Gap Year?

[DentalStudent2018]

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Hello Everyone,

I need some advice. I am a public health student thinking about being a dentist but my gpa at best will be around 2.6- 2.8 by the time I finish undergrad. I do have a fairly well-rounded resume with over 100 plus hours working and assisting in numerous dental offices as well as being on the leadership team for a volunteer dental organization. But hope is still low with my gpa being so low. PLZ help need advice fast.

I am thinking about taking a gap year and taking a bunch of classes at a community college to boost my gpa and study for the DAT in my gap year? I hear you can take about a semester worth of classes in about 4 weeks and get As fairly easily.

or

I am thinking about applying to a public health masters program and then applying to dental school after that?

 

[predental21250]

Hello Everyone,

I need some advice. I am a public health student thinking about being a dentist but my gpa at best will be around 2.6- 2.8 by the time I finish undergrad. I do have a fairly well-rounded resume with over 100 plus hours working and assisting in numerous dental offices as well as being on the leadership team for a volunteer dental organization. But hope is still low with my gpa being so low. PLZ help need advice fast.

I am thinking about taking a gap year and taking a bunch of classes at a community college to boost my gpa and study for the DAT in my gap year? I hear you can take about a semester worth of classes in about 4 weeks and get As fairly easily.

or

I am thinking about applying to a public health masters program and then applying to dental school after that?

Do a masters. No amount of post bac will help you with a GPA that low.

 

[DentalStudent2018]

Even if the masters is not in bio or chem?
What about community college credits? If I do two years worth of credits in my gap year and study for the DAT?

 

[predental21250]

Even if the masters is not in bio or chem?
What about community college credits? If I do two years worth of credits in my gap year and study for the DAT?

CC credits don't look as good as university credits, and some dental schools will refuse to accept them if they are for their requirements. For someone that is seeking a profession that relies so much on science you sure seem to shy away from it. All your hours and extracurricular will do you nothing if you don't get a higher GPA when you apply.

If you are serious about becoming a dentist then take your application seriously.

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

Just FYI, CC classes are usually just as rigorous as those from a university (I have taken many classes from both), so it will be very difficult to take two years worth of credits in half the time. Also, where did you hear that you can take a semesters worth of classes in 4 weeks? That's not true.

 

[predental21250]

Just FYI, CC classes are usually just as rigorous as those from a university

Really depends on the CC and the university. The CC near me offers courses that are easier than highschool classes.

 

[Gymgivitis]

Really depends on the CC and the university. The CC near me offers courses that are easier than highschool classes.

Same

 

[BrooklynSmilez]

CC credits don't look as good as university credits, and some dental schools will refuse to accept them if they are for their requirements. For someone that is seeking a profession that relies so much on science you sure seem to shy away from it. All your hours and extracurricular will do you nothing if you don't get a higher GPA when you apply.

If you are serious about becoming a dentist then take your application seriously.

While I would agree with you that some schools refuse to accept them, I don't think they are trying to shy away from sciences I think he/she is looking for a quick repair. I myself took roughly 3o science credits at a community college and they are definitely not as easy as some may actually think.

 

[DentalStudent2018]

CC credits don't look as good as university credits, and some dental schools will refuse to accept them if they are for their requirements. For someone that is seeking a profession that relies so much on science you sure seem to shy away from it. All your hours and extracurricular will do you nothing if you don't get a higher GPA when you apply.

If you are serious about becoming a dentist then take your application seriously.

I am for sure not trying to shy away from science or I would not be trying to take more science classes at a community college. I am just looking for a gpa fix in the future.
I am taking my application seriously or I wouldn't be looking for ways to improve it.

 

[DentalStudent2018]

While I would agree with you that some schools refuse to accept them, I don't think they are trying to shy away from sciences I think he/she is looking for a quick repair. I myself took roughly 3o science credits at a community college and they are definitely not as easy as some may actually think.

Did taking 30 credits at a community college seem to help with your application process? And just curious how long did it take you to complete 30 credits and how expensive was it? Thank you this is super helpful

 

[DentalStudent2018]

Just FYI, CC classes are usually just as rigorous as those from a university (I have taken many classes from both), so it will be very difficult to take two years worth of credits in half the time. Also, where did you hear that you can take a semesters worth of classes in 4 weeks? That's not true.

I think I heard it on one of these forums that some CC have accelerated course

 

[S_Diamond_DDS]

I think I heard it on one of these forums that some CC have accelerated course

They were probably talking about courses taken during a summer session, which are accelerated. At my CC, few science classes were offered during these sessions.

 

[DOC YANKEM]

TL ; DR
Easiest way to boost your application at a sub 3.0 gpa perspective is get all A's in masters that has SCIENCE COURSES that are similar to the curriculum that of a dental school. Kill the DAT, at least 20+ AA for private schools or 22+ AA for public schools.

 

[BrooklynSmilez]

Did taking 30 credits at a community college seem to help with your application process? And just curious how long did it take you to complete 30 credits and how expensive was it? Thank you this is super helpful

I started out at a community college and had a really good gpa. I landed 5 interviews. Just make sure the schools u plan to apply to accept them . Also each college is differently terms of price but it was relatively the same as the senior college I attended.

 

[8_man]

@DMDDDSHopeful

 

[DentalStudent2018]

I started out at a community college and had a really good gpa. I landed 5 interviews. Just make sure the schools u plan to apply to accept them . Also each college is differently terms of price but it was relatively the same as the senior college I attended.

That is awesome! Congrats on landing 5 interviews! Yeah I think the cheapest route would be to try to boost my gpa through community college and then apply after a year of that and studying for the DAT?

 

[DentalStudent2018]

TL ; DR
Easiest way to boost your application at a sub 3.0 gpa perspective is get all A's in masters that has SCIENCE COURSES that are similar to the curriculum that of a dental school. Kill the DAT, at least 20+ AA for private schools or 22+ AA for public schools.

That option sounds great but I would be doing a Masters in public health and I am not sure if that has as many viable science courses

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

TL ; DR
Easiest way to boost your application at a sub 3.0 gpa perspective is get all A's in masters that has SCIENCE COURSES that are similar to the curriculum that of a dental school. Kill the DAT, at least 20+ AA for private schools or 22+ AA for public schools.

I started out at a community college and had a really good gpa. I landed 5 interviews. Just make sure the schools u plan to apply to accept them . Also each college is differently terms of price but it was relatively the same as the senior college I attended.

@DMDDDSHopeful

That option sounds great but I would be doing a Masters in public health and I am not sure if that has as many viable science courses

No way you'll call be able to take a semester worth of classes in 4 weeks. You may be able to take 2 classes in the summer at once by attending day and night for 4-5 days a week for 4 weeks. That's about it. Unless you don't take classes with labs and MAYBE tack on one extra class. Doesn't sound too practical. Easy A's is a relative statement--relative to the course and the instructor.

I wouldn't advise taking CC courses AFTER graduating from a University. I have heard one success story for someone doing this though. Your goal is to prove your academic capability AFTER a Bachelors. You definitely want a Masters or postbacc.

A Public Health Masters should be fine. If you're not doing a MBS that is linked to a dental school (which you may want to take a look at), then try to take a Masters with lots of hard sciences. Thesis-based I hear is preferred if you do a traditional Masters.

I think @predentMPH can speak to the Public Health Masters more.

 

[schmoob]

That option sounds great but I would be doing a Masters in public health and I am not sure if that has as many viable science courses

I would advise against the MPH. The purpose of the Masters is not GPA repair, it is to demonstrate to adcoms that you are capable of handling a rigorous courseload of graduate level science courses. The MPH does not do that job.
If you are serious about dentistry, follow the classic recipe and apply to an SMP - it's your best bet.
Good luck and don't get discouraged; keep your eye on the prize.

 

[DentalStudent2018]

No way you'll call be able to take a semester worth of classes in 4 weeks. You may be able to take 2 classes in the summer at once by attending day and night for 4-5 days a week for 4 weeks. That's about it. Unless you don't take classes with labs and MAYBE tack on one extra class. Doesn't sound too practical. Easy A's is a relative statement--relative to the course and the instructor.

I wouldn't advise taking CC courses AFTER graduating from a University. I have heard one success story for someone doing this though. Your goal is to prove your academic capability AFTER a Bachelors. You definitely want a Masters or postbacc.

A Public Health Masters should be fine. If you're not doing a MBS that is linked to a dental school (which you may want to take a look at), then try to take a Masters with lots of hard sciences. Thesis-based I hear is preferred if you do a traditional Masters.

I think @predentMPH can speak to the Public Health Masters more.

Thank you for the help! I am curious if an MPH is a good option?

 

[DentalStudent2018]

I would advise against the MPH. The purpose of the Masters is not GPA repair, it is to demonstrate to adcoms that you are capable of handling a rigorous courseload of graduate level science courses. The MPH does not do that job.
If you are serious about dentistry, follow the classic recipe and apply to an SMP - it's your best bet.
Good luck and don't get discouraged; keep your eye on the prize.

Thank you for the help! By SMP you just mean a Science based Masters Program?

 

[C_BryantDDS]

I have my MPH and was accepted this cycle but I would not recommend it as a way to boost your GPA as it won't budge your science GPA. My undergrad degree is in biology with a minor in chemistry and I thought I wanted to be an epidemiologist so I got my MPH with a concentration in epidemiology and infectious diseases (I did not get my MPH as a GPA booster or as a pathway to dental school) but halfway through (after interning at a health department) I decided that it wasn't for me and decided on a career path change to dentistry so I did my thesis on health disparities and prenatal oral health and access to care. While I think my thesis helped me stand out from other applicants I would not recommend an MPH as a GPA booster. If I were in your situation I would look into doing a masters program either aimed towards dental school or in a science of some sort. I'd recommend a masters program over a post bacc though because your graduate GPA is calculated separately from your undergrad GPA who you can show some definite improvement and in more rigorous classes. I also would not recommend taking science classes at a CC as many schools either don't accept them or limit the number they accept. Another thing to think about is whether or not you think you would perform better in a masters level public health program than you did in an undergraduate level public health program as the curriculum is more rigorous. Good luck!!

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

Thank you for the help! By SMP you just mean a Science based Masters Program?

SMP on SDN stands for "Special Masters Program" as far as I know. These Masters are like the Masters in Biomedical Sciences where they are offered to potential dental students as a "bridge" to get into dentistry.

http://www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/oral-health-masters/

 

[BowlingDoctor]

Why are people so negative on here? Like the second someone says "Sub 3.0 GPA" you tell them to choose another career path and/or immediately go to a master's program?

Just wondering.

 

[BowlingDoctor]

Hello Everyone,

I need some advice. I am a public health student thinking about being a dentist but my gpa at best will be around 2.6- 2.8 by the time I finish undergrad. I do have a fairly well-rounded resume with over 100 plus hours working and assisting in numerous dental offices as well as being on the leadership team for a volunteer dental organization. But hope is still low with my gpa being so low. PLZ help need advice fast.

I am thinking about taking a gap year and taking a bunch of classes at a community college to boost my gpa and study for the DAT in my gap year? I hear you can take about a semester worth of classes in about 4 weeks and get As fairly easily.

or

I am thinking about applying to a public health masters program and then applying to dental school after that?

Retake classes at a University. I've talked with ADCOM's before and usually its best to just retake classes to boost the GPA. Any class you got a C in and get an A in will boost your GPA more than you know. You're not far off from at least a 3.0. It sucks but its only 3-4 months and you're done and GPA is boosted. Master's helps but they really care about Science GPA in undergrad.

Also a good Personal Statement goes a long way. Show maturity , growth, passion, and desire. I've seen people with 3.0 GPAs and 17 DAT's get in. Personal statement should be underlooked!

 

[DentalStudent2018]

SMP on SDN stands for "Special Masters Program" as far as I know. These Masters are like the Masters in Biomedical Sciences where they are offered to potential dental students as a "bridge" to get into dentistry.

http://www.bumc.bu.edu/gms/oral-health-masters/

Awesome thank you for clarifying that!

 

[DentalStudent2018]

Retake classes at a University. I've talked with ADCOM's before and usually its best to just retake classes to boost the GPA. Any class you got a C in and get an A in will boost your GPA more than you know. You're not far off from at least a 3.0. It sucks but its only 3-4 months and you're done and GPA is boosted. Master's helps but they really care about Science GPA in undergrad.

Thank you for the help! Yeah my thought was, "how would I get onto a masters program if my gpa is already low?" So retaking classes at a university would be just as helpful as attending a masters program?

 

[BrooklynSmilez]

That is awesome! Congrats on landing 5 interviews! Yeah I think the cheapest route would be to try to boost my gpa through community college and then apply after a year of that and studying for the DAT?

Your case is a bit different you graduated already ; I started out at a cc ur best bet would be a masters because it would prob raise a red flag. And I don't think a semesters worth in a summer is possible

 

[BowlingDoctor]

Thank you for the help! Yeah my thought was, "how would I get onto a masters program if my gpa is already low?" So retaking classes at a university would be just as helpful as attending a masters program?

From what I've heard it will. Most schools with average out the grade and some will see it as a grade replacement. So it depends on where you are applying! (DO YOUR RESEARCH)

It also shows that you are committed to Dentistry and that you are devoted to improving yourself to become a dentist (if that makes sense lol)

 

[predental21250]

Retake classes at a University. I've talked with ADCOM's before and usually its best to just retake classes to boost the GPA. Any class you got a C in and get an A in will boost your GPA more than you know. You're not far off from at least a 3.0. It sucks but its only 3-4 months and you're done and GPA is boosted. Master's helps but they really care about Science GPA in undergrad.

Also a good Personal Statement goes a long way. Show maturity , growth, passion, and desire. I've seen people with 3.0 GPAs and 17 DAT's get in. Personal statement should be underlooked!

Depends on how many credits she has. Repeating classes doesn't replace the grade, it just averages. As others have said, doing a masters is definitely the way to go since it will be calculated separately from undergrad GPA.

Also we aren't being negative just realistic. I got in with a sub 3.0 science GPA and had a sub 3.0 most of my undergrad career, but no way will many (if any) be getting in with a sub 3.0 and a 17 DAT lmao

 

[predental21250]

From what I've heard it will. Most schools with average out the grade and some will see it as a grade replacement. So it depends on where you are applying! (DO YOUR RESEARCH)

It also shows that you are committed to Dentistry and that you are devoted to improving yourself to become a dentist (if that makes sense lol)

Have you applied yet? It sounds like you're giving advice on something you aren't even familiar with. Other than texas schools, you're applying through AADSAS for every school which averages your grade. If you're sub 3.0 and getting Cs and averaging them with As, you will never be above a 3.0.

Taking a class a second time and getting an A is less impressive than taking a more difficult class and getting an A in that second class.

 

[BeaverLover]

Most schools with average out the grade and some will see it as a grade replacement.

Which programs see it as a replacement? From my understanding, only AADSAS determines the gpa

 

[DentalStudent2018]

Have you applied yet? It sounds like you're giving advice on something you aren't even familiar with. Other than texas schools, you're applying through AADSAS for every school which averages your grade. If you're sub 3.0 and getting Cs and averaging them with As, you will never be above a 3.0.

Taking a class a second time and getting an A is less impressive than taking a more difficult class and getting an A in that second class.

So a masters program would be the best bet? It sounds like you have to take a lot of classes to even come close to bringing a sub 3.0 up to a 3.0+?

 

[DentalStudent2018]

Your case is a bit different you graduated already ; I started out at a cc ur best bet would be a masters because it would prob raise a red flag. And I don't think a semesters worth in a summer is possible

I am a junior so I haven"t graduate yet. What will raise a red flag? The masters program or taking classes at a community college?

 

[BowlingDoctor]

Have you applied yet? It sounds like you're giving advice on something you aren't even familiar with. Other than texas schools, you're applying through AADSAS for every school which averages your grade. If you're sub 3.0 and getting Cs and averaging them with As, you will never be above a 3.0.

Taking a class a second time and getting an A is less impressive than taking a more difficult class and getting an A in that second class.

Insert sighing emoji.

 

[C_BryantDDS]

So a masters program would be the best bet? It sounds like you have to take a lot of classes to even come close to bringing a sub 3.0 up to a 3.0+?

Yes, a masters program would be your best bet. Taking classes at a CC after graduating from a university wouldn't necessarily help and you would have to take a lot of classes and make straight As to improve your GPA much.

 

[BrooklynSmilez]

I am a junior so I haven"t graduate yet. What will raise a red flag? The masters program or taking classes at a community college?

Cc credits may raise a red flag if u attend a senior college then go to cc to take classes. I don't know for sure but it might ; you have to ask whether or not it would be worth the risk

 

[DentalStudent2018]

Cc credits may raise a red flag if u attend a senior college then go to cc to take classes. I don't know for sure but it might ; you have to ask whether or not it would be worth the risk

Awww that makes sense that it could raise a red flag... so instead take it at a local university instead?

 

[BrooklynSmilez]

Awww that makes sense that it could raise a red flag... so instead take it at a local university instead?

I would personally go that route taking classes at a university as opposed to a cc but if you think that going to a cc will raise your gpa significantly and it would have a much more positive impact than a masters; then by all means go for it.

 

[DentalStudent2018]

I would personally go that route taking classes at a university as opposed to a cc but if you think that going to a cc will raise your gpa significantly and it would have a much more positive impact than a masters; then by all means go for it.

Yeah I just feel like with a master program there would two years gone on something that I might not be super passionate about vs. trying to boost my gpa for a year and then reapplying to dental school?

 

[schmoob]

Yeah I just feel like with a master program there would two years gone on something that I might not be super passionate about vs. trying to boost my gpa for a year and then reapplying to dental school?

That's exactly what an SMP is.

 

[boburnham]

I hear you can take about a semester worth of classes in about 4 weeks and get As fairly easily

Lol I must be going to the wrong CC then..

 

[boburnham]

Really depends on the CC and the university. The CC near me offers courses that are easier than highschool classes.

That's true at my CC as well. I could get a 4.0 at my CC without any issue if I didn't take science classes. But just the departments outside of science are easy at a CC doesn't mean that the science department will be easy as well, they're two entirely different departments.

My science department at my CC all have doctorates in their field, and I think the rigor of the coursework depends entirely on the professor rather what type of institution the class is being taken at.