Can I do it?

[GonnaBeADDS]

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Hey everyone- this is probably the most common thread here, so I'll make this quick:

Finished 1st year university
cGPA: 2.6
Shadowing over the summer
Work/Volunteer at a hospital

I know it's a long way away, but do you folks still think there's a chance for me to get into dental school?

 

[2PacClone23]

Duh

 

[dentalWorks]

yes. buck up, take your future courses seriously. I know college for a youngster right outta highschool is a place of "FREEEEDOMEEEE" (sorry William Wallace here) but if your serious about wanting a place in healthcare, then I suggest you keep that GPA at a respectable level

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

Don't wanna sound rude...but how? How do I boost my GPA in future years? Courses get harder, right?

 

[Skygrandpager]

Don't wanna sound rude...but how? How do I boost my GPA in future years? Courses get harder, right?

Basically for me I did poorly my first year, then pretty well my last 3. Ironically I worked the hardest my first year! I learned how to get good grades, which means which professors to take (BIG) and learning how to study. For me I liked flash cards for orgo and chem stuff and you tube vids for bio and physio followed by writing it out myself. Also talk to your profs about how they would study the material, most of the time they want their students to do well if they see an effort.
It gets easier (years 2-4) in my opinion, not necessarily because of the material, but because you'll learn what to do. Good luck

 

[dentalWorks]

Don't wanna sound rude...but how? How do I boost my GPA in future years? Courses get harder, right?

of course they get harder and its expected of you to work even harder. You don't expect to get accepted into one of the most competitive fields in today's market without hard work..do you?

As far as boosting your GPA, your a freashman (right?) with a 2.6 GPA. That means you have at least 3 years left. If your interested in increasing it then in those 3 years, try to keep the GPA of every upcoming semester above 3.5 and by the end of your undergrad education, your overall GPA would be brought up to a much more respected level (I'd guess 3.4-ish?)

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

So you guys think it can be done? I'm just thinking, worst case scenario:

University Senior, (4th year)
cGPA = ~2.7

Not even going to estimate on DAT scores yet, but what else can I do throughout my post-secondary career that might boost my chances at getting into dental school?

 

[solstice]

So you guys think it can be done? I'm just thinking, worst case scenario:

University Senior, (4th year)
cGPA = ~2.7

Not even going to estimate on DAT scores yet, but what else can I do throughout my post-secondary career that might boost my chances at getting into dental school?

Unless if you marry a dean of admission or donate 1M to the school of your choice for their new fancy building, there is NOTHING else you can do to boost your chances.

Stop thinking about loopholes and extraordinary volunteer work to compensate for your low GPA. You are just a freshman, you can bring it up. forget about your first year and do anything you can. Sorry to tell you frankly, but there is something seriously wrong if you are getting all Cs and lower. Find what it is? Ask for help NOW. 3 years later is toooooo late.

Not to mention that the way competition goes, it will get harder in future, so leave some safety nets for yourself. You may have a hard time getting in with low GPA even with good DAT 3 years from now.

 

[alexamasan]

Well you got some good advice already. One of the most important things I've learned is that you have to study differently for each class. Some classes focuses more on textbook and others more on lecture notes or lectures. You have to find out what material your teacher wants you to know. It helps to go visit his/her office hours and ask for help. Also, having friends in classes helps to so you can see what they do to study for each class and they can also help you if you have questions.

But really though, you have to stop thinking of the situation of having a low gpa and such. That time is not now, and you can make it happen so you'll be competitive. Be confident that you can do this and work toward it instead of worrying that you won't be able to, because you can do it if you work for it. If you are still unsure on how to do better, you are already taking the right first step by asking for advice. Keep asking questions and use the information you learn to make improvements. Don't think you can't do this because you can and don't pause to worry about what if scenarios that you can avoid by doing something now.

 

[dentalWorks]

So you guys think it can be done? I'm just thinking, worst case scenario:

University Senior, (4th year)
cGPA = ~2.7

Not even going to estimate on DAT scores yet, but what else can I do throughout my post-secondary career that might boost my chances at getting into dental school?

worst case scenario??? there is no worst case scenario here, there is "I just didn't wanna study hard enough" scenario and in which case, yeh you might have a 2.7 GPA

Statistically speaking, students with low-ish GPAs (lower than 3.1 for example) have a harder time landing interviews.... no interviews = no acceptance (you get my point)

As far as post-bacc goes, the ONLY reason why someone would do post-bacc is to: A) take some upper level sciences, or B) the student is non-traditional and needs to take all the pre-reqs (me), or C) need to do damage control and boost undergrad GPA

So if you weren't working hard enough in undergrad, what makes you think your going to work harder in post-bacc?

Up to this point, I have about 190 credits in undergrad from 3 different universities (Detroit Mercy, MSU, & Oakland univ) and 1 community college and let me tell you something that is A FACT.... you will NEVER hear of a student who worked hard in undergrad and doesn't AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2+ GPA.... Undergrad education is not difficult, sure there is a sprinkle of hard professors here and there, but overall, not a difficult institute to do well in

 

[dentaldawg32]

worst case scenario??? there is no worst case scenario here, there is "I just didn't wanna study hard enough" scenario and in which case, yeh you might have a 2.7 GPA

Statistically speaking, students with low-ish GPAs (lower than 3.1 for example) have a harder time landing interviews.... no interviews = no acceptance (you get my point)

As far as post-bacc goes, the ONLY reason why someone would do post-bacc is to: A) take some upper level sciences, or B) the student is non-traditional and needs to take all the pre-reqs (me), or C) need to do damage control and boost undergrad GPA

So if you weren't working hard enough in undergrad, what makes you think your going to work harder in post-bacc?

Up to this point, I have about 190 credits in undergrad from 3 different universities (Detroit Mercy, MSU, & Oakland univ) and 1 community college and let me tell you something that is A FACT.... you will NEVER hear of a student who worked hard in undergrad and doesn't AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2+ GPA.... Undergrad education is not difficult, sure there is a sprinkle of hard professors here and there, but overall, not a difficult institute to do well in

If that's not the biggest overgeneralization I've ever heard, I don't know what is. Perhaps you should look into some other universities before you make such an overarching statement.

 

[dentalWorks]

If that's not the biggest overgeneralization I've ever heard, I don't know what is. Perhaps you should look into some other universities before you make such an overarching statement.

truth just bothers people lol
Sure, my "overgeneralization" is not based on statistical facts, I can't proof a thing, but come on deep down inside you know exactly what Im talking about

 

[FutureDent020]

truth just bothers people lol
Sure, my "overgeneralization" is not based on statistical facts, I can't proof a thing, but come on deep down inside you know exactly what Im talking about

I see what you are saying DentalWorks, but it depends on the student. Students going into dentistry or medicine are generally more academically inclined so will fair better in classes than others. I know plenty of people who by no means thought undergrad was easy and worked their butts off.

 

[hausee]

Straight A for the rest of the 3 year and you will get over 3.5 I think. Plus Dschool will also see the trend of your GPA of 4 years.

dont give up

worst case scenario??? there is no worst case scenario here, there is "I just didn't wanna study hard enough" scenario and in which case, yeh you might have a 2.7 GPA

Statistically speaking, students with low-ish GPAs (lower than 3.1 for example) have a harder time landing interviews.... no interviews = no acceptance (you get my point)

As far as post-bacc goes, the ONLY reason why someone would do post-bacc is to: A) take some upper level sciences, or B) the student is non-traditional and needs to take all the pre-reqs (me), or C) need to do damage control and boost undergrad GPA

So if you weren't working hard enough in undergrad, what makes you think your going to work harder in post-bacc?

Up to this point, I have about 190 credits in undergrad from 3 different universities (Detroit Mercy, MSU, & Oakland univ) and 1 community college and let me tell you something that is A FACT.... you will NEVER hear of a student who worked hard in undergrad and doesn't AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2+ GPA.... Undergrad education is not difficult, sure there is a sprinkle of hard professors here and there, but overall, not a difficult institute to do well in

 

[dentaldawg32]

truth just bothers people lol
Sure, my "overgeneralization" is not based on statistical facts, I can't proof a thing, but come on deep down inside you know exactly what Im talking about

No, I don't really know what you're talking about. Yes, undergrad is easy at easy schools. But try taking some classes at MIT or Princeton or the myriad of other top universities before you make a blanket statement like "undergrad is easy". When you are competing against the best of the best, it doesn't seems so easy. And don't give me any of that grade inflation crap, because it just isn't the case at the vast majority of top universities.

 

[dentalWorks]

No, I don't really know what you're talking about. Yes, undergrad is easy at easy schools. But try taking some classes at MIT or Princeton or the myriad of other top universities before you make a blanket statement like "undergrad is easy". When you are competing against the best of the best, it doesn't seems so easy. And don't give me any of that grade inflation crap, because it just isn't the case at the vast majority of top universities.

so your suggesting people who go to MIT, princeton, myriad or "other top universities" can't atleast obtain a 3.2? Cause if you read my post carefully, you woulda realized that my "generalization" was based on me setting a standard of "AT LEAST 3.2+ GPA".... Are you SERIOUSLY suggesting this? Im sure dental schools will understand a low gpa from a "hard" school (sarcasm)

 

[dentaldawg32]

so your suggesting people who go to MIT, princeton, myriad or "other top universities" can't atleast obtain a 3.2? Cause if you read my post carefully, you woulda realized that my "generalization" was based on me setting a standard of "AT LEAST 3.2+ GPA".... Are you SERIOUSLY suggesting this? Im sure dental schools will understand a low gpa from a "hard" school (sarcasm)

You said, and I quote, "Undergrad education is not difficult, sure there is a sprinkle of hard professors here and there, but overall, not a difficult institute to do well in"

I know several people (including myself) who attend top schools and not one of them has described their educational experience as "not difficult." In fact, many of them describe their engineering or science majors as exceedingly difficult.

Moreover, very few people, especially those interested in a career in health, would describe a 3.2 as "doing well". Your argument just doesn't hold any weight, it's based on one person's (i.e. you) assessment of their own school and is completely irrelevant.

 

[dentalWorks]

You said, and I quote, "Undergrad education is not difficult, sure there is a sprinkle of hard professors here and there, but overall, not a difficult institute to do well in"

OHHH so your taking my words out of context I see... check this out. The following 27 letters/numbers were DIRECTLY written before the statement you quoted of me:
"AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2+ GPA"

Now here is the WHOLE statement:
"you will NEVER hear of a student who worked hard in undergrad and doesn't AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2+ GPA.... Undergrad education is not difficult, sure there is a sprinkle of hard professors here and there, but overall, not a difficult institute to do well in"

You claim to have attended a "top school" yet you fail the most basic level of interpreting other's posts. Think about it for 2 seconds, how can I claim a school is "easy" without trying to interpret what "easy" really means? Jesus Christ, I set the "easy" standard as a 3.2 GPA if you want me to spell it out... you seriously couldn't connect the dots?

 

[dentaldawg32]

OHHH so your taking my words out of context I see... check this out. The following 27 letters/numbers were DIRECTLY written before the statement you quoted of me:
"AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2+ GPA"

Now here is the WHOLE statement:
"you will NEVER hear of a student who worked hard in undergrad and doesn't AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2+ GPA.... Undergrad education is not difficult, sure there is a sprinkle of hard professors here and there, but overall, not a difficult institute to do well in"

You claim to have attended a "top school" yet you fail the most basic level of interpreting other's posts. Think about it for 2 seconds, how can I claim a school is "easy" without trying to interpret what "easy" really means? Jesus Christ, I set the "easy" standard as a 3.2 GPA if you want me to spell it out... you seriously couldn't connect the dots?

So, you're saying it would be "easy" for you to get a 3.2 at MIT or Caltech? How do you know this if you've never taken a class at either of the aforementioned schools?

 

[dentalWorks]

So, you're saying it would be "easy" for you to get a 3.2 at MIT or Caltech? How do you know this if you've never taken a class at either of the aforementioned schools?

again... please read the part where I said "who worked hard in undergrad and doesn't AT LEAST graduate with a 3.2"...

so your saying... MIT students who work hard can't graduate with a 3.2?

 

[Hordel]

So you guys think it can be done? I'm just thinking, worst case scenario:

University Senior, (4th year)
cGPA = ~2.7

Not even going to estimate on DAT scores yet, but what else can I do throughout my post-secondary career that might boost my chances at getting into dental school?

Heres the bottom line! Lets say you do NOT want to work hard, (not that I am saying that this is the case, but this post kind of indicates you may not be too serious about your coursework). What do you think you are going to do when you get in? In dental school you will spend AT LEAST 4ish hours of studying on an average day, after 8-5 (sometimes earlier) classes. On weekends you will study at least 5 hours and many times you will have to spend time besides studying working on projects and trying to get better in the lab. All of this adds up to be A LOT OF WORK!! Thus, IF you are scared of hard work now, then you MAY want to rethink dentistry (I am NOT saying don't try I am just saying be realistic).
Do I believe you can do it, YES!!!! It is going to be hard work, and you might have to try to re-evaluate how you study (flash cards, readings, videos...etc). But, if you get that figured out AND work REALLY hard, then I believe in four years your GPA could be around 3.4ish (maybe even a little higher) and with a good DAT that should make you competitive. DO NOT SELL YOURSELF SHORT and PLAN on getting a 2.7 and seeing what happens. If you go that route I think you will end up not getting in and possibly spending more money on a graduate education to TRY and get in. I am not trying to be rude, just honest. I think you can do and I hope you give it a go and really put yourself into it and see where you end up. I wish you the best of luck and hope to see you in dental school in three years. 😉

 

[Jman2018]

Just make sure you get a 3.5+ from now on.
(2.6 + 10.5)/4 = 3.2, That should at least help somewhat

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

Hey everyone,

thanks for all your advice, but I've got one more question:

I really stunk up my general chemistry I class this year (C-) and I'm taking general chem II next year. Based on advice from the registrar's office at my school, there are 2 upper level inorganic chem classes that I can take that would effectively 'replace' a low mark in the general classes. Dependent on how well I do in gen chem II next year, I'll either take 1 or 2 of the upper level courses. (1 for sure) My question is, if I choose to take them in my 4th year, is that too late for dental schools to notice? By that I mean I don't want dental schools to see the low gen chem grade on my application. Should I take the classes sooner rather than later?

 

[dentalWorks]

Hey everyone,

thanks for all your advice, but I've got one more question:

I really stunk up my general chemistry I class this year (C-) and I'm taking general chem II next year. Based on advice from the registrar's office at my school, there are 2 upper level inorganic chem classes that I can take that would effectively 'replace' a low mark in the general classes. Dependent on how well I do in gen chem II next year, I'll either take 1 or 2 of the upper level courses. (1 for sure) My question is, if I choose to take them in my 4th year, is that too late for dental schools to notice? By that I mean I don't want dental schools to see the low gen chem grade on my application. Should I take the classes sooner rather than later?

Good lord, I hope your not talking about P.chem (physical chemistry) I and II? Instead of shooting for upper level chemistry courses, why don't you just retake anything (pre-dental wise) that is below a C? Cause MOST dental schools have this as a requirement

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

Unfortunately, I can't. My school doesn't allow the retaking of a course unless the grades is either an F or a W. Nonetheless, needing the opinion of other dental and pre-dental students, I realize that I can either take two courses in 'Quantitative analysis' or two courses in 'Inorganic chem.' Which should I take and when, in my university career, should I take them?