Getting into grad with low GPA

[BananaSplitMan2212]

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Hi everyone,

So I just finished my undergrad. I have done well freshman sophomore year having a GPA of 3.7 my freshman, but unfortunately due to family issues my GPA dropped down once I transferred to a different college for junior year. I had to retake classes and even then I got C's. Situations got worse where it would stress me out not allowing me to do well and this happened till I graduated college. Overall I have a 2.98 or maybe a 3.0 GPA but it is along the 2.9-3.0 area. I am applying for a masters to increase my GPA and actually prove to dental school that I can perform at a higher level. I am deeply passionate to pursue dentistry despite what has happened but my overall concern is whether I will get in because of my low GPA.

What are my chances of getting into a MPH program and does it really matter where I go to get a MPH?
What is a preferred masters to get when applying to dental school?

 

[Bropofol*]

Hi everyone,

So I just finished my undergrad. I have done well freshman sophomore year having a GPA of 3.7 my freshman, but unfortunately due to family issues my GPA dropped down once I transferred to a different college for junior year. I had to retake classes and even then I got C's. Situations got worse where it would stress me out not allowing me to do well and this happened till I graduated college. Overall I have a 2.98 or maybe a 3.0 GPA but it is along the 2.9-3.0 area. I am applying for a masters to increase my GPA and actually prove to dental school that I can perform at a higher level. I am deeply passionate to pursue dentistry despite what has happened but my overall concern is whether I will get in because of my low GPA.

What are my chances of getting into a MPH program and does it really matter where I go to get a MPH?
What is a preferred masters to get when applying to dental school?

Do an MBS program with an iption to obtain a concentration in Oral Bioligy at Rutgers RBHS. As long as you have a decent DAT/GRE score, you have a good chance to get accepted into the program even with a sub-3.0 GPA.

 

[acesofseven]

Did you transfer from a CC/JC?

 

[xerxes106]

Most MPH programs are 3.0 and above, at least mine was. A preferred masters is any you do well in, but those with hard sciences will obviously show you can handle a courseload. The dental school advisers I spoke with were pretty "meh" on the value of an MPH in showing you can handle dental courses though. All said more hard science/BCP classes were far more useful. However, if you need to work while applying an MPH is going to give you far better job prospects.
If you need to take a semester to do an unofficial grad semester and bump your GPA above a 3.0 before applying that'd be the best option.

 

[periopocket]

You'll have no problem getting into an MS - it should be done in science to pick up your science gpa, but an MPH is acceptable as well.


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[BananaSplitMan2212]

Did you transfer from a CC/JC?

Yes, I did. Due to financial reasons I had to go to a CC.

 

[acesofseven]

Okay, that changes things. Since your GPA took a huge drop after transferring, Adcoms will probably assume you only did well because you were at a CC. I think you should pursue a MS to bring up your GPA and get a high TS on the DAT. Also, I just don't see a point in getting an MPH unless you're genuinely interested and know what you want to do with it. Otherwise, it seems like a cheap cop out to bump up your GPA.

 

[BananaSplitMan2212]

Okay, that changes things. Since your GPA took a huge drop after transferring, Adcoms will probably assume you only did well because you were at a CC. I think you should pursue a MS to bring up your GPA and get a high TS on the DAT. Also, I just don't see a point in getting an MPH.

My GPA took a drop because of family situations, through the next year my grades have become better but my first year at a four year institute did not go off on a good start. I have already talked to the admissions at most schools saying there is a section in the application to explain any sudden drops of grades etc. They also explained how they like to see a upward trend in grades. Why don't you see a point on getting a MPH?

 

[acesofseven]

My GPA took a drop because of family situations, through the next year my grades have become better but my first year at a four year institute did not go off on a good start. I have already talked to the admissions at most schools saying there is a section in the application to explain any sudden drops of grades etc. They also explained how they like to see a upward trend in grades. Why don't you see a point on getting a MPH?

Yes, I know but a lot of people do bad during their first year of college too. Literally almost everyone I knew was Pre-Med/Dent/Pharm during my first year of college and more than half of them changed to Psych/Anthro/Soc/Comm/PoliSci by the end of the year. What I'm trying to say is that its hard for Adcoms to tell when someone is being real or making up excuses for why they did bad. Also, I edited my second comment to explain why I don't like MPHs.

 

[BananaSplitMan2212]

Yes, I know but a lot of people do bad during their first year of college too. Literally almost everyone I knew was Pre-Med/Dent/Pharm during my first year of college and more than half of them changed to Psych/Anthro/Soc/Comm/PoliSci by the end of the year. What I'm trying to say is that its hard for Adcoms to tell when someone is being real or making up excuses for why they did bad. Also, I edited my second comment to explain why I don't like MPHs.

How else do you inform them that you're telling the truth? By the way I never changed my major. I've always been a bio major with a minor in chemistry. Do you think I have a chance of getting into a masters program with a total GPA of a 3.0 of my 4 years of college?

 

[acesofseven]

How else do you inform them that you're telling the truth? By the way I never changed my major. I've always been a bio major with a minor in chemistry. Do you think I have a chance of getting into a masters program with a total GPA of a 3.0 of my 4 years of college?

I'm not entirely sure. I would assume it's how well you can word/explain what happened (some people write better than others so they'll have an easier time convincing Adcoms than others). And yeah, you can get in with a 3.0. Lots of people with below a 3.0 pursue a Masters to raise their GPA and apply to med/dent/pharm school afterwards.

 

[738177]

How else do you inform them that you're telling the truth? By the way I never changed my major. I've always been a bio major with a minor in chemistry. Do you think I have a chance of getting into a masters program with a total GPA of a 3.0 of my 4 years of college?

Yes. Even popular pre-dental masters programs like Rutgers or Barry will accept sub 3.0 GPA.
Don't do a MPH. I contacted multiple schools about this and they all recommended pursuing a science intensive masters.

 

[BananaSplitMan2212]

Yes. Even popular pre-dental masters programs like Rutgers or Barry will accept sub 3.0 GPA.
Don't do a MPH. I contacted multiple schools about this and they all recommended pursuing a science intensive masters.

What would be considered a intensive masters, and what is wrong with getting a MPH focusing on epidemiology?

 

[schmoob]

What would be considered a intensive masters, and what is wrong with getting a MPH focusing on epidemiology?

Because you need to demonstrate success in a science intensive program.

 

[738177]

What would be considered a intensive masters, and what is wrong with getting a MPH focusing on epidemiology?

Science intensive masters with a lot of science courses. As a low GPA applicant, you're trying to prove to adcoms that you're able to perform in graduate level science courses similar to med/dental curriculum. MPH doesn't help you achieve that. MPH is a nice EC for an applicant who already has competitive stats.
You don't have to take my word for it of course. Contact the schools you're interested in and ask them if you should do a MS in biomedical science (an example) vs a MPH.

 

[BananaSplitMan2212]

Science intensive masters with a lot of science courses. As a low GPA applicant, you're trying to prove to adcoms that you're able to perform in graduate level science courses similar to med/dental curriculum. MPH doesn't help you achieve that. MPH is a nice EC for an applicant who already has competitive stats.
You don't have to take my word for it of course. Contact the schools you're interested in and ask them if you should do a MS in biomedical science (an example) vs a MPH.

What science masters would you suggest? So MPH is just for students who have competitive stats, while science masters are for students with a low GPA?

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

What science masters would you just? So MPH is just for students who have competitive stats, while science masters are for students with a low GPA?

Doesn't matter. Do what interests you and what you can get a 4.0 in. Remember, not all dental students are coming in with a hard science degree. Ask around and you'll see there are plenty of majors that matriculate with only having pre-reqs done.