At our school, when an application has reached the tabletop for discussion and the applicant has a lower than average UG GPA, the things that are often looked at/discussed/questioned are as follows:
The biggest concerns we have: can this student handle the curriculum? Are we setting them up for failure by giving them a shot?
Another question that often comes up is: Is dentistry really what they want to do?
How the student can allay these concerns:
- Be able to self reflect and know that with your lowered GPA, you have to take some additional time and really prove yourself to the committees that you can do it
- Enroll in a post-bacc or masters (something science heavy) and rock it: we heavily consider upward trends
- Score high on your DATs
- Even though enrolling in these post-UG programs is hard, still try to set some time aside on the weekends to continue shadowing and doing some volunteer work (this really helps us see your drive and passion for dentistry)
- Don't be afraid to talk about what went wrong during UG resulting in those lower grades: was it work? was it family? whatever it may be, explain how you have changed and how you have grown
Honestly, our discussions over these applicants in my experience, assuming they have done all of the above, have been quite positive. They have worked their asses off to make a comeback and it's very commendable.
If you show us you want it, you'll be given the benefit of the doubt.