Advice for Low GPAs?

[justdandi]

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Hi.

I realize that chances threads aren't exact, in general, because you never know for sure whether you'll get into a dental school until they accept or reject you. However, I'm a graduating senior, and since finding out my semester grades & my final GPA yesterday, I've been freaking out and having small panic attacks.

Here're my final GPAs:

Culmulative GPA = 3.56 (or 3.60 without +/- for Texas schools -- I'm an in-state resident)

BCP GPA = 3.14

Science GPA = 3.22 (with math/stat courses)

I'm applying this cycle to all 3 Texas schools as a resident, and to at least a dozen OOS-friendly schools. I'm taking my DAT early June -- and have decent research, volunteering, shadowing experiences.

What's freaking me out is my BCP/science GPA. Will those low scores cause dental schools to automatically reject me? Is there anything I can do now to improve my chances? What's the minimum score for DAT is recommended when my GPA is so low?

I appreciate any and all advice. Thank you!

 

[Predoctalk]

Have you taken the DAT? If you get a high enough score and have good EC's/LOR's/personal statement I think that you will have a pretty decent shot. You're overall GPA is good, and if it is math scores that are bringing you down and hour bio/Chem grades are higher then you should be fine

 

[sacapuntas]

I think you might be OK if you do well on the DAT, but I would start looking into post-bacc options as well in case your science GPA does keep you from getting into a school. Nothing you can do for this years cycle except do well on the DAT.

IMO I would still apply with those #'s, and get some upper level bio classes going for next years cycle.

 

[dentalWorks]

Hi.

I realize that chances threads aren't exact, in general, because you never know for sure whether you'll get into a dental school until they accept or reject you. However, I'm a graduating senior, and since finding out my semester grades & my final GPA yesterday, I've been freaking out and having small panic attacks.

Here're my final GPAs:

Culmulative GPA = 3.56 (or 3.60 without +/- for Texas schools -- I'm an in-state resident)

BCP GPA = 3.14

Science GPA = 3.22 (with math/stat courses)

I'm applying this cycle to all 3 Texas schools as a resident, and to at least a dozen OOS-friendly schools. I'm taking my DAT early June -- and have decent research, volunteering, shadowing experiences.

What's freaking me out is my BCP/science GPA. Will those low scores cause dental schools to automatically reject me? Is there anything I can do now to improve my chances? What's the minimum score for DAT is recommended when my GPA is so low?

I appreciate any and all advice. Thank you!

No.... But odds are against you. Its hard to talk about your chances without a DAT score. And since your applying in less than a month, there isn't anything you can do right now to improve other than murdering the test.

all the best

 

[justdandi]

Have you taken the DAT? If you get a high enough score and have good EC's/LOR's/personal statement I think that you will have a pretty decent shot. You're overall GPA is good, and if it is math scores that are bringing you down and hour bio/Chem grades are higher then you should be fine

I'm taking my DAT in June, and am frantically studying for it right now. I'm crossing my fingers for at least a 20, if possible.

And it's actually the math/statistics courses that bumped up my sGPA from 3.1 to 3.2. 🙁

Also, may I ask if math/statistics courses are included in science GPA calculation? (Especially for Texas schools, where Statistics course is explicitly required.)

 

[justdandi]

Thank you, sacapuntas and dentalWorks!

I'm definitely panicking right now, but I'll study really hard and hope for the best on the DAT. 🙂

Also, you mentioned Post-Bacc options. I'm not too familiar with that -- do you mean applying for a Master's Degree? Or just taking a few science classes at a community college/state university? Is that too late now to apply for if I'm aiming for classes in the Fall? (If I'm hoping to improve my chances in for re-applying next summer.) Thanks!

 

[The Prologue]

I'm taking my DAT in June, and am frantically studying for it right now. I'm crossing my fingers for at least a 20, if possible.

And it's actually the math/statistics courses that bumped up my sGPA from 3.1 to 3.2. 🙁

Also, may I ask if math/statistics courses are included in science GPA calculation? (Especially for Texas schools, where Statistics course is explicitly required.)

They are included in the science gpa 🙂. Just try and do as well as you can on the DAT.

 

[4thMolar]

You'll have a shot at getting into a dental school since you're applying to a good number of schools, especially if you do well on the DAT. But just in case, I would enroll into a formal or informal post-bacc program. By informal post-bacc, I mean just continue taking upper level science courses after you graduate, that way in case you don't get in this cycle, you can have a much improved application next cycle. I don't think you need to enroll in a masters program b/c your GPA isn't terribly low.

 

[justdandi]

Thank you so much, The Prologue and 4thMolar!

4thMolar -- For informal Post-Bacc's (i.e. continue taking classes), if I have graduated, do I need to reapply to a school to take classes? Or can I just ask if I can take courses without enrolling in a Degree program? I'm not sure how that works...

I apologize for being ignorant; I've looked up post-Bacc's, but I'm still a bit confused, since this is the first time I've heard of it.

 

[4thMolar]

Thank you so much, The Prologue and 4thMolar!

4thMolar -- For informal Post-Bacc's (i.e. continue taking classes), if I have graduated, do I need to reapply to a school to take classes? Or can I just ask if I can take courses without enrolling in a Degree program? I'm not sure how that works...

I apologize for being ignorant; I've looked up post-Bacc's, but I'm still a bit confused, since this is the first time I've heard of it.

If you just want to take additional courses, you can either hold off on graduating now and take another year (5th year senior), or you can graduate and then apply as a Non-Degree seeking student and enroll in a few courses. I think the only difference between these two options is how much financial aid you can get, but I'm not completely sure about that.

If you want to learn more about formal post-bacc programs, you can check out the post-bacc forum: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71

 

[yappy]

We guys/gals with sub 3.4 gpa's are so screwed lol.


EDIT: MAdental - you have a 3.4 not a sub 3.4. I was speaking more to the 3.0 - 3.3 (I am in this group). From recent postings it doesnt seem like too many have be very successful with GPA's below a 3.4.

 

[MAdental]

If you think Sub 3.4 is bad........then what do you think about ppl with sub 3.0? I personally have 3.4 for Science and Cumulative but i think i will be fine.

 

[dentalWorks]

If you think Sub 3.4 is bad........then what do you think about ppl with sub 3.0? I personally have 3.4 for Science and Cumulative but i think i will be fine.

and you are right