Is There Hope?

[madolee]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi, I was wondering if people here can help me with some advice for improving my application status. I graduated from UC Davis with a BS in biological sciences. My stats were
cumulative-2.75
BCP-2.63
science-2.8

Most of the damage was done during the first three years and I did much better during my senior year. Ive also got over 100 hours of dental shadowing.
Is there any hope for me getting into a dental school? Some people tell me I should take some more undergrad science classes to improve my GPA but Ive already taken most major science classes since i was a bio sci. major (thus it will not improve my GPA much).
Ive also heard that some special masters programs and formal post bacs are good ways to bolster my resume. But I heard that even these programs are competitive and difficult to get into. What do you guys think I should do? Take more undergrad classes and ace them or try to get into a smp or postbac (and how would I go about doing that with my low grades?). Or is there something else I can do? Or is there no hope?

Im a totally different person now then I was when I was as a freshman in college. I just want to be able to show the dental schools that so that they will give me a chance.
Any help would be much appreciated. THANKS!

 

[jigabodo]

Hello fellow aggie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am from UC Davis as well, class of 2007 baby!!!!!

To be completely honest, my GPA was also a disaster before sophomore year. I had a below 3.0 overall or something like that. I think if you just try your hardest taking formal/informal posbac classes for a year straight, it may just be possible to pull your GPA to almost 3.0, maybe even a little higher. The key is to try to get AS MANY A+ as possible, because it counts 4.3 on AADSAS, which helped me tremendously.

You also need to destroy the DAT - with a sub 3.0 I would suggest shooting for something like a 24 or above.

If you can do the 2 things above and apply early for next cycle, I think you actually will have a decent shot.

Hope it helps. Dont hesitate to PM or whatever if you got more questions.

 

[Meatwad]

Hello fellow aggie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am from UC Davis as well, class of 2007 baby!!!!!

To be completely honest, my GPA was also a disaster before sophomore year. I had a below 3.0 overall or something like that. I think if you just try your hardest taking formal/informal posbac classes for a year straight, it may just be possible to pull your GPA to almost 3.0, maybe even a little higher. The key is to try to get AS MANY A+ as possible, because it counts 4.3 on AADSAS, which helped me tremendously.

Hmm, you sure about that? I'm skeptical, because 90% of schools don't have an A+. Therefore, we are at a disdvantage when comparing grades with people from other schools. Seems very unfair that a class I got a perfect grade in is given less points than a perfect grade a student got at another school.

 

[Montserrat]

Hmm, you sure about that? I'm skeptical, because 90% of schools don't have an A+. Therefore, we are at a disdvantage when comparing grades with people from other schools. Seems very unfair that a class I got a perfect grade in is given less points than a perfect grade a student got at another school.

I know quite a few schools that have an option of an A+ grade, but remains a 4.00 when calculating the school's determined GPA. I earned one from an uptight immunology professor, and it read in my transcript as a 4.0 distinguished. However, when checking with AADSAS, it was considered a 4.3. It helped me out a bit.

 

[jigabodo]

Hmm, you sure about that? I'm skeptical, because 90% of schools don't have an A+. Therefore, we are at a disdvantage when comparing grades with people from other schools. Seems very unfair that a class I got a perfect grade in is given less points than a perfect grade a student got at another school.

Well, I know for sure UC Davis gives out A+ because I went there. I know the OP also goes to Davis, so thats why I said "try" to aim for the A+. Its extremely difficult though; seeing how most professors give out 1 single A+ in a classes of 300+.