Anyone Fail 2 classes? + Gen. Questions.

[Earsly]

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Hello, I posted in the 3.0 and under club but didn't get a response. I'm debating on what's the possibility of dental school for me. My situation:

- Graduated Spr. 06 with a cumulative 2.92 GPA in Chemical Engineering.
- Science GPA is probably around the 2.4??
- Failures I had: F in ochem 1, retook and got a C. Got a D- in ochem 2, didn't retake since my major didn't require me to. C+ in all 3 physics classes.

Still need to retake Ochem and take cell biology. So basically I failed Ochem twice. I know D schools usually do not like "retake of classes."

I got a job around 3 months ago and its a solid job BUT I still have the desire to go to D school. Do I still have a good chance on getting in? I would just hate to quit my job right now since it is very difficult to get a job in my area with my degree.

Basically, did anyone ever fail two classes and still got into dental school?

and Does Plant Bio and Animnal Bio count as two semesters of Biology, or does it have to be Cell Bio and Animal Bio?

and Do dental schools require upper division anatomy or lower div.?

TIA. Ears

 

[toothfairy85]

I can answer one of your questions. Most dental schools do not require anatomy (although I've heard of there being a few). Many schools recommend taking an anatomy course of some sort to give you a strong science background. Comparative Anatomy is a good course. Good luck to you.

 

[student1985]

Basically, did anyone ever fail two classes and still got into dental school?

Yes it's still possible, although your chances will be much lower than those who have no F's on their transcript.

Does Plant Bio and Animnal Bio count as two semesters of Biology, or does it have to be Cell Bio and Animal Bio?

No, the two semesters of Biology must be an Introductory Biology course like Introduction to Biology 101.

Do dental schools require upper division anatomy or lower div.?

It depends on the school (their website usually will say); I personally don't know the difference between upper divison and lower division anatomy; I would take anatomy regardless because (1) you will become familiar with Anatomy, which is an important course and (2) you need more science classes to boost your GPA

I think your chances of getting into D-school with a 2.4 Science GPA are slim to none because it's getting more and more competitive; I would reccommend you do a master's program or take some extra science courses and aim for a 3.5-3.7 GPA (which is very doable in a master's program)

Also, study real hard and aim for 20+ AA and 20+TS on your DAT (which I'm sure you can do if you put the time into it)

These seem like the best options to make up for your 2.5ish GPA...

Finally, I wouldn't quit your job unless you feel like you can work and have time to do the master's program or at least take some science courses to boost your GPA up.

Hope that helps

 

[djeffreyt]

It seems like it would be an uphill battle for you to get into dental school. It isn't like no one with your scores has ever gotten in, but there are relatively few with such low GPAs that get into dental school nowadays (or at least that is what it seems like).

The other issue would be that in order to improve your grades, you'd probably need to do, like the poster above says, take more courses in science through some type of masters program, but trying to do that while working could be tough. You could just go for the long haul...work full time, take a class or two each semester trying to improve the GPA and then eventually study for the DATs. That might take some time, but you could probably make it through and greatly improve your chances of getting in, but in the short run, I'd say your chances aren't so hot.

 

[Veneto]

I guess it all depends on how bad you want to go to dental school. I dont think that it would do you any good applying now or even in the next few years to come. If you want Dental school to happen it will probably take atleast three years the way I see it. First I would retake all the prereqs that you didnt get an A in. You could probably do this while keeping your job. I am not sure what plant bio and animal bio really are, but as another poster said, the two that fufil the prereqs are the first two semesters of Biology, which are usually 100 level courses. Take those, any of the two gen. chems you didnt get an A in and both the organics along with another good biology elective( cell bio, anatomy, genetics, maybe biochem) for the first year. Then at the end of the year look at your grades. If the total GPA for the past year wasnt 3.8 or higher then you can determine that Dental isnt in the cards for you. If the GPA is 3.8 or above I would find a science masters program that is two to three years long and start that. Oh also during the break between your masters and the pre-reqs I'd take the DAT cause all the vital information will be fresh in your mind. After the first year of your masters as long as the GPA is 3.8 or above I'd apply to Dental school during the summer and as long as you can have some good letters of rec from the masters program, a few shadowing hours, and a DAT of atleast 20 then you will have a good shot. I would also have the letter writers include your change of academic performance in their letter, and with your application write a personal letter of your change in life and why you would be a good candidate. To answer your question about the F's. I had two F's on my transcripts. I, under the advisement of a dean of admissons of a dental school, wrote aletter explaining why I recived the F's and what I had done to counteract them, and even showed what my GPA would have been without them. At every interview I went to the interviewers had read the letter and commented about it, and told me that it was the best thing I could have done for myself. The letter was very well written and I had several people review it. I will start dental school in fall of 2007. Anyway thats what I would do If I was your situation, and I say that cause I pretty much was.

 

[JaCkito]

I think your chances of getting into D-school with a 2.4 Science GPA are slim to none because it's getting more and more competitive; I would reccommend you do a master's program or take some extra science courses and aim for a 3.5-3.7 GPA (which is very doable in a master's program)

Also, study real hard and aim for 20+ AA and 20+TS on your DAT (which I'm sure you can do if you put the time into it)

These seem like the best options to make up for your 2.5ish GPA...

Finally, I wouldn't quit your job unless you feel like you can work and have time to do the master's program or at least take some science courses to boost your GPA up.

Hope that helps

student1985 gives you a fairly wise advice....If i were you, i would just go ahead and follow up with what std1985 says. D schools nowadays are very competitive. You should definitely go ahead and get a master degree.

You can do it!

---Blessings!-------

 

[Suicide_Stat]

I guess it all depends on how bad you want to go to dental school.

With that said, how bad do you want it? Remember anything is possible. Talk to the right people, get on the right track, work hard everyday as if it were your last, eat good, work like a slave eat like a king. Awww man with a little luck you'll be in D-school before you know it.😎