete with these older applicants.

Going to have to ask my gf tonight if she REALLY wants me to get into dschool.

 

[Blondie5000]

Great advice, thanks!

 

[jeffity]

I didn't even bother reading your story because you're 30 and therefore you're getting in.

If you're married, too, apply to a mid-tiered school. If you're married AND have kids, apply to an Ivy league. Two non-traditionals in my Master's program are graduating here with a 3.2 and 3.1.

Both got into Washington and UCLA.........................................

Apparently the key to getting in with a crappy GPA is to put family ahead of career and start popping out babies. Perhaps then I'll be able to compete with these older applicants.

I was going to apply 10 years ago, but everyone told me this same thing. So I sat around for 10 years and picked up a wife and a kid in the meantime. But I spared the crappy GPA with a 3.9.

You'll be pleased to know I just added Columbia, Penn, Tufts, and NYU to my list.

You can't really be this bitter about a TINY percentage of applicants can you? We're hardly keeping you out of dental school. Being old, married, and with children is hardly bringing just a checklist to the table.

 

[Blondie5000]

I guess Criminal Background checks are the new way to weed out applicants. I have 2 skeletons in my closet. One day in 05' I worked an 11hr shift and had a date that same night. Had one mixed drink on an empty stomach and was pulled over shortly after. I received a DUI by 1point above the legal limit. I actually rarely drink and this is why this is SO disappointing. Glad the police were doing there job but that was one unlucky year for me.

Up until 2yrs ago I had no clue this was on my record but back in the day when I was 18, I bounced a check. My home environment was not ideal so I lived elsewhere and did not get my mail. Needless to say I was summoned to court for this and I guess it was going to be a misdemeanor charge however it was reduced to a small fine. Why does this show on my record all of a sudden? I've never had a prob before? I asked the courts and they have little advice to give. Any suggestions? Diversity is great in dental school but this prob isn't part of their idea of diversity.

 

[ccm5166]

I made the big decision to attend college at the age of 31. For the last 2yrs I've been taking basic classes in hopes of transferring into a program of interest. My passion is patient care in dentistry and I've been a dental assistant as well as surgical assisting OMFS for the last 15yrs. I've seen alot and I actually gained a great deal of knowledge however, my grades have been so so the first 2yrs of college. 3.0. If I continue with all the sciences the next 2yrs and get good grades will dental schools hold the first 2yrs of my college education against me? Got all B's. I did receive A's in A&P I&II and ENG I&II however I did receive a D-

in ECON my first semester back to college(adviser recommended). I also withdrew some classes(math) that my adviser also said would not hurt me. yikes! Could that blow my chances? I've received no guidance and I wish that I would have found SDN sooner. Any info/suggestions guys and gals?

Maybe you should consider going for Dental Hygiene instead which is a two year program and will be making ($400-600 per day)...I assumed by now you are about 33 and You still working on pre-requisites maybe two more year,,,By the time you are done with prerequisites you will be about 35+ then add another 4 years of dental school plus 1year residency : by time you finish you will be like 40+ years old if you continue and nothing gets on the way ( like babies, marriage etc) plus dont forget you will have a debt of about 400K on tuition.. So good luck on your decision but if its really your dream and you are willing to make sacrifices many years of life then "GO FOR IT"
** I am an old applicant too and guess what "I am going for it" 😀

 

[Blondie5000]

Married. no kids. not having any. saw the world and experienced life in my 20's. Gave up many hobbies and interests to go back to school. now, dedicating my future to education as I know it is the most fulfilling and rewarding. I'm prob not going to give up so easily as I know what my passions are however it may take me awhile to reach my goals. Besides 40 is the new 30! lol!

 

[ccm5166]

Married. no kids. not having any. saw the world and experienced life in my 20's. Gave up many hobbies and interests to go back to school. now, dedicating my future to education as I know it is the most fulfilling and rewarding. I'm prob not going to give up so easily as I know what my passions are however it may take me awhile to reach my goals. Besides 40 is the new 30! lol!

Sure it is!!! So then go for it...🙂

 

[dantemac]

I didn't even bother reading your story because you're 30 and therefore you're getting in.

If you're married, too, apply to a mid-tiered school. If you're married AND have kids, apply to an Ivy league. Two non-traditionals in my Master's program are graduating here with a 3.2 and 3.1.

Both got into Washington and UCLA.........................................

Apparently the key to getting in with a crappy GPA is to put family ahead of career and start popping out babies. Perhaps then I'll be able to compete with these older applicants.

Haha I don't think this is the case!

 

[yappy]

Your ignorant statements really show just how young you are. IMO confirms the bais you're complaining about - though I doubt it exists.

I didn't even bother reading your story because you're 30 and therefore you're getting in.

If you're married, too, apply to a mid-tiered school. If you're married AND have kids, apply to an Ivy league. Two non-traditionals in my Master's program are graduating here with a 3.2 and 3.1.

Both got into Washington and UCLA.........................................

Apparently the key to getting in with a crappy GPA is to put family ahead of career and start popping out babies. Perhaps then I'll be able to compete with these older applicants.

 

[amalgamgrillz]

Your ignorant statements really show just how young you are. IMO confirms the bais you're complaining about - though I doubt it exists.

Lol, I could really care less because at the end of the day, my claims are supported. The two non-traditionals that I was talking about would NOT get into dental school with their stats/credentials if they were younger. I also edited their personal statements and helped review their AADSAS stuff, and their applications were mediocre, at best.

Also, I've heard it straight from an admissions director's mouth: non-traditionals are viewed very positively because of their "maturity and life experiences." So if being married and being a parent makes me more qualified, then bring it on Brangelina..give me one of your 12 underrepresented minority children.

 

[Impulse155]

oh, and btw, if you ever think you are going to get below a C, just withdraw. a D- just kills your gpa, dont let that happen again.

I threw 2 D's on my transcript before I found out about PNC and withdrawing deadlines 🙁

Would have saved my life if I withdrew from the classes. Both were science classes too ;\

 

[jeffity]

Lol, I could really care less because at the end of the day, my claims are supported. The two non-traditionals that I was talking about would NOT get into dental school with their stats/credentials if they were younger. I also edited their personal statements and helped review their AADSAS stuff, and their applications were mediocre, at best.

Also, I've heard it straight from an admissions director's mouth: non-traditionals are viewed very positively because of their "maturity and life experiences." So if being married and being a parent makes me more qualified, then bring it on Brangelina..give me one of your 12 underrepresented minority children.

Age/marriage/children does have the potential to bring something valuable to the table, but only a fool would bank on getting in just because he or she has one or more of those things going for them. I think it was your original "you're 30 and therefore you're getting in" that was off. How each school values this is all up to them. But if I apply with a 2.5 and a 16 or blow an interview, I'm just a screwed as everyone else.

 

[SeattleRDH]

Lol, I could really care less because at the end of the day, my claims are supported. The two non-traditionals that I was talking about would NOT get into dental school with their stats/credentials if they were younger. I also edited their personal statements and helped review their AADSAS stuff, and their applications were mediocre, at best.

Also, I've heard it straight from an admissions director's mouth: non-traditionals are viewed very positively because of their "maturity and life experiences." So if being married and being a parent makes me more qualified, then bring it on Brangelina..give me one of your 12 underrepresented minority children.

I know the last thing you want to hear as a young person is "wait until you're our age" but, seriously, ten years from now your maturity and life experiences are going to make you a totally different person.

And if a person can have a marriage, kids, a mortgage, dogs, student loan payments, a part-time job, and still pull a B to B+ average, then yes, they can be a successful dental student.

 

[SeattleRDH]

I guess Criminal Background checks are the new way to weed out applicants. I have 2 skeletons in my closet. One day in 05' I worked an 11hr shift and had a date that same night. Had one mixed drink on an empty stomach and was pulled over shortly after. I received a DUI by 1point above the legal limit. I actually rarely drink and this is why this is SO disappointing. Glad the police were doing there job but that was one unlucky year for me.

Up until 2yrs ago I had no clue this was on my record but back in the day when I was 18, I bounced a check. My home environment was not ideal so I lived elsewhere and did not get my mail. Needless to say I was summoned to court for this and I guess it was going to be a misdemeanor charge however it was reduced to a small fine. Why does this show on my record all of a sudden? I've never had a prob before? I asked the courts and they have little advice to give. Any suggestions? Diversity is great in dental school but this prob isn't part of their idea of diversity.

I wouldn't stress the background check. You can search DUI on this forum. There have been many dental students that made it in with this on their record. The only way that you can be penalized for your record is if you lie about it.

 

[jirotrom]

Lol, I could really care less because at the end of the day, my claims are supported. The two non-traditionals that I was talking about would NOT get into dental school with their stats/credentials if they were younger. I also edited their personal statements and helped review their AADSAS stuff, and their applications were mediocre, at best.

Also, I've heard it straight from an admissions director's mouth: non-traditionals are viewed very positively because of their "maturity and life experiences." So if being married and being a parent makes me more qualified, then bring it on Brangelina..give me one of your 12 underrepresented minority children.

COULDN'T... sorry... pet peeve 😀

 

[Blondie5000]

I wouldn't stress the background check. You can search DUI on this forum. There have been many dental students that made it in with this on their record. The only way that you can be penalized for your record is if you lie about it.

Thank you for the much needed advice! 😀