Have low gpa and a Bachelor's, would an Associates help?

[Mrgenerous1]

I have a Bachelor of Biology and a < 3.0 gpa. This severely limits my options for dental schools. To raise my GPA I have considered getting a Masters, but I've heard it's not a good idea if you are < 3.0 undergrad gpa because schools will throw out your application if it doesn't meet minimum undergrad GPA requirements. Also, I've heard it suggested that high master's GPAs doesn't mean much as an uGPA raised by post-bacc classes. So far, this is what I've gathered from the net and this forum. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm curious if a second degree as an associate's in something like dental hygiene, nursing, paramedic or dental assistant would actually raise my undergraduate GPA? If it did raise the undergrad GPA, how would admissions committees actually view these job-centric associates degrees when compared to a post-bacc?

I understand that with a post-bacc you can take more upper level chemistry and biology courses, and that would probably look better, but it's a scary thought to be left with additional debt and the few job opportunities available for a Bachelor of Biology (especially considering I would likely enjoy most of the above jobs, which can only be obtained via degree/certification).

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[Tman26]

I have a Bachelor of Biology and a < 3.0 gpa. This severely limits my options for dental schools. To raise my GPA I have considered getting a Masters, but I've heard it's not a good idea if you are < 3.0 undergrad gpa because schools will throw out your application if it doesn't meet minimum undergrad GPA requirements. Also, I've heard it suggested that high master's GPAs doesn't mean much as an uGPA raised by post-bacc classes. So far, this is what I've gathered from the net and this forum. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm curious if a second degree as an associate's in something like dental hygiene, nursing, paramedic or dental assistant would actually raise my undergraduate GPA? If it did raise the undergrad GPA, how would admissions committees actually view these job-centric associates degrees when compared to a post-bacc?

I understand that with a post-bacc you can take more upper level chemistry and biology courses, and that would probably look better, but it's a scary thought to be left with additional debt and the few job opportunities available for a Bachelor of Biology (especially considering I would likely enjoy most of the above jobs, which can only be obtained via degree/certification).

I think I understand how you are feeling. You feel that getting a masters would be an all or nothing move toward dentistry. Alternatively, getting a degree/cert for other professions would be enjoyable to you while potentially increasing your chances for dental school admission.

In this situation, I would contact admissions for each dental school you are interested in applying. Explain your situation and ask them for guidance--they know the ins and outs of what applications make the cut. I have talked to several dental students who have pursued a masters degree to make up for their time in undergrad. Obviously, some master programs may require a minimum of a 3.0, but I would say that doesn't write you off all of them.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

I have a Bachelor of Biology and a < 3.0 gpa. This severely limits my options for dental schools. To raise my GPA I have considered getting a Masters, but I've heard it's not a good idea if you are < 3.0 undergrad gpa because schools will throw out your application if it doesn't meet minimum undergrad GPA requirements. Also, I've heard it suggested that high master's GPAs doesn't mean much as an uGPA raised by post-bacc classes. So far, this is what I've gathered from the net and this forum. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm curious if a second degree as an associate's in something like dental hygiene, nursing, paramedic or dental assistant would actually raise my undergraduate GPA? If it did raise the undergrad GPA, how would admissions committees actually view these job-centric associates degrees when compared to a post-bacc?

I understand that with a post-bacc you can take more upper level chemistry and biology courses, and that would probably look better, but it's a scary thought to be left with additional debt and the few job opportunities available for a Bachelor of Biology (especially considering I would likely enjoy most of the above jobs, which can only be obtained via degree/certification).

There is no right or wrong answer here. Every school you will contact, like the other person said, will have a DIFFERENT response and not even necessarily one that would help you. I would advise you find the cheapest and best route for your situation and one that YOU feel the most confident in. There are A LOT of schools that LOVE to boast that they are so competitive that people are coming into their program with a Masters, but not everyone has one--or needs one. A Masters is a good investment as it is considered an Advanced Degree and will help you land a career should you need to fall back on it for a little while. I would only do a post-bacc if the school is affiliated and the courses are taught by the Dentistry Professors. That's a sure way to get in. I've had classmates who have done that and are in dentistry now.

I have a Masters and in the process of applying to Dental Schools. I have tons of experience should you want to discuss them--feel free to PM me.

 

[JLT223]

Do yourself a favor and do a masters or post bac.

 

[BiologyMajor86]

I have heard some schools reward reinvention. If you can find a 4 year program around your house with affordable tuition, try doing a 2nd bachelor's in chemistry. You don't have to complete it, just take enough chemistry courses to get your GPA at the 3.0 threshold. Some schools have a 2.75 GPA threshold. This alone may save you the time from doing a SMP linkage program, which is very expensive. Your grades from now will be listed under "post-bac," so an upward trend will be clearly observable.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

I have heard some schools reward reinvention. If you can find a 4 year program around your house with affordable tuition, try doing a 2nd bachelor's in chemistry. You don't have to complete it, just take enough chemistry courses to get your GPA at the 3.0 threshold. Some schools have a 2.75 GPA threshold. This alone may save you the time from doing a SMP linkage program, which is very expensive. Your grades from now will be listed under "post-bac," so an upward trend will be clearly observable.

I really have to disagree here. I have never heard of anyone being advised to do a second bachelors. You are better off showing you can handle higher-level coursework and perform better at that. If you got a C in Biology I and got an A in Biology II, then you are okay. These courses compound on one another. Same goes for Organic I and Organic II, and so on. Do a Masters or a post-bacc, but only if the post-bacc has a real connection with the Dental School.

 

[doc toothache]

You believe competing with high school drop outs will raise your appeal. Interesting.

 

[Mrgenerous1]

Thanks for all of the replies guys. I've contacted the individual schools that I'm most interested in, as Tman26 and DMDDDSHopeful suggested. I feel this advice makes a lot of sense. I see very good, varying opinions on the different options mentioned in this post, which further seems to indicate that each school may have a different opinion.

Thanks a lot for the advice, guys! If anyone else has any other suggestions/ideas I'd be glad to hear them.

 

[BiologyMajor86]

I really have to disagree here. I have never heard of anyone being advised to do a second bachelors. You are better off showing you can handle higher-level coursework and perform better at that. If you got a C in Biology I and got an A in Biology II, then you are okay. These courses compound on one another. Same goes for Organic I and Organic II, and so on. Do a Masters or a post-bacc, but only if the post-bacc has a real connection with the Dental School.

It happens quite a bit with allo and osteopathic medical school entrance. In the poster's case, he/she has presumably completed the majority of the relevant upper division biology courses (having a BA or BS in biology). The options are to either re-take those classes for a better grade or start fresh with some new upper level science courses. I suppose either option would work here, but that GPA needs to get near 3.0, or at the very least 2.75 for admissions into a SMP (Masters of Biomedical Sciences) or a general Master's program.

 

[Mrgenerous1]

A few of the schools have emailed me back and the general consensus on what they preferred was Master's >> Postbacc >> Associate of Nursing.

Reasoning:

Graduate level courses are considered more difficult. Therefore, doing well in a Master's program means more than the other options.

My first pick school and a few others use multiple GPAs for competitive selection: Master's GPA, master + undergrad GPA averaged together, Science GPA

With a postbacc (or masters?) you may be able to retake a class from undergrad where a bad grade was received. (Some dental schools average, some schools replace the grade. Seems to vary a lot)

Most of the schools stated that students are evaluated based on BCP GPA (Biology Chemistry Physics), and that Nursing courses would not count toward BCP. Some schools seemed to suggest that when they say 'science GPA' they really mean 'BCP GPA'. Perhaps this is not how it has always been, as archived forum posts on this topic stated 'science is science!' None of the schools I emailed mentioned 'BCP' on their website, but mentioned it over email. It's understandable--I just found some admissions sites to be a little misleading. I suggest anyone in a similar position look in to this.

Masters was strongly preferred, especially by my first pick school. The master's degree is probably a bad investment on its own, but as a tool to achieve my goals it's probably worth it. If I get accepted to the master's program, I'll go that route. If not, I don't feel too bad about the post-bacc. I feel rationally optimistic having talked to you guys, and having taken the advice to contact the schools. Thanks so much!

 

[doc toothache]

A few of the schools have emailed me back and the general consensus on what they preferred was Master's >> Postbacc >> Associate of Nursing. Reasoning:
Graduate level courses are considered more difficult. Therefore, doing well in a Master's program means more than the other options.
My first pick school and a few others use multiple GPAs for competitive selection: Master's GPA, master + undergrad GPA averaged together, Science GPA
With a postbacc (or masters?) you may be able to retake a class from undergrad where a bad grade was received. (Some dental schools average, some schools replace the grade. Seems to vary a lot)
Most of the schools stated that students are evaluated based on BCP GPA (Biology Chemistry Physics), and that Nursing courses would not count toward BCP. Some schools seemed to suggest that when they say 'science GPA' they really mean 'BCP GPA'. Perhaps this is not how it has always been, as archived forum posts on this topic stated 'science is science!' None of the schools I emailed mentioned 'BCP' on their website, but mentioned it over email. It's understandable--I just found some admissions sites to be a little misleading. I suggest anyone in a similar position look in to this.
Masters was strongly preferred, especially by my first pick school. The master's degree is probably a bad investment on its own, but as a tool to achieve my goals it's probably worth it. If I get accepted to the master's program, I'll go that route. If not, I don't feel too bad about the post-bacc. I feel rationally optimistic having talked to you guys, and having taken the advice to contact the schools. Thanks so much!

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