Is this a good Explanation for my low gpa?

[lgreen_aci]

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I am in the process of figuring out a good answer as to why my first first semester of college was awesome grade wise, and then for the next 4 semesters sucked, and then now have made a huge change for the better since deciding to become a dentist.

I am trying to be 100% honest and eliminate the excuses. Here is what I came up with. What do you all think?

(obviously I will re-word this a bit, and write it up better for actuall use, but this just give you the basic idea) Also I briefly touched on some of my reasons for wanting to be a dentist, but I do plan to develope those reasons a bit better as more reasons or better reinforcing reasons become available as I continue job shadowing and what not.

Ok here it is:

I thought I wanted to be a medical doctor going out of high school into college, but it was just talk and I wasn't serious enough about it, and had no idea what being a med doc was about. So the goal of being a med doc was not very motivating for me. My lack of motivation and orietation for a goal sent me in a downward spiral of confusion and carelessness, and my grades got kind of bad (gpa dropped to like 2.5). By this point I thought I'd just become a biologist or bio teacher. I had become so consumed w/ thinking i wanted to be a medical doctor that I had forgot about who I really was and what my true talents were. I took a low course load during the winter semester so I could spend some time thinking and getting organized, goal oriented, and hopefully more motivated. Looking back, all the signs were there. As another person said on this forum "Just admit you are a sick little freak who has a creepy fascination with the oral cavity". It was true, but I had missed it. I had always got in trouble for taking everything in the house apart. I was always the person everyone came to when they needed something fixed. I loved going to the orthodontist and dentist. My senior year of high school I did my speech final on how to brush your teeth. I did my senior career project in english on becoming and orthodontist after spending a good amount of time talking about becoming a dentist w/ my orthodontist.. I was so obssessed with the idea of become a medical doctor for the fame and glory that I forgot what I really liked, and that was helping people, teaching people, fixing things, and working with my hands. And so all the evidence was there, and I decided that I really needed to looking into dentistry more. I started job shadowing my orthodontist a week later and a gen dent the same week, and BAM! Now I know what I want to do w/ my life. There is no better feeling if you ask me, than having a patient look up at you after a 4 hour reconstruction, tooth whitening, or 2+ years of orthodontics and finally feeling good enough about their appearance to smile, and knowing that it was worth every bit of the dentists time and effort just to have that person finally feel good about themself. Now I know what I want to do w/ my life and am finally motivated to get it done. ITS ABOUT TIME!

Do you guys think this a good explanation for why I will probably only have like a 2.9 gpa when I apply? (for both the interview, if i am so lucky, and to be incorperated somehow into my personal statement?) Any constructive criticizm is appriciated.

Thanks,

lg

 

[Dino_D]

Most schools have a computer that crunches numbers for them and your GPA is heavily weighted. If you don't make at least a minimum GPA you won't even get to the interview.

 

[lgreen_aci]

Perhaps at some schools, but the under 3.0 thread is evidence that obviously many people still get in w/ 3.0 gpa and under. I think if I do awesome on the dat (like 20+ on TS/PA) and have good recs, good personal statement, good job shadowing, good volunteer experience, and a private liberal arts ciriculum, I might still have a fighting chance.

I'm going to try really hard to get it up to a 3.0, but I don't know if it will happen.

 

[Dino_D]

Perhaps at some schools, but the under 3.0 thread is evidence that obviously many people still get in w/ 3.0 gpa and under. I think if I do awesome on the dat (like 20+ on TS/PA) and have good recs, good personal statement, good job shadowing, good volunteer experience, and a private liberal arts ciriculum, I might still have a fighting chance.

I'm going to try really hard to get it up to a 3.0, but I don't know if it will happen.

Which schools are these??

 

[lgreen_aci]

Lots of them. Look in the thread titled "Under 3.0 gpa and still got in".

Also on predents.com or even in some peoples sigs they list having a gpa under 3.0 and list being accepted to a school.

I've done my research, so I'm not so much worried about that. I am more worried about explaining why my gpa is low, hence the point of this thread.

 

[lgreen_aci]

Actually I was wrong. It looks like if I retake the bio class I got a D in, and get mostly A's and worse case a few B's next year I should be able to pull a 3.03 cum gpa and a 3.05 science. If I get all A's, then I should be able to get a 3.175 cum and 3.24 science. Plus I can take more credits during winter semester to bump it up a bit maybe. Also my calculation despite using the same forumula always ends up like .1 or .2 different from what is on my transcript, so it could end up being a bit higher.

I know I shouldn't retake a class, but if it is the diff between having over a 3.0 and only having a 3.0 or slightly less, it seems like it would be worth it.

Just have to work my @$$ off and I might have a chance.

 

[utahdent123]

The wording needs a lot of work. As for the reason, I think it's legitmate, just figure out a way to incorporate it into your essay. Because chances are that will be the only chance you get to explain your academic performance. If you get an interview then you can then elaborate when they ask you. I think you just need to iron out the details and make it clear that in order to excel in life it has to be something you love. And finding out medical doctor was not for you was a learning experience and you are now a better student as a result of the lesson. Show them you have learned from your mistakes. Good luck.

 

[lgreen_aci]

Great advice. Thank you.

 

[Dino_D]

Maybe I didn't read your post carefully enough but are you all done with your 4 year degree and have a 2.90 GPA or is that your GPA after 1 year of undergrad? If it's just after 1 year then it's not too late. If not, then hopefully someone on some admission committee will see your side and give you a favourable review. TBH, some people may find that long story just one long excuse for your 2.9 GPA. Not trying to rag on you but that's my opinion.

 

[lgreen_aci]

I am a junior in undergrad, but planning to stay an extra year after my senior year. (applying hopefully may of 2007 for entry to class of 2008) After first semester of freshman year I had like a 3.5 and then the spring semester, sophmore year, and first semester of my junior year included some not so impressive grades (mostly C's and B's, and two D's 🙁 ).



That is a totally fair perspective, but how should I go about explaining my bad years then? I mean, I was lazy and unmotivated...I don't know what else to say that wouldn't seem like more of an excuse.

thanks for the advice.

 

[L8DYV]

 

[Dino_D]

All I can say is focus on the positives. They KNOW why you did poorly unless you tell them you had a tragedy during those years like the passing of a loved one or something which hopefully didn't happen in your case. So if you don't mention something earthshaking like that I would just stay positive and enthusiastic during the interview and tell them you're now ready to do what it takes. Whatever you do, don't make them feel sorry for you. Put yourself in their shoes and try listening to someone with a sob story. They want to add someone motivated and excited to their class, someone they can be proud of when they graduate them in 4 years. It also doesn't hurt to apply to as many schools as possible to increase your chances.

 

[lgreen_aci]

Edit: Nevermind L8DYV edited his/her post.

 

[dat_student]

....As another person said on this forum "Just admit you are a sick little freak who has a creepy fascination with the oral cavity". ....

Don't use the quote for your personal statement.

...I was so obssessed with the idea of become a medical doctor for the fame and glory that I forgot what I really liked, and that was helping people, teaching people, fixing things, and working with my hands. And so all the evidence was there, and I decided that I really needed to looking into dentistry more....

Can't medical doctors & surgeons do all of the things you stated (helping people, teaching, fixing, working...)?

 

[lgreen_aci]

I have no intention on using that quote. Just saw it and it described what I was thinking at the moment. Like I said this was just a quick listing of my ideas basically, nothing formal, nothing that wont get totally redone.

Yes, but like I said, still working on that. I also prefer owning my own business, setting my own hours, not paying outragous malpractice premiums, not missing out on seeing my family grow up, and I would rather stick my hand in someones mouth than @ss or genital region. Also I would rather focus on one area/region of the body, not have to deal with death and the more complicated and serious ethical issues that come w/ medicine.

 

[food4thots]

if you don't already know, AADSAS calculates your GPA based on your class and also includes your replaced grade. so if you got an F (0.0) in the class and later replaced that grade with and A (4.0), it'll average out to a C (2.0). but you should repeat the course anyways to show your proficiency.

regarding bad grades, it happens. many people give explanations about their personal life interfering with the academics.

 

[mochafreak]

I wouldn't spend more than three sentences explaining poor grades. I was admitted with a 3.0 overall and 2.9 science and I addressed my grades very quickly in my PS. Focus on what you've done since (in other words, try to get A's and B+'s from now on).

Also, focus on what unique qualities you can bring to a dental school and the profession. Don't TELL the adcoms why you want to be a dentist, because everyone's interested in dentistry for very similar reasons. Paint them a picture of experiences that demonstrate your unique strengths and show them how those strengths will allow you to be an excellent dentist.

Look at the essay writing tips on this website and read examples of good essays, they are very helpful.

 

[martinelli]

I am a junior in undergrad, but planning to stay an extra year after my senior year. (applying hopefully may of 2007 for entry to class of 2008) After first semester of freshman year I had like a 3.5 and then the spring semester, sophmore year, and first semester of my junior year included some not so impressive grades (mostly C's and B's, and two D's 🙁 ).



That is a totally fair perspective, but how should I go about explaining my bad years then? I mean, I was lazy and unmotivated...I don't know what else to say that wouldn't seem like more of an excuse.

thanks for the advice.

Hi there,

Since you are only a junior and are planning to spend an extra year after your senior year, basically, you have 2 years to pull up your grades. 2 years is a significant amount of time to reverse the damage on your transcript. My 2 cents is to not stress out about having to explain it to the adcom--if they ask you during the interview, you can tell them but don't be the first one to bring it up, especially on your personal statement. Your application should only convey why they should pick you and not a place to bring up past damages. Having said that, however, you must work really hard to bring up your GPA for the next few years; get at least a 3.5 each semester/quarter. The key is to show adcoms that you are capable of doing well in school. Also, try to take as many upper science courses each quarter as humanly possible. Finally, your DAT scores could really save you from having to explain your grades to anybody. What I mean is that if you score 22+ on the AA portion, no one will pay attention to your C's in undergrad.

 

[Demeter]

Sure you have a chance. But you need to get your GPA up to a 3.0
I guess there are a few people getting in with a lower GPA but every year it gets more competetive. I heard that last years applicants that got in at my Dental School had an average GPA of 3.7.

 

[syn_apse]

make sure you rock your DATs. i know a lot of 3.5 GPAs that didn't get in anywhere this year... it's rough out there 😱

also, i would use very little (if any) of what you wrote. long-winded excuses draw too much attention to your weaknesses. and your statement "I loved going to the orthodontist and dentist" sounds either phoney or hilarious. i'm not sure which... 😉

 

[lgreen_aci]

That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks everyone.

Here is what I was planning: (next year, prepare for dat and apply, second year, finish pre-reqs and get additional upper division classes as prep for dental school)

Next year (senior year)
-Take 2 sem of O-Chem w/ lab
-Take 2 sem of Anatomy and Physiology
-Take 1 sem of cadaver lab
-Take 1 sem of Microbio
-Take 1 sem of Sculpture (art)
-And probably a few other classes to get the GPA up
-Study like mad for the DAT
-Apply the second the app is available in may
-take DAT mid summer

2nd Senior Year
-2 sem of physics and lab
-1 sem of biochem
-1 sem of advanced writing
-1 sem of developmental biology
-1 sem of cadavar lab
-more upper division bio classes

Any other suggestion?

Thanks so much for all the help. It will be a lot of work, but I am feeling up to it.

 

[syn_apse]

if you can pull off those 4 semesters with mostly A's, you will definitely make yourself a stronger applicant. make sure your attention is not divided when you study for the DATs. i took the whole month of august off from work to prep for mine. just stay motivated and it should work out.

the harder you work the luckier you get 😎

 

[korndoctor]

it sounds like you realized you wouldn't get into med school and decided to apply to dental school as the next thing after med school. at least that's the feeling i get after reading it and admission officers will definately see right through this.

the reasons you mention for dentistry: they don't sound personal. instead they sound like reasons other practicing dentists provided for you.

also, those reasons could be used for any other profession including medicine.

anyone else agree?

 

[kkbouche]

I definitely got the same impression from what he wrote. Instead of making up a bunch of excuses, just focus on what dentistry may offer you and what you can offer. Also, talk about what you will do once you are dentist...does clinical research interest you? What about teaching dentistry? Show that you did some research into the profession and looked at it in a more holistic manner.

it sounds like you realized you wouldn't get into med school and decided to apply to dental school as the next thing after med school. at least that's the feeling i get after reading it and admission officers will definately see right through this.

the reasons you mention for dentistry: they don't sound personal. instead they sound like reasons other practicing dentists provided for you.

also, those reasons could be used for any other profession including medicine.

anyone else agree?

 

[lgreen_aci]

it sounds like you realized you wouldn't get into med school and decided to apply to dental school as the next thing after med school. at least that's the feeling i get after reading it and admission officers will definately see right through this.

the reasons you mention for dentistry: they don't sound personal. instead they sound like reasons other practicing dentists provided for you.

also, those reasons could be used for any other profession including medicine.

anyone else agree?

Sounds good. I'm glad you pointed that out. Trust me, if I didn't think I could get into medical school, I wouldn't be thinking I could get into dental. I could be wrong, but I don't see one as being easier than the other, and definately don't see one as an alternative to being unsuccessful in the other. But if you read what I wrote and that pops into your mind, it could easily pop into someone else's mind (such as an adcomm), so glad you pointed that out. Thanks.

I know, it needs A LOT of work, but had to start somewhere.

thanks again everyone for all the feedback.

 

[SuperTrooper]

I wouldn't spend more than three sentences explaining poor grades.

Agreed. And don't bring it up in the interview yourself; only if they ask.

I understand this is just a brief sketch, and it'll be a lot better when you actually spend some time on it. Here's a few of my intial thoughts though:
-You say you were interested in medicine, but never took the time to figure out what being a doctor was all about. Why not?
-You say "there's no better feeling than having a patient look up at you..." How the hell do you know? If you pretend to know anything about being a dentist your interviewer can shut you down in a second.
- You thought you'd "just become a bio teacher." What made you decide against it? Did you look into it?
-You said "My senior year of high school I did my speech final on how to brush your teeth. I did my senior career project in english on becoming and orthodontist after spending a good amount of time talking about becoming a dentist w/ my orthodontist.." These factoids really say nothing about you.
And quite frankly, I'd think you went to a school for ******s if I read you did your "speech final" in your senior year on how to brush your teeth.

 

[SuperTrooper]

duplicate post

 

[lgreen_aci]

Makes sense. Now I know where I'm at.

Thanks.

 

[syn_apse]

And quite frankly, I'd think you went to a school for ******s if I read you did your "speech final" in your senior year on how to brush your teeth.

SuperTrooper, your post was both funny and fun

 

[Demeter]

I advise you not to say : " I am trying to be 100% honest" in your interview.
It sounds fake. Anyway, People expect honesty, so don't bring it up.
Definately no excuses. I was premed until my senior year and then switched.
You don't want to get involved in a converstation where you are giving excuses for changing from Med to Dentistry. Just focus on why you are applying to Dental School.

 

[lgreen_aci]

You don't want to get involved in a converstation where you are giving excuses for changing from Med to Dentistry. Just focus on why you are applying to Dental School.

Yeah, that would suck. Especially if I had to explain my grades too.

Sounds good. Thanks.

 

[L8DYV]

LOL

 

[murk]

the whole "private liberal arts curriculum" i am not so sure about. it depends what schools you apply to. big state schools will not like to hear that b/c honestly teachers are much better at private schools, but i dont think the curriculum is any harder. its actually harder at a big public school to educate yourself and not be spoonfed material. but then again that depends on what liberal arts school.. obviously small ivy league schools hold more weight!

as for your excuses... saying "confused and careless" those are words i would AVOID AT ALL COSTS. they make you sound vulnerable, confused, immature, uncontrollable... the commitee wants solid applicants.. not people who just screw around b/c they can.. you know what i mean?


saying the whole freak who has creepy... that is weird and informal.. i would not use that

dont go by others gpas i know ppl who got in with <2.6 b/c they are minorities! and i have above a 3.5 and got into 2/10 schools i applied to so far (4 rejections...4 who knows)

don't say you were careless at the beginning b/c you werent lazy at the beginning your grades dropped a year into school.. if you cant do well in upper level classes how will you succeed in detnal school? - this is what they will ask you!! you need to show you can! words dont matter as much as the number- i hate to say it but its true.

i would just say why youd be good.. and what makes you different. not the observation b/c weve all observed.. study abroad? teaching kids? mentoring? these things will help. goodluck!

 

[Mackchops]

Firstly, props to you for thinking things over this far in advance. No matter what your reasons sound like at this point, the simple act of considering what they are this early will certainly help you be more introspective about the entire decision to apply. That being said, when you actually do apply after another year of A's it will look like your bad grades are more of a dip in an otherwise solid transcript, or the exception to your other strong grades. You could even spin it so that the upward trend in grades is seen as proof of your motivation for dentistry and the high DAT scores can demonstrate your ability. And at the end of the day that's all an admissions committee is looking for in an applicant -- someone who knows what they're getting into and who has the basic intelligence and skillset to succeed in getting there. If someone drops out or fails out then the adcoms failed at their job. Get it? Just go out there and ace everything you take from now on and you won't have to justify your bad grades with some silly essay -- you will be able to point to your transcript and say, "No problems here!"

 

[umum1982]

ok. i wrote this same thing yesterday to another post.
instead of staying for a extra year you could do a masters.
graduate grades are calculated.

one of the thing you can do is instead of giving excuses, tell them what you did, during those years. anything insane will be good. llike, if you played sports or was in a club and you thought it was more inportant than anything else in your life at the moment. make sure you can prove it at the interview.
this is something a lot of grad schools and professional schools want to here. PASSIONATE PEOPLE!! just don't make it sound like you wasted you time on nothing. i am a strong believer of that you don't pay your tuition for your classes but for the envirnment the school has to offer. and that includes all the professors and fellow students you get to meet. being overly social, i guess, could be an excuse.

also, make the MD talk to the minimum. hell, get ride of the whole thing, don't even mention it. just say you didn't know what you wanted to do. maybe you had a idea of what direction you wanted to go into but not sure about it.

remember those classes you are planing on taking in the next 4 semesters are all science classes. you sure you can do it? it's a lot of work. if you really want to go to dental school quit your work (if you are working) quit partying for 2 years, and just do it. take summer classes to lighten your load during the school year.trust me in the last shool year i've been taking a full load of just senior level biology classes and it is hard. very hard. but if you can keep it up, you know first year of dental school isn't going to be that bad, since you are use to the load already.

good luck.

i'm sure you can do this.

 

[lgreen_aci]

Great Advice.

Thanks mackchops and umum1982.

 

[umum1982]

i love coming back and reading my own post and picking out typos and grammer errors. i don't deserve to graduate.

Great Advice.

Thanks mackchops and umum1982.

 

[Mackchops]

"i love coming back and reading my own post and picking out typos and grammer errors."

grammar

You're welcome,
Mack