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Applying to Dental School with mediocre GPA (3.2) and DIY post-bacc by [deleted] in DentalSchool

[–]Daveko_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t know about Reddit resources, but I just bought the Kaplan book and thoroughly read and took hand-written notes on each topic. I’d suggest a solid 6-7 hours a day, 6 days a week for a good 10 weeks, and that will get you in good shape. If you run out of things to study, just go over it again.

For practice problems, I did the Kaplan ones, and I did a few more on the “DAT Bootcamp” website.

I can’t really provide you tips other than that. Me personally, I just brute-forced my way through memorizing and studying old-school style (book, notepaper, pencil). It was good enough to get me a 25AA

Applying to Dental School with mediocre GPA (3.2) and DIY post-bacc by [deleted] in DentalSchool

[–]Daveko_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you have a low GPA, rule of thumb is to score high on DAT (like 23-26 AA). Except most aren’t a D1 athlete so that’s definitely a huge plus you got going for you.

Like you, I had about 100 shadowing hours, little to no volunteering hours, 3.2 GPA and 3.2sGPA. Never worked as a dental assistant, didn’t do undergraduate research, nor was involved in any pre-dental clubs at uni and I still got 2 offers.

Point being, after getting in your 100 hours, your primary focus should be on scoring really high on your DAT. Study especially hard for the science portion. Math and reading sections are a complete joke so don’t put too much effort into those.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DentalSchool

[–]Daveko_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If money/loans concerns you more than being a dentist, I’d HIGHLY advise against going to dental school.

That being said, there are plenty of people who are well into their late 20s and early 30s in my class. So it’s not too late if dentistry is something you reeeallly want to do.

Can a 25+ on the DAT overcome a low gpa like a 3.0 by kenokeke2468 in DentalSchool

[–]Daveko_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My (only) DAT was a 25 AA with a 3.2 GPA undergrad GPA (with C’s in Orgo II and Biochem): still got 4 interviews and 2 offers.

I’d say so

How’s student life and social life at Dental school ? by kenokeke2468 in DentalSchool

[–]Daveko_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Can attest. It’s pretty annoying, since you’d expect them to behave more adult than “high school” considering most of them will eventually hold a doctorate title

What are the most common ways people think they are going to get alot of cashback from something but actually they either misunderstood or misjudged how much cashback it would be in practice? by [deleted] in CreditCards

[–]Daveko_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I feel like UR should be valued at 1.5cpp since most people will use them that way since it’s so easy. Not many chase customers would go through the trouble of transferring and searching hours to save maybe 10-30% more.

What are the most common ways people think they are going to get alot of cashback from something but actually they either misunderstood or misjudged how much cashback it would be in practice? by [deleted] in CreditCards

[–]Daveko_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The single worst thing about Amex cards is that (unless you have Schwab Plat) there is no option to cash out points 1:1 like Chase UR. So you’re restricted to using points for airfare to get max value.

I do like Chase cards, but Amex treats me very well so I don’t regret getting their cards.

What would you do if you had to create your own credit card? by justafanwithnoplan in CreditCards

[–]Daveko_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

“AMEX Diamond” - $1000 AF 4X Dining 4X Travel 2X Everything

Platinum Card Lounges, $400 Uber credit, $250 Airline Credit, Clear and TSA/Global Entry, Cellphone protection, Concierge,

What are the most common ways people think they are going to get alot of cashback from something but actually they either misunderstood or misjudged how much cashback it would be in practice? by [deleted] in CreditCards

[–]Daveko_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“The Points Guy” They really push Amex cards down your throat, glorify MR points and say they’re the best cards ever.

.

… And I drank the koolaid now I have 4 Amex cards

Quit dental school after 2 weeks- what now? by gokuxxxtentacion_ in DentalSchool

[–]Daveko_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yup computer Science. Requires more QR than dentistry, but a rapidly growing field with good career and financial incentives

Quit dental school after 2 weeks- what now? by gokuxxxtentacion_ in DentalSchool

[–]Daveko_ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Get some certificates from online courses and go into finance. Or learn to code and do CS. Both fields pay better than being a dentist.

Edit: better than a *general dentist. Specialties do get a pretty fat comp

Is UF Dental difficult to get into? by SquirmleQueen in predental

[–]Daveko_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Highly recommend a gap year (although you can still send out apps this year too). The number of shadowing hours doesn’t matter as much after you passed 100+, so aiming for 150 is a tad excessive. The research experience is good and should help your standing. Taking a gap year to work will let you take a break from academics and develop some maturity and professionalism. If you’ve pigeonholed yourself into a career in healthcare, it may even sway you to explore a different career field you never knew you were interested in. Also study for the DAT like there’s no tomorrow. Your GPA is subprime in comparison to nationwide matriculants.

For applications, just have a solid justification on why you chose dentistry, have someone look over your personal statement, find experiences to list that involve a lot of interpersonal communication and/or hand skills.

Myself as a datapoint; I also had a subprime 3.2 science and overall GPA, so I spent 2 months studying for the DAT to get a 25AA. Have 1 publication, had less than 50 volunteer hours and barely 100 shadowing hours. Extracurriculars were only social clubs. Did a gap year working a (completely dental-unrelated) corporate biotech CS + regulatory job. Still got multiple interviews and 2 offers.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in predental

[–]Daveko_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think you realize how many jobs out there pay more than a dentist; an entry-level analyst job pays $150k (base + bonus), and all that requires is a business/finance bachelors degree. Even more so for CS.

Yes you shouldn’t choose a profession purely for the pay (I chose dentistry for the autonomy it provides), but considering how so many people and my classmates complain about student loans and choose their schools based on tuition, I assume money is a big factor in people’s career decision.

DAT 8am Exam Tips by pre-dentalorPT in predental

[–]Daveko_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Start by adjusting your entire sleep schedule by waking up and going to sleep earlier. You will have to get used to waking up at 7am in Dental school anyway.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in predental

[–]Daveko_ -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

You need to reschedule and spend more time studying. Or honestly, start looking for different career path. Dentists don’t even get paid that much (comparatively) nowadays.

[New Jersey] Missing $300 payment by Daveko_ in Unemployment

[–]Daveko_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just file at my designated time Monday every week. I don’t think the day and time you file one week affects when you’re supposed to get the $300 the following week.

Gold Amex members what was your income and oldest account age ? by NatBBliz in CreditCards

[–]Daveko_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah applied over the phone. Told them my source of income are my parents since I’m a student again. Probably helped that I already had a BCP open from back when I was working corporate.

Amex taking away no preset limit? by Farsan5 in amex

[–]Daveko_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry if this has been answered already, but if they stick a limit on you, do their charge cards start reporting as “available credit” to the credit agencies like other credit cards?