I was an amazing student in high school but once I got to college, all of that changed. My classes had 900 other students in them, I was taking part in too many organization, and quite frankly, I didn’t have my priorities straight. Here’s what I did to get into dental school!
FIVE THINGS I WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY
As you could see, I applied a total of three times. If I were to go back in time, I would do these five things:
Number 1 – Do not Apply with a Low GPA
I would have been real with myself and realized that a science GPA of 2.96 was far too low to get in anywhere. For that matter, I would have not applied until I could get my GPA at least above a 3.0 GPA. All dental schools have a GPA cut off, and if you don’t match up to that number, they wont even look at your application.
Number 2 – Don’t be scared of a Masters Program
I remember stubbornly thinking that I could get in without doing a masters program. Thinking back, if I had applied to some graduate program sooner, I would have not only increased my GPA but would have been able to get into dental school a lot sooner. Don’t be scared of doing a masters program and don’t let the cost of one deter you either. There are plenty of scholarships out there and ways to pay off your student loans once you become a dentist!
Number 3 – Don’t apply two times in a row!!!
We generally find out that we have been waitlisted or rejected for good by mid-March. By that time, it’s already the start of a new application cycle and you will start to think that last year’s results were due to some sort of fluke or that you may have been overlooked. If GPA or DAT scores is the most likely reason for your failed acceptance, it’s more wise to take an extra year to enhance your application and soul search to see if dentistry is truly something you want to do. You could see from my timeline that I didn’t apply during the 2016 – 2017 cycle. Taking this extra time gave me prespective and allowed me to plot out a course for my acceptance.
Number 4 – Get a counselor
Often times, we fear hearing tough love from the ones closest to us and even more from the counselors who’s very jobs are to guide us into our careers. Find your school of dentistry’s dean of academic life and admissions and ask him or her to sit down with you to go over your application. You will be surprised how much they could help you and the resources they will give in order for you to succeed!
Number 5 – Be able to handle tough love
A big part of applications is getting your personal statement written. While it’s not advisable to get 20 people to edit your personal statement, the ones you choose will often be able to tell you if your essay speaks to who you truly are and how you may come off to the admissions committee. It’s wise to listen to these select group of people you choose to edit your personal statement and put their recommendations forward in your application!
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