what are my chances, should i take year off

[Moneymaker]

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Hello guys,

I am going to be a rising junior and my GPA is really low - 2.7 and science GPA of 2.6. So what can I do to increase my chances of getting into dental school. Also, is it even worth it, should just work at pharmaceutical company for year or two after i graduate before I apply. If my ultimate goal is dentistry, i don't want to waste money on masters program.

Is it necessary to do a masters program? I know most of the schools prefer masters program in public health. I was thinking about the option of Physician Assistant.

Also, what schools can I possibly apply for dental with low GPA. I have not taken my DATs yet. Besides, i am Asian so that lowers my chances more.

 

[Meatwad]

I wouldn't assume PA is a backup option. From what I've heard from friends interested in becoming a PA, it's really hard to get into. They get a lot of applicants, and have strict volunteer requirements, something like 2,000 hours. That's why it's very hard to get into PA school unless you've wanted it from day 1; making up 2,000 hours in a mad dash is not going to be easy and will seriously dishearten you if you are not 100% committed to the profession.

So no, don't think of PA school just to boost your application. And don't take a year off, unless you have a health or serious family problems. Motivate yourself, get A's for the next two years, and your GPA will be much better. You could potentially have a 3.3 if you get all A's; couple that with the trend you will have shown and you have a good chance.

 

[jigabodo]

Hello guys,

I am going to be a rising junior and my GPA is really low - 2.7 and science GPA of 2.6. So what can I do to increase my chances of getting into dental school. Also, is it even worth it, should just work at pharmaceutical company for year or two after i graduate before I apply. If my ultimate goal is dentistry, i don't want to waste money on masters program.

Is it necessary to do a masters program? I know most of the schools prefer masters program in public health. I was thinking about the option of Physician Assistant.

Also, what schools can I possibly apply for dental with low GPA. I have not taken my DATs yet. Besides, i am Asian so that lowers my chances more.

Being an asian doesnt really lower your chances, it just doesnt help because we are not UDM.

I would just like to add that besides increasing your GPA, if you can somehow manage to get a killer DAT score it will also help tremendously. This would be particularly good for schools that favor high DAT than GPA, like UoP, UNLV and such.

 

[airsimon]

and move to Texas. State residency will help you big time.

 

[Meatwad]

and move to Texas. State residency will help you big time.

Don't you have to own property or hold a job, not just be a student, in Texas to get residency? I think they've done this on purpose to prevent kids from quickly getting residence and access to their heavily in-state favorable schools.

 

[AmoDientes]

Keep master's programs in the back of your mind because you are STILL only a rising junior undergrad...just make sure you end college with some strong grades. I'd say it's still pretty early to decide whether or not you'll do a master's program. Focus on undergraduate for now, then look into some master's programs when it gets closer to senior year.

 

[diane07]

I think competition has only increased in the last couple years. So maybe in the past a low GPA could still get you in, but nowadays I think it would be pretty tough.

 

[Ehhhh]

Honestly I was in the same boat... My DAT was pretty solid (20/20/22), I took a year off, but it wasn't enough... Now I'm in a 1 year masters program... I would highly recommend you to not take the year off and apply to begin a master as soon as undergrad is done... Taking extra classes may help but you're GPA is going to move really slow... So my best advice is do the masters it's not a waste of money, years wasted not being a dentist is a waste of money....

 

[Pyriots]

When you take a year off, they ALWAYS ask you in interview what you did with it. And they expect a damn good answer. So I strongly discourage taking a year off unless you've spoken to multiple pre health advisors or admissions directors and had them all say your plan sounds OK. Also, I think going into another field temporarily, even if its working in your major for a couple years, give the impression that you dont really want to be a dentist. Youll get not only the "why do you want to be a dentist" standard question but youll also have to answer "since when" and that is going to be very hard if you say "since college, but I temporarily changed my mind and decided to take a couple years off to try out a completely different field." The application process is supposed to be a headache, its how they weed a lot of ppl out. Post-bac programs are not a waste of time. Many are geared specifically for people in your situation. and they are HARD because you do have something more to prove than the other applicants but they are achievable. Some schools will guarantee you an interview (not acceptance!) if you get a certain GPA with their affiliated post-bac program. Just don't do any random masters program, (and I personally feel the MPH is kinda a waste). Do your research and talk to an admissions counselor to find the proper post bac program. In the mean time, you really need to kill undergrad and establish a very steep upward trend. I don't believe the trend alone will get you in. You should have certain scores in order for your file to even get looked at closely to notice an upward trend. If you have any electives left, try to get them in upper level science (BCP) courses to target that part of your GPA. There are also a couple good summer programs for pre-dent that you should look into to get your name on the radar (and get advise from Adcoms. at the end of the day, most everybody on here is just a student and wont really be able to help you get in).

And yes, a lot of the other programs like P.A. , O.D, D.P, are a lot harder to get into than you would think, purely based on how few seats and program there are across the country. As a last resort, if you really want to go into dentistry, look into international school. You won't be able to practice in the US (without more US dental schooling) but ultimately you will be a dentist.