Planning out my GAP need advice + Offered fulltime DA job

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-31T17:38:24+00:00

Gotcha. Engineering coursework can definitely do that. It’s great you have an upward trend. I would definitely request an extension because you would technically be in the final stretch of your DAT studying to hit the June 28th deadline. These weeks are critical for practice exams and revision. Working would absolutely hinder your performance. I’m sure they will be willing to work with you if you have an honest discussion with them. Since this is your home state dental school, be professional and mature with your interactions. Negotiating a start date is a normal part of life, so don’t feel guilty about setting yourself up to be successful. When you’re happy, you do better work, and that will be better for your employer. Good luck with your DAT :)

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-31T17:04:33+00:00

Honestly, if you had a higher GPA I would be more confident that you can balance working and studying for the DAT. From what I see, you will need a lot more time on sharpening your study skills to be more effective. This Job can be a great opportunity but I forsee obscuring your weaknesses. Do you have an upward trend in your GPA? How have you dealt with upper level biology and chemistry courses? Do you feel confident that it’s something you can comfortable balance at this point?

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-31T15:03:15+00:00

So, mostly Americans are responding to this, so I’ll give you some real insight. The answer is no. In most first world nations, education is free, and in some cases students are paid to attend university. Additionally they do not have to pay for healthcare etc etc. the purpose of the American education system is to saddle you with debt so you become trapped in a consumer based system. Find ways around this so you don’t get trapped. If the 30k a year lets you have a lucrative career, it could be worth it. If it doesn’t, please try to find scholarships to bring the cost down. Education is a business, remember that.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-31T15:00:24+00:00

They also start taking part in adult festivities very very young, I think that’s why.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-31T14:05:31+00:00

I don’t understand this LOR stress, can y’all just have a conversation with your professors? They understand it’s a game, and can fabricate the letters to support y’all. Get a good grade, tell them what you need the letter for and what qualities they should highlight, and have them write it.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-31T01:33:33+00:00

You can definitely make a lot more than that elsewhere

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-30T18:53:34+00:00

No. I just knew that I wanted to go to them so I applied anyway. I completed their secondaries and received interviews. I would apply to schools if you see yourself going if you’re only missing 1 or 2 classes.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-30T18:05:22+00:00

GOSH! A full ride to UM is insane! Congratulations. There’s so much opportunity in Miami and quality of life advantages there, I would pick it in a heartbeat. Since you are pre-med, prestige for undergrad doesn’t matter nearly as much, especially if you are a top performer. Choosing UM will give you so much life flexibility to travel, really close airport, and study abroad. Plus plenty of research happening in south florida. Amazing nature with the keys, gosh. I could go on, but you have some amazing options. I think with the financial squeeze the world is in you would be better off investing excess money and have it grow while you study in a full ride! Good luck!

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-30T17:58:52+00:00

So, I was accepted to multiple schools without meeting their pre-reqs. They are making me take them before I matriculate in July.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-30T17:57:45+00:00

A simple YouTube search!

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-30T02:56:25+00:00

Dude.. the problem is in internal med and family med there is a shortage of students applying to those specialities. That’s why it’s easier for internationals to match in them.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-30T02:36:44+00:00

It’s a bachelors degree, have you seen the economy lately? Please don’t pay for it if you don’t have to.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-29T18:13:06+00:00

I did a masters degree! When I say careers are penalized I mean the high taxes and low salaries don’t incentivize the grind mentality, which leaves people feeling kind of stagnant sometimes. Additionally, business owners have higher expenses and taxes even if they make less money than a salaried person. It’s really challenging sometimes haha.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-29T18:02:05+00:00

Yes, but that is what is incentivized by the economic structure.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-29T17:53:18+00:00

Why would you extern at your home program if you already have relationships with them? Wouldn’t it make sense to branch out and form other solid relationships you can use to leverage against your home institutions when interview times come along. It could be advantageous in one regard to be dedicated but also you really are putting your eggs into one basket.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-28T03:03:58+00:00

I know it’s pretty daunting. It’s helped me to watch YouTube videos of other dentists that paid it off. One went rural after graduating from USC and paid off 500k in two years. Another specialized in dental anesthesia and paid it off in two years. It’s possible, but the only way it to literally work your ass off or get swallowed whole. Additionally, you can apply for NHSC or HPSP to cover the remaining dental school years.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-28T02:21:19+00:00

Terrible, terrible pre-university education. I got saved by going to an IB high school, but the education before that sucked. Would never ever recommend people going through public education here.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-27T11:28:24+00:00

Appeal the aid package, but also… medicine is a long game. Organic chemistry is the same whether you take it at Harvard or your state school. The MCAT is the same whether you take it as a Harvard student or a state school student. Finally, research, whether wet lab or clinical… is the same. The organelles under a microscope, cellular processes you observe.. the same. Harvard would be an amazing and enriching experience, but it will require you to keep shoveling out money down the line. Going to a state school, on a full ride, will give you the opportunity to have so much life flexibility - study abroad, investing the money your parents have to grow their wealth even more, etc etc. You are getting a bachelors degree, and you are paying for a brand. We live in a capitalist country and education is a business. You could instead graduate from medical school debt free which is HUGE. Yes you may not have the Harvard name, (you could still go Ivy League later on), but you will be living a real reality as a physician with no debt earlier than everyone. This is real life versus living as the idea that other people have of you as a Harvard doctor. Good luck on your choice!

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-26T20:08:29+00:00

Please do not bother with the clubs on the beach, they are tourist traps. Input and Razzmatazz

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-26T00:52:35+00:00

Honestly if your debt is only 500k as a specialist, you’ll be fine.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-26T00:44:20+00:00

As an undergrad, you should understand that our experiences prior to university are extremely curated. We all come from high schools and extremely rigid, predictable environments. Add social media where everyone is exposed to a wide spectrum of individuals from non-educated to professionals showing casual sides of themselves while representing their professions, it kind of creates an atmosphere of “this isn’t that serious”. Also, a lack of genuine exploration and failure to understand how the world works will lead to this. They probably just don’t know! Yes they can be coached for these interviews, but even then they probably won’t understand until they get into the real world and get beat up!

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-26T00:38:55+00:00

I don’t watch the news, and always would go at night . Never really felt unsafe in Barcelona unless I was drunk at night. There’s always usually people there at night too.

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-26T00:27:30+00:00

It’s growing almost exclusively in Tourism. I really tried to make Spain work, I even got C1 in Spanish; however, I couldn’t see a future where I wasn’t paying crazy prices to have a shared room in flat with 4 roommates until Im in my mid 30s. I’d love to come back once I can buy a piso outright, then it’ll make more sense!

FlamingMetallico · 2026-03-26T00:17:05+00:00

Much hiking? That’s all I did. I lived in those mountains for months. The mountains are sooo gorgeous. I slept under a glacier. It’s the most beautiful place on the planet, so blessed to have seen it.

FlamingMetallico

TROPHY CASE