A Little Help!

[drejto]

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I am currently finishing up my second year of undergrad. My first year went okay I guess...had about a 3.2 gpa/3.4 sgpa. However my first semester of second year went TERRIBLE...my gpa was about 2.6. My second semester of second year is going not too great either...hoping on pulling an okay gpa though. I know many people are going to be saying that I have so much more time and all...but when I looked at the gpas of people getting into dental schools, they are increasing every year. I am just wondering if anyone else was in the same position as me...I really want to go into dentistry and have no other plans other than that. Your guy's insight would be awesome! Thanks

 

[MAdental]

First of all, dont worry too much. You got plenty of time but you gota be SMART and plan ahead from now on. You have 2 full summers ahead of you, do you know what that means ? that means you can score 6- 8 easy As --> Make sure you take summer classes, trust me they are easier and done with faster. Unlike Canadian schools, Americans dont really care if your take 5 courses each semester ( i learnt that the hard way).....so take summer classes and then take 4 classes each fall/winter semester. again, you have 2 summers, so make sure you take the DAT atleast once this summer. I dont know what your major is, but make sure you think before you make your class schedule, dont taking anything too hard like Organic chem 3 or some thing like that. It is all about having that 3.5+ GPA.
So try your best to land 3.5+ each semester from now on.
Plan ahead and you will be fine. 🙂

 

[drejto]

I am majoring in Chemistry... but I am thinking of taking some summer courses....I really regret doing a Chem major sometimes because I had to take the hardest Chemistry courses which destroyed my GPA. But its too late now haha.

 

[MAdental]

Ya, my cousin's major is chem and let me tell you....it didnt get any easier for him after second year. What i did not like about chem courses was that there is lecture, 3+ labs and sometimes tut for EACH course. Brutal

 

[drejto]

So what would you suggest I do?

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

I am currently finishing up my second year of undergrad. My first year went okay I guess...had about a 3.2 gpa/3.4 sgpa. However my first semester of second year went TERRIBLE...my gpa was about 2.6. My second semester of second year is going not too great either...hoping on pulling an okay gpa though. I know many people are going to be saying that I have so much more time and all...but when I looked at the gpas of people getting into dental schools, they are increasing every year. I am just wondering if anyone else was in the same position as me...I really want to go into dentistry and have no other plans other than that. Your guy's insight would be awesome! Thanks

I had a tough time during most of undergrad and it affected my GPA, so I can sympathize. Most of undergrad, I was worried about getting into dental school as well. Coming out of all of that, let me give you my two cents:

-You do have lots of time to bring up the GPA; another two years can significantly help. You can't do anything about the past, but you can work hard now and continue that and be optimistic for the future. Plus dental schools like upward trends.

-Stay calm as possible and get through your classes. Nothing is going to affect you negatively like stress can.

-GPA is not everything. You are more than a number (or two numbers if you count the DAT). It's why schools look at EC's, shadowing, volunteering, LOR's, personal statements and interviews.

-Don't give up. I'm sure you will graduate with a good GPA and get into dental school when you want to. However, if that doesn't happen, you always have the opportunity to try again.

Feel free to PM me if you have concerns and want advice from someone who was in a similar spot a few years ago.

Good luck 🙂

 

[MAdental]

I didnt want to scare you or anything like that, it is just the truth. People nag about Ochem 1 and 2, you will be taking advance Ochem, inorgainc chems, physical chems and analytical chems and some physics in advance levels in your 3rd and 4th year.So basically, your major is true SCIENCE. If you think you can land A or A- in them, then go for it. Chem is a useful degree too.....but your major kinda affects 3 different GPAs. Your Cumulative, your Science AND your BCP ( bio, chem, physics).
You see, I majored in Biochemistry....it was hard but I got my fair share of A and A- and B+. I like what I studied but it was much easier than chemistry.
I cant tell you what to do, it is your life and your future and your GPA anddddd I am not an advisor. BUT if you really wana go to dental school in US, try to make it easier on your self.
Schools wont care if your major is hard, they just see if you have the courses they recommend and if your GPA is good enough. Doing all those hard courses and getting a 3- 3.3 GPA wont get you anywhere.

 

[drejto]

Yeah, I was thinking of maybe changing my major to General Sciences so I can pick and choose the courses I want to take, instead of being locked into a STT.

 

[Tootyfruity]

I am majoring in Chemistry... but I am thinking of taking some summer courses....I really regret doing a Chem major sometimes because I had to take the hardest Chemistry courses which destroyed my GPA. But its too late now haha.

damn upper level chem isn't one of those things you can ace just by studying harder

if you know you're not gonna do a chem masters switching specialties might be good

 

[drejto]

What are your opinions on re-doing courses?

 

[MAdental]

Re-do a course if you got a C (2.0) or lower on it. AADSAS averages both grades so if you get an A on it, your average would be a B . a B- or a B is not worth retaking IMO.

 

[drejto]

I am thinking now of maybe switching to a Bio major...I actually really enjoy biology. I only chose a chemistry major because I wanted to challenge myself and biology was seen as the inferior science major (also I did pretty good Chemistry in first year and hs). I am only in second year so it should be a smooth transition...I will talk to the advisors at my uni to see if it can be done. I think at this point it is about GPA rather then what science is superior over the other.