Explaining Low GPA and Cs to admissions committee

[sony102]

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Hello,
I am applying to dental school this year and wanted to get your advice on this matter regarding my low GPA. I have 3.3 overall and 3.18 science. Basically, I have an interview with San Antonio dental school in Texas on Nov 10, and I don't know how to explain my low GPA and the Cs in my transcript to the admissions committe.

I took Trigonometry twice and got a C twice. I also have a Cs in Organic Chemistry II, Virology, and US history. Just to give you a background, I am not the type of person who got bad grades because they partied too much. In fact, I wasn't even working during college, just to make time for studying, and even my friends describe me as a studious person. My social events throughout college were only limited to the extracurricular activities and volunteering required by the dental schools. Since my first day in College I knew I wanted to be a dentist and did my best to attain this goal. I always did my homework, went to supplemental tutoring sessions and used every available resource to get the best grade.

I am very dissapointed at myself that I wasn't able to achieve my GPA goal despite all my dilligent efforts. and even worse, I don't know how to explain them to the admissions committe, since I always tried my best and this is what I got. I don't know, but this seems to be my mental capacity. With that low GPA I thought many times about changing my career path, but I have seen people with lower GPA's make it to dental school, and I couldn't see myself doing anything but dentistry.

if that helps you any bit, my dat scores are: Pat: 16 QR: 13 RC: 17 Biology:20 GenChem:23 OrganicChem:20 AA:19
I also want to add that English is not my first language, I came to the US when I was 13.
Please let me know if you need anymore info to evaluate my situation

I would GREATLY appreciate your feedback and help, hopefully before Nov10

thank you very much
sony

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Moved from Mentor forum to Pre-Dental forum.

 

[armorshell]

I personally think it's more constructive to look to the future rather than hash about the past. If you're questioned, talk about what you've done and what you plan to do to remedy the situation.

 

[doc toothache]

Hello,
I am applying to dental school this year and wanted to get your advice on this matter regarding my low GPA. I have 3.3 overall and 3.18 science. Basically, I have an interview with San Antonio dental school in Texas on Nov 10, and I don't know how to explain my low GPA and the Cs in my transcript to the admissions committe. Since my first day in College I knew I wanted to be a dentist and did my best to attain this goal. I always did my homework, went to supplemental tutoring sessions and used every available resource to get the best grade.

I am very dissapointed at myself that I wasn't able to achieve my GPA goal despite all my dilligent efforts. and even worse, I don't know how to explain them to the admissions committe, since I always tried my best and this is what I got. I don't know, but this seems to be my mental capacity. With that low GPA I thought many times about changing my career path, but I have seen people with lower GPA's make it to dental school, and I couldn't see myself doing anything but dentistry.
if that helps you any bit, my dat scores are: Pat: 16 QR: 13 RC: 17 Biology:20 GenChem:23 OrganicChem:20 AA:19
I also want to add that English is not my first language, I came to the US when I was 13.

From the sounds of it there is no explanation. Since you have been in this country for ~7 years it is a bit of a stretch to place the blame the lackluster performance on the English background. SA is in general a tough nut to krack and the fact that you got an interview may suggest that you have a "quality" that the school needs.

 

[sunshine222]

There's always a way to spin your shortcomings so they don't sound quite as bad. I definitely wouldn't recommend saying "I have a limited mental capacity" in an interview, but dental schools are looking for lots of different qualities in their applicants - they don't expect everyone to be a super-genius, and geniuses don't always make the best clinicians anyway.

Since you don't seem to think this was the result of a language barrier or lack of focus, I'd say something along the lines of, "I've always been more skilled at working directly with people in a hands-on setting than I am at pure academic work. But I'm a very disciplined and hard worker so for the most part I've been able to compensate."

that way you're focusing on a few of your strengths and downplaying your weaknesses.

 

[Major Groove]

A 19 is not so bad, and your sciences are great!

If I were you I'd not worry about it and just go in there with a positive attitude. As far as I know, Trig is not even required. Hell, I got a C, too, and also in Calc II and IV.

...none of which are required.

Math is probably the least important aspect of your application. Focus on your strength - that genchem score kicked ass!

 

[sony102]

thanks everyone for all the advice, I really appreciate it...
wish you all the best

 

[ADH03]

Sony,

Don't be too harsh with yourself. There could be a lot other factors that could play into this. Maybe your professors teaching style were not correlating with your learning style. Maybe your studying skills are not the best for you. There are definitely other ways to improve upon. I definitely know someone who has had 2.9 GPA in undergrad and ended up excelling in Dental School, graduating top of his class. He is now an Orthodontist.

So don't let this get you down. You have decent scores and a decent GPA. You'll be fine!

 

[sddat]

You did really well in Ochem on the DAT considering you got a C in the class. An interviewer will notice that and it's imperative that YOU point it out as well. Whatever you do, take blame for the poor grades, but have LOTS of facts to back them up. If I were in your position, when asked about the Ochem II grade, I would say something like, "I was struggling with Organic II. I knew that I could have done better, so I put a lot of effort in the OChem section to prove that I am able to understand the subject." I'm sure there is a better response, but that's a start. Try not to stress too much. You did well on the DAT and your grades aren't awful. You DO have a chance and if not this cycle..then retake a few classes. You can get there if you really want to.

 

[kdr]

Sony,

Don't be too harsh with yourself. There could be a lot other factors that could play into this. Maybe your professors teaching style were not correlating with your learning style. Maybe your studying skills are not the best for you. There are definitely other ways to improve upon. I definitely know someone who has had 2.9 GPA in undergrad and ended up excelling in Dental School, graduating top of his class. He is now an Orthodontist.

So don't let this get you down. You have decent scores and a decent GPA. You'll be fine!

just to question...did the person who had 2.9 gpa got high DAT or had any special experiences?