Low GPA. Any hope for Dental school?

[YousefA96]

Hello. Im currently going into my Junior year of undergraduate college. I have a 3.05 GPA going in. I still haven't taken the DAT but I'm planning on taking it in January. I am aiming for a 21+. Assuming I pull off a 21+ on the DAT and I pull a 3.8-4.0 GPA in the next 2 years (including retakes in Ochem 1, Gen Chem 1 and 2, and genetics), do you think there's hope for me getting accepted to any Dental school? I know that they average retaken grades. I got a C+ in both gen Chem 2 and Ochem 1, a C in genetics, and a D+ in Gen Chem 1. Also, what GPA do you think if I end up with like a 3.3 GPA Ill have a chance? What dental schools should i apply to with those stats? Lastly, what ECs do you think i should do? Thanks so much.

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[JLT223]

I know that they replace retaken grades.

Dental schools do not offer grade replacement.

 

[Soleus715]

Hello. Im currently going into my Junior year of undergraduate college. I have a 3.05 GPA going in. I still haven't taken the DAT but I'm planning on taking it in January. I am aiming for a 21+. Assuming I pull off a 21+ on the DAT and I pull a 3.8-4.0 GPA in the next 2 years (including retakes in Ochem 1, Gen Chem 1 and 2, and genetics), do you think there's hope for me getting accepted to any Dental school? I know that they replace retaken grades. I got a C+ in both gen Chem 2 and Ochem 1, a C in genetics, and a D+ in Gen Chem 1. Also, what GPA do you think if I end up with like a 3.3 GPA Ill have a chance? What dental schools should i apply to with those stats? Lastly, what ECs do you think i should do? Thanks so much.

Unfortunately, the part I highlighted is incorrect. Schools do not replace grades for courses retaken. They will include all courses taken.
That being said, you need to retake anything C- or lower to apply to most schools.

Since you are halfway through undergrad, if you got 4.0 until end of senior year, you'll end up with a 3.5 gpa. Getting some B's here and there will get you a 3.3 like you said.
I think you have a shot, you just need to try really hard to do well in school.

There are lots of threads on this forum that talk about where you could apply and the average gpa/dat of accepted students.
Do EC's that interest you. EC's just to beef up your application will make you feel miserable. Find a cause you like and volunteer there. Good luck

 

[YousefA96]

Unfortunately, the part I highlighted is incorrect. Schools do not replace grades for courses retaken. They will include all courses taken.
That being said, you need to retake anything C- or lower to apply to most schools.

Since you are halfway through undergrad, if you got 4.0 until end of senior year, you'll end up with a 3.5 gpa. Getting some B's here and there will get you a 3.3 like you said.
I think you have a shot, you just need to try really hard to do well in school.

There are lots of threads on this forum that talk about where you could apply and the average gpa/dat of accepted students.
Do EC's that interest you. EC's just to beef up your application will make you feel miserable. Find a cause you like and volunteer there. Good luck

Thanks so much. Any ECs that involve dental clinic shadowing interests me. How many hours do you think will be enough? 100?

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[Soleus715]

Thanks so much. Any ECs that involve dental clinic shadowing interests me. How many hours do you think will be enough? 100?

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Many school recommend 100-150. I would suggest shadowing a general dentist or two and one specialist, if you'd like.
This does NOT count towards EC's by the way. It is a requirement all applicants will need to fulfill.

By EC's, I'm talking about volunteering, clubs, research, etc. There's no set minimum or recommended amount.
Many schools will like to see that you can handle undergrad while showing involvement in your community through leadership/volunteering.

 

[YousefA96]

Many school recommend 100-150. I would suggest shadowing a general dentist or two and one specialist, if you'd like.
This does NOT count towards EC's by the way. It is a requirement all applicants will need to fulfill.

By EC's, I'm talking about volunteering, clubs, research, etc. There's no set minimum or recommended amount.
Many schools will like to see that you can handle undergrad while showing involvement in your community through leadership/volunteering.

Oh okay. I did about 50+ hours volunteering at a local hospital so far.


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[Soleus715]

Oh okay. I did about 50+ hours volunteering at a local hospital so far.


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Nice! If it's something you enjoy doing, I would try and make it a long-term commitment.
It looks better to have decent hours over a long period of time compared to many hours over a few months before applying.

 

[super frank]

I was in a similar situation, almost identical actually, at the start of my Junior year. Since then I have maintained a 4.0, including this semester barring any catastrophes. Each semester I took 3-4 upper level sciences while also working on research for ~10 hours/week. I will finish with a 3.50 flat. Although it required a lot of hard work and sacrifice, it was incredibly rewarding. You can do it as well.

Focus on your grades; ECs are important, but if your GPA is subpar no amount of volunteering will save you. Perhaps try getting involved in research, more often than not you can study while you're in the lab.

 

[YousefA96]

I was in a similar situation, almost identical actually, at the start of my Junior year. Since then I have maintained a 4.0, including this semester barring any catastrophes. Each semester I took 3-4 upper level sciences while also working on research for ~10 hours/week. I will finish with a 3.50 flat. Although it required a lot of hard work and sacrifice, it was incredibly rewarding. You can do it as well.

Focus on your grades; ECs are important, but if your GPA is subpar no amount of volunteering will save you. Perhaps try getting involved in research, more often than not you can study while you're in the lab.

Will do. Thanks so much!

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[sumin5924]

Yes, you have plenty of time to build a considerable upward trend and, coupled with an excellent DAT, you'll have a great shot.