What can i do?

[valkyrie_89]

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Hi all,

I graduated in 2012 with a 2.8 GPA (even lower s GPA), B.S. in Biology. I got a 3.7 GPA both semesters of my sophomore year, but for various reasons my grades tanked the following two years and I did not take school seriously at all.

I work in financial services now and hate it. My father was an orthodontist and my parents always wanted me to go to dental school, now i see why. I'm at a point where I have 2 options that I can see, either keep moving forward with my current career or make a complete switch and try to get into dental school. I have applied to a well respected MBA program and I'm pretty confident that I will be offered admission. The problem is, it doesn't feel right for me and I will always regret not trying to get into dental school.

I am considering going all in, quitting my job and enrolling in classes full time at a local state school to finish pre-reqs and improve my GPA. I am much more mature than I was in college and I'm confident I could get good grades now. It would only take 25 credits of all A's improve to a 3.0, which sounds much less hopeless than a 2.8. I have hundreds of hours shadowing a dentist and my father gives money to his dental school (do schools care about legacy?). Could I have a realistic shot of getting in?

 

[futuredoc2019dds]

Anything is still possible. I would say do a masters program and do really well on it into Eder to give yourself a shot. For the DAT, I would strive for a 21+ (even better a 22+) to give yourself the best chance possible. Some schools take legacy into account, but most do not. What school did your dad go to?

 

[valkyrie_89]

Anything is still possible. I would say do a masters program and do really well on it into Eder to give yourself a shot. For the DAT, I would strive for a 21+ (even better a 22+) to give yourself the best chance possible. Some schools take legacy into account, but most do not. What school did your dad go to?

Thanks for your reply.

My dad went to VCU, as did the dentist I shadowed. Would a master's degree be a better use of time than an informal 1 year post-bacc?

 

[futuredoc2019dds]

Hm, didn't hear much about legacy for VCU so I can't really help you there. I personally would say a master's is better because you already did a Biology degree in undergrad. If you do an informal post-bacc, you'll most likely be taking the same science courses you already took. Doing a master's degree and doing well in your classes will show them that you can handle the academic rigor associated with dental school. The only time I personally would do a post-bacc is if my science pre-reqs expired or if I got below a C in any of the dental school pre-reqs (I think all schools want a C or better in pre-req courses).

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I think if you work hard, improve your GPA, and kick butt on the DAT, you have a great shot! Especially if you're passionate about dentistry and can convey that. I think you'd be able to write a great personal statement that reflects how you realized a career in finance was completely wrong for you. Schools would probably love that because it can show that you're 100% sure you want to go into the dental field because you've tried other things.
Good luck!!

 

[MRZ8]

I think if you work hard, improve your GPA, and kick butt on the DAT, you have a great shot! Especially if you're passionate about dentistry and can convey that. I think you'd be able to write a great personal statement that reflects how you realized a career in finance was completely wrong for you. Schools would probably love that because it can show that you're 100% sure you want to go into the dental field because you've tried other things.
Good luck!!

VCU adcoms Goolsby and Gottlieb are understanding. Contact them if you want direct answers. Goolsby's email is [email protected]. You're more than just your GPA. I suggest you do a 1 or 2 year Masters. A Masters GPA would seem to have more weight than an undergrad GPA.