Help + Advice

[coolslugs]

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178 units done, 45 units to go
2.97 overall
4th year undergrad Biology major, taking DAT in march
250 shadowing/ volunteer hrs
...aim to apply in June...!...advice anyone?

Would a 1 year master program in kinesiology be good to improve me gpa? How would that affect my application?

 

[SuperDuper]

Your GPA is below average.
Have you taken any practice DAT? If you have, what was your score? If you are not getting above 22's, maybe you should study really hard for DAT and get above something like 22-23. Then adcoms won't criticize your GPA too much (hopefully). If you don't get the score in this range, maybe you should consider doing the masters program and work really hard 😀🙂😎

 

[Seouldds]

Coolslugs,
I also agree with super, but you can do this if you really put your very best effort when studying the DAT...

 

[blankguy]

Coolslugs,
Finish your degree strong. Try to get all A's
Kick butt on the DAT. If you apply and things don't work out apply to masters program. It doesn't hurt to apply and see what the adcoms tell you. If you do that at least you will show that you are up to something by finishing strong and a strong DAT. The good news is that the number of applicants to dental schools have reached sky high, I don't think it is going to get much higher (maybe marginally higher but not jumping up by leaps and bounds). If you don't get in a year or two delay will not kill you.

 

[mss255]

I agree with blankguy - focus on the present. Work hard on your current degree (go for all As) and then try to rock the DAT. Although none of us are on an adcom, I think it seems reasonable that having a solid finish to your undergraduate career tells a compelling story.

 

[jdoc04]

178 units done, 45 units to go
2.97 overall, 2.58 sci
4th year undergrad Biology major, taking DAT in march
250 shadowing/ volunteer hrs
...aim to apply in June...!...advice anyone?

Would a 1 year master program in kinesiology be good to improve me gpa? How would that affect my application?

Post-bacc or masters taking upper level sciences similar to those given during the 1st and 2nd year of DS. That will a good finish you can bring up that overall to above a 3.0 but your sci gpa is 2.58. I would look at applying in a year or two from now. That sci gpa is really going to hinder your chances. Knowing how expensive applying can get I would wait and apply when the odds are more in your favor. A masters with coursework similar to year 1 and 2 of DS would be more helpful than a MS in Kinesiology in my opinion. Your goal is to prove to the adcom's that you can handle the rigorous academic schedule in DS. If you want to be dentist you need to earn a ton of As from this point forward. You can do it, you just need to stay focused, work hard, show some perseverance!!

Good Luck!!!

PM me if you have any questions!!

 

[jigabodo]

Coolslugs,
Finish your degree strong. Try to get all A's
Kick butt on the DAT. If you apply and things don't work out apply to masters program. It doesn't hurt to apply and see what the adcoms tell you. If you do that at least you will show that you are up to something by finishing strong and a strong DAT. The good news is that the number of applicants to dental schools have reached sky high, I don't think it is going to get much higher (maybe marginally higher but not jumping up by leaps and bounds). If you don't get in a year or two delay will not kill you.

I would recommend doing a Master as well. You already have a lot of units under your belt so taking additional undergrad classes might not do much to help your GPA.