i don't like pickles...but im stuck in one :[

[skylark]

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had only 1 pre-dec interview and was rejected. had a second one early dec, and decision pending...not gonna be too optimistic. no word even from big private schools NYU, Tufts, USC. and those are my target schools that i want to go to!

given that even after interview, adcoms re-review the ENTIRE app, i believe it's my gpa (science ~3.25) that gave me the first post-interview boot. DAT is 19.

So I am onto planB just in case:
I know about formal postbacc like barry and nova, but i dont really want to go that far. On predents i see so many ppl doing postbac work but how do their GPAs get SOOO high after postbacc? i thought its just a yr worth of science classes calculated INTO your existing undergrad gpa. so how is it possible to go from the 3.5-->3.9 that i see??

im not a URM and really REALLY dislike lab work/research (so MS programs might not be the best for me), so what are my options? Is it ok to have an informal postbacc at a 4yr STATE school (like a California State Univ campus)? I will graduate from a UC school in june. Should i retake DAT?


PS: pickles are gross!

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

had only 1 pre-dec interview and was rejected. had a second one early dec, and decision pending...not gonna be too optimistic. no word even from big private schools NYU, Tufts, USC. and those are my target schools that i want to go to!

given that even after interview, adcoms re-review the ENTIRE app, i believe it's my gpa (science ~3.25) that gave me the first post-interview boot. DAT is 19.

So I am onto planB just in case:
I know about formal postbacc like barry and nova, but i dont really want to go that far. On predents i see so many ppl doing postbac work but how do their GPAs get SOOO high after postbacc? i thought its just a yr worth of science classes calculated INTO your existing undergrad gpa. so how is it possible to go from the 3.5-->3.9 that i see??

im not a URM and really REALLY dislike lab work/research (so MS programs might not be the best for me), so what are my options? Is it ok to have an informal postbacc at a 4yr STATE school (like a California State Univ campus)? I will graduate from a UC school in june. Should i retake DAT?


PS: pickles are gross!

Just want to get a little bit of information about your situation. Overall GPA, EC's, individual DAT scores, when did you have all of your applications into schools?

 

[wantVCUdental]

had only 1 pre-dec interview and was rejected. had a second one early dec, and decision pending...not gonna be too optimistic. no word even from big private schools NYU, Tufts, USC. and those are my target schools that i want to go to!

given that even after interview, adcoms re-review the ENTIRE app, i believe it's my gpa (science ~3.25) that gave me the first post-interview boot. DAT is 19.

So I am onto planB just in case:
I know about formal postbacc like barry and nova, but i dont really want to go that far. On predents i see so many ppl doing postbac work but how do their GPAs get SOOO high after postbacc? i thought its just a yr worth of science classes calculated INTO your existing undergrad gpa. so how is it possible to go from the 3.5-->3.9 that i see??

im not a URM and really REALLY dislike lab work/research (so MS programs might not be the best for me), so what are my options? Is it ok to have an informal postbacc at a 4yr STATE school (like a California State Univ campus)? I will graduate from a UC school in june. Should i retake DAT?


PS: pickles are gross!

Just out of curiosity, where did you interview?
I think you aren't doing so bad, while a 19DAT with 3.25 is slightly below entering average, schools will look for grade trends, school you are coming from, your ECs and LORs, so if those are good, I think you stand a good chance this cycle. Considering you already had 2 interviews, that says you have some favorable characteristiics that schools are looking for.

The reason you haven't heard from several schools is because you aren't the strongest type of applicant who has 21+DAT and 3.5+, so you will probablly hear in the second or third round of admissions.

Good luck

 

[skylark]

i interviewd late nov at MWU. my apps have been more or less complete/ under review for some time mid-August/october at schools like BU, Tufts, temple. NYU complete late october (maybe i missed the pre-dec spots). i really wouldnt mind going to any of these schools.

ECs are unique and LORs are fine, dont think they will hold me back.

Thanks for the reassurance guys, but could you help answer my question for options? before my dad disowns me haha, i really need to have a backup plan just in case to boost my gpa..just not sure what route is best. thanks, all

 

[jmt1984]

On predents i see so many ppl doing postbac work but how do their GPAs get SOOO high after postbacc? i thought its just a yr worth of science classes calculated INTO your existing undergrad gpa. so how is it possible to go from the 3.5-->3.9 that i see??!

People may be reporting what GPA they had during the post-bac rather that an overall combined GPA. If you do have a lower GPA from undergrad and do a postbac or Masters you do need to count on the trend improving. You aren't going to significantly shift your GPA (based on 132 credits) with another 32 (even if all As), but you can impress them with the trend!

 

[skylark]

so can i just take an informal post bacc (as in take more upper division science classes) at a nearby state school? i might move back home after college.

where do most ppl do their postbaccs (do they take a 5th yr at current university or what)? nobody mentions anywhere specific in my searches!

 

[eliot81]

I did my post bac at the cheapest place I could find. It was not a community college but it was the local city college, if that makes sense. I did not do a formal post bac bc/ there was not one offered, so I just took the classes I needed on my own. At first, I was concerned that A's from such an institution would not count as much but they were good enough to get into dental school so I think it was a good value. The big advice I can give you if you decide to go that route is that because the cheaper institutions serve larger populations with less funding, you are probably going to have to hustle to get into classes and labs. At least that has been my experience.

Good Luck!

 

[UFRalo]

I am starting a MS (Microbiology) next semester at my undergrad institution. I have a really strong upward GPA, haven't taken the DAT, and have a low GPA (3.4o and 3.2s). If you don't like research, you may just want to take classes somewhere near your home or do a 5th year at your current school. Personally, I like my research so my Master's will be good for me, but I think it may be better for you to just take some extra classes. Then again, you may get in this cycle!
Good Luck!🙂

 

[skylark]

so my parents want me to go with a masters instead of postbacc b/c at least I will have a degree which can maybe land me a job should dentistry not work.

is there a site where i can look up masters (WITHOUT THESIS), ideally in california? or do you guys know of any?

They also want me to get a part-time job while im at it to give me job experience in case d-school doesnt fly. where have you guys worked during your postbacc/masters year? im a bio major and i dislike research, so im not sure what else is out there?

so stressed outtttt!!!!! i just want to get into dental school!

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

It sounds like your best option, the one w/ the least hassle that is, is to kill the DAT. Take it one more time and really prepare for it. What is your overall gpa?

 

[skylark]

my overall gpa is a 3.5. If i dont get in this year, i will most likely retake the DAT

But to defend my lower undergrad gpa...should i go postbacc or masters?
to me, a postbacc doesnt do anything other than help you get into dental school...but what happens if i DONT get into dschool AGAIN? i wont have a new degree and am pretty much back at same position as when i finished college. it might also be easier to do well in my postbacc at a local state college than if i do a masters right?

With a masters, it doesnt boost my undergrad gpa but gives me a new masters gpa. is that better? and IF i dont get into dschool again, at least i have a masters and may look for a job. although i hate working in labs and dont know what non-lab options i would have.

so my question is.. should i do postbacc or masters w/o thesis? and which one has a higher success rate. my father is totally stressing me out and grilling me about my future. THANKS!

 

[smiles123]

Johns Hopkins has a Master's program in Biotechnology (no thesis). It can be completed 100% online so you can stay in CA instead of moving to the east coast. A friend of mine is in this program and she loves it (did it after she didn't get into med school). Its super flexible so you can work full time and do the coursework online at your own convenience. Tuition is killer though since its a private school. Good luck!

http://advanced.jhu.edu/academic/biotechnology/