For those with a master's degree please help!

[Teeths]

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I have a really low undergrad GPA (cGPA is 3.11 and sGPA is 2.94) but am currently enrolled in a one-year SMP. I will be reapplying this coming cycle with which I'll have two semesters of the SMP down and then the final summer semester I can send in to schools once it's final.

My question is- now that I have the three subdivisions of GPA (undergrad, grad, and cumulative) -- do the schools go by this new cumulative for their "cutoffs" or am I still held to my undergrad GPAs ONLY for this? (Ex. sGPA cutoff is 3.0 and cumulative will be slightly above this but obviously undergrad is not)

Thanks for any responses, I appreciate it! 🙂

 

[chada]

i think it depends on each dental school but i had similar stats in undergrad but still got interviews. however, there are also schools where i didn't hear anything back at all (Temple) and maybe it's because my undergrad sucked =P

 

[Hawkteeth]

Your graduate GPA is combined with undergrad for a cumulative GPA, but they will still see it was graduate level. Work your butt off and get a 4.0 in your master's program and you will turn some heads. That's what I did, although I think I was closer to a 3.2, and was finally accepted.

 

[dentalWorks]

its always been explained to me that the undergrad GPA is the most important criteria to look at, mainly because many master's programs out there tend to be a little easier going with handing out 3.5+

however, SMPs are look'd upon differently. Usually an applicant with a strong SMP has a tremendously higher chance than any other master's. Overall (and ofc Im assuming you have 3.5+ SMP), I think you'll be okay, just apply to alot of schools (15-20)

 

[Hawkteeth]

its always been explained to me that the undergrad GPA is the most important criteria to look at, mainly because many master's programs out there tend to be a little easier going with handing out 3.5+

I wouldn't say they are easier, people just work harder because most people are reapplying to dental/med school. But to stand out a very high masters GPA is a must.

 

[LeoK]

I wouldn't say they are easier, people just work harder because most people are reapplying to dental/med school. But to stand out a very high masters GPA is a must.

+1... I think people in those programs are more motivated for sure whatever their final goal it is. Mine was thesis-based and most of my colleagues are enjoying and loving what they study, learn and research.

 

[Bifenthrin]

I had an undergrad GPA of 3.2 and grad was 3.7. Currently wait listed at NYU with no other interviews.

 

[Teeths]

Thank you for your responses everyone!

 

[Teeths]

I had an undergrad GPA of 3.2 and grad was 3.7. Currently wait listed at NYU with no other interviews.

May I ask how many schools you applied to and what state you're from?
Thanks 🙂

 

[Bifenthrin]

I applied to 9 schools and I'm from New York.

 

[Hawkteeth]

I had undergrad cGPA 3.16 with sGPA 2.97. 4.0 Graduate GPA (biomedical sciences) bumped me to cGPA 3.29 and sGPA 3.23. I also got a 23 on the DAT which helped, previous was 20. Applied to 21 schools, 4 interviews, 3 wait lists, 1 acceptance! It can be done if you really want it! I also added a bunch on volunteering and shadowing hours during my masters which probably helped too.

 

[lnngu]

I had undergrad cGPA 3.16 with sGPA 2.97. 4.0 Graduate GPA (biomedical sciences) bumped me to cGPA 3.29 and sGPA 3.23. I also got a 23 on the DAT which helped, previous was 20. Applied to 21 schools, 4 interviews, 3 wait lists, 1 acceptance! It can be done if you really want it! I also added a bunch on volunteering and shadowing hours during my masters which probably helped too.

I had roughly the same stats. 21 schools, 5 interviews, 3 acceptances. It's doable. Make sure to apply broadly. Each school handles the cutoffs and upward trends differently, and the more "lenient" schools weren't necessarily the ones I expected. For example, I got an early interview from UCSF and matriculated at Pacific, but got rejected almost immediately by usc and western. Again, apply broadly and good luck!

 

[Teeths]

Thanks for the advice! 🙂