What should I do?

[josemills]

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Hi guys. I just need a little help with what direction I should go from here.

I applied for dental schools this cycle before I took the DAT. I listed that I was going to be retaking the DAT a third time on my application hoping to get around a 20-21 range. I took the DAT three times. First attempt: 16. Second attempt: 16. Third attempt: 17. I know these are terrible terrible scores. My overall GPA is a 3.4 and I have one more year of university left (entering my 5th year).

So I really don't know what to do at this point. What should do? Should I pay for my supplemental applications? I feel like there's no point for that because I know I'm not getting accepted. I love dentistry but I'm thinking about switching careers because I'm starting to think dentistry isn't for me and I also don't want to keep wasting years of my life doing nothing. Please help me. Thanks!

 

[MedicalDoctorFrankenstein]

If I was in your position and could afford to apply, I would at least apply. That way if it doesn't work out, you could move on and know it just may not be for you. You could look into other health professions such as podiatry, PA, or pharmacy if medicine interests you. I understand what you mean when you say you don't want to waste years of your life on this, I'm on the wrong side of 25, so I am in a similar boat.

You can start working towards something else, but at least apply so you never have to wonder "what if". Dentistry is your dream, but there are countless people who found something they love that they never would have thought of doing while they were chasing their "dream". The Rock and Terry Crews were following their dream of being in the NFL and I am sure they are a lot happier where they are now instead. Just keep working forward and don't put all your eggs in one basket just incase. You may get in, you may not. Be ready for both situations.

 

[lwergod]

you can try if you feel like wasting your money..


if you're set on dentistry, then you need permission from the ADA to take it a fourth time.

however, that would almost certainly be your last chance, and you would need to score at least a 22.

I would also recommend a masters program to help boost gpa, and give yourself time to mature academically/study for that DAT.


not gonna lie, the odds are stacked against you. The odds of you doing suddenly well on the DAT on your fourth attempt is not favorable. Unless, you never took that DAT seriously enough in the first place... if that's the case, then all you need to do is make drastic changes to how you studied.

also, where do you go to under-grad? I feel like the rigor of your classes is highly correlated with DAT score.

 

[dent56171]

Hi guys. I just need a little help with what direction I should go from here.

I applied for dental schools this cycle before I took the DAT. I listed that I was going to be retaking the DAT a third time on my application hoping to get around a 20-21 range. I took the DAT three times. First attempt: 16. Second attempt: 16. Third attempt: 17. I know these are terrible terrible scores. My overall GPA is a 3.4 and I have one more year of university left (entering my 5th year).

So I really don't know what to do at this point. What should do? Should I pay for my supplemental applications? I feel like there's no point for that because I know I'm not getting accepted. I love dentistry but I'm thinking about switching careers because I'm starting to think dentistry isn't for me and I also don't want to keep wasting years of my life doing nothing. Please help me. Thanks!

How did you study for it what did you use and what were your practice test scores? If you really want to pursue dentistry, I suggest definitely retaking the DAT, perhaps getting a tutor as well as doing the online programs so maybe that might help your scoring, but yeah you're going to have to kill it this last time with a 20+. But as of now, I don't think you should pay for supplementals unless you have money just laying around and wouldn't mind paying them.

 

[Let me out!]

You are definitely doing something wrong if you've studied for DAT 3 times and received those scores.

 

[ringofkeys]

you could look into the OSU DentPath program. https://dentistry.osu.edu/sites/default/files/cod_dentpath_brochure.pdf

 

[josemills]

you could look into the OSU DentPath program.

Wow. This might've just saved me. Only one problem though. I already submitted my application this cycle to all my dental schools but didn't add Ohio State as one of my schools. Would it even be allowed to make another account and submit just a separate application just to Ohio state? Please help. Thanks!!

 

[MattyMcChicken]

Wow. This might've just saved me. Only one problem though. I already submitted my application this cycle to all my dental schools but didn't add Ohio State as one of my schools. Would it even be allowed to make another account and submit just a separate application just to Ohio state? Please help. Thanks!!

You can just add osu and submit?


Sent from my Pixel XL using SDN mobile

 

[craftytooth99]

Wow. This might've just saved me. Only one problem though. I already submitted my application this cycle to all my dental schools but didn't add Ohio State as one of my schools. Would it even be allowed to make another account and submit just a separate application just to Ohio state? Please help. Thanks!!

You can add the program by logging into your account and clicking on "Add Program" from the top!

 

[josemills]

You can add the program by logging into your account and clicking on "Add Program" from the top!

Okay great! Just applied. Couple questions though. Is it very competitive? The minimum GPA and DAT they're saying is 2.75 and 17AA but does that mean they'll accept someone with those stats or do you have to have a better DAT score and GPA? Like in my case, how do you see my chances? Because to be honest with you, I don't really have other options so I am hoping this works out.

 

[ringofkeys]

Okay great! Just applied. Couple questions though. Is it very competitive? The minimum GPA and DAT they're saying is 2.75 and 17AA but does that mean they'll accept someone with those stats or do you have to have a better DAT score and GPA? Like in my case, how do you see my chances? Because to be honest with you, I don't really have other options so I am hoping this works out.

I'm not sure how they decide, other than they tend to favor underrepresented students usually. I know someone last year who got in with a 19AA, and oGPA/sGPA that were both below 3.0, and they usually take students with lower stats for the program

 

[josemills]

I'm not sure how they decide, other than they tend to favor underrepresented students usually. I know someone last year who got in with a 19AA, and oGPA/sGPA that were both below 3.0, and they usually take students with lower stats for the program

Oh okay. I guess that's like the opposite of me. I'm finishing up my last year of undergrad so i'll probably have around an oGPa of 3.5 or around that and a sGPA of like 3.0/3.1 and a 17AA on the DAT. But hopefully they look at extracurriculars just as much too.

 

[ringofkeys]

Oh okay. I guess that's like the opposite of me. I'm finishing up my last year of undergrad so i'll probably have around an oGPa of 3.5 or around that and a sGPA of like 3.0/3.1 and a 17AA on the DAT. But hopefully they look at extracurriculars just as much too.

they look at apps holistically from what they say. good luck!