low gpa. chances?

[heartsclovers]

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Hello,

I currently have a 2.87 gpa overall at a UC school; I'm not too sure what my science gpa is. I am determined to perform well on the DAT. I'd like to know how the pre-dental post-bac programs work (which ones are out there, what are their requirements including minimum gpa, deadlines, which have a high rate of matriculating students into their own dental school or other dental schools?). Or is there another option for me? Retaking classes at a state college? If need be, I can continue taking classes at my UC, but I've already spent 4 years there.

Thanks!

 

[kxb4777]

Hello,

I currently have a 2.87 gpa overall at a UC school; I'm not too sure what my science gpa is. I am determined to perform well on the DAT. I'd like to know how the pre-dental post-bac programs work (which ones are out there, what are their requirements including minimum gpa, deadlines, which have a high rate of matriculating students into their own dental school or other dental schools?). Or is there another option for me? Retaking classes at a state college? If need be, I can continue taking classes at my UC, but I've already spent 4 years there.

Thanks!

Hey. Was in the same situation was you when I graduated from a UC. I ended up at a post-bac/Masters and took a full courseload of graduate science courses. I also studied for the DAT and got 20+ scores across. So far, I have had 1 interview.

I would recommend taking a Masters (look for one that you can complete in 1 year). This way, you get a separate graduate GPA and alot of dental schools look favorably at a graduate degree.

Knock out your DATs, and you should get some itnerviews.

GL

 

[heartsclovers]

Thanks for the quick response. How were your extra-curriculars and LORs? Which post-bac/masters program did you take? And how well did you perform there?

 

[lindell12a]

So if you have a 2.8 GPA and apply without post-bac, what ridiculous DAT score should you plan on getting if you want schools to notice you? 🙁

 

[jeezy]

25+

 

[crrees]

i disagree with the 25+, i would think a 22-23 on each section would qualify specially with a post-bach degree or AMAZING recs or improvement or the next year or two until they graduate

 

[jeezy]

post bac degree or non degree classes, its pretty much a wash. obviously you need to show that you can do well (>3.5) which would qualify as improvement.

its pretty impossible to find AMAZING recs. 1- didn't do well in undergrad, so cant get LORs there and 2- do well as a graduate (probably taking 4 tough classes) and managing to know 3 teachers for less than a year. plus some profs are lazy/poor writers.

the only things left in your court are: DATs, personal statement, ECs

yea, 22 in each section is super solid, hopefully the cum will then end up a few points higher

 

[lindell12a]

i disagree with the 25+, i would think a 22-23 on each section would qualify specially with a post-bach degree or AMAZING recs or improvement or the next year or two until they graduate

Ok, that's good 🙂 I'm a senior so this is pretty much as good as it's going to get, which is pretty sad. Anyway, I take the DAT pretty soon so I guess I'll shoot for a 25+ and see what I end up with and just apply anyway....if I get in with my depressing 2.77 GPA, I will post it for all to see and give hope to those who feel there is none....😳

 

[kxb4777]

Shoot for as high as possible.

But definitely don't feel like u have to get 22-23.

If you look at my stats (kxb4777 on predents), I didn't get 22-23 on every section.

As for LORs, I got all LORs from my graduate courses during my masters/post-bacc, so my guess is they were pretty good.

 

[heartsclovers]

Alright, I have a couple of questions.

So I plan to do well on my DATs (23+); does anyone know what the best prep method is? (prep books, classes, how much time spent studying?) I'm planning to study from now until February/March while shadowing a dentist; I'm not taking classes at my UC during this time. And how do re-takes look to dental schools (just in case).

Also, I plan on applying to both dental schools and post-bac/master programs (ideally at the same time). Which masters programs (and dental schools, although possibly not any) would accept a <3.0 gpa or low gpa applicant? And how do the application cycles work? Are there ideal times to apply to dental/post-bac schools (I'm planning to apply at the most favorable time, given my gpa)?

And do you think that I should take additional classes at my UC to boost up my gpa in the spring and/or summer for dental and/or post-bac school? Or should I take classes at a junior college/community college?

And from whom shall I ask for a letter of rec. for both dental and post-bac schools? The dentist I am shadowing, or my former office manager boss (I worked as a clerk at the UC Medical Center: Div. of Lab Animal Medicine). I have a prof. that I can get a rec. from (got an A in his class and loved the class- on drugs and physiology), but I'm also good friends with a language T.A. Whom should I ask for the LOR for the two schools, dental and post-bac?

Lastly, does anyone know the matriculation rate of people from masters programs entering into dental programs?

Oh, and I have a lot of random extra-curriculars: Habitat for Humanity Publicity Chair, tutor for underprivileged children, photojournalist for school paper, volunteer for a program that helps families without insurance get healthcare, lab assistant in Life Science research bldg., volunteer in several departments in three different hospitals (pediatrics, OBGYN, rehabilitation, and family care)....

Thanks again for the feedback guys. Any advice would be of help.

 

[heartsclovers]

Anyone with some advice? I apologize for all of the questions. Any help would be appreciated! 😳

 

[mekarual]

I don't have any advice, but wanted to say hello. I'm in exactly the same situation as you. 2.8 undergrad GPA (got a BA in English), lots of e/c's. I'm taking my prereqs right now and my GPA at my new school is a 3.6. I'm planning on applying to a one year masters program, and working my rear end off to get 22+ on each section of the DAT.

I'm totally positive that this is possible, we can do it!

 

[SugarNaCl]

Reality is it is tough but not impossible. You may have to do a Masters program for a couple of years to show schools you can handle tough upper level courses (pulling a random number of 3.5+ or something around there), then maybe 21+ on your DATs. Yeah, these numbers are somewhat arbitrary but the stats and someone I spoke to post-acceptance show that is rather common.

 

[DentDelOriente]

I agree with SugarNaCl. If you can pull 3.5+ for grad gpa, that would be ideal. As for DAT, unfortunately people have been getting ridiculously higher scores (my class's avg is 22), so all i can say is the higher you can get, the better. As for the rest, if you could get a great recommendation letter from your dentist, that would be ideal as well. The biggest thing to keep in mind is not to rush to apply to save time. You have to plan accordingly. 1 year might sound like a long time, but it's nothing in the longer scheme of things. good luck planning.

 

[heartsclovers]

Thanks for all of the advice guys.

So do you recommend a certain post-bac/masters program? One in which there is a good chance of performing well? And has a high matriculation rate for dental schools? And do they accept DATs (instead of GREs)? Also, is there one that starts during the spring/summer quarter?

And about the DAT- how long will the scores be acceptable for dental schools? Should I take it now and do a post-bac program and then apply for dental schools, or should I take it later, closer to the time of applying to dental school?

Thankss!!

 

[Ron Jeremy]

The post-bacc issue is a common topic that is discussed all over SDN numerous times in the past. Please perform a search on this topic, and you will see numerous links and a wealth of people's experiences with different programs. Post-bacc programs exist all over the country, and numerous dental and medical schools have accepted students from them. What is important is how well you do with a heavy load, more than what particular school you go to. Just make sure that you go to a school that is a 4-year institution. No community colleges, no technical schools.

I completed a post-bacc at Northwestern (refer to my other prior postings) and I now have one dental interview lined up, and hopefully more will follow.

DAT scores are good for several years, I believe the exact number is 5 years. Long enough for you to finish your post-bacc. Since you only have a 2.87, I wouldn't bother applying for dental school this session since you are 1) late in the cycle 2) you won't be able to have your DAT done until Dec 3) without a stellar DAT score, schools will not take your app seriously with your low gpa 4) applying for dental school costs about $2000 depending on how many schools you apply to.

I recommend that you should take a Kaplan course ASAP and plan to take the DAT over X-mas break. You will quickly reallize how strong or weak your science foundation is. If your practice test scores are in the mid-teens by late Nov, delay the DAT until Spring.

I would also graduate from your UC school as planned with the emplasis of getting as many A's as possible. I don't know how many science classes you already have completed and what those grades were, so I can't give any input on when and where you show take more science classes.

I hope this helped

 

[heartsclovers]

This site and you guys have been a lot of help! Thanks again!!

I've looked into the Cal State L.A. post-bac/masters programs; like you said, it's the grades/how well you do with a full-course load, and not the type of institution that matters. Although it is a state school, it is a four-year institution in which I think I will be able to perform well, so I'm planning to apply for their spring 2008 quarter.

I'll take the DAT in February 2008 (so I'll have several months to study hard). Since I've completed my major at my UC, I think that I'll go ahead and graduate (I put a hold on my graduation in case I wanted to take more classes at my UC, but it won't be necessary since I'll be doing a post-bac).

I'll continue shadowing my dentist and apply to dental schools after taking some semesters at Cal State L.A.

Does this sound like a viable plan? 🙂

 

[sonylarkhi]

This site and you guys have been a lot of help! Thanks again!!

I've looked into the Cal State L.A. post-bac/masters programs; like you said, it's the grades/how well you do with a full-course load, and not the type of institution that matters. Although it is a state school, it is a four-year institution in which I think I will be able to perform well, so I'm planning to apply for their spring 2008 quarter.

I'll take the DAT in February 2008 (so I'll have several months to study hard). Since I've completed my major at my UC, I think that I'll go ahead and graduate (I put a hold on my graduation in case I wanted to take more classes at my UC, but it won't be necessary since I'll be doing a post-bac).

I'll continue shadowing my dentist and apply to dental schools after taking some semesters at Cal State L.A.

Does this sound like a viable plan? 🙂

Sounds good....Best of luck!!!