GPA as a first year...when to realize it's too low to specialize?

[frosama]

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Hello,

This is going to sound like a silly post but I'm genuinely curious. I'm a naive first year so please humor me.

Say if you get a C first semester or something like that...given the limited science intensive courses you have(first two years), is that pretty much a death sentence for chances of specializing?


I'm going to work as hard as I can to do well but I kindof want to know if I do this bad should i just stress less but work hard with the idea that i don't have to be in the top 15% or so in my class. Is class rank more important than GPA for specializing programs, Considering the boards are pass fail it seems like there are less things to go by.


I think if I did specialize(obviously super premature to be thinking of it) I'd like
orthodontics(doesn't everyone), pediatrics, or endo

 

[AlbinoPolarBear]

Try hard, do the best you can and hope for the best.
You can only control yourself, you can't control other people.
But yeah, if you want to specialize, it wouldn't hurt to get as many A's as possible.

Like you said, with the boards going pass/fail now, all they really have is class rank to measure applicants for the specialties you listed.

Best thing is to do is to check your rank after 1st year, and go from there.

 

[Silent Cool]

Hello,

This is going to sound like a silly post but I'm genuinely curious. I'm a naive first year so please humor me.

Say if you get a C first semester or something like that...given the limited science intensive courses you have(first two years), is that pretty much a death sentence for chances of specializing?


I'm going to work as hard as I can to do well but I kindof want to know if I do this bad should i just stress less but work hard with the idea that i don't have to be in the top 15% or so in my class. Is class rank more important than GPA for specializing programs, Considering the boards are pass fail it seems like there are less things to go by.


I think if I did specialize(obviously super premature to be thinking of it) I'd like
orthodontics(doesn't everyone), pediatrics, or endo

Ortho is traditionally #'s-driven.
Pediatrics is personality-driven.
Endo is there if you have experience and the inclination.

good luck.

 

[atomsforpizza]

i've been worried about this too. albeit it's probably nothing. I got a C on my first anatomy block so lately I've been thinking every door towards specializing has been closed.

 

[Wax n Relax]

i've been worried about this too. albeit it's probably nothing. I got a C on my first anatomy block so lately I've been thinking every door towards specializing has been closed.

Wow. I needed a good laugh.

 

[free99]

quoted content removed

Thanks dude.

 

[SmilesForLife]

Hello,

This is going to sound like a silly post but I'm genuinely curious. I'm a naive first year so please humor me.

Say if you get a C first semester or something like that...given the limited science intensive courses you have(first two years), is that pretty much a death sentence for chances of specializing?


I'm going to work as hard as I can to do well but I kindof want to know if I do this bad should i just stress less but work hard with the idea that i don't have to be in the top 15% or so in my class. Is class rank more important than GPA for specializing programs, Considering the boards are pass fail it seems like there are less things to go by.


I think if I did specialize(obviously super premature to be thinking of it) I'd like
orthodontics(doesn't everyone), pediatrics, or endo

Please do not lose hope if you have one blemish on your transcript. People enter dental school with very different backgrounds. Typically, people who majored in the life sciences in undergrad may have adapted more easily to the rigorous basic science courses in the 1st year of dental school. However, I personally know several non-science majors, who, although did not take science preparatory classes beyond the pre-dental requirements, through a combination of mostly hard work and perhaps some talent thrown in, were some of the top students in the graduating class.

So, please do not lose hope. Hard work and perseverance can make up for a lot! Best of luck.