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Hey guys, I'm a student that graduated on May 2017 with a Biomedical Science degree. I have a 3.52 overall GPA, with a 3.55 Science GPA. I did have a downward trend in my last year of college due to very complicated family problems. I've applied twice to Medical School in my time away from college, rejected both times. After the second though, I realized that I really didn't want to go to medical school, but would prefer to go to dental school.
Unfortunately, during those 2 years, I've been helping my dad with his business (farms) and it comes with a terrible schedule where I didn't really ever have much time to myself. I would go into work at 6 AM, and be home at like 6 PM or 7 PM. Recently though, things have finally gotten better and I want to start pursuing going back to professional school. I had already shadowed a dentist (about 50 hours) when I was in college, and I knew I enjoyed it so much. I was naive, and thought that while I had fun, I wanted to chase the prestige that everyone gave to doctors. It pains me that I'm just realizing at this point in my life what I really want, but it is what it is. My question though, is if this is even a possibility, or if I should just focus on finding another career.
My parents both are asking me to go back to college to start a degree in engineering, and keep applying to dental school if that is what I want. The last 2 years I've struggled a lot with depression, since everyone around me seems to be advancing in their lives (both getting into professional school, and just graduating and working). They want me to do this so that I don't waste any more years of my life if I fail to get into dental school. I've considered it, mainly because I'm scared of failing at getting into dental school, but I'm afraid that it would look bad while applying. I have an opportunity to start this degree this coming fall, but I know I would drop engineering the second I got an acceptance into dental school.
I've started shadowing 2 dental offices to make up for shadowing hours, and I'm currently looking for free dental clinics where I could go and volunteer. Most of my volunteering hours are from ESL programs when I was in college and hospital volunteering. I did 2 years of research (with my name on a publication as a co-author), but it was on non-dentistry related research.
I've recently started studying for the DAT, and it is kind of a struggle since I've been out of the ball game for so long. It's been a while since I've seen some of these subjects, so I'm slowly trying to rebuild my foundation.
And of course, there's the problem with my GPA. Like I discussed, while my GPA might sound okay at best, the problem is that there was a downward trend. My first semester I started with a 3.28 (trying to adjust to college). After that, it was 3.8's-4.0's until my 2nd semester Junior year. From there, I got my first 3.5 GPA in a semester, then had a 3.0, and a 3.3 to finish off my college years. I come from Mexico, so during that time we had a lot of trouble coming from that side of the border (I am a legal citizen and have been for 8 years, but most of my family's finances were tied to Mexico). Things got rough, and I admit I let my grades slip (not on purpose, but I was very stressed at this time).
I wanted to give you a little bit of my background so you would understand my situation. So my questions are
Do I have a chance to enter dental school?
What else should I be doing to show dental schools this coming cycle that I am serious in my commitment to dental school?
Should I even apply this year?
What should I do about this engineering plan my parents are begging me to do? Would it look bad if I was trying to get into dental school while also attempting to get a engineering degree should I fail?
I'm 25, and I feel like my life is just racing past me. Everyone tells me I am just starting my life and have time, but I just don't want to fail and be starting a career when I am well into my 30s. A close family friend of ours pursued his dream of getting into medical school until he reached 35 years old, and he failed and went back to college. I feel like this is where my fears come from. I know now that being a dentist is what I want out of my life, but I also want to stay realistic with myself.
I believe you have a chance, but it's currently hindered by your previous applications to medical school AND the downward trend in your GPA (GPAs aren't bad, but the trend could be concerning).Do I have a chance to enter dental school?
Personally, I would shadow and volunteer in dental field as much as you can, to show that you aren't applying to dental school only because you were rejected from med school - you really have to show you are passionate about the field. You could even work as a dental assistant if you wanted.What else should I be doing to show dental schools this coming cycle that I am serious in my commitment to dental school?
Another thing, though, is the downward trend. I think the most sensible thing for you to do would be to do a Special Masters Program (SMP) at a university nearby. Doing well in that (since they are graduate courses) will show you can handle the rigors that come with dental school (it is not easy by any means). Keep in mind that these will not suffice for prereqs - you will still have to take those if you haven't previously, or if they are older than 5 years old.
I would perhaps not apply until the 2022 cycle (which opens June 2021). By then, you should have some grades from a graduate program to show you can do well, have more experience in the dental field, and also have taken your DAT (I would only apply after you have your DAT scores in hand). Studying for the DAT is a beast you must overcome, and is something you need to score well on (like 21-22+) to overshadow some of the weaker parts of your app.Should I even apply this year?
Sooo, this is on you. Engineering would be a great backup should you not get into dental school, but it will not be appealing to schools to say that you are pursuing an engineering degree. As mentioned above, if dental school is your ride or die, I would do an SMP vs. a BS in Engineering.What should I do about this engineering plan my parents are begging me to do? Would it look bad if I was trying to get into dental school while also attempting to get a engineering degree should I fail?