Based on my stats: Post-Bacc vs. Masters vs D.H.? Best route?

[SkinnyT]

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Hey all! Wanted to get some insight on what to do as of now. You see I have been very stressed out, especially after this semester (Was looking to applying to DS now in June, but this past semester killed my GPA from 2.9 to 2.8). I am a 5th year senior and need one more class (which I will take now in the fall) to graduate with a B.S. (Biological Sciences). I make mostly B's, a few A's (GPA = 2.8) with some C's that I am planning on retaking. With that in mind, I thought about how it would not be a good idea to apply to dental school now in June, because my chances are probably very slim, despite having done community service all my life, 60+ shadowing hours with a dentist, Pre-dental society, etc... Today I realize that I need to study more and that I do want to go to dental school and so I have decided to give it my all, go all out on studying to bring my GPA up. I want to do this without having to put my parents through any unnecessary additional financial difficulties. What would you recommend me do? My advisor (with all respect) has not really been much of a help. I am now stuck debating between A post-bacc program, or do dental hygiene for 2 years and then apply, or just take the DAT now and retake some courses..?

As of now I am pretty much done with my pre-reqs. I go to UCONN btw, and was wondering if anyone knew of a good program that would help me to improve my uGPA? 🙁

 

[sacapuntas]

My personal opinion is to go post-bacc and make all A's/A-'s, until your GPA is above 3.0-3.1. Do it for a year I would guess, depending on how many credits you have.

Take only upper level bio's and if needed chem or phys. After that, if your GPA is above 3.0 and science GPA is above 3.3, apply but plan on taking more post-bacc classes your next year. If you don't get in after year 2, go into a masters program and ace it. If you don't get in by then, I am lost.

 

[dentalWorks]

I wouldn't rush the graduation If I was you.

I'd continue taking upper level biology classes at your school until my GPA is at a satisfactory point (above 3.0). Then you can decide what you want to do (apply or go into masters). By the way, you NEED to start 4.0-ing almost every class from now on. I don't wanna sound like a nerd, but you need to get that GPA up and the fastest (& cheapest) way is to 4.0 every term.

IMO, masters is out of the question. That 2.8 undergrad GPA is sticking out like a sore thumb. Even a 4.0 in masters isn't going to cover the 2.8

By the way, what is your sGPA? Thats another huge factor (probably more important that overall GPA)

All the best on whatever you decide on

 

[sacapuntas]

I wouldn't rush the graduation If I was you.

I'd continue taking upper level biology classes at your school until my GPA is at a satisfactory point (above 3.0). Then you can decide what you want to do (apply or go into masters). By the way, you NEED to start 4.0-ing almost every class from now on. I don't wanna sound like a nerd, but you need to get that GPA up and the fastest (& cheapest) way is to 4.0 every term.

IMO, masters is out of the question. That 2.8 undergrad GPA is sticking out like a sore thumb. Even a 4.0 in masters isn't going to cover the 2.8

By the way, what is your sGPA? Thats another huge factor (probably more important that overall GPA)

All the best on whatever you decide on

Awesome advice, my only question is whether or not graduating matters. I graduated in 2008 but as far as I know, my current post-bac studies count for my undergrad GPA.

 

[SkinnyT]

I wouldn't rush the graduation If I was you.

I'd continue taking upper level biology classes at your school until my GPA is at a satisfactory point (above 3.0). Then you can decide what you want to do (apply or go into masters). By the way, you NEED to start 4.0-ing almost every class from now on. I don't wanna sound like a nerd, but you need to get that GPA up and the fastest (& cheapest) way is to 4.0 every term.

IMO, masters is out of the question. That 2.8 undergrad GPA is sticking out like a sore thumb. Even a 4.0 in masters isn't going to cover the 2.8

By the way, what is your sGPA? Thats another huge factor (probably more important that overall GPA)

All the best on whatever you decide on

Ok, well does Evolutionary Biology "EEB" include in my science gpa? the ADEA website says:


"BCP GPA: All undergraduate courses identified on your transcript as Biology, Chemistry and
Physics are used in computing this GPA.
• Science GPA: All undergraduate courses identified on your transcript as Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Math and Other Science is used in computing this GPA.
• Non-science GPA: All undergraduate courses not used in calculating the Science GPA are used
to compute this GPA.
• Undergraduate GPA: All courses for which undergraduate credit is received are used in
computing this GPA.
• Graduate GPA: All courses for which graduate credit is received are used in computing this GPA.
• Overall GPA: All courses-both undergraduate and graduate- are used to compute this GPA. (For
most dental school applicants who have not completed graduate courses, the overall GPA is the
same as the Undergraduate GPA).
• College/University GPAs: GPAs are reported for each college/university you have attended. "

 

[dentalWorks]

Awesome advice, my only question is whether or not graduating matters. I graduated in 2008 but as far as I know, my current post-bac studies count for my undergrad GPA.

I think it does. A few days ago there was a post from someone about this. Basically he could graduate now and have alot of his grants and loans be reduced or he can stay in as a super senior (without graduating) and continue receiving financial benefits

Here
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=818591

Ok, well does Evolutionary Biology "EEB" include in my science gpa? the ADEA website says:


"BCP GPA: All undergraduate courses identified on your transcript as Biology, Chemistry and
Physics are used in computing this GPA.
• Science GPA: All undergraduate courses identified on your transcript as Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Math and Other Science is used in computing this GPA.
• Non-science GPA: All undergraduate courses not used in calculating the Science GPA are used
to compute this GPA.
• Undergraduate GPA: All courses for which undergraduate credit is received are used in
computing this GPA.
• Graduate GPA: All courses for which graduate credit is received are used in computing this GPA.
• Overall GPA: All courses-both undergraduate and graduate- are used to compute this GPA. (For
most dental school applicants who have not completed graduate courses, the overall GPA is the
same as the Undergraduate GPA).
• College/University GPAs: GPAs are reported for each college/university you have attended. "

I think its a biology course... Use this
http://www.adea.org/dental_educatio...ocuments/2011 ADEA AADSAS Course Subjects.pdf

 

[4thMolar]

Don't apply this upcoming cycle. I don't know if there are restrictions on not graduating, since you are already a fifth year senior, but I think you need to continue taking upper division science courses for the next year or so and apply in summer 2012. If you can get your GPA over 3.0 and get a decent DAT score, you'll have a shot at gaining admission. If you want to check out post-bacc or grad programs, check out more info in the post-bacc section: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71