GPA vs. Pre-Requisites and Second Degree

[subbotin]

A few questions concerning the application process and pre-requisites to US dental schools. I have recently graduated with a BSc (major in biology and chemistry) but had initially no intention to pursue dental school. For most schools I have the necessary pre-requisites (sciences, and electives) but my cumulative GPA was 2.2 - not enough to submit to any dental school. What are my options to increase competitiveness in addition to scoright high on the DAT? Do I need to return to university for a different degree - like a BA? Or retake the prerequisites? Is it possible to obtain the prerequisites as a non-degree student from an accredited university? Any information or some guidance in this matter will greatly be appreciated. Daniel.

 

[frenchriviera24]

You may have to retake all of those courses because dental schools don't like C's in any courses. You may want to consider having them retaken.
Also the dental schools will have your transcripts from your undergrad so you can't hide them. You're required to submit it all. The only way I see is doing it over and doing substantially well. Doing a bost-bacc wouldn't help because of the gpa/grades.
There are acceptances of lower gpa sometimes but the cutoff is usually @ 2.9. Good luck

 

[subbotin]

I guess universities are like banks - can't hide anything from them, but that's okay because I'm not trying to hide. Just trying to figure out what I need to do to apply to dental school with my past degree/grades. Is it a matter of retaking all the pre-reqs for a couple years and get A's across the board, or applying with a different/new degree, which most of the time universities will not grant permission to apply for a second degree that's the same as the first.