Ugh, what to do?

[bruinguy083]

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I slacked off in college and didn't do so well in my sci. courses blah blah blah, you all know the story. My sci gpa is a 2.9 and my overall gpa is a 3.25. I got a 20/20/20 on my DAT.

BUT!!.... the past 2 years I've opened up a dental lab, or my dad and I did. I've been working on that nonstop. My question is... do I have a shot at getting in to ANY dental school if I apply to 15 to 20? Should I retake the DAT again? Will having a background in the dental field help me at all? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[anonymousername]

people with lower stats and less dental related experience have gotten accepted. So if you apply broadly, get some killer LORs, and write a good/great personal statement, you'll have a halfway decent chance at getting in.

best of luck

 

[SoCalBlondie]

I slacked off in college and didn't do so well in my sci. courses blah blah blah, you all know the story. My sci gpa is a 2.9 and my overall gpa is a 3.25. I got a 20/20/20 on my DAT.

BUT!!.... the past 2 years I've opened up a dental lab, or my dad and I did. I've been working on that nonstop. My question is... do I have a shot at getting in to ANY dental school if I apply to 15 to 20? Should I retake the DAT again? Will having a background in the dental field help me at all? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Do some research maybe take a few classes to bring up your GPA and be active in the community

If you do this i DON'T DOUBT YOU WILL GET IN...

 

[NCarolinaDent]

Yes you will have a shot of getting in. I had a 3.08 undergrad GPA and I got into dental school after working as a lab technician for two years. I got a 20 AA, 22 TS, and 17 PAT. What you did is more impressive because you opened your own lab.

I did however have a 3.4 science GPA. So the doubts admissions committee will have with your academics is your performance in science classes. You will already have a shot, but you can improve your odds by doing a couple things.

1.) Take two upper level science classes that you have not taken and get A's in them.

2.) You have a great DAT score, but if you could get a 22+ TS, then you can really improve your chances

Your application needs a theme. Yours will need to be you can handle the sciences by having raised your DAT and aced these classes, you are very passionate about dentistry and have learned a great deal by opening your own lab, and you can manage your time well (demonstrated by your acing classes, improving the DAT, and running a business all at once).

If you can do these things, then you will greatly increase your odds. Furthermore, you need to develop relationships with people in admissions at a few schools you are targeting. Call the schools and ask to meet with the dean of admissions or someone in admissions. Tour these schools and show your interest. TURN IN YOUR APPLICATION EARLY!

Good luck!