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SXCoronado
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It is even worse for those pursuing an MD, generally below 3.5 (and 3.5 is pushing it) your chances aren't great and should apply DO instead.
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SXCoronado
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Dean Vernon Wormer: Here are your grade point avarages. Mr. Kroger: two B's, and three A's. That's a 3.38. Congratulations, Kroger. You're at the top of the Delta pledge class. You're just begging for a post-bacc. Mr. Dorfman?
Flounder: [drunk] Hello!
Dean Vernon Wormer: 3.21... Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son. Mr. Hoover, president of Delta house? 3.3; straight B+'s. A fine example you set! You'll make some pharmacy school very proud. Daniel Simpson Day... HAS no grade point average. All W's. Try podiatry school. Mr. Blu...
[sees Bluto with a pair of pencils in his nostrils]
Dean Vernon Wormer: Mr. Blutarsky... three... point...one.
[Bluto shrugs]
Flounder: [drunk] Hello!
Dean Vernon Wormer: 3.21... Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son. Mr. Hoover, president of Delta house? 3.3; straight B+'s. A fine example you set! You'll make some pharmacy school very proud. Daniel Simpson Day... HAS no grade point average. All W's. Try podiatry school. Mr. Blu...
[sees Bluto with a pair of pencils in his nostrils]
Dean Vernon Wormer: Mr. Blutarsky... three... point...one.
[Bluto shrugs]
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SXCoronado
..what?
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SXCoronado
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Exactly, so the trick is get straight As during the first two years and even if you slack off during junior year your GPA will still be above avg. (assuming you take 15 credits)
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Two things the SDN community seems to forget:
1.) Averages are between the highs and lows! (Think of how many people must have had well below a 3.3 to offset the numerous 3.7+ candidates who likely applied to Boston or NYU)
2.) People on SDN tend to have significantly higher stats than your average applicant.
1.) Averages are between the highs and lows! (Think of how many people must have had well below a 3.3 to offset the numerous 3.7+ candidates who likely applied to Boston or NYU)
2.) People on SDN tend to have significantly higher stats than your average applicant.
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I agree. Especially if you don't have that many courses under your belt, a bad grade or two can cause your GPA to take a plunge. However, over time, you will more credits to help patch up those blunders.
However, let's consider this... You have 120 credit hours of courses where you made straight As. You then make a C in a single 4-credit-hour course.
Your GPA is now a 3.94. Since we're only looking at a 4-point scale here, 0.06 point drop really stinks.
That being said, this just shows how much effort it takes to maintain a high GPA over four years of schooling. In my experience, people on here sometimes "downplay" the importance of GPA. Of course, a GPA isn't everything, but keeping your GPA in the 3.7-4.0 range is a massive feat that requires long-term commitment and hard work. Adcoms know this. 🙂
Heck, you can cram for 3 months and blow the top off the DAT... but you can't do that with your GPA.
However, let's consider this... You have 120 credit hours of courses where you made straight As. You then make a C in a single 4-credit-hour course.
Your GPA is now a 3.94. Since we're only looking at a 4-point scale here, 0.06 point drop really stinks.
That being said, this just shows how much effort it takes to maintain a high GPA over four years of schooling. In my experience, people on here sometimes "downplay" the importance of GPA. Of course, a GPA isn't everything, but keeping your GPA in the 3.7-4.0 range is a massive feat that requires long-term commitment and hard work. Adcoms know this. 🙂
Heck, you can cram for 3 months and blow the top off the DAT... but you can't do that with your GPA.
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SXCoronado
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It's a pre-dental adaptation of a classic dialogue about GPAs. I thought a few might appreciate it. Knowledge is good.
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Your animal house reference did not go unappreciated.
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Hey bud,
Try not to think about "if I get this or that my gpa will drop by 0.001 and etc." It's unnecessary stress. Although GPA is VERY VERY important, dental school is more than numbers. It's awesome that your grades are up there though.
I know what you mean by maintaining though. At UT, it's hard as hell to get straight A's in the sciences. Just do your best and it will all come together. If it makes you feel better, I know a few friends who did not have even a 3.5 but had strong upward gpa trends that made up for their poor performance freshmen/sophomore or both years. They are dental students now. 🙂
Try not to think about "if I get this or that my gpa will drop by 0.001 and etc." It's unnecessary stress. Although GPA is VERY VERY important, dental school is more than numbers. It's awesome that your grades are up there though.
I know what you mean by maintaining though. At UT, it's hard as hell to get straight A's in the sciences. Just do your best and it will all come together. If it makes you feel better, I know a few friends who did not have even a 3.5 but had strong upward gpa trends that made up for their poor performance freshmen/sophomore or both years. They are dental students now. 🙂
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SXCoronado
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SXCoronado
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Haha anytime! Just do your best and it will always work out. I know that I've said this before but if you ever want to talk about ANYTHING, feel free to IM me. Always glad to help. Especially a fellow Longhorn. 🙂
Best of luck on finals!
I know what you mean, I'm constantly calculating a hypothetical GPA even though I know it's pointless and stress inducing. It's definitely tough to maintain a great gpa. I'm only 2nd semester freshman, but have 32 credits to this point with a 3.79, 3 A's this semester would jump me to a 3.85, 1 A and 2 B's would drop me to a 3.67, that's just so depressing. Though I currently have A's in all 3 classes, no guarantees until finals are over.
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That is so true. I spent all of college trying to get to 3.9 and made it. Last semester senior year went through some hardtimes on top of physical chemistry and got a C in the 5 credit hour class...luckily had enough of a cushion in hours that it dropped to 3.77 which I'm not saying is bad but I can't help feeling a bit bitter about it all.
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I took the route of college in high school; and safe to say I didn't take it as seriously as I should have my first year. My 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year have all been about correcting my mistakes. And Dental schools have taken notice of that (which quite honestly gives me a heart attack even though they've deterred it)! Now I'll be applying to Dental school with a 3.67. I've been told by the military and dental admissions officers that I'm a strong applicant. GPA is important yes, however being a "well rounded person" is much more important. If your GPA is a 3.94 and you didn't work, volunteer, or even leave your room during undergrad you won't even be considered! My best friend is living proof of this.
Dental schools want pre-dents who are dedicated, hard working, caring about others, and open to new things. So just keep chuggin' and you'll finish strong!!!
PS. Your 1st and 2nd years are weighed more; it is simply a "weed-out" method to see who can cut it in the big leagues after being knocked around! So don't let it intimidate you, just show the system who's boss.
Dental schools want pre-dents who are dedicated, hard working, caring about others, and open to new things. So just keep chuggin' and you'll finish strong!!!
PS. Your 1st and 2nd years are weighed more; it is simply a "weed-out" method to see who can cut it in the big leagues after being knocked around! So don't let it intimidate you, just show the system who's boss.
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SXCoronado
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My pleasure! Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions of concerns; Im the President of my college's Pre-Dental Society and the Mentoring&Support Coordinator.
Good luck studying! Im currently studying for the DAT, to take it in a month!
Good luck studying! Im currently studying for the DAT, to take it in a month!
