I got into dental school with a low GPA! (no masters or post bac)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

[@rishisolanki783]

Had a 3.7 and a 22 DAT. Got rejected from Maryland, goes to show that stats are not everything! Do not worry and just apply, you got this

[@ScarletScarlet-er2zj]

I finally passed my DAT exam after all the stress.I thank God for the great opportunity and my tutor Thomas 🎊🎊🎉🎉 All my prayers to those struggling to pass through DAT cause it hasn't been easy.I hope y'all make it some day too Amen🙏

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Amazing!!! Congrats!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@greywolfnez6811]

You truly touched every single vital point of students that struggle, financially, mentally and academically. You’re incredibly compassionate and have no doubt that you’ll be a great dentist. Keep your videos coming, theyre very encouraging

[@ThinkingInProgress]

This is the sweetest 💚Thank you so much!

[@chrisorji1]

Loved that you shared your struggle with mental health, really resonated with me a lot especially these past few years. You don’t understand the impact you are having on everyone who is listening or has listened to your message, truly inspirational.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank you!! I wish I could have made more videos this semester but I'm not sure which videos are useful for everyone. It's also been a rough few months in my first semester of dental school. I appreciate your comment. It helps give me perspective sometimes when I'm lost during the semester to look back.

[@marenadiamond2946]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is inspiring and giving me some hope. Congratulations on getting into dental school and I am so happy for you! 💖

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank you so much 💚

[@jeoghne]

A really great video and definitely a unique journey and story on the way to dental school! I think it's great and I think you're definitely right about subjects that aren't talked about but should be. Gives alot of people more confidence in themselves including me!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank you so much 💚🥹

[@UMiamiFootball305]

Hey I just want to say that your story is very inspiring for me I am in a similar situation and I am trying to push through and not going to give up. I am very happy for you and you can see the joy in your face. Thank you for sharing and giving someone like me hope! Kill it in Dental school

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I’m really happy that I was able to reach out to someone like you! If you’ve got the grit I have faith that you’ll go far!!

[@kimberlyling3535]

Came across your video and I immediately subscribed to you! Thank you for posting a realistic approach on how to get into dental school! I’m hoping to get my BA soon and my GPA isn’t the best. Thank you for inspiring me to keep pushing to pursue a dental career!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I’m so glad!! This is why I made these videos 💚 I’m glad it reached the right crowd

[@greywolfnez6811]

This is actually very good info and very encouraging. Many people like myself get often discouraged by the stats of others who are pretty bright. Im going to try my best. Ive been in the dental field for 14 years and Im super passionate about it.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I wish you the best of luck! It's important to see representation of all different kinds of dental students. All people see on social media or forums just talk about those coming from privileged backgrounds or those with high stats. It used to discourage me, but now it makes me realize how much things are changing. Thank you for the support 💚

[@anac.9879]

Thank you for making this video! Currently on that pre-dental track and applying to dental school this cycle, with not the best GPA as well. Glad schools are taking a more holistic approach. Best to you!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Best of luck to you!!!

[@joslynalls1348]

Literally that girl !! ❤️

[@simonpark6348]

Hey I rarely leave comments on yt but your video really spoke to me and almost got me teared up as well. I also graduated with a relatively low gpa but was able to get into a dental school for the upcoming fall. I graduated back in 2019 too and took gap years to pay for the DAT and the whole application process. I still tear up whenever I think about the day I got the call from dental school. I wish you the best in your dental school journey!!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

It’s really great to see someone going through the same process as me! Congrats to you!! Good luck with dental school! Thank you so much for leaving a comment, I always appreciate it 💚

[@tiengioxa]

I'm glad you share your story, I was on the same road, I didn't do a post bach program nor master program. After graduating I got a 2.98 GPA and 2.7 sGPA. Realizing my goal, I retook my prerequisite that I got a C and C- and the recommended class at the community college as well as doing extra activities and volunteering to boost my competency. Now that I raised it up to 3.12 GPA and 2.95 sGPA and got into a dental school this year as well. I am happy for you. We can do it together to become a greater part of the society. :)

[@ThinkingInProgress]

It’s so good to hear from someone who’s in the same boat!! Which dental school are you going to?

[@tiengioxa]

@@ThinkingInProgress Roseman university :). What about you?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@tiengioxa I’m going to University of Maryland

[@jasminluna7737]

Hey so you just retook the class you scored low in and didn’t do a post bacc after graduating ?

[@tiengioxa]

@@jasminluna7737 yes, basically I retook all the prerequisites that I got a low grade for. I also took extra recommended science courses

[@XenaLopez]

Your video was so inspirational! I’m on the same boat as you and agreed with everything you said! It’s so important to see content creators that have non traditional road paths into dentistry. We need to hear more stories of students from non privileged backgrounds or that are not necessarily exemplary students, who still succeed and do great in their careers. I’m so glad you shared this, it was really motivational for me to continue pre-dental!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank you!! Im glad to hear and wish you the best on your journey!! 🍀

[@meyannaketter8367]

omg congratulations!!

[@failuretocomunicate5266]

Great job, Leap!!! So proud of you!!! I hope this gives others some hope and inspiration!

[@saidmuhumed7239]

I'm also glad you shared your story because you motivated me to continue with my goal of getting into dental school although I'm not the typical pre-dental student. More than anything, I do want to get into a dental school within the next few years and successfully complete! Anyways good luck and I hope you can continue to inspire us all!!!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Best of luck!!! 🍀🍀🍀

[@kanonmata1100]

I'm in your boat too. I went back to get prerequisites, and taking my first crack at applying this June. Good luck.

[@BelieverFirstwithSharonJoy]

Congratulations!!!!! 🍾🎉🎊

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank you!!!

[@lizwl3901]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank YOU!! ❤

[@iriscantrell]

Thanks for the vid. I am in a similar situation and this really helped me. :)

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank YOU! You’ll definitely get there if you’ve got the drive!!

[@TheMariagno123]

Congrats Carla and I cant wait to your Journey to Dental School! Could you do a video on why you chose Maryland and what the interview process is like?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Definitely!! I’ve been asked a couple questions about the application process so I think I might do a video on that first since it’s a good time to start prepping for it. But I’ll definitely make a video on it

[@meyannaketter8367]

and same! ive wanted to be a dentist since i was 6!

[@lesleynicole1658]

Hi congratulations on your acceptance! I really enjoyed this video. I was wondering if UMD minds community college credits. I have heard a lot that community college credits are frowned upon and its really discouraging especially when you didn't have the funds or the stability for a 4 year right away.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Honestly I think I had over 90 community college credits (I got my AS in bio before transferring) and it didn’t stop them from accepting me and they didn’t seem to have issues accepting them. I remember talking to a recruiter and them telling me the max was 60, but my experience was different from what they said.

[@83HURSTROCKET]

You have good points on the DAT and how expensive it is. Not everyone has the resources. With that being said, there are 8 dental schools that do not require it, and it will be a trend in the years ahead

[@blueclouds3505]

Great video

[@o-mar093]

hey hope dental school is going well. really glad you posted this very informative and helpful. Could you list somethings I can boost my application with aside from academics and shadowing?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

It helps to have research experience and a variety of volunteer work

[@wisdomgoodness1945]

Congrats for your admission to dental school. I have a quite similar specs as you do, but I am thinking of going for masters or post bac. If you don't mind, could you share your application process a little bit more please? like, 1) when did you submit your application? 2) how many schools did you apply to? 3) when did you get your interview invitation? If you did, how many more interviews you had? 4) If you did, did you get into other dental schools as well? That would be super thankful if you can share your experience.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

1. I applied June 3rd 2. I applied to 6 schools: UOP, Case Western, WesternU, Roseman, Touro and Maryland 3. I was one of the first to be interviewed for Maryland (I got notified on August 30th for my interview on September 30th) - Maryland was the only school I interviewed at but I may have gotten post December interviews but I already accepted Maryland on December 1st 4. Touro (I got secondary apps) and Maryland were the only ones I really heard back from. Roseman and WesternU were interested in me if I completed my post bac and did well in it. I didn’t take the Casper test so I got rejected from Case Western because of that. And UOP rejected me.

[@joshwilkinson8966]

hey i just subscribed! im currently a senior pre dental student and i don't have the best gpa! however i have a huge amount of volunteer, shadowing and community service hours. Also, my last 30 credit hours will be all A's. I plan to score very well on the DAT since I've been preparing for about 7 months now. Im staying very optimistic in my journey and your video has just encouraged me even more!!

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I’m so glad to hear!! I wish you the best of luck 🍀🍀🍀

[@arezoomasoud3646]

Do you mind if I ask if you were able to get any admissions?

[@glennmukooyo993]

Wow very inspiring.....congrats

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank you ❤

[@estrella6333]

thank you for making this video! btw would you say applying earlier/later has an effect on getting in? i want to apply in august but with kinda a lower gpa im scared that'll hurt my chances of getting in

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Honestly, I think the main reason I had a chance was because I applied within the first few days. Others might disagree with me but I think it really did make the difference. Since it's rolling admissions, they have already started going through applications, sending out interview invites and filtered out students. I think it's in your best interest to apply early, especially if you don't think you have the strongest application. But I really just think it depends on the schools you apply to and how low stats you have. But for me, I took the DAT in August and decided to wait until the following cycle because I didn't want to apply so late. But I'm not sure if, had I applied that year if I would have actually gotten in.

[@mu7336]

This was super inspiring to watch. Do dental schools have a GPA cutoff? I'm also a transfer student, how did you find your transition from CC to UC? This is my first year at a UC and it's been a tough challenging start and my GPA took a hit

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Some schools have a cutoff and others don’t. Had to check with the schools individually to find out. I had the same issues when I transferred so I ended up with a downward trend in my GPA. Definitely change study habits or eliminate major distractions to focus on what you can change to help your GPA. Time management is really key. It helps to talk to professors or upperclassmen to figure out how to study/manage your time. Honestly, I had to revamp my study methods completely when I got to dental school, I didn’t realize how bad they were before. Dental school really is a learn at a REALLY fast pace.

[@josea2735]

Your videos continue to help me out, I would like to know your opinion. I did community college got a 2.0 and did a 4 year university for pre reqs and finished 3.6 with degree. I’ve taken DAT twice 17AA I do go up each time. Trying to decide if worth taking a 3rd time before applying. Part of me still feels like applying to see what happens lol

[@ThinkingInProgress]

You have a good upward trend on your GPA! I would definitely apply as long as you don’t have any scores on your DAT under 17. Just be selective on where you apply, but also make plans for retaking the DAT just in case (hopefully you won’t need it).

[@josea2735]

Thank you so much! I hope I’m not being annoying but I’m confused on the application process a bit. I submitted but was wondering do I pay all the supplemental application fees to each school now ? Or do I do it after they email me of receipt of application ?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@josea2735 it's not annoying at all! And yes, you should pay for any supplemental fees now if you've already submitted your application to their school

[@chris_bb]

hello!! Your story was very heartwarming and inspiring to me. I am pursuing dental hygiene's next cycle, and I am hoping for an interview invitation! I was wondering how did interview go for you? and if you have any interview tips/advice? :o

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Hello!! I made a video on my interviewing experience and it’s probably a lot more detailed than what I can type up. Best of luck!!

[@keylenvelasquez6791]

Hi, I was wondering did you fail any classes in your undergrad? I’m also so proud of you, you’re really an inspiration, to keep on moving forward.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Thank you! Yes, I failed biochemistry 2 and retook it. I got a B when I retook it. I also graduated with a D- in cellular biophysics. I never retook that class but it wasn’t a prereq for dental school so it didn’t matter

[@SatnamSingh-el2rp]

I’m a sr with a Dat of 19AA 19 TS 3.0 gpa, rough start to first years but upward trend since I switched schools. Been grinding hard these past semesters and proud of my work, do schools see these upward trends or just care about ending gpa? I would say once I’m finished it would be around 3.1-3.2 gpa. Should I apply? All my Dat scores are 20’s except ochem 18, qr 17..... should I apply next cycle or retake my Dat and apply 2023?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Hi! I just saw your message on Instagram and I replied!

[@joshwilkinson8966]

Hey I was just wondering, what DAT prep did you use? I'm on bootcamp right now.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I used DAT Bootcamp + PAT Booster (this was before DAT Booster was released)

[@dentalhygiene4983]

did you apply anywhere else? also can you go over your personal statement/extracurriculars?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I applied to 6 schools but UMSOD was the only one I was accepted into. I have another video I made reading my personal statement up on my channel if you want to check it out! As for extracurriculars, I volunteered ~2k hours at an aquarium and tutoring, I worked in a lab for 2 years and I had 150 shadowing hours. I did go to predental conferences and other smaller things. Not too much else other than that.

[@thatkid9896]

SAVAGE.

[@suraalsaeedi3822]

Congrats you inspiring me because I almost same case . Can you please share your personal statement

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I have a video where I read my personal statement! You should check it out :)

[@MChi-pr2to]

I have low gpa as well and plan to apply for next year’s advanced standing dental program for international dentist. I have Doctorate degree and 8 published papers though.. do I got the chance to be enrolled even gpa under 3? Thank you a lot.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I'm not too familiar with the requirements for international students, but from what I've read it can vary by school. Some have cutoffs at 3.0 so I would be selective about where you apply and look into each individual school.

[@AsrifYusoff]

Great content and subscribed! Would love hear what you think of our grad school channel. Thank you very much.

[@Greeneggsandham123]

Curious if you have any idea why you got accepted over others with high GPA’s and DAT scores? Everyone has lots of shadowing and volunteering hours. Do you think you had way more? Was this acceptance on your first round of applying? Was there something else that gave you the edge?

[@Greeneggsandham123]

Nevermind. Just saw the video of your personal statement paper. It was really really good and I’m sure that was your edge. Congrats.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@Greeneggsandham123 I don't believe I had anything extensive over others who were applying necessarily (except maybe volunteering hours, I had 1500+). Also to answer your question, yes this was my first cycle applying. I think that some schools look at applicants more holistically than others, Maryland just happens to be one of those schools. There are other schools who, while liking the other aspects of my application, chose to deny me or have a conditional offer based on raising my GPA. I applied very early in the cycle, which I think was the major thing that helped me out since schools are trying to fill seats quickly. I like to think about it like there weren't as many applicants I was being compared to at the time that I applied as opposed to waiting later and being compared to those with higher stats. I hoped that other aspects of my application stood out to them and ultimately that was the case. I am not struggling in dental school, so I believe they made the right call, but it's mainly trying to convince them that. If you have characteristics that help you stand out, make sure to highlight that in the application. Not all schools care about the applicant (they only care about stats) and I tried to stray away from those schools. I had hope that there were schools that look beyond the statistics and looked at the student and their capabilities. Luckily I was correct about that, but you have to look for them.

[@sabaj5207]

What were some of the disability accommodations provided at the DAT exam?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I was able to get more time and a separate testing area, but it depends on your disability what they would offer.

[@meyannaketter8367]

how much was the application for applying to your dental school?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

It costs $251 to apply to your first dental school and then $108 for every additional school. There's also a cost for secondary applications (it ranges anywhere between $50-300) Maryland's secondary was $90. I did also make a video about costs of applying to dental school!

[@dicta9390]

I just completed medical school in China please can you help me with the procedures as a foreign student

[@ThinkingInProgress]

Are you trying to enter dental school as a foreign student?

[@meyannaketter8367]

also how much was it for the whole DAT process?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

You should definitely check out my KZbin video “Costs of Applying to Dental School”! It goes through the details of all the costs and waivers that you can apply for to get some of the costs paid for you :)

[@paulinaflores6441]

I have a 3.1 over all GPA and 2.6 science GPA.... i havent taken the DAT yet but my councilor was recommending i give up on dental. Im taking biochemistry right now and im trying still... soo.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I wouldn’t give up on dental, especially if you really want to! You can definitely do it! My counselor told me the same thing, yet here I am. Your science GPA is a bit concerning, but that’s something you have control over and can change. There are also SO many options to do that as well. I was working on it as well since my sGPA was so low. But know that if you really wanna go into dental, your GPA won’t stop you, but you still have to make changes in order to succeed.

[@paulinaflores6441]

@@ThinkingInProgress if i was to take classes again it wouldnt replace my grade right. It would just average it.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@paulinaflores6441 yeah most likely, but if you got a C- or less in prereqs for dental school than you will have to retake them anyway. But if you also haven’t finished taking prereqs or if there are more classes you can take, it will help your overall GPA. Like for example, I was taking anatomy and microbiology since I didn’t get a chance to take them in undergrad but taking them also opens up the chance to apply to more dental schools who require those prereqs

[@Bofadeez467]

You give up on dental when YOU want to, don’t let others tell you what to do with your life.

[@lesleynicole1658]

what extracurriculars did you have? what do you think made your application strong?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I had a LOT of volunteer hours, not just related to dentistry or the health field, strong letters of rec, my personal statement was pretty solid too, I also had research experience from working in a lab after I graduated. I’m not sure if there was one particular thing that made it strong, or just a well rounded applicant with lots of different experiences. Know that you’re much more than your grades and the rest of the application holds just as much weight, because the only thing really differing you from other applicants is the rest of your application. Once you can get past the automatic system from declining you based on the stats, the rest of your application needs to stand out beyond your grades. If you think about it this way: all of the students are gonna have at least the minimum requirement (which will dictate if you can handle the science courses you will be taking), so what makes you stand out in a large pool of applicants with similar stats? What makes you stand out beyond just your stats? It’s more than just a singular thing, and the more you can put that in your application the better. They wanna be able to get to know who you are in your app enough that they want to interview you. If stats were everything there wouldn’t be people turned down with great stats, or people with low stats getting in. There’s much more to a person than that, and there’s much more to a dentist than that.

[@richardchurchill2942]

What courses did u take in cc in order to apply for dental school

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I got an associates in biology. I took a year of biology, physics, Calc, Gen Chem, essentially most of my lower division science

[@richardchurchill2942]

@@ThinkingInProgress uhm thanks tho but like what did u major in like in your associate degree, can u major in psychology

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@richardchurchill2942 I got an associates in biology. You can major in whatever you want, as long as you meet the requirements that you need for the dental schools that you are applying to, but as I said I just did biology

[@richardchurchill2942]

@@ThinkingInProgress so sorry but is it a must to offer cal like offer something other than org Chem, what course are u offer other than cal or org chem

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@richardchurchill2942 I’m not sure I understand

[@jazzyjazz6986]

Do you think any school will accept a 16 on the dat?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

16 AA or in a specific section?

[@jazzyjazz6986]

@@ThinkingInProgress AA? If not is okay to score 16 on Chem and ochem?

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@jazzyjazz6986 most schools have a cutoff at 18, but few schools will make exceptions if it’s in a single section

[@jazzyjazz6986]

@@ThinkingInProgress thank you! Im really not good with chemistry and I’m using dat bootcamp and still not understanding. I take my test this month

[@ThinkingInProgress]

@@jazzyjazz6986 I wish I could help. I tutor for Gen Chem but I’m about to start my semester and don’t have a lot of time to tutor anymore

[@DailyMeditation365]

Congrats but there is a reason why schools shouldn't regularly accept applicants with a low GPA. You can have all the passion in the world, but if you don't have the academic aptitude then you're going to struggle.

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I can tell you that now that I’m in dental school and finished my first year that I haven’t struggled any more than my peers. If anything I stress less than they do because I have failed and learned from it and keep going. I don’t worry about getting straight A’s or having to do well on every single exam; tbh grades matter even less to me now. But I mainly focus on the clinical portion and am doing well on that. Dental schools need to look beyond just GPA because the biggest thing I see is people who are extremely smart but lack any sort of social skills and communication, or that they are very interested in the dentistry but lack being able to see that there’s a patient attached to that tooth. Students without passion, drive and persistence struggle in dental school because they don’t see the bigger picture on who they are here to help. They focus on exams and grades and that’s not why we’re here to become health providers. People who struggle with the grades are also the people I see having to put more work and have a better grasp on the material. There are SO many reasons why people have low GPAs and academic aptitude is only one of them.

[@ameeraali-qs1or]

congratulations!!!!! Hope you're enjoying dental school!! Thanks for sharing this T_T. What's your IG I can't seem to find it. ❤

[@ThinkingInProgress]

I had to take my dental IG down, it was causing issues with my class/the school. Which is why I also had to remove any of my videos also involving the school. You can always connect with me on my personal IG: @thinkinginprogress just send me a message first so I know it’s not spam.

[@KhadiBello]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! You are going to be an amazing dentist to your future patients Carla

[@ThinkingInProgress]

🥺 aww I really appreciate that 💚