Getting in with <C WITHOUT retaking the course?

[MasterDentChief13]

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Whats up guys so I'm a 2015-2016 applicant and basically done with my AADSAS application (only waiting for a LOE). However, now that I'm finalizing my school destinations, Im scrolling through the schools' admission pages and noticing that all schools require a C grade minimum for all required courses. I know this is pretty last minute to notice this and there are a bunch of threads like this but I have not read anything about someone getting with a grade <C without retaking the course and still getting into dental school. I got a D in physics III (trimester system) and never retook it so I kind of feel screwed.. Has anyone ever gotten into a school in this situation or heard of anyone who has? I have a 3.06 cGPA and a 20 AA DAT so I am basically asking input on my chances of getting in. Regardless I'm still going to submit my application and take my chances but I just want some feedback.

BTW I do have a masters program lined up this coming fall so the whole point of applying now is to save myself a gap year between masters and dental school.

 

[guitarkid94]

I don't think I can help you with your question but what masters program are you starting in the fall if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Doctor Asnan]

Technically you don't need to have all the pre-requisites fulfilled at the time of application BUT you will need to have all of them done with a grade of C or better by the time you matriculate. Make sure that you list the Physics 3 under your future coursework to indicate you are going to retake.

The fact that you got a D won't necessarily put you in the rejection bin (for some schools) but it is not pretty at all and you must retake it for a better grade.

 

[ICUrunning]

A 3.06 gpa and 20AA doesn't exactly scream "Pick me!".

Retake the physics course.

 

[ajj70]

I agree, retake the class and apply broadly with your stats.

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

.

 

[kayden28]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I'm a little worried about this too and would really appreciate some feedback.

I received 3 C-s (microbio, microbio lab, and orgo 1), but I did the part 2 of the courses and did better. The lower grades were in my first year and I've shown a strong upward trend since but a lot of schools say C or better. How stringent is this requirement? Should I re-take the courses? I'm also going into a masters program in the fall (course based for one year).

 

[predent_mathlete]

I received 3 C-s (microbio, microbio lab, and orgo 1), but I did the part 2 of the courses and did better. The lower grades were in my first year and I've shown a strong upward trend since but a lot of schools say C or better. How stringent is this requirement? Should I re-take the courses?

Contact the schools you're interested in directly. You MIGHT be okay since you did well in later courses, but I think you'll have to retake the ones which are prereqs, or at least take another higher level course so you have the proper number of courses in that subject with a grade of C or better (as in C- in Ochem 1, B in Ochem 2, B in Ochem 3).

 

[doc toothache]

The concept that a minimum grade of C is required for prerequisite is a difficult one to comprehend.

 

[kayden28]

The concept that a minimum grade of C is required for prerequisite is a difficult one to comprehend.

Actually, it's not a difficult concept to comprehend. I'm asking because some have said before that it's not completely necessary and others have indicated that it's a firm requirement. Schools have made exceptions before so I was merely asking an opinion on how I should best resolve my concern, but thank you for yours. It was certainly helpful 🙂

 

[doc toothache]

Actually, it's not a difficult concept to comprehend. I'm asking because some have said before that it's not completely necessary and others have indicated that it's a firm requirement. Schools have made exceptions before so I was merely asking an opinion on how I should best resolve my concern, but thank you for yours. It was certainly helpful 🙂

As fortune would have it, the only opinion that matters is that of dss. Just because others may have skated by, it does not mean you will be equally rewarded.

 

[kayden28]

As fortune would have it, the only opinion that matters is that of dss. Just because others may have skated by, it does not mean you will be equally rewarded.

Nowhere did I say that I would be "equally rewarded". In fact, I asked because I expected the complete opposite and wanted to get more info from anyone who's been in a similar situation. I don't see the harm in asking and I'm not sure why it seems to bother you that I did, doc. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's what the forum is for, especially when it comes to gray areas in the application process, which this seems to be. Thanks again for your ever so helpful response.

 

[ICUrunning]

Nowhere did I say that I would be "equally rewarded". In fact, I asked because I expected the complete opposite and wanted to get more info from anyone who's been in a similar situation. I don't see the harm in asking and I'm not sure why it seems to bother you that I did, doc. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's what the forum is for, especially when it comes to gray areas in the application process, which this seems to be. Thanks again for your ever so helpful response.

If a school says "C minimum or better in prerequisites" and you have three grades of C-, what do you think you should do?

You won't find many people that have slipped on by the stringent requirements, especially in the current climate of dental admissions.

 

[kayden28]

If a school says "C minimum or better in prerequisites" and you have three grades of C-, what do you think you should do?

You won't find many people that have slipped on by the stringent requirements, especially in the current climate of dental admissions.

Is there any harm in me asking? Isn't that what the forum is for? Why is it an issue if I post and ask what others have done or if anyone's been in a similar situation? I asked because it's a gray area... because although it might be a rare situation, it's also not unheard of. People post all the time asking about their chances of getting in with low GPAs, low DAT scores, what schools they should apply to, how to deal with a certain problem/dilemma and what they should do in their particular circumstances. Other people respond with what they know and what they'd recommend doing. That's all I was looking for. I didn't realize it was so offensive for me to simply ask.

 

[jsptr986]

GPA's and DAT scores vary because the pool of applicants varies each year. thus, there is not a required GPA or DAT score for acceptance. grade requirements for prerequisite courses is not a gray area.

 

[ICUrunning]

Is there any harm in me asking? Isn't that what the forum is for? Why is it an issue if I post and ask what others have done or if anyone's been in a similar situation? I asked because it's a gray area... because although it might be a rare situation, it's also not unheard of. People post all the time asking about their chances of getting in with low GPAs, low DAT scores, what schools they should apply to, how to deal with a certain problem/dilemma and what they should do in their particular circumstances. Other people respond with what they know and what they'd recommend doing. That's all I was looking for. I didn't realize it was so offensive for me to simply ask.

Not mad at you for asking a question nor am I making fun of you. But your scenario is quite simple compared to those you have brought up. And redundant, hence the way doc toothache wrote his response to you. You have a few C- grades in prereqs. You retake them per the instructions of dental schools. End of story.

Perhaps you were looking for another answer?

 

[kayden28]

Not mad at you for asking a question nor am I making fun of you. But your scenario is quite simple compared to those you have brought up. And redundant, hence the way doc toothache wrote his response to you. You have a few C- grades in prereqs. You retake them per the instructions of dental schools. End of story.

Perhaps you were looking for another answer?

I was hoping to hear whether anyone has heard of this requirement being bypassed due to serious circumstances. That's what I meant when I asked "How stringent is this requirement". I didn't ask because I slacked off and am looking for an easy bypass. I asked because I dealt with a reoccurring and serious physical health issue that reflected poorly in my grades during my first year, and some of my grades dropped as low as a C-. I'm not trying to "skate by" as doc toothache put it. I only asked to hear if there are extenuating reasons that a school may excuse this requirement. I didn't want to explain that initially so I simplified my question. It probably should've occurred to me that if I didn't explain, people would assume I'm asking because I slacked off.

 

[OrthoFriendly]

If you want clarification, contact the schools directly. That way you will know exactly what the schools are looking for and if they make exceptions.

As helpful as forums are, the accuracy of posts/threads varies tremendously. Personally, I would make a few calls to the schools you are applying to.

 

[jsptr986]

I was hoping to hear whether anyone has heard of this requirement being bypassed due to serious circumstances. That's what I meant when I asked "How stringent is this requirement". I didn't ask because I slacked off and am looking for an easy bypass. I asked because I dealt with a reoccurring and serious physical health issue that reflected poorly in my grades during my first year, and some of my grades dropped as low as a C-. I'm not trying to "skate by" as doc toothache put it. I only asked to hear if there are extenuating reasons that a school may excuse this requirement. I didn't want to explain that initially so I simplified my question. It probably should've occurred to me that if I didn't explain, people would assume I'm asking because I slacked off.

Per the ADEA website, a C is required for prerequisite courses and on the +/- scale a C is a 2 and a C- is a 1.667. Retake and make A's.

 

[ajj70]

I was hoping to hear whether anyone has heard of this requirement being bypassed due to serious circumstances. That's what I meant when I asked "How stringent is this requirement". I didn't ask because I slacked off and am looking for an easy bypass. I asked because I dealt with a reoccurring and serious physical health issue that reflected poorly in my grades during my first year, and some of my grades dropped as low as a C-. I'm not trying to "skate by" as doc toothache put it. I only asked to hear if there are extenuating reasons that a school may excuse this requirement. I didn't want to explain that initially so I simplified my question. It probably should've occurred to me that if I didn't explain, people would assume I'm asking because I slacked off.

I'm sure most people could come up with a "serious circumstance" to justify a low grade. The poster's I've seen that have gotten the C requirement waived had it waived for ONE C-, not 3. Also, if you had such a serious health issue that your grades were that low, did you learn enough and retain enough in those classes to bring the needed information with you to dental school? By all means ask, but just be aware that 3 low grades are not going to be looked upon favorably.

 

[kayden28]

I'm sure most people could come up with a "serious circumstance" to justify a low grade. The poster's I've seen that have gotten the C requirement waived had it waived for ONE C-, not 3. Also, if you had such a serious health issue that your grades were that low, did you learn enough and retain enough in those classes to bring the needed information with you to dental school? By all means ask, but just be aware that 3 low grades are not going to be looked upon favorably.

Hey ajj70, thanks for your feedback, I appreciate the insight. Just to clarify, I didn't "come up with "serious circumstance" to justify a low grade"; I have tons of doctor's appointment & hospital records that could verify my circumstances in case schools would like to know/see the details. I'm not saying my health setback only impacted those three grades and that they should be excused lol. It impacted all 8 months of my first year, but these grades are the lowest of the 10 courses during that time frame with the rest being mostly Cs and B-s. I asked about these three in particular because even though the others are low too, these 3 violate the requirement.

I think I learned enough on my own time to do well on the part 2s of the courses I took and to later TA in both orgo 2 & microbio 2. I also took upper levels of the classes (immuno and biotech courses, as well as a more advanced orgo) to try and makeup for those grades, but I don't know if schools will look that deeply into my coursework to see that. I've contacted most of the schools by email so hopefully they'll be letting me know what I should do. I didn't at the time excuse myself from my course load as was recommended to me because I wanted number grades instead of CR grades (which was the only option at that point). I also thought I'd be okay so I kept pushing myself when I really should've just taken time off. But hindsight's 20/20. I also mentioned this briefly in my PS but at the same time, I didn't want to spend a lot of time focusing on that when the limit is 4500 characters and the purpose is to make yourself stand out.