Becoming a Stronger Applicant

[The Prowler]

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Hey everyone,

I wanted to get some advice on improving my application for this upcoming cycle. I was rejected from each school I applied to this past year with the following stats:

oGPA: 2.91
sGPA: 2.93

DAT
AA: 21
TS: 21
PAT: 19
BIO: 22
OC: 20
GC: 21
RC: 22
QR: 19

Last 4 semesters GPA was a 3.67, all upper level sciences courses. I started my undergrad out poorly, but have a considerable upward trend.

Shadowing- ~250 hours
Volunteer- ~1000 hours

I am not sure what my best option is at this point. One or two year Master's, post bac, etc.

I have applied to one year programs to speed up the process and prove I can handle the rigors of dental school, but my advisers have suggested against it as it is a risk financially.

I could complete a Master's in the traditional way, while I continue to work, but am not sure if that proves anything significant, unless I end with a ~3.75+ GPA. This obviously will take longer, which I am not keen of.

After calculating the amount of classes needed to take in a post-bac to raise my GPA, I found it would be too many classes (50+ credits) and at that point I feel like getting a Master's is smarter and more rewarding. My undergrad GPA was low due to 100-200 level classes and playing college football, and I have retaken each one that was a C or lower. No 300-400 level class was retaken, hence the strong turnaround.

There has been success stories using all 3 of these methods, with varying undergraduate statistics, but I just wanted some opinions on what you all think the most efficient track would be.

Anything helps, thank you in advance.

 

[Dhudez]

Is it not possible for you to enroll yourself at an undergrad institution close by so that you can take some classes to raise your GPA a bit? It would be a lot less expensive than applying to formal post bacs and masters programs. I would just do that, makes much more sense financially, and will serve well to your application. Solid DAT score though!

 

[Life of Pablo]

If I were in your situation, I would try to get in contact with an admissions member from one of the schools you got rejected from and ask them if they recommend you do a 1 or 2 year Master's program. Your DAT is pretty good, so I feel like as long as you perform well in a Master's program, you should get accepted. Good luck!

 

[Kingfish23]

My situation was pretty much identitical to yours. I did an 18 month masters and was accepted this cycle. Good luck and PM me if you have any questions

 

[Medin2017]

Masters with that gpa.

 

[deleted678432]

Careful with 2 year masters programs. If you get rejected again (hopefully not), then you may have to re-take the DAT.