I might have to retake 3 classes and I have a low GPA. Time to quit or no?

[thisismyacct]

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I'm currently a sophomore with a GPA anywhere from 2.51-2.75. At my school I have a 2.51 but when I was in high school I took some dual credit classes and therefore my GPA from that time brings up what my GPA actually is. I took 13 credits (4 classes) and my grades were a B-, B, and either 2 A's or 2 A-'s.

My freshman year was a ****show of epic proportions on all levels, but mostly academically. These were my grades in the prereqs:

• bio 1 and lab: B- and C+ (I had an A at the midterm but then I got too cocky and didn't study enough)
• bio 2: B (would have been at least a B+ if not for one test)
• gen chem 1 and lab: D and C- (I didn't know how to study, fell behind, didn't get help when I needed it)
• gen chem 2 and lab: D and B-
• 2 other science classes (not prereqs): B and B+

This semester it looks like my grades in science classes might be:

• microbiology: C-, maybe a C
• orgo 1 and lab: D and C+ but I might be able to bring that D up to a C.

My poor grades can really be attributed to me being a lazy sack of ****. I realized that after last year but it never hit me until a few days ago. In class I can grasp the concepts but because I don't study consistently enough, I don't do well. I also have difficult focusing and I'm going to the doctor's to get that checked out.

My point is I'm doing poorly because of a lack of effort but I can't seem to end my lack of putting in effort. The mental capacity is there, but not the drive and discipline to work at it

Obviously, I've dug myself into a hole. What makes this a tricky situation is that I want to transfer too so I need to keep my GPA at at least a 2.50 for that (and you know, a high GPA for the whole dental school thing).

There's no guarantee I do better next semester. I'm also not set on becoming a doctor or dentist. I was talking with a distant relative of mine and he recommended dentistry for me, and I think he made some valid points so I'm seriously considering that but again, I haven't shadowed either jobs so I'm not sure yet. If I were to do something non-medical I would probably become a clinical psychologist.

My question is: should I just forget about medical or dental school and change my major and career plans? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

 

[Toothout]

If you really want this, and you are fully aware of the stats you need to get it, that should be enough motivation to work it out!

 

[DentalHopeful16679]

If your concerns are about your ability to put in the effort and that you lack the motivation, find out why that is. I think to be a dentist you need to have the proper motivation and if you don't, consider the reason for that and that'll give you a promising start! You need to be willing to sacrifice for dentistry and if you can't do that better to figure that out sooner than later!

 

[Dr. Anonymous]

If your concerns are about your ability to put in the effort and that you lack the motivation, find out why that is. I think to be a dentist you need to have the proper motivation and if you don't, consider the reason for that and that'll give you a promising start! You need to be willing to sacrifice for dentistry and if you can't do that better to figure that out sooner than later!

Well said, I agree with this and would like to add that it's a long road my friend. Take some time to sit down and reflect if this is the career that you would truly like to pursue and if it is, then I believe you can turn it around but will need to show a solid upward trend. Best of luck to you!

 

[Μοlar Βear]

I graduated with like a 2.8 and took 2 years of straight As to get interviews .. Def possible, and ur only a sophomore. I hate to use the phrase "lol" .. but if you really, really buckle down.. you'll be fine (I WISHHHH I was only a sophomore when I had a low GPA!!!).

I was a slacker, too. Now I feel like an insane robot. It's all good tho *twitch*

(Jk, buckle down)

 

[Likkriue]

Everyone wants to be nice and tell you that you can turn it around. The truth is that, yes you can turn it around. The question is will you?

If you have no desire or drive, then no you will not succeed in ANY path you want to take. The next two years will either help or worsen your prospects of getting into medical or dental school.

Goodluck.

 

[8_man]

I'm currently a sophomore with a GPA anywhere from 2.51-2.75. At my school I have a 2.51 but when I was in high school I took some dual credit classes and therefore my GPA from that time brings up what my GPA actually is. I took 13 credits (4 classes) and my grades were a B-, B, and either 2 A's or 2 A-'s.

My freshman year was a ****show of epic proportions on all levels, but mostly academically. These were my grades in the prereqs:

• bio 1 and lab: B- and C+ (I had an A at the midterm but then I got too cocky and didn't study enough)
• bio 2: B (would have been at least a B+ if not for one test)
• gen chem 1 and lab: D and C- (I didn't know how to study, fell behind, didn't get help when I needed it)
• gen chem 2 and lab: D and B-
• 2 other science classes (not prereqs): B and B+

This semester it looks like my grades in science classes might be:

• microbiology: C-, maybe a C
• orgo 1 and lab: D and C+ but I might be able to bring that D up to a C.

My poor grades can really be attributed to me being a lazy sack of ****. I realized that after last year but it never hit me until a few days ago. In class I can grasp the concepts but because I don't study consistently enough, I don't do well. I also have difficult focusing and I'm going to the doctor's to get that checked out.

My point is I'm doing poorly because of a lack of effort but I can't seem to end my lack of putting in effort. The mental capacity is there, but not the drive and discipline to work at it

Obviously, I've dug myself into a hole. What makes this a tricky situation is that I want to transfer too so I need to keep my GPA at at least a 2.50 for that (and you know, a high GPA for the whole dental school thing).

There's no guarantee I do better next semester. I'm also not set on becoming a doctor or dentist. I was talking with a distant relative of mine and he recommended dentistry for me, and I think he made some valid points so I'm seriously considering that but again, I haven't shadowed either jobs so I'm not sure yet. If I were to do something non-medical I would probably become a clinical psychologist.

My question is: should I just forget about medical or dental school and change my major and career plans? What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Gonna be real for a sec, sorry if I offend you. But I genuinely want to help you.

Ask yourself this–why dentistry? Or at the very least, why healthcare? I think your lack of motivation is a consequence of you not knowing what you want in life. If you can't even answer this, I would suggest you save your time and make the switch now.

But if you believe dentistry/medicine is for you, then I can tell you that it's not too late. You're gonna have to buckle down right now, though, otherwise you're gonna have a real hard time getting in.

 

[personalstatementsbyeric]

Yea, I'm sorry but you would have to retake most of those classes get A's in them and basically get straight A's for the rest of your college career to have even a chance at adcoms forgiving two years. That along with a solid DAT, EC's, research, shadowing and you may have a chance. I'm not one for giving up, but you have to ask yourself if you can do that. If not you need to find a career or profession that you can work with.

 

[thisismyacct]

I graduated with like a 2.8 and took 2 years of straight As to get interviews .. Def possible, and ur only a sophomore. I hate to use the phrase "lol" .. but if you really, really buckle down.. you'll be fine (I WISHHHH I was only a sophomore when I had a low GPA!!!).

I was a slacker, too. Now I feel like an insane robot. It's all good tho *twitch*

(Jk, buckle down)

What specifically did you do to change?

 

[thisismyacct]

Gonna be real for a sec, sorry if I offend you. But I genuinely want to help you.

Ask yourself this–why dentistry? Or at the very least, why healthcare? I think your lack of motivation is a consequence of you not knowing what you want in life. If you can't even answer this, I would suggest you save your time and make the switch now.

But if you believe dentistry/medicine is for you, then I can tell you that it's not too late. You're gonna have to buckle down right now, though, otherwise you're gonna have a real hard time getting in.

I think what you said in the bold might be a contributing factor. I also think its a matter of "how bad do you want it?"

 

[schmoob]

You can do it. I'm not sugarcoating it, I mean it. You just have TO WANT IT. You're only a sophomore so retake some of the courses you need to and rock the DAT. Show your improvement and I'm sure you will get in. People have done worse and gotten accepted.
You aren't being lazy, you're just overwhelmed so you're avoiding the work because it brings on stress and anxiety.
Grab those classes by the throat and kill em'. Finals are coming up, so start with that.

 

[workofshart]

It's not a question of if you can do it, but rather will you do it? Nothing worth having in life comes easy so decide if you're going to sacrifice and work hard over the next couple years or give up and always wonder what your true potential was. Good luck.

 

[Μοlar Βear]

What specifically did you do to change?

Well, first I needed a turning point. Mine was when I was at my lowest (pm me for details!). After that I was tired of feeling like such a loser and not chasing my dreams. I had a gpa of roughly 2.8 after maybe 140 credits.. that grade barely moves anymore.

I started surrounding my life with helpful influences. I used to be a gym rat.. I had to give that up and become a gym mouse (for me that was a big stab to my personality- let's call it a sacrifice). I gave up most of my fun on the weekends, trading it all in for relaxing movies IF I was done studying. I took an informal post bac taking physics, bio, chem, anatomy, physiology, micro, cell, orgo, and some research and got As in all of them (I was never an A student in my life.. but this time I wanted it, and was willing to work for it). I sought a job as a dental assistant on Craigslist and landed one for 350 hours worth of experience.. during this semester I'm only taking biochem with research and I have 450 hours as a dental technician. I have strong leadership roles at my dental club.. and I basically set up my life to prepare myself for dental school.. I wanted my interviewers to know I was serious.

I still only have a 3.16 ogpa (even after like 60 credits of all As.. I calculated I'd have to get 130 MORE credits of straight As just for a 3.5!) I'm pretty sure I'm seen as an "interesting" applicant.. even if I don't get in this cycle, I'll keep chasing this- I feel like I'm just getting warmed up.

If you have enough spite for yourself for doing worse than you know you're capable of.. you can turn anything around.

 

[thisismyacct]

You can do it. I'm not sugarcoating it, I mean it. You just have TO WANT IT. You're only a sophomore so retake some of the courses you need to and rock the DAT. Show your improvement and I'm sure you will get in. People have done worse and gotten accepted.
You aren't being lazy, you're just overwhelmed so you're avoiding the work because it brings on stress and anxiety.
Grab those classes by the throat and kill em'. Finals are coming up, so start with that.

Yes! I think this is the simplest and best explanation for my mindset. Is there a good way to overcome this? I'm thinking the best way might be for me to just say "Screw it, I'm just gonna get this done".

 

[thisismyacct]

It's not a question of if you can do it, but rather will you do it? Nothing worth having in life comes easy so decide if you're going to sacrifice and work hard over the next couple years or give up and always wonder what your true potential was. Good luck.

I hate regret so whenever I think of quitting I just keep thinking how much I would hate myself in the future for being lazy.

 

[Tooth Ferry]

Good news and bad news: You have enough time to turn it around!
But I can tell you that even if you do turn it around and you get in, it doesn't get any easier; in fact it gets even harder. Your whole life is going to be studying/working. At most schools, you'll have exams either once a week or blocks of exams. I have maybe an hour of free time a day when I'm not studying. Curves don't really exist, at least at my school, and everyone is a good student. The workload is immense: picture lectures scheduled from 8am-5pm many days, with exams thrown in there.

You CAN do it. The questions is where does your motivation come from. Why do you want to pursue dentistry/medicine? Is it worth it for you to take out $500,000 in debt so that you can finance this? Keep in mind that people can and do flunk out of dental school. Again, if you have a fire lit under your butt and are willing to devote all of your waking hours to this pursuit, more power to you.

But I urge you to evaluate your reasoning for choosing this path and consider whether you could be happier doing something else.
Good luck either way.