Advice on how to be "above average"

Started by dental diva
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dental diva

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10+ Year Member
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Hi!

So I applied back in August with a bad gpa and DAT. (3.3 cgpa, 3.0 sgpa, 18 AA, 18 TS, 17 PAT). and sent these to 7 schools. I got rejected from MWU in September, and re-took my DAT in November to get a 20 AA, 20 TS, 20 PAT, with nothing below an 18. even though these scores aren't amazing, I was pretty excited to have done better, since i had a full course-load of classes on top of the DATs. but I'm starting to feel like my GPA is stuck in this little corner, my grades were all B's and one A this semester so my gpa didn't change.

Basically, I want to know what to do with my last semester. I don't think I have a shot anywhere for this cycle ( I added in a University of Kentucky just for the heck of it, didn't hear back) and I know my GPA isn't going anywhere and I'm stuck with it. but I want to know how to make this next semester good in terms of ECs, I'm already on my school's pre-dental board and I already feel like I have so many things but nothing to stand out, and i REALLY want to get in next cycle, I'm going to apply on June 1st on the dot lol. but anyone have any ideas?
 
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dental diva said:
Hi!

So I applied back in August with a bad gpa and DAT. (3.3 cgpa, 3.0 sgpa, 18 AA, 18 TS, 17 PAT). and sent these to 7 schools. I got rejected from MWU in September, and re-took my DAT in November to get a 20 AA, 20 TS, 20 PAT, with nothing below an 18. even though these scores aren't amazing, I was pretty excited to have done better, since i had a full course-load of classes on top of the DATs. but I'm starting to feel like my GPA is stuck in this little corner, my grades were all B's and one A this semester so my gpa didn't change.

Basically, I want to know what to do with my last semester. I don't think I have a shot anywhere for this cycle ( I added in a University of Kentucky just for the heck of it, didn't hear back) and I know my GPA isn't going anywhere and I'm stuck with it. but I want to know how to make this next semester good in terms of ECs, I'm already on my school's pre-dental board and I already feel like I have so many things but nothing to stand out, and i REALLY want to get in next cycle, I'm going to apply on June 1st on the dot lol. but anyone have any ideas?
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The problem is your GPA. Your DAT is good (even the first one is OK). You might want to start a post bac soon.
 
You want to take 4 science classes in the Spring and nail them all, THEN do some ECs around May before you apply. Your sci GPA is a huge priority right now. Everything else can wait a bit. If you already have a lot of ECs, I'd go as far as taking 3 more sci classes in the first summer session of classes. With 7 science, that 3.0 is bound to go up a bit. And you need to be getting 3.8+ in the Spring and Summer if you really want your grade to go up.
 
My advice would be don't rush, you would want to apply when your application is the strongest. And right now your gpa is not that great. I agree with the above comment take more science classes in the spring and the summer if possible defer a year and apply in the year 2014 and take more science classes while you wait to boost your gpa and also add more e.c as much as you can but focus on your classes. Your DAT scores are great, you just need to focus on your gpa.
 
Illini0909 said:
Just don't fuk up and you'll be fine
Click to expand...

this is my favorite plan so far


crashblades said:
and at the same time do LOTS and LOTS of E.C. I'm talking about homeless shelter, hospitals, peacecorp, etc.
Click to expand...

i'm in a national service fraternity that does at least 20 hours of volunteering per semester, aside from the stuff i do for my pre-dental club and through some other orgs...still more? maybe research? i hate research haha

KittySquared said:
You want to take 4 science classes in the Spring and nail them all, THEN do some ECs around May before you apply. Your sci GPA is a huge priority right now. Everything else can wait a bit. If you already have a lot of ECs, I'd go as far as taking 3 more sci classes in the first summer session of classes. With 7 science, that 3.0 is bound to go up a bit. And you need to be getting 3.8+ in the Spring and Summer if you really want your grade to go up.
Click to expand...

so i'd have 12 credits of JUST science, i wouldn't mind but i need to finish up my gen-eds too. i can get in 8 at most right now and take some things in the summer. So realistically, maayybe a 3.1 at the highest, right? i should calculate.
 
Illini0909 said:
Just don't fuk up and you'll be fine
Click to expand...

this is my favorite plan so far


crashblades said:
and at the same time do LOTS and LOTS of E.C. I'm talking about homeless shelter, hospitals, peacecorp, etc.
Click to expand...

i'm in a national service fraternity that does at least 20 hours of volunteering per semester, aside from the stuff i do for my pre-dental club and through some other orgs...still more? maybe research? i hate research haha

KittySquared said:
You want to take 4 science classes in the Spring and nail them all, THEN do some ECs around May before you apply. Your sci GPA is a huge priority right now. Everything else can wait a bit. If you already have a lot of ECs, I'd go as far as taking 3 more sci classes in the first summer session of classes. With 7 science, that 3.0 is bound to go up a bit. And you need to be getting 3.8+ in the Spring and Summer if you really want your grade to go up.
Click to expand...

so i'd have 12 credits of JUST science, i wouldn't mind but i need to finish up my gen-eds too. i can get in 8 at most right now and take some things in the summer. So realistically, maayybe a 3.1 at the highest, right? i should calculate.
 
If you aren't a good student, pretend or act like you are one. If you are bad student, do not "believe in yourself" because your self is not someone worth believing in. Instead believe, almost convincingly lie to yourself, that you are motivated, curious, and hard-working.

If you believe hard enough in this fabrication, your belief will translate into actions such as using time-efficiently, organizing every minute of each day, keeping an agenda and making sure you do everything you set out to do, studying sufficiently and in advance, etc.
 
UCSFx2017 said:
If you aren't a good student, pretend or act like you are one. If you are bad student, do not "believe in yourself" because your self is not someone worth believing in. Instead believe, almost convincingly lie to yourself, that you are motivated, curious, and hard-working.

If you believe hard enough in this fabrication, your belief will translate into actions such as using time-efficiently, organizing every minute of each day, keeping an agenda and making sure you do everything you set out to do, studying sufficiently and in advance, etc.
Click to expand...

maybe i phrased my post wrong lol, i'm not really asking how to improve my grades. i wouldn't say i've been a bad student, i've never gotten anything below a C before in a class, but I was on a competitive dance team for a while so it was hard to keep up with everything, once i dropped the team my grades were way better. i can't really say i'm not motivated or curious, i've been doing a lot better now that i've had time to study and actually go to class :laugh:

i'm just wondering, at this point, what the best course of action would be. go on a dental brigade to panama, research, etc....something to stand out from every other 3.0 sgpa out there
 
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