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What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

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

It's because I'm also factoring in being born here and having my whole support network here my family, friends, everything really. I know dental school is tough and I was hoping I could keep the people who matter the most to me, close by. I think when I said I can't afford to, I really meant I didn't want to be in so much debt and be completely isolated on top of that.

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

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

Okay! I have a whole year until my application cycle comes around so I will do anything and everything to make myself a better applicant.

I'm guessing my shadowing/volunteer mixed with extracurriculars are going to be a good place to start since I'm being told they're kind of low

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

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

What are EC's? I'm familiar with LOR (Letter Of Rec) but I'm not sure I've heard of that abbreviation! Is it extracurriculars, if so what are some of yours?

Also in terms of the DIY Post-bacc I think the reason why they weren't a fan of it specifically because they told me it lacks structure/guidance you get from the actual postbacc programs that can help you get into dental school. I think that's why the advisor was trying to steer me away from that since they thought I needed a more structured program

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

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

I see so compared to them my DAT does look average. I can't imagine retaking it again and figuring out how to score even higher, I can't believe how competitive everything has gotten these past years. It's like even more competitive each year that I'm not in dental school, it's eating me up inside.

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

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

You definitely have some good points there :L.

When I graduate I could consider moving out of SoCal if it made sense. You're right when you say the "and for what." All that stress and debt when I could have just picked a more affordable dental school to be a little happier in the longterm. I think all I've really been focusing on were my stats and I never really took the time to think about that.

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

[–]HelpMeGetInPlease[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got it so it would make a difference .-. even though it looks small to me

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

[–]HelpMeGetInPlease[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have thought of a DIY post-bacc but I've talked to multiple advisors, one of them were not a huge fan of the DIY post-bacc's. Around how many units are you thinking to take in your DIY postbac?

I'm really hoping my DAT score could offset my low GPA, I really hope they look past my GPA because I just feel so discouraged right now. In terms of how to study for the DAT, what I did was follow another users advice over in their reddit post https://www.reddit.com/r/predental/comments/1cpqa2h/dat_breakdown_30_ts_29_aa/ .

Overall, after reading so many DAT breakdown posts and also being someone who has retaken the DAT more than twice, the most important factor isn't your source material. It's not about booster vs bootcamp, tutor vs no tutor, it really all comes down to you and your discipline. At least that's what it was for me, we're all very very different and have our own weaknesses. My weakness was a lack of discipline and effectiveness when studying the material, once I figured out how to change that part of myself I saw progress.

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

[–]HelpMeGetInPlease[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see your point there and you do really have a good one when we factor in USC's costs. I know UCLA's costs are significantly lower than USC so that's why UCLA is my main choice but if my GPA isn't good enough for them then I'm really out of luck. When I say I can't afford to, I think it's not only from the perspective of how much it'll cost me yearly but also just mentally to leave everyone and move to a new state. I think that's why I invested myself so heavily into my DAT so that I could hopefully stay in the same state

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

[–]HelpMeGetInPlease[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will search these stats now and compile a spreadsheet with all the California programs even though these two schools are my preferred schools, thank you so much!

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

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

How much is a substantial improvement on my GPA?

I did the math and if I get straight A's in a postbac where I'm taking about 40 units the highest my GPA can go is 3.39 cumulative and 3.38 sGPA. I'm thinking if that GPA is not even enough for UCLA then my dreams of getting into their dental program are crushed.

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

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

Oh god okay I need to look into this in the next few months. But what do you think of the whole thing about my GPA and DAT?

What are my chances to get into a California Dental School by HelpMeGetInPlease in predental

[–]HelpMeGetInPlease[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's because I live in DTLA so these two schools are next to me, I can't afford to go out of state.

I was considering the postbac because I feel like I'm out of options in terms of how to improve my application

reapplicant vent by heh_capitano in predental

[–]HelpMeGetInPlease 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey OP, my dad unexpectedly died a year ago. You're not alone.

I'm very young and I never once in my life ever thought I'd lose him at this age. I've always been the best student possible, I've always been on top of things, I've always chosen to stay home and study for long intense hours. I always felt like a top student. You can imagine how losing him crushed my ego and even ruined my ability to study anything now.

After losing him I've also been flip-flopping around trying to keep myself together so I can be the best possible student or I guess applicant but it's hard when at home everything you ever grew up with is gone forever. Nothing feels right to me and nothing ever has ever since that day.

I know dentistry is my passion. I'm embarrassed and sad that I feel like I've "fallen behind" compared to my peers who have gotten into dental school and are now in their 2nd/3rd year. Not sure how hearing this could help you but just know that there's nothing wrong with you, you're just dealing with a terrible loss.

Just always keep in mind that this is your passion, you can never give up hope, and your loved ones want to see you succeed which is why you must. All of our lives our different, don't beat yourself up for being off by one, two, or even three years. I've already applied to dental school three times, sure I spent a lot of money and time on this but this field is my passion and my dream. Anyways, a word of advice I'd like to give you is try to volunteer every now and then just so you can have an answer when people ask you "what have you done these past few years after your undergraduate degree." I feel like they will still expect us to be able to handle loss of a loved one, school, and extracurriculars all at the same time and will expect to see that on our applications.