What should I do???
 

Hi, everyone

I am a biology major, junior having 2 more semesters of some intensive course work left.
Science courses I have taken so far:
Gen Bio I / II: B / (D) and retook and got C
Gen Chem I / II: B / C
Ochem I / II: C- / D
Biochem I / II: B+ / A-
Research Analysis: B+
BioDiversity: B-

I still have to take Physics, Anatomy, Genetics, Cell&Molec, Immunology, Virology, etc. Next two semesters I have about 30 or so credits left for Science Classes, and I calculated that I could make up to 3.2 GPA if I get all A's.
Now I have 2.78 GPA, Science GPA about 2.0.... I know it is low.. I have had some family problems in my Freshman year, and I did not start out well.. I am trying to make up my not-too-strong foundations in Science courses, and it is extremely hard.... and discouraging. I do not want to give up my life-long dream of being a dentist. I have shadowed general dentist, an oral surgeon, periodontist, etc, and I have about 100 hrs of shadowing experience, and I've gone on a dental volunteer trip to South America last summer.

My question is... Should I just shoot for the highest score possible for DAT and study my butt out for next 3 months, and take it and apply to d-schools? Or should I take the different route to enhance my GPA - such as post-bacc or masters in oral biology (<- this is what I have been looking for these days.. UCLA and NYU have MS in Oral Biology program..)

What do you think? Give me an advice, please...

Don't give up the dream then. I am not an expert by any means, but I would recommend doing the post-bacc or masters programs. You definitely need to boost your GPA and it might not be worth it (money-wise) to apply this cycle with low stats. A strong DAT would absolutely help your chances, but the GPA and sGPA are pretty key. If you can get a 3.6-4.0 in post-bacc or masters program your chances of getting in (with a strong DAT) would increase drastically. Keep at it. I think you realized that things need to change. The grades have to go up, and the dream can still be reached. Also, i would recommend you visit the under 3.0 forums. Might provide a little hope and some more opinions from people that have actually been through it (I am applying this cycle, so I am no vet).

Good luck though! I have seen so many people get in with lower stats. Keep in mind that stats aren't everything, and you still have a chance!

I don't think anywhere would even debate accepting you with a 2.0 sGPA. I would get that up with a masters or post bacc before you try and apply.

Also, retake the classes that you can, a D in ochem won't fly.


Who have you seen get in with a sGPA lower than 2.0?

You won't get in anywhere with a 2.0 science GPA nor a 2.8 overall GPA! You'll have to do a graduate program to even be considered. Average GPA's would be around a 3.5. Good luck...

Yes, I should. What are some average stats for those people who get into postbacc program? I have looked into CSU in los angeles and they require min of 2.5 or so... So do I even have a hope to get into post bacc program??

Wow.. Don't know how I didn't register that. Still do post Bacc but follow the advice about retakes. My Bad! :)

I figured you read 3.0 haha. No worries :).

Your GPA is pretty low and it is highly unlikely to be accepted as is. You will need to retake the O Chem series because a C- or D is not accepted you must have at least a C to meet the pre-req requirement. Some retakes will greatly increase your chances. Good Luck