Fresh Year- Grades, Courseload, Guidance for Predental Needed

[blackberryman]

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[Badgerfaithful]

To be honest, it doesn't seem like that course load is that rough. Part of what you want to prove to dental schools is that you can handle a very difficult course load, which you will encounter in dental school. You obviously need to improve your grades, and schools would rather see weak grades early on and then big improvement by the time you graduate than vice versa. But you can't get more C's in science classes, that's for sure.

Get involved... do community service, job shadowing, etc. You should be fine.

 

[blackberryman]

My course load is rough considering that most science majors are taking Bio and Chemistry separate rather than together. Especially with a Math course.

 

[alanan84]

I can't imagine anyone responding to this thread any different then they responded to your previous ones.

 

[Kkae]

Hey,

Basically I am extremely passionate about being a Dentist and persuing Dentistry however I have done poorly my first semester with a tough course load.

Calculus I- B
Expository Writing - B (Mandatory Course which everyone ends up failing or getting Cs mostly)

Biology 101 - C+
Chemistry 161- C+

My Gpa is as of now a 2.77.

I ****ed up my first semester plain and simple.

Now before my 2nd semester starts, I am determined to do better.

My course load for the 2nd semester is:

Easy 3 Credit Elective
Easy 3 Credit Elective
Chemistry Lab
Chemistry 162
Biology 102


My questions are:

1) Will colleges see that i am taking a heavy course load?
2) What should i do to build up my pre-dental resume?

I am planning on joining the Pre-Dental Society next semester and a Social Fraternity.

When should i start Job Shadowing?

What else can i do?

Dont dentals schools look for

-DAT
-GPA
-Job Shadowing

Is there anything else? I was thinking of doing CPR classes and volunteering at a local hospital.
​

It's your first semester, don't be too hard on yourself. The good thing is that you realized that you messed up and willing to change that!
Now, next semester just bring your A game.

Dental Schools look at everything, GPA, DAT scores have to be above average.
Answers:
1. Yes, colleges will see that you took a heavy course load as you would need to submit your transcript(s)

2. You should focus on being a good and well-rounded undergrad. You can check out a list of things you can do to build on this area here (http://stu-dentdiaries.blogspot.com/)

Joining a Pre-Dental Society and all that is good, it will add to your package. Don't rush too much to shadow, it's still a bit early. However, if you have the opportunity to do so now it would be very good. This will help you to build on your knowledge of the field.Volunteering at the hospital or your local health clinic is also a plus.

Hey, relax! Just DO BETTER next semester and in the future. Aim to get well over 3.2. Dental School is getting more and more competitive as the years go on. But also remember, the schools look at your COMPLETE package, so work on not only your grades but everything else too.

Good Luck👍

 

[flying rider]

Is there a reason why you posted three threads almost identical to this but somehow... the grades you received are different in all three threads?

 

[Predent68]

I agree. You definitely cannot get more C's because it will drag your GPA down beyond recoverable - especially in a semester system. It will take at least 2 semesters with reasonable course load to bring up your GPA.

Since you are a freshman, you still have a lot of time. Talk to your friends and students about what classes to pair up with and what professors to avoid, if possible.

Taking heavy course load might be impressive but not getting the GPA to pass the first screen in the app process will not help you.

shadow a dentist, community service (hospital or soup kitchen or church), research (basic science/clinical), and pre-dental society will definitely help building your resume. However, I would not recommend doing any of these first year until you can maintain certain GPA.

In short,
1st year - GPA/ college adjustment period; predent or health professional club
1st year summer - research; shadowing, community work.....
2nd year - GPA/ shadowing dentist; community work, research continues
3rd year - DAT (1st semester); Personal statement/LORs (2nd semester); Application AADSAS (summer)
4th year - maintain your GPA; take lighter course load during your interview phase.

 

[Hopeful20]

I hope you're also taking your intro to bio class with lab!

 

[spud daddy]

Not to be rude, but that is an easy course load. If you did poorly your first semester, what makes you think you can bump it up with a "harder" course load?

 

[FutureDent020]

I wouldn't say the OP's course load was easy for a freshman in college, especially with having to adapt to college life. We can't just assume that the grades are due to lack of competency. But as another poster said, why have you posted different grades in 3 threads?

 

[bennijai]

Maybe his earlier posts were his predictions of his grades but his real grades just fell extremely short.

Anyway it's your first semester and if I remember, alot of prehealth students take bio and chem their first year, leaving room for orgo second year, physics third, and heavy upper level bio for their last (plus excuses don't work in dental school). Just get your priorities straight. You had a semester to get use to your new environment, you should have a good idea on what habits you need to change so it can reflect on your GPA positively.

 

[teethmagnet]

Is there a reason why you posted three threads almost identical to this but somehow... the grades you received are different in all three threads?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahhaahhaha
im really laughing right now

good call flying rider

 

[Simon Chiang]

HAHAHA, your grades keep chanigng every week