Ok i'll cut straight to the chase, as I'm sure you guys are busy. I'm currently one semester away from graduating. Im already in the process of enlisting in the Air Force sometime mid next year. I'm a senior with an embarrassingly low gpa. 2.7 to be exact. The highest I can bring it up to would be a 2.8. I am a political science major and have taken two science courses. I earned a c in both. Throughout undergrad I've had numerous illnesses and deaths occur. Not to mention I've had to work 60 hrs plus some weeks. I want to be taken seriously and attend dental school one day. I know for a fact I'm capable of pulling off stellar grades. Should I go back to school and major in biology? What are my chances? This forum is extremely helpful and the members on it are exceptionally bright. I just need some answers, thank you.
In need of some serious advice
- Thread starter Sw1417
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2014
- Messages
- 722
- Reaction score
- 846
I would advise to finish your major as a back up plan. Then I would proceed forward with a masters or post-bacc to get pre-reqs and bring up grades (or switch to bio/chem and earn a double major and postpone graduation until completion of both majors) . You are going to need to shoot for A's in all classes here on out. It's going to take a lot of hard work but one thing you have on your side is only having taken 2 science courses (I'm guessing you mean intro bio or gen chem like classes and not political science classes) means that your bcpGPA and sGPA will be very move-able and a science heavy course load with 3.7-4.0 stats will really skyrocket those up and make them bump up your application. When it comes time to take the DAT you need to do 22+ to make yourself stand out and show that you've pulled yourself together. Use these lessons to write a awesome PS and you will be set! ADCOMS looks for strong upward trends in your situation and the ability to overcome hardships! Good luck you can definitely do it!
Thank you so much for the kind words and for taking your time out to respond! I just needed to know from individuals who are successful to give me sound advice and on whether or not my dream is possible of achieving. Yes my two courses that I recieved those grades in were bio I and geology.
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2011
- Messages
- 237
- Reaction score
- 135
I know you said that you're "enlisting," but I just wanted to be absolutely sure. Are you enlisting or commissioning? If you're enlisting, is it because you don't want to officially graduate so you don't come back to school as a post-bac?
No I'm enlisting, I didn't get a commission/slot. I dont mind returning as a post-bac. I just wasn't sure about how to approach this. I plan on taking a few courses while enlisted, get out and use the GI bill and raise my gpa but I have no clue on how to go about it.
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2011
- Messages
- 237
- Reaction score
- 135
Hmm. Well if you're enlisting, you might as well not complete your degree and wait a little bit until you're more established at your permanent duty station. Do you get E-3 right out of bootcamp for your college course credits? I would recommend taking some classes while you're in to boost your GPA. One or two classes here and there. Make use of your tuition assistance (TA). When you get out, decide whether you want to finish your Poli Sci degree or change to a science major. If you do change, then you'll have like two more years ahead of you at least. Save your GI Bill and apply to state schools all across the US. Find schools that will give you in-state if you use the GI Bill. GI bill will cover everything from tuition, dental kits, liability insurance, and give you a monthly stipend for living expenses. On top of that, if there is a VA Hospital nearby, you can get the health fee waived. You'll be out of dental school only with the debt you accumulated from your undergrad.
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2014
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 8
Start looking into a masters.
Thank you! Post-bac prices!? Forgive my ignorance but whyvisnt extra to obtain a 2nd degree that's not a masters or a Phd?
Masters? I've done a lot of research these past few days and I've came to the conclusion that it may be wise to get a degree in microbiology and the a few more science courses as well.
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2011
- Messages
- 237
- Reaction score
- 135
Masters and PhDs are technically post-bac degrees, except, at least in the sciences, PhDs are covered by the universities. At my school, the price per unit for a Masters student is the same as the price per unit for a post-bac student. That price is greater than that of a first time undergrad's price per unit.
