Troubled past - future advice

[ad0508]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Sooo after 4yrs of undergrad I realized I royally screwed myself. With a 2.7c and an unspeakable science gpa I graduated. I even managed to be such an idiot that I took the DAT twice, without committing to studying, and got a 17 both times.

I took this last year to take upper level (3000 and 4000) science courses, 5 all together, and managed a 3.6 while working at a pediatric dental clinic as a dental assistant. After that year, and some great recommendations, I just caught a break and recently got conditionally accepted into a 2yr masters in bio program.

I want to say I'm massively embarrassed by my past "efforts" and have worked hard this last year with both school and my job. I haven't partied or taken time off to screw around, and am truly committed to getting into dental school. I've essentially finally grown up.

Now I'm looking into the barrel of my future and want some advice on things I need to make sure I do, while in my masters program. I know research is a huge must and if I can get published it will help tremendously, but what else would you guys recommend?

Honestly any help would be great! I got my ideas for upper level science courses, working, and getting a masters from this site, so thank you so much for that! Really great community

 

[Hawkteeth]

The best thing you can do now is aim for a 4.0 and get good letters of rec by getting to know your professors. Research and volunteer but don't let it get in the way of getting good grades. Also think ahead on when you might be able to commit a couple months to the DAT.

 

[LaughingGas]

The best thing you can do now is aim for a 4.0 and get good letters of rec by getting to know your professors. Research and volunteer but don't let it get in the way of getting good grades. Also think ahead on when you might be able to commit a couple months to the DAT.

👍👍
1st)Grade 2nd) DAT 3rd) ECs.

If you want to increase the number of schools to apply, you want to have both research and volunteer (community service-dental or non-dental related). When getting ECs done, don't just focus one area, but do multiple (if you can handle) at a time. This way, you can apply schools that are heavy-research and others that are heavy on community service.

 

[ad0508]

Great advice. I'm definitely being very proactive by emailing my profs early so they already know me. I'm confident I can pull a 4.0 and possibly get some work done on the side. As for community service in dental that's one thing I believe I have a lot of.

I've worked for my past employer, a Medicaid accepting pedo, as a non-paid dental assistant for more than 300 hours. Should I continue that type of work when I find time, or does that not count? Was also knee deep, but got side tracked, in my charity Dollar Dental Donations. Got around $85 bucks which equates to around 100 dental bags for kids. Should I keep going with that?

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

Great advice. I'm definitely being very proactive by emailing my profs early so they already know me. I'm confident I can pull a 4.0 and possibly get some work done on the side. As for community service in dental that's one thing I believe I have a lot of.

I've worked for my past employer, a Medicaid accepting pedo, as a non-paid dental assistant for more than 300 hours. Should I continue that type of work when I find time, or does that not count? Was also knee deep, but got side tracked, in my charity Dollar Dental Donations. Got around $85 bucks which equates to around 100 dental bags for kids. Should I keep going with that?

300 hours is definitely good enough. I'd imagine you are using these hours as shadowing hours? Dental schools don't really see shadowing as an improvement to your application after you've reached 100 hours. The point of shadowing is to make sure the career is right for you, and the way they see it, it shouldn't take more than 100 hours to decide that. They would rather see that time spent doing things that prove you can make it through their dental program.

I'm sure being an assistant adds a little more spice to your application, but unless you genuinely enjoy being an unpaid assistant, I wouldn't do more than the 300 hours you already have.

 

[KittySquared]

Time for you to cut down time on the extracurriculars and volunteering a bit.

No more excuses. Punch yourself when you try to excuse yourself again. Your best hope is to 4.0 your entire masters program, and take this summer to study for the DATs prior to starting your masters, as if your life depends on it. And you need to aim for 25s across the board. Accept anything above a 20, but aim for 25 on the DAT. If you do great on the DAT, it'll be a motivation for you to do well in your masters as well. By next summer, you will have approximately 30 some credits from your masters, hopefully with a 4.0, and your DAT score will be ready to go. Everything is ready so you can apply as soon as possible next cycle starting early June 2014. While you finish your 2nd year in your masters, you can go ahead and do more work at the dental office while you're interviewing. There's a lot of resources and info on SDN, especially in the DAT section. Make good use of it. Good luck.

 

[ad0508]

Time for you to cut down time on the extracurriculars and volunteering a bit.

No more excuses. Punch yourself when you try to excuse yourself again. Your best hope is to 4.0 your entire masters program, and take this summer to study for the DATs prior to starting your masters, as if your life depends on it. And you need to aim for 25s across the board. Accept anything above a 20, but aim for 25 on the DAT. If you do great on the DAT, it'll be a motivation for you to do well in your masters as well. By next summer, you will have approximately 30 some credits from your masters, hopefully with a 4.0, and your DAT score will be ready to go. Everything is ready so you can apply as soon as possible next cycle starting early June 2014. While you finish your 2nd year in your masters, you can go ahead and do more work at the dental office while you're interviewing. There's a lot of resources and info on SDN, especially in the DAT section. Make good use of it. Good luck.

Totally agree with all this. I think I'll stop with all the ECs for a bit. I, however, am trying to take summer courses to keep structured before my program starts. I don't want to get on a regimen of sleeping late and waking up late, and feel like I'll be ready to study hard after the summer.

I wanted to take my DAT this coming summer, so the summer between my first and second year. I'll be away from family and friends so no distractions will exist and I can study my life away. Right now I live with my brother and it's not exactly the most conducive environment. Would that still work?

 

[Teeths]

Sooo after 4yrs of undergrad I realized I royally screwed myself. With a 2.7c and an unspeakable science gpa I graduated. I even managed to be such an idiot that I took the DAT twice, without committing to studying, and got a 17 both times.

I took this last year to take upper level (3000 and 4000) science courses, 5 all together, and managed a 3.6 while working at a pediatric dental clinic as a dental assistant. After that year, and some great recommendations, I just caught a break and recently got conditionally accepted into a 2yr masters in bio program.

I want to say I'm massively embarrassed by my past "efforts" and have worked hard this last year with both school and my job. I haven't partied or taken time off to screw around, and am truly committed to getting into dental school. I've essentially finally grown up.

Now I'm looking into the barrel of my future and want some advice on things I need to make sure I do, while in my masters program. I know research is a huge must and if I can get published it will help tremendously, but what else would you guys recommend?

Honestly any help would be great! I got my ideas for upper level science courses, working, and getting a masters from this site, so thank you so much for that! Really great community

I agree with what others have said in your situation. You CANNOT... and I mean CANNOT make any excuses for yourself in your upcoming master's program or in studying for the DAT. You absolutely have to do well in both or your chances are gone and that's the bottom line. I say this because I have a somewhat similar undergrad GPA (barely 3.1 cum and slightly lower science) and am finishing out my master's program in the upcoming months. It's not over yet for you if you don't want it to be.

Good luck!

 

[518590]

Totally agree with all this. I think I'll stop with all the ECs for a bit. I, however, am trying to take summer courses to keep structured before my program starts. I don't want to get on a regimen of sleeping late and waking up late, and feel like I'll be ready to study hard after the summer.

I wanted to take my DAT this coming summer, so the summer between my first and second year. I'll be away from family and friends so no distractions will exist and I can study my life away. Right now I live with my brother and it's not exactly the most conducive environment. Would that still work?

I see my brother as a supporter, not a distraction.
It really depends on your mentality on whether you can do it or not, I think.

Personally, I think DAT is doable for anyone at anytime if they just have the right motivation.

 

[ad0508]

I see my brother as a supporter, not a distraction.
It really depends on your mentality on whether you can do it or not, I think.

Personally, I think DAT is doable for anyone at anytime if they just have the right motivation.

My brother is actually why I'm currently as focused as I am, so I agree. But he's about to get engaged and his fiancé is always at our plae and I have a lot of family obligations as I'm Indian and play a large role in my brothers marriage. Like you said my brother is definitely not a distraction, but my current situation is.

Do you guys think that taking my DAT next summer and applying the ending of the summer/beginning of my 2nd year is a good idea?

Btw really appreciate all of the advice. I'll be reading this thread over and over to remind myself to stay focused thoughtout my masters. You guys are a great bunch

 

[efficient]

You gotta get 4.0s during your Masters, not less. DS admissions always look at numbers first, then everything else. You gotta have the right numbers! Remember to get an interview for DS, the admissions offices will screen applicants by looking at numbers. Your application won't make it to the admissions director if you don't have the right numbers. Just trying to be realistic.