Typical Question: Need Advice --Please

[Nasim288]

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Ok people, I have posted in other forums a few times but have not had my heart into it so I need additional advice about DDS/DMD school. First, the background.

Briefly, I am a 29 year old BS in Biology grad from a private school in Tacoma Washington. I hold a 3.68 transfer GPA from a junior college in California and a 3.11 GPA at PLU: the school in Washington. During my junior college days, 1994 - 12/1996, I managed to take the following courses: 3 Algebra courses: all A's, Intro. Bio: A, Intro Chem: B, Gen Chem 1A: B, Intro Psych: B, Intro Socio: B, Calculus I: A, Calculus II: B, Trig: B, Intro to Physics: A, and a bunch of humanities classes: Mostly A's with a couple of B's. Now, for PLU, where I received my degree, I completed the following courses: Organic Chem: C, Organic Chem: C, Physics II: C, Genetics: A, Developmental Bio: A, Mammalian Physiology: B-, Immunology: B-, Natural hx of China: A-, Senior Research: A, Ecology: Took pass/fail (P), and a few Humanities courses where I received A's and B's.

For the real question, what the heck are my chances? I am applying for fall of next year, but will not take the DAT until the end of August. I fully expect to get a 20 but my damn GPA from PLU shows a slumpted. This is due to filing for Bankruptcy my first year at PLU, and my brother's death. I just was not myself for the entire 2 years but I managed to maintain a respectible GPA and my dignity.

I have a year of research experience, 2000 - 2001, no publish papers, 5 months of clinical research experience, 2001, and a summer minority bridge program in molecular bio: summer of 1995.

I am worried about applying and just not getting in as all pre-dental students are. Therefore, for those of you in programs, I would like to know if I have a chance in hell and a realistic approach to be a dentist: my passion and calling.

I think I know what some will say, 'Do a post-bacc program,' but with my job, a technology consultant for Accenture, I do not have the time: Need the money to pay bills before I go to school: Keeping my hopes up!!!

Anyway, thanks for all the posts in advanced and I apologize for the long message.

 

[LestatZinnie]

you should just apply. if you dont get in, you have lost in nothing. the thing with applications to professional schools is that you never know. some really qualified applicants dont get in, some people get in and one wonders why. so just do it. there is no magic formula, and there's a bit of luck involved.

 

[Kung Foo]

Nasim288 - APPLY - by all means. Have your application ready this summer (not fall), to give yourself the most chances in the rolling admissions process. Your grades aren't stellar, but if you transmit your genuine enthusiasm for the profession in your application essays and interviews, and also are prepared to answer hard questions about your past science classes (although it may not even be an issue), then you should be on your way. Be realistic about the schools you apply to - don't waste money and time on schools that are a long shot. Apply to your state school for sure and also some private schools - often their entrance requirements are more flexible - meaning they sometimes look at factors other than a strict GPA/DAT formula. If you do well on the DAT, it will also be a huge boost to your application, particulatly since you've been out of undergrad for a little while - they'll likely see it as a more accurate reflection of your current abilities.

good luck

 

[SchwarzBWU]

Nasim -

I want to encourage you to go for it. Our backgrounds are almost identical. I had a strong GPA from jr. college, then transferred to UCLA and it went downhill. Our overall stats are about the same. By the time I graduated from college I was burnt out and shrouded by self-doubt about achieving my dream. I never even tried to get into a dental program - a mistake which has haunted me throughout my adult life.

Now, ten years later after also working as a technology consultant (for Deloitte & PWC) and IT manager, I am going to start dental school this Fall. I decided about 18 months ago to stop beating myself up over never trying to go to dental school and do something about it. I was either going to get in or fail miserably trying to get in, but I was going to go for it!

You can overcome the obstacles. I haven't so much looked at a science book in 10 years, but I starting studying again on my own in preparation for the DAT. I didn't have a killer GPA. My DAT score was good enough to be competitive but it certainly didn't distinguish me from the competition. There are many applicants that are just as good myself and in fact many are better. I didn't let that stop me. Now have the opportunity to realize a lifelong dream.

I hope that my story will inspire you to go for it. Don't make the same mistake I did and let go of your dream. It will leave an emptiness inside of you. You can learn to ignore it, but it never goes away entirely. I got in and so can you.

Good luck!

SchwarzBWU

 

[Nasim288]

SchwarzBWU

Where did you apply to and where are u going now? My goal is to apply to NYU, Boston U, University of Washington since I am now a Washington resident, Creighton, Temple, a possibly UOP. My problem is that I must take a few science classes to qualify for the prerequisites. I have taken intro to gen chemistry and then chemistry 1A which was good enough to graduate with a degree but I fear that most dental schools will not accept the into class. Thus, i think I have to take 2 quartes of gen chem to meet the prereqs. The same situation goes for physics. I hope they will take the classes but if not, I have to truly find time to take them. Work is killing me so my time is thin. I think that if I take the lecture portion and not the labs, I will be fine. What do you think?

If you can, please let me know the schools you applied to and how many. I am thinking a total of 10 but who knows. I will take the DAT in August or September and hope to get a 20. I think I can do it. Keeping myself positive.

PS - Thank you all for the posts and the encouragement.

 

[SchwarzBWU]

First of all, you do need to make sure that you have all the prerequisites. A dental school may forgive a less than stellar GPA, but you cannot get away with any missing requirements.

I'm not sure how much the requirements vary from school to school. I believe it's fairly standard across the board. My focus was to get into the program at UNLV and that is where I'm going. They were pretty clear about the prereqs. As I recall you need a full year of Bio, G-Chem, O-Chem, and Physics. All these require the accompanying Lab. If you don't have these minimum requirements or can't show that you'll have these completed by the time school starts, then you won't make the cut. There's no leeway.

I think you've got the right idea. The schools you mention are all good choices. They take a good number of out-of-state students every year. Just make sure that you'll be able to get the prerequisites complete. If not, then wait a year.

Good luck.
SchwarzBWU