HELP!! Question about post-bac or SMP for dental.

[frogman2]

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Man.. I don't know where to start.

OK. I'm a undergrad student at UIUC and a major in MCB.
I am a senior right now and my GPA is only about 2.5.
I know that this GPA is FARFARFAR from being competitive.
That is why I was thinking of post bacc programs. I would have to first raise my GPA in order to get to post-bacc programs, which I think would take about three more semesters in undergrad.

Here are some main questions.
On the assumption that I get a high DAT score, would it be better to do SMP or post bacc?
Would a great three semesters of work give me some chance to get into some less-competitive post-bacc or SMP?


In the end would I have a chance to get into dental school even if I do get into post-bacc(or SMP) and do well? Is a 2.5 GPA impossible to overcome even if I have three more semesters to go?

well hope i'm not bothering you guys with obvious questions but I went through the forum and was not able to find perfect answers for my questions.

Good luck to all in pursuing the field of health care! 😀

 

[Weathersby]

I'm in a similar position. I actually just posted a thread on exactly this topic about 4 hours before your's.

I'm also at UIUC & MCB and want to take an extra year of something to boost my competitiveness.

I was considering heading up to UIC and just doing some post-bacc undergrad there. Being at UIC would at least allow me to get to know the professors and staff from the dental school and hopefully I could take a few classes along-side the dental student--to show that I have what it takes.

What I'm about to do (and what you should do, too) is call up SIUE and UIC and ask them about what path the actual accepted students took. I'm sure that not everyone there has come straight from undergrad, so we need to find out what exactly they did.

As far as SMPs, I don't know too much about 'em. If you find out more, post it.

I'm not sure if I know you (are you in PDC or Healthy Smiles?), but good luck boosting that GPA.

PS.
You should sign up for SHS 120 right now. It was the easiest class I've ever taken, it's 3 credits, and i think it just started this week as an 8 week course.

 

[Mackchops]

Weathersby, you have the right idea about calling the schools. They'll tell you a whole lot more than we ever could.

Keep in mind that the term "post-bac" really applies to anything you take after earning your baccalaureate. So, you could go into a masters program (keep in mind that a grad gpa will be reported separately from your undergrad gpa, so schools will still see your 2.5). There are SMP programs and formal "remedial" postbac programs all over the place. You could also do something on your own. Post-bac a-la-carte, if you will, where you take classes at your local state school with the intention of bumping up the ol' undergrad gpa. You can do this either to try to gain admission into some competitive formal post-bac program (such as Tufts which offers a linkage to their dental school) or you could just keep taking classes until you feel confident enough to apply directly to dental school. There are a ton of options, and I would recommend taking as many more undergrad courses as possible to boost that undergrad gpa.

There are a ton of people in dental school who got here by alternative routes. The added maturity and demonstrated committment to improving your academic record speak well for your potential as a dental student. Just remember, as someone told me when I was first considering a post-bac, this is your safty net. You get one do-over and, if you don't dedicate yourself completely to doing well there's nothing to catch you this time. Just a little reality check that really hit home with me when I heard it.

Good luck and PM me if you have any questions,
Mack