Advice Needed!!!!!!!!!!!

[La Belle]

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Hi Pre-dental students,

I know I have posted about this situation before, but I was looking at my transcript and having some doubts and I really NEED your advice. I REALLY want to go into dentistry and I was wondering IF I STILL have a CHANCE to get into a dentistry school with the grades I am skeptical of at this moment.

I haven't declare major yet and I'm a sophomore.

I have 3 C+'s and 1 C (non-major, GE)

I took chemistry in first semester of freshmen year and decided to withdraw, but I have taken it again last last semester and pass it with a B and with lab B+. I took it for GE to fulfill my sciences. It's a survey of chemistry class, it covers three areas: general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry.

This is also another GE to fulfill my sciences. I took undergraduate microbiology/public health course in my second semester of freshmen year and failed it (F). I will be retaking it next spring or summer. I'm striving for an "A" second time around.

I have took undergraduate statistic course got a B.

This is also another GE to fulfill my sciences. I have took a upper division course this summer in biology 326 which is a disease course and got a B.

I haven't taken any sciences courses yet, so that is about it. I'm just taking courses to fulfill my GE(s). All my grades so far is A(s) and B(s) and just those (Cs) listed up there.

Right now, with all the classes I have took so far, I got a 2.78 GPA because of that one failed course in freshmen year. I am planning really really really hard to raise that GPA.

Also, I am at a state university, just extra info, if that matter too.

So I will appreciate it if you can give me your opinions if I should follow my decision in pursuing dentistry.

Do you think it'll be better if I pursue dental hygienist first and then with experience in that, then try and go to dental school?? Actually do you even think I'll be able to get into dental hygienist program/school with these grades, nonetheless dental school???? I'm frustrated, and I am HIGHLY doubting myself right NOW because of that one failed grade.

So please disregard my feelings, and tell me honestly if I can MAKE it with those ^ grades...I know that F is a red flag already....🙁

I don't want to waste my time and money if I know I'm not capable of getting into the program because of those grades.

Also, I wanted to let you guys know that I have NOT TAKEN ANY classes to fulfill DENTISTRY requirements. SO I still have a long way to go, I just wanted to know if I still have ANY CHANCE TO PURSUE dentistry with i.e those grades.

Sorry if I keep reiterating some of the stuff over & over again, any great advice will be appreciated!!!!!

PLEASE & THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Regmata]

If you can pull your grades up you have a shot

 

[yorkiepoo]

if you can do a complete turn around and show some A's then sure you can pull up your grades and demonstrate improvement, then you will have a good chance. also must have good DATs

 

[Sch81]

Try and bust out consecutive 4.0 semesters taking a ton of credits, I had a low GPA (unfortunately, and not to diss on you, not as low as yours) and managed to bring it up real high with 2 straight 4.0 semesters. Plus it looks good when you can tell admissions committees that you learned a lot about your focus and dedication during your bad semesters and decided to do something about it

 

[NewMexDent]

You can do it, just relax and do the best you can from here on out. You have a lot of time to make up for those bad grades and if you focus on your classes and do well on the DAT you should have no problem.

My first two years of college I got a C- in gen chem I, C+ in gen chem II, and C+ in o-chem II. I wanted to apply last year but decided to hold off to raise my gpa. That extra not only allowed me to raise my gpa, but the classes I took helped me on the DAT and I had some great extra-curricular experiences. I raised my science gpa from a 2.89 to a 3.17 and did well on the DAT. So far I've gotten 6 interview invites.

In short: make the most of the next few years and do all you can to improve your gpa. It may take a little extra time, but it will pay off in the end. Don't get discouraged, just work hard.

 

[La Belle]

Thank you for all who reply! Your encouraging words, you cannot imagine, are greatly appreciated! I can't thank you enough!

So you guys really think, for the next couple of years, if I raise my GPA, do well in sciences courses that is required for dental school, I will be able to get into one regardless of the F? I am really scared of that F I got because it is a major red flag once they get my application. I just don't want to pursue a career where I have NO chance in hell because of one failed grade.

On the contrary, do anyone of you guys think I should pursue dental hygienist first? And then, apply to dental school later on? Do you guys think this is a wise decision or go straight to dental school will be a better option???

 

[burgler09]

By all means yes! Do your best and pull off A's B+'s at the lowest and you will get in. Run some searches from last years rotation and there are people who actually FAILED prereq's and retook them. You have a good possibility as long as you keep your head straight and keep on studying!

 

[La Belle]

Thanks again for all who reply!

If you guys don't mind me asking, what are your majors, concentrations, minors??
How do you guys study for science exams???
How do you guys study for DAT? What books do you guys buy to prepare you for the test?
And lastly, how do you guys go about finding extra curricular activities?