Improving Application for next cycle/gap year options

[umrk]

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Hello all,

I applied with a 3.2s/3.4oGPA and 18AA and have not received any interviews (no surprise there).
I am currently a senior planning on re-taking the DAT this spring and need some advice as to what to do next year. I re-calculated my GPA after the fall semester and it has gone down a bit (got a C+ in Orgo III :/) so it is now around 3.1s/3.3oGPA. I am currently taking two science classes and hoping to get A's in them. I know what I have done wrong with my classes and the DAT so I know how to improve. What is worrisome about my application though is a downward trend in my GPA due to transferring schools. I am also planning on getting a new science LOR because I feel that one of them were not as strong.
With my GPA, would an informal post-bacc where I take upper level biology classes do the trick (I want to take anatomy and physiology anyway) or should I look into one-year master's programs?
Any other suggestions would be very helpful!

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

If you still have plenty of upper division biology classes, I would recommend an informal post bac. It's cheaper and works just as well( if you do well that is.) A masters program can help also but it's generally more expensive but you get a degree out of it (although, what good is that degree once you become a dentist?). This was the advice I was given from adcoms and deans. I would suggest calling the schools you plan on applying to just to make sure.

Btw, why did you take Orgo 3? It's not a prereq for dental school.

 

[shays]

Hi.
I was in a similar situation (3.35 undergrad GPA, 18 DAT) and I decided to do a special master's program. I think if you only want to do one semesters worth of classes then informal post-bacc work would be fine. But if you are going to do a years worth of classes, you might as well get a master's out of it. I got a 3.93 in the fall semester of my master's program and still haven't been accepted. I think taking master's level classes and doing well in them definitely would add a lot to your application. Warning though: it is hard as hell. Don't register for post-bacc classes just to get a low GPA again. I think that would make your app look even worse. If I don't get accepted this year and have to reapply, I think the master's degree will help me get better jobs in my gap year too!

 

[umrk]

Btw, why did you take Orgo 3? It's not a prereq for dental school.

It was required for my major 🙁

Hi.
I was in a similar situation (3.35 undergrad GPA, 18 DAT) and I decided to do a special master's program. I think if you only want to do one semesters worth of classes then informal post-bacc work would be fine. But if you are going to do a years worth of classes, you might as well get a master's out of it. I got a 3.93 in the fall semester of my master's program and still haven't been accepted. I think taking master's level classes and doing well in them definitely would add a lot to your application. Warning though: it is hard as hell. Don't register for post-bacc classes just to get a low GPA again. I think that would make your app look even worse. If I don't get accepted this year and have to reapply, I think the master's degree will help me get better jobs in my gap year too!

so are you saying that it would be better to do a master's in my gap year? ideally, I would like to get accepted next cycle and not take another gap year. As for upper level bio classes, I've already taken biochem, microbio, and a development class but still need to take anatomy and physiology.

 

[DentalLonghorn2014]

It was required for my major 🙁



so are you saying that it would be better to do a master's in my gap year? ideally, I would like to get accepted next cycle and not take another gap year. As for upper level bio classes, I've already taken biochem, microbio, and a development class but still need to take anatomy and physiology.

Ah darn man. :/
I still stand by on what I said. However, I think just taking classes for a year in an informal post bac would be better overall if you have a lot more bio classes to take.