Freaking out about undergrad grades!

[RonRiff]

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I know there have been tons of post about students currently in there undergrad freaking out about poor grades and their future chances of getting into a dental school. I can relate to some but I feel like my situation is a bit different.

I'm currently going to begin the second semester of my sophomore year at university. My freshman year I got a C- in Cell bio and a B in Cell bio lab. Second semester I got a C+ in both biodiversity lecture and lab. I finished that year with a 2.80 cum gpa(I know that's terrible). This year I buckled down and got an A in Botany and a B in Botany lab(both required courses for bio major at my school). I also got an A+ in soph bio seminar. Now I'm sitting at a about a 3.17-3.19. I know this is extremely low and not that it's a valid excuse but my freshman year I tore my Achilles and had to sit out from football so I fell into a little depression slump which showed on my grades as well as me not knowing how to properly study. Now I know how to prepare for exams and it's starting to show an upward trend in my grades. So my question is do I even have a chance? Will retaking cell bio hurt or up my chances of getting in?

Thanks!

 

[WaveRace]

You're still very early in undergrad. You have plenty of time to prove yourself through continued high performance in your classes. Additionally, you have the DAT ahead of you. Use whatever anxiety you have to fuel your studies to continue getting high grades.

I wouldn't retake cell bio unless it is part of the intro bio sequence at your school (in other words a dental school pre-req). Generally, it's advisable to retake pre-reqs that you get a C- or lower in. Otherwise, it would do you well to take upper-level biology classes and do well in them.

It's a long road, but it's worth it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[Brady=GOAT]

Good luck, freshman year isn't a make or break.

 

[kimball]

You can easily end up graduating with a 3.5 if you keep your head down and kill your classes for the remainder of undergrad. Do well on your DAT and get some quality ECs and you will be in great shape.

 

[RonRiff]

Wow you guys are fast to reply on here! Thank you so much for the advice. I guess I just needed a little reassurance to make sure I wasn't a lost cause.

 

[yasc]

I had a 2.73 after my freshmen year and a 3.18 after my 2nd. I really had to buckle down but i finished my last 2 years with a 3.65ish and I know dental schools like a upward trend also many look at only concentrate on your last 2 years of undergrad. So yes you definitely have a chance.