DESPERATE for Guidance!! Very Low GPA

[TastyFury]

Hello Everyone,

After countless months of reading over sub3.0 posts I thought I had a plan set out, but I was always afraid to calculate the AADSAS GPAs. Finally going through my transcript and calculating it today I feel utterly hopeless and lost now. I won't hold anything back, please, I ask for any guidance you may give:

University GPA: 2.75
oGPA: 2.51
BCP GPA: 2.51
sGPA: 2.40
Total credits: 134.5 & completed all prereq's

First 4 years I didn't care about my future and always prioritized my family and friends needs over my academics. End of 4th year - Realized dentistry was what I wanted to pursue and tried improving GPA, but struggled with severe family sufferings and keeping a club I created earlier alive by implementing a new recognition policy. 5-6th year - Believed it was too late now to try and improve GPA so thought my only option was through "Research." Interestingly, I found this to be a better way to learn than sitting in a classroom. This spring will mark 2 years of research. Originally I thought getting my GPA to 2.85 and 2 years of research would get me into a Masters prog. Then getting a 4.0 in masters would give me a solid chance into Dental School.

However, after calculating the AADSAS GPAs I don't know what to do. From the few other similar cases, it looks like my best bet would be to do Postbacc for 1 year then an accelerated 1 year Masters. If this is the case, are the only things that matter GPA and upper level BIO courses? I should not retake anything right?

Also for clarification, when it comes to doing Postbacc / Masters, the only thing Dental adcoms are looking for is proficiency in rigorous courses correct? Or does it matter if its a M.S / B.M.S./ M.P.H ? In addition, I heard doing postbacc/masters at the school you received undergrad is frowned upon, is this true?
I apologize for the many questions, I wanted to thoroughly understand the reasoning behind all options before pursuing.

I just don't know what to do now.. Please any advice is appreciated.

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[Ferneezy]

It's a little premature to think about graduate school seeing as you appear to be facing about 4 semesters of ugrad gpa repair.

While all of your numbers hurt to look at, your sgpa feels like a kick in the nuts. You never mentioned your major, if it was science heavy...that might change things.

 

[TastyFury]

It's a little premature to think about graduate school seeing as you appear to be facing about 4 semesters of ugrad gpa repair.

While all of your numbers hurt to look at, your sgpa feels like a kick in the nuts. You never mentioned your major, if it was science heavy...that might change things.

My major was biology. So that probably doesn't help. So if I'm trying to do undergrad repair wouldn't postbacc be what I need to do?

 

[TastyFury]

@Ferneezy would the right thing be to retake my ugrad bio courses? Or just take upper lol bio courses? And am I assuming correctly that I should do this to bring up the sgpa to 3.0 then apply for a SMP?

I wish I could beat the crap out of myself for wasting 4 years......

 

[gnleff]

If you're going to 'repair' your gpa you would be retaking your undergrad classes. It won't have anything to do with postbacc.
In my opinion I wouldn't take new higher level classes to raise your gpa because (not to be mean) if you didn't do well in the lower level classes it will be much harder to keep up with the advanced material.

Also if you took more classes it be weighed with all of your other classes, so depending on how many 'new' credits you take and let's assume you get some A's and B's, it will only change your overall gpa by the decimals.

If I were you I would retake the classes with the lowest grade, and get up to that 3.0 range, then take the DAT (crush it), see where you're at. If you completely destroyed the DAT (scores being around 23+) then apply to dental school. If not I would consider doing a masters and then apply.

 

[TastyFury]

Thank you gnleff, I was under the impression postbacc was simply taking additional undergrad courses. If I were to retake the classes with lowest grades, I guess I would do this as a non-matriculating student? I'm assuming it would be best to do it at the University I'm currently at or would going to a new place help in anyway?

 

[gnleff]

Post bacc are classes that you would take that would prepare you for grad school after you already have a bachelors degree.

You should retake the classes at the university you took them in.

 

[ktran17]

I don't usually deter people from chasing their dreams, but at some point you have to question whether the return on investment is worth it. Perhaps you can try something similar with a more forgiving grading policy like DO school. ? They do total grade replacement so that can save you years..

 

[TastyFury]

What exactly is DO school? While I do feel a bit beaten down due to my past mistakes, I don't plan on giving up on dentistry. I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my life and if it means sacrificing extra years now to get to it, I would gladly pay. If its a matter of whether or not I'll be able to handle more difficult courses, I believe I will be able to do so. The only reason I had poor grades was because I believed some of the EC work and family commitments I had were more important than studying. The material itself was something I was always able to comprehend.

 

[ktran17]

Do the calculations and see how many units you have to take to get a sub 3.0 gpa. Factor in the debt , loss of income, escalating dental school debt , and ask yourself if it's worth it. Instead of getting riled up, look at the cold hard facts.

You come onto this board asking for advice and that's what I gave you. If you go onto a forum like dental towns , with real practicing dentist, many would give you the same answer.

I get the whole American dream thing, my parents immigrated here just for that very reason . I'm just telling you to do your due diligence

 

[COLou3612]

Hi TastyFury,
First of all, good for you for not giving up on D school!
I just wanted to tell you I was in a very similar situation... I had similar low GPAs (both overall and science), long story short... I ended up getting another bachelor's (like "postbac" but at least I got a degree out of it and took some different biology/physiology courses) and got into a masters program after a lot of determination - I was involved at the school and basically convinced them that I would be a good student and I would be worth their time. I killed it in my MS program and got accepted to my state dental school this year! It took me 4 years overall and I was only interviewed at that one school but I didn't apply that broadly...
So, if you're determined, and very nice about it, you can do the same! I'm sure! PM me if you want more info, but I wanted to let you know its not hopeless.

 

[LaughingGas]

Same. 4 years of postbac. Started with worse GPA than yours. Please just think carefully. As ktran17 mentioned, it is a lot of sacrifices and commitment. Also be mentally ready that even after all that postbac/masters there is always of chance of not getting in. Competition is getting ridiculously high each year.
You need 66 credits of 4.0 (nothing less) to reach to 3.0. That's about 2 years of additional full time coursework. 1 year DIY postbac or formal postbac and 1 year of SMP. Between those 2 years, take the DAT and apply to SMP. Apply after you complete the SMP.
At this point, grades should be your highest priorities. Your family members and friends should understand/support you at this point.
Anything less than A or A-, it's one step further to get into dental school. Once you get comfortable getting As, start rebuilding good ECs.

 

[TastyFury]

@ktran17 I apologize if I came off emotional, it was not my intent. I just wanted to give additional detail for getting more advice. And I will def. Take to heart what you said and calculate the investment I would be putting in.

@COLou3612 thank you for your encouragement! I really hope I'll be able to do the same and prove that I deserve to get in.

@LaughingGas thank you for the insight. I was wondering what if I was able to get into a master's early b4 my ugrad GPA rose to 3.0? Should I pursue it?

I'm a little confused as to what is the highest priority among the various GPAs. In terms of retaking, should I try to retake Bio classes then any other classes with B/C's? Also would I normally do this as a non - matriculating student?

 

[doc toothache]

Repeating courses are only indicated in the presence of (1) grade below a C and (2) an applicant's course was inadequate preparation- a weak foundation for more advanced courses. Otherwise, retaking a course is like running on a treadmill- you "cover" distance, but you are getting nowhere.

 

[gnleff]

A grade is a grade, it's to see that in any subject you can do well. Schools want to see that you can do well in any subject, because as a dental student you need to have a strong background in basically everything.

When they analyze you, they will take an F in a Spanish class almost the same as an F in a biology class.

 

[LaughingGas]

What we provide here is just merely an advice. 1) Call dental school admissions and get their advice. 2) Gather as much information as you can and decide from there. If you can get into Masters it's great, but personally I would reach the 3.0 mark to not get auto-reject.
Non-matriculating, postbac, second bachelors student, doesn't matter.
People got in by just doing masters, postbac (upper div bio courses), postbac then masters, or even got in by retaking classes.

 

[TastyFury]

@LaughingGas Definitely understand, and is exactly what I was looking for on the forums. I'm trying to get in contact with two nearby dental schools Maryland and VCU and set up appointments or such to talk to admissions for their input.

@gnleff / @doc toothache - Thank you for the insight! Going to look over my transcript and see what sort of retaking I'll need to do.

Appreciate all the help given!