Depressed: Low GPA Decent DAT What are my chances?

[DentalDan]

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Kind of depressed. Should have worked harder during undergrad. Currently a biology major i had around a 3.3-3.4 gpa freshman sophomore year and then got 2.5 gpa/semester during my junior year. Kicked into study mode the summer after Junior year got 21 AA and 22 TS on the DAT and 2 semesters of full upper division bio classes with 4.0 during my senior year. Senior year brought my oGpa to a 3.17 and my science gpa to a 3.25. My GPA is like a U shape with a sudden dip in the middle, so not really an upward trend. What should i do during my off year while I wait for interviews/rejections :/

tl;dr

ogpa: 3.17
sgpa: 3.25
AA: 21
TS: 22

around: 200 ish shadowing hours
Volunteer with orphans etc

 

[dentalWorks]

Kind of depressed. Should have worked harder during undergrad. Currently a biology major i had around a 3.3-3.4 gpa freshman sophomore year and then got 2.5 gpa/semester during my junior year. Kicked into study mode the summer after Junior year got 21 AA and 22 TS on the DAT and 2 semesters of full upper division bio classes with 4.0. Senior year Brought my oGpa to a 3.17 and my science gpa to a 3.25. My GPA is like a U shape with a sudden dip in the middle, so not really an upward trend. What should i do during my off year while I wait for interviews/rejections :/

tl;dr

ogpa: 3.17
sgpa: 3.25
AA: 21
TS: 22

around: 200 ish shadowing hours
Volunteer with orphans etc

Wait... you do have an upward trend right? the last 2 terms with solid 4.0s? This may very well be the most important factor.

If there are more upper level bios to take at undergrad, I'd continue doing post-bacc.

 

[DentalDan]

So while i wait for replies from dental schools do i just take random upper division science courses? Or should i apply to a formal post bacc program. Since I was a biology major I already taken most of the more normal upper division classes. What's left are the more obscure labs or more specific biology classes like visual neuroscience or neurobiology of synaptic circuits, etc

 

[BizzyV]

Similar numbers to you sir. We'll see... I'm gonna keep taking classes as if I won't be getting in to boost my numbers.

 

[dentalWorks]

So while i wait for replies from dental schools do i just take random upper division science courses? Or should i apply to a formal post bacc program. Since I was a biology major I already taken most of the more normal upper division classes. What's left are the more obscure labs or more specific biology classes like visual neuroscience or neurobiology of synaptic circuits, etc

oh in that case.... neither formal/informal post-bacc would help. What about if you go to another college, do they also have only obscure upper bios? Genetics / Microbiology / Pharmacology / Pathology (if you find it) / Immunology / Biochems 1 & 2 / Cell Biology / Physiology / anatomy / Molecular Biology / and the list goes on and on

My understanding is, most formal post-baccs are designed for people who haven't done any pre-dents (like for non-trads). You'll just be retaking classes you've taken already ~ not much advantage there

Masters in some biological science is your best bet if you want to more schooling.

 

[Canard]

I think there are 2 ways for someone who has below average GPA:

1.) non-bio majors:
- do informal or formal post-bacc to show that you are capable of handling the lower to upper level biology courses before matriculation.

2.) bio majors:
- do master program (unless there are other upper level biology courses available to take and in your case, the GPA is not that low so if you have 10 more classes to take then you should take those than entering into master program? - just my opinion) in biological sciences to show you are capable of handling graduate level courses.

I think this is simple way to look at it.