"bad gpa" v good dat scores, esp +/-s

[vaanhalen]

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I have a real question about grades with +/-...

I tried finding answers to this in the forums but I couldn't find anything... So I'm trusting in the SDN gods 😉 I took ochem at a school notorious for killer ochem classes. Despite my best efforts, I got a C- and a C for ochem 1 and 2. However, on the DAT I got a 28 on Ochem.

Some schools don't have +/-, therefore my would've been a C. And, who knows if they mean "c" as in 75% or if they mean any C because they don't distinguish +/- cuz its all the same. I'd "call the school" but i'm applying to 18 schools...

I got As in all my other bio, chem classes so my overall sci gpa is 3.5 w/out +/-, and 3.3 with, so as an overall applicant with a 23AA I feel comfortable. However, my fear is that, as I got a "c-" not a "c" many schools may not consider me, esp when they require a minimum "c" for approving a prereq-- i don't know how much they consider overall applicants or how much they simply cut people out for any reason at all. (add to the fact I took the DAT a week ago makes me nervous for being so late an applicant. Everyone got my AADSAS packet, etc. way early, but weddings and crises led to me taking the DAT late.)

What do you think? Will schools generally still give me a chance? If any of you have any experiences, insights or thoughts, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Destiny11]

I have a real question about grades with +/-...

I tried finding answers to this in the forums but I couldn't find anything... So I'm trusting in the SDN gods 😉 I took ochem at a school notorious for killer ochem classes. Despite my best efforts, I got a C- and a C for ochem 1 and 2. However, on the DAT I got a 28 on Ochem.

Some schools don't have +/-, therefore my would've been a C. And, who knows if they mean "c" as in 75% or if they mean any C because they don't distinguish +/- cuz its all the same. I'd "call the school" but i'm applying to 18 schools...

I got As in all my other bio, chem classes so my overall sci gpa is 3.5 w/out +/-, and 3.3 with, so as an overall applicant with a 23AA I feel comfortable. However, my fear is that, as I got a "c-" not a "c" many schools may not consider me, esp when they require a minimum "c" for approving a prereq-- i don't know how much they consider overall applicants or how much they simply cut people out for any reason at all. (add to the fact I took the DAT a week ago makes me nervous for being so late an applicant. Everyone got my AADSAS packet, etc. way early, but weddings and crises led to me taking the DAT late.)

What do you think? Will schools generally still give me a chance? If any of you have any experiences, insights or thoughts, I'd appreciate it.

You will have to contact each school about this one. Usually schools are black and white when it comes to pre-requisite requirements.

 

[FreeFallin]

Yeah I had a couple C- and I am retaking those courses as we speak, that way I'll be done with them in December 2010 for hopeful admittance to dental school in Fall 2011. I didn't want to wait to finish these classes until right before dental school would start, so I'm finishing them up before 2010 is over. Good luck in your pursuit.

 

[Maygyver]

I think a lot of schools just use straight formulas so I'm not sure if they will break it down and compare course grades with their DAT sections. Think of how long it would take. However, call up your top schools and talk to them and see what they say.

 

[DrRoyal Pains]

How are you re-taking classes's you got a C in?

 

[vaanhalen]

I considered retaking, but in FAQs schools said if you retake anything, they expect an A second time around, anything less and its a severe problem. Orgo tests are so random at my school, I doubted I would get the A, so I opted to "make it up" on the DAT. Marquette came to my school today, and the dean said they hate kids with bad gpa and great DATs, they figure all they did was use Kaplan to game the tests and they don't really know it. (I wonder how widespread that sentiment is). So they're all about gpa, all else equal. But I spoke to him after and he said since my general gpa is good (3.5), dont' worry about a C- I'd be fine, if my DAT were in sooner I'd probably have an interview (they're scheduling all their interviews this week). So who knows for the rest of the schools.

Guess I'll just have to make more phone calls. I feel bad for the admissions people, all they get all day is brown-nosers asking fake questions trying to get airtime. Maybe they'll appreciate a legit question...

 

[yappy]

Dang.. is this true? I did a retake of anatomy. First at community college - I earned a C. I returned to school to do dental retook to earn a B at my state university. Will this look pretty bad?
I was taking Ochem II, biochem, and neruo and received all A's in them that semester. Anatomy just isnt my thing!

I considered retaking, but in FAQs schools said if you retake anything, they expect an A second time around, anything less and its a severe problem.

 

[dentalWorks]

Every school looks and evaluates applicants differently... Some will favor your GPA over your high DAT (except if you have like a 26+AA, then theyr not gonna look at anything else)...... Others will like the fact your DAT is much higher than your GPA, cause they figure, you are an "okay" student in the class but do VERY well on national examinations.

Again, there is no definitive answer.

As far as retakes go, I would assume that anything less than an A- would look bad. I mean think about it, your taking a class that you've taken before, the material is simply being reviewed to you for a 2nd time, why aren't you rocking the class? I know orgo is a "weeder" type class, but its a relatively easy class compared to some upper level sciences that all of us pre-dents will have to deal with at some point (Physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, etc etc)...... Retake that Orgo and study the reactions EVERY DAY after class, and reviewed everything on weekends, make sure that NO MATTER how "random" the exams are, nothing is a surprise to you, and trust me, you'll 4.0 the class if you follow this method.

 

[vaanhalen]

Louisville called me back this morning. They say they require no C-s, but said they'll still consider me an applicant, they just might call me before an interview and ask if i'm willing to retake the class. Which is fine, I'll take it in a condensed spring term and knock it out. easy peasy. Chalk them under "reasonable" category of schools. Their first batches, they said they start around end of the month and go through mid december, and send their acceptances, then do more interviews through January to fill in the final spots.

 

[DoCt0rPeTe]

I know orgo is a "weeder" type class, but its a relatively easy class compared to some upper level sciences that all of us pre-dents will have to deal with at some point (Physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, genetics, etc etc)

yeah...you got that right

 

[hoylematt]

Orgo tests are so random at my school, I doubted I would get the A...

Learn now to not blame your performance in a class based upon a teacher or a bad test. Even the hardest professors, still have people that get A's in their class. If you got a 28 on the Ochem section the DAT, then you have every capability of getting an A in the class.

Despite my best efforts, I got a C- and a C for ochem 1 and 2.

What's your best efforts? My only C for undergrad was in second semester gen chem, and I can say without a doubt that I deserved that C. I didn't work hard enough to earn a B or an A.

 

[vaanhalen]

Congrats on the undergrad success. Sounds like you did a great job, and you are really great at this stuff. For me, ochem was harder. My best efforts was 24hrs each week for that class. I certainly don't endorse the blame game, it's just how it goes, for me yes but also at my school, year after year. You're right though, I did a little worse than most. We get hammered in the class and everyone aces the ACS and the DAT/MCAT-- generally everyone here gets a nice high spike there on their scores, at the very least it's the highest SCI. I can't really say about anyone else's experience, we hear stories that at other schools ochem is no harder than any other sci class and we're shocked. Here, ochem is the great dragon, certainly harder than adv. phys, genetics, biochem, etc. (obviously the material in biochem is more advanced but once youve taken any OC its really not bad at all) Since 07 (when i got my c-)they've done a lot to make Sem 1 more doable.

ANyway, the more important reality is most schools, it turns out, are reasonable. If they like you but there's a bad mark they care about, tehy'll ask you if you're willing to retake (obviously everyone should be) or they'll say don't worry about it. Hopefully that's good news for everyone.

 

[mustardseed5]

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