GPA options advice

[TeeKay310]

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Hello Predental SDN,

Long time follower, first time posting a thread.
A little background..

I'm a senior biology undergraduate with a 3.0 sGPA (as of fall quarter 4th year) and took my DAT this recent september with results posted below for brainstorming some advice. EC include starting and running a campus club, fraternity involvement, connected to pre dental society chapter on campus, and picked up a few more dental school oriented ones as well.

DAT scores :
PAT 20
QR 20
RC 19
TS 22
AA 22

The biggest fears I have are my GPA which is low. Was distracted first year, existential crisis 2nd year, fell off the earth 3rd year, but did relatively well this past fall quarter 4th year. I am aiming for the upward trend and dedication route. This year, I picked up research, shadowing, volunteering at UCLA dental clinic to get me more enthusiastic and involved.

So as far as GPA boosting goes I still have 2 final quarters until graduation and dental school applications. Crossing my fingers that retaking 2 classes I got D's in this winter quarter will kink out some of the GPA dent I'm rocking on my transcript. I would still like to apply to the 2014 cycle even if I have statistics against me because I hate wondering what if's and also have a slight spirtual hope that the big guys upstairs will bless me with their favors.

But after all being said and done, If or when I get rejected I'd like some mentoring or advice about understanding what post bacc programs and master's programs options I have. California preferably, since I attend university here but I understand beggars can't be choosers. I've read on the forums that these postbacc/ master's programs have a bit of a gamble to them because they have the potential to diminish the GPA as well (are the programs extremely rigorous?). Would any of the fellow forumers recommend specific schools/ programs which are geared toward pre-dental students?

Final question : My father recommends taking classes at a state or community college to boost my GPA for financial motivations, but I didn't know how to respond. I thought that wasn't viable for boosting sGPA or I'd assume everyone would do that. Do some state or community colleges (preferably Cali) have routes, programs or bundles of classes I can take after graduation which would be considered Seriously be dental schools?

Thank you all very much!

 

[LaughingGas]

http://online.sfsu.edu/brothman/reapplicantindex.html

http://dentistry.ucsf.edu/admissions/interprofessional-health-post-baccalaureate-certificate-program

http://prospective.westernu.edu/medical-sciences/curriculum-4/

 

[TeeKay310]

Thanks for the links LaughingGas!

 

[Glimmer1991]

Keep on taking classes--preferably upper-level sciences--and kill them.

Also, though retaking those classes you made a D in will be a good thing (and necessary if they're prereqs), know that dental schools don't let you do grade replacement. Both grades will factor into your GPA.

You might as well apply, but do it broadly and be prepared to shell out the bucks to do so. You never know what will happen! You have good DAT scores, and your ECs look pretty solid. If you do end up having to apply again, at least you will have gained invaluable experience about the application process.

 

[TeeKay310]

Thanks Glimmer! I also have a more specific question about the Classes. Would taking courses to boost science GPA at a school other than my current university (community college or even a state college) be looked down upon by the dental admissions? Or is it more reliable to enroll into classes through a graduate program or post bacc program?

 

[Glimmer1991]

I don't think a community college would be your best bet... their difficulty is often called into question, regardless of whether or not they are actually easier.
I think a state university would be great. If you make all As this semester, what will your sGPA look like? I'm not an expert on graduate programs, but if your GPA isn't too bad, it might be okay just to do an "informal" post-bacc and just keep taking science classes for a year.