Low GPA should I apply?

[DPizzle]

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I am planning to take my DAT this summer and apply to dental school. I have been studying for 6 months and have taken multiple practice tests and i seem to be getting about a 21-23 average. Hypothetically speaking if I were to get a 21 on the DAT with my very low gpa (listed bellow) should I bother applying to dental school or would I need a masters?
I dont graduate until next may so I would still have another year to pull up my undergrad gpa, but all of my prereqs have already been taken and next year i will just be taking classes to fulfill my major requirements.

Bio 1: B+
Bio 2: A
Chm 1: C
Chem 2: D (retook and got a C)
Orgo1: C+
Orgo2: C+
Biochem: A
Physics 1: D+ (retook and got an A)
Physics 2: A
PhysicsLab: B- and A
OrgoLab: B

BCP: 2.79 (with both D's)
BCP: 3.115 (without both D's)

My overall GPA is about a 3.30

My fear is that i failed TWO classes. and when averaged into my gpa they really bring it down. Has anyone here failed two classes and still been accepted to dental school without having to get a masters?

Whats everyone opinion on what i should do?

Thanks 🙂

 

[bing12]

try to get your BCP and all your gpa's to a min of 3.0. as for apply anyways? It is really up to you, it will be fairly tough because some schools will screen you out for having a sub 3.0 gpa(BCP). take a few upper level bios, and get that above the 3.0.

 

[molar3]

1 word: postbacc
or is it 2 words.....hmmm


or if u want do a masters i guess

 

[molar3]

nope. whatver you send them on your transcript, whatever grades u have on there, they will calculate every last one of them. so your Failed courses are going to get counted toward your BCP if they are of either the bio, chem or physics department, i think they state that somewhere on aadsas too.

a postbacc is where u just take more undergrad courses after uve received ur bachelors. normally u take upper level sciences. u can enroll in a postbacc program or u can do ur own. yes its diff than a masters. a postbacc gets calculated into your undergrad gpa and a masters has its own section--aka its grad school credits. your undergrad gpa will still be a 2.79

 

[molar3]

oh lol, you still have time them. yes take as many upper level science courses you can, bc they will all go into your BCP if theyre undergrad level courses, this is why ppl opt for postbaccs to raise their undergrad gpas.
take courses like biochem, physio, anatomy, histo, immuno, developmental bio, cell bio, molecular bio/genetics etc......any upper division bio really. btw these classes will only count toward your BCP if you apply after youve taken these courses next year, just to make that clear. if you apply this summer they wont count

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

So i guess for the class to be counted under BCP it has to be offered by the chem physics or bio department?

Does MicroBio count if its MCB2000?
What about anatomy if its APK2100
Human nutrition HUN2201?


Im having trouble figuring out how to tell which classes will count as BCP

Anatomy and Microbio should count

Human nutrition is iffy

 

[molar3]

http://www.adea.org/dental_education_pathways/aadsas/Applicants/GeneralInstructions/Documents/2011%20ADEA%20AADSAS%20Course%20Subjects.pdf

& no do not take food micro. take regular microbiology. its generally a 200-300 level course listed under bio. maybe your school has its own micro bio department so you can take it there. ask ur advisor or the professor if it meets the needs for a pre dent/med student. theres diff classes aimed toward diff majors.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Also, will universities take into consideration i am a student at the most difficult/prestigious university in my state?
or am i looked at the same compared to another student who has better stats from an easier school?

You'll look about the same if you two took the exact identical classes and he didn't go to slackoff state or something.

Most difficult/prestigious isn't really that big a deciding factor. Gen chem/o chem/bio is generally the same everywhere and DAT will show how much you learned. People get in from all sorts of mid to upper schools.

 

[dentalWorks]

Wait... are you a junior? If so, I would advice you NOT to apply this coming cycle. Spend your senior year fixing that BCP. From looks of it, its currently sitting at 2.79 (yes both D's will count, retaking a course doesn't make the initial-attempt go away, it will just average the two attempts)

Taking the DAT this summer is a good idea, that way, you'll devote the next year working on getting straight As. Assuming you can bring the BCP to more respectable levels (above 3.1+) and topped off with 21AA/21TS, you'll have a shot next year. Do apply to 20+ schools

 

[DunStopBelievin]

Or you can do what I'm doing:

Apply senior year, and apply for masters (a good amount to be sure you've got into a program). If nothing bites, then reapply (now with masters). That's my plan. I'm going to be reapplying this cycle with mine, and I was still able to land 1 interview. I guess that's better than expected, and it might happen to you too.

btw, I was in a similar situation. gl

 

[youknowthedrill]

I made some mistakes when calculating my BCP by leaving out some courses.

its actually a 2.95

I know its not much better, but still a little higher.

Does anyone know how I can find out if a class called food microbiology would count toward my bcp? the adea website lists microbio as a bio...

e-mail or call ADEA

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

Both my parents immigrated to this country, making me 100% Hispanic.

I read somewhere else this will increase my chances of getting accepted.
Is there any truth to this?

You are correct. You will get an edge when you apply due to being a URM and Hispanic, it's a pretty well known topic around here. Actually, the fact that you're a URM changes this whole thing alot.

Your GPA isn't TERRIBLE. If you do fairly decent on the DAT, around 20 or higher, then I would say you have a good shot at getting some interviews and maybe even an acceptance.

I would apply this year just to find out. You never know what might happen. Like find a handful of schools which are very URM friendly and your state school. Don't waste your money with 20+ schools.

Take some upper levels biology classes in your off year and if you don't get in next year, then you'll be a guarantee for the next cycle.

 

[dentalWorks]

Another change I would like to add:

I didn't realize this until reading other posts but apparently I have a better chance of being accepted because I am a URM.
Both my parents immigrated to this country, making me 100% Hispanic.

I read somewhere else this will increase my chances of getting accepted.
Is there any truth to this?
Does this change anything that the previous posters said about me not applying this year?

I don't Want this to be taken the wrong way, I'm not looking for the easy way out. I'm just curious to know if these claims are true.

Also thanks for those who havE already replied, I appreciate the advice 🙂

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble...there is no statistical evidence for this. Matter of fact, 2009's race data doesn't support such claim

Don't base your hopes on the URM hype. Work hard on your grades, its only way

 

[sonrie]

Another change I would like to add:

I didn't realize this until reading other posts but apparently I have a better chance of being accepted because I am a URM.
Both my parents immigrated to this country, making me 100% Hispanic.

I read somewhere else this will increase my chances of getting accepted.
Is there any truth to this?
Does this change anything that the previous posters said about me not applying this year?

I don't Want this to be taken the wrong way, I'm not looking for the easy way out. I'm just curious to know if these claims are true.


Also thanks for those who havE already replied, I appreciate the advice 🙂

I'm in a similar situation my GPA is a bit lower than yours but I will be applying this cycle....what schools do u plan to apply to? I looked up on ADEA that Boston,new York, new jersey,Florida,me harry and Howard r a couple of dental schools that have a Higher acceptance of Hispanic students.

 

[lnngu]

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble...there is no statistical evidence for this. Matter of fact, 2009's race data doesn't support such claim

Can you back up this claim, DW? It contradicts what I've read/been told/witnessed. My experience on the matter, although anecdotal, has pretty consistently indicated the opposite.

 

[dentalWorks]

Can you back up this claim, DW? It contradicts what I've read/been told/witnessed. My experience on the matter, although anecdotal, has pretty consistently indicated the opposite.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10925859&postcount=15

 

[mesa480student]

You're fine man. Don't worry about it tons to make you incapable of finishing or having enough confidence to apply.

I recently did volunteer assisting for ASDOH in Mesa, Arizona (I live across the street from them) and I met a D4 student who had a 2.97 and 19 on the DAT. He didn't think he was going to get in, but he did. You have to also take in that he did have other things going for him as well.. ie. service hours (ASDOH = big service).

I do suggest you research your schools fully. I say this so that you don't apply to a ridiculously high requirement school and don't get accepted (basically, don't apply to havard, lol). Check the statistics that are posted on schools. If you can't find them. I have the excel spreadsheet with the 2010 acceptance statistics if you don't find it. Just PM me. 🙂

Edit: As far as race, yes, it does help you and doesn't hurt. Don't worry. Dental Schools like minorities too.
In addition, do not apply if this is your junior year. You could take the DAT this summer (probably later summer), or you could just wait until next cycle and throw it in with your app next June.

 

[yappy]

I dont think this is good advice.

OP: even if you could get into DS with your sub 3.0 with no postbacc/masters the likelyhood of you doing well in DS is low. You really need to turn your GPA around to prove that you can handle dental school. Just pretend you're in grad school now. No excuses. School is your life. See what your limit is. Can you pull a 4.0 taking 14 credits? I bet you can if you work hard enough.

Do this for your senior year then apply with your 21/ 3.0+ GPA.

You're fine man. Don't worry about it tons to make you incapable of finishing or having enough confidence to apply.

I recently did volunteer assisting for ASDOH in Mesa, Arizona (I live across the street from them) and I met a D4 student who had a 2.97 and 19 on the DAT. He didn't think he was going to get in, but he did. You have to also take in that he did have other things going for him as well.. ie. service hours (ASDOH = big service).

I do suggest you research your schools fully. I say this so that you don't apply to a ridiculously high requirement school and don't get accepted (basically, don't apply to havard, lol). Check the statistics that are posted on schools. If you can't find them. I have the excel spreadsheet with the 2010 acceptance statistics if you don't find it. Just PM me. 🙂

Edit: As far as race, yes, it does help you and doesn't hurt. Don't worry. Dental Schools like minorities too.
In addition, do not apply if this is your junior year. You could take the DAT this summer (probably later summer), or you could just wait until next cycle and throw it in with your app next June.

 

[mesa480student]

Hey Yappy,

Thanks for including the other stuff. You're valid in what you're saying. I really meant to keep working on your GPA and improve which I figured goes without saying.

I dont think this is good advice.

OP: even if you could get into DS with your sub 3.0 with no postbacc/masters the likelyhood of you doing well in DS is low. You really need to turn your GPA around to prove that you can handle dental school. Just pretend you're in grad school now. No excuses. School is your life. See what your limit is. Can you pull a 4.0 taking 14 credits? I bet you can if you work hard enough.

Do this for your senior year then apply with your 21/ 3.0+ GPA.

 

[tjddmskiss]

What's wrong with you? I think you are more than smart enough to get A. It's just your study habit or your attitude. You got 'D' once and you got 'A' when you re took the course. OMG, seriously you have to show your consistency ~

 

[lnngu]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=10925859&postcount=15

Hmmm... It seem to me that those numbers are hardly conclusive for the purpose of our discussion without mean DAT/GPA to go with them.

Btw, I have nothing against URM programs, if such things exist. In fact, I support them.
I do, however, questions those figures, if nothing else because of the existence of schools such as Howard and MMC. The fact that you have schools that predominantly accept minorities should have at least skewed those percentages some, instead of leaving them too perfectly similar. This is without mentioning the lower stats posted by their incoming classes.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=810649

 

[dentalWorks]

Hmmm... It seem to me that those numbers are hardly conclusive for the purpose of our discussion without mean DAT/GPA to go with them.

Btw, I have nothing against URM programs, if such things exist. In fact, I support them.
I do, however, questions those figures, if nothing else because of the existence of schools such as Howard and MMC. The fact that you have schools that predominantly accept minorities should have at least skewed those percentages some, instead of leaving them too perfectly similar. This is without mentioning the lower stats posted by their incoming classes.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=810649

There is an incorrect assumption floating around that ANY minority (irrespective of financial / socioeconomic status) that fits the URM bill (purely on race alone) is looked upon more favorably by admission. IF this was really the case, those 2009 percentages would be higher for the Blacks / Hispanics / and Natives (URMs).

In a previous post, I tried to debate what I believe a URM applicant is and when does the URM card really come into play. Post #68 and bellow:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=468429&page=2&highlight=arabs

I don't mean to sound stubborn, but unless I see statistical (not anecdotal or "he said she said") evidence of URMs given special considerations, this will always be my position.

 

[lnngu]

There is an incorrect assumption floating around that ANY minority (irrespective of financial / socioeconomic status) that fits the URM bill (purely on race alone) is looked upon more favorably by admission. IF this was really the case, those 2009 percentages would be higher for the Blacks / Hispanics / and Natives (URMs).

In a previous post, I tried to debate what I believe a URM applicant is and when does the URM card really come into play. Post #68 and bellow:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=468429&page=2&highlight=arabs

I don't mean to sound stubborn, but unless I see statistical (not anecdotal or "he said she said") evidence of URMs given special considerations, this will always be my position.

Sorry, brother. You lost all credibility with me when you mentioned falafels with ranch dressing. 😛

Yours is an interesting position, and I hope that you're right, if nothing else because it'd mean the system works better than I thought.

 

[dentalWorks]

Sorry, brother. You lost all credibility with me when you mentioned falafels with ranch dressing. 😛

Yours is an interesting position, and I hope that you're right, if nothing else because it'd mean the system works better than I thought.

aww you gotta try it. Hummus + falafel or Hummus + ranch (or spicy ranch)

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

I don't mean to sound stubborn, but unless I see statistical (not anecdotal or "he said she said") evidence of URMs given special considerations, this will always be my position.

Go to any dental school and ask URM what their stats are. I guarantee the majority will be lower then most of the students who are not URM. If you can't tell me that's not true, then you didn't try it. It's real, not something people just made up to discredit minorities.

 

[dentalWorks]

Go to any dental school and ask URM what their stats are. I guarantee the majority will be lower then most of the students who are not URM. If you can't tell me that's not true, then you didn't try it. It's real, not something people just made up to discredit minorities.

too much work... too little return

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

hey where did you see that meharry and howard accepted hispanics? do you have a link?

I only ask because i read in the adea official guide for 2011 that last year meharry accepted 2 and howard accepted 3 hispanics.

So basically i had written them off as schools to apply to since they dont seem too Hispanic friendly. (more african american friendly)


And also anyone else who thinks they can help clear this up is welcome to answer...

It seems to be a general consensus that meharry and howard accept hispanics. is the ADEA guide innacurate?

thanks

I doubt the ADEA guide is inaccurate. But look at it this way, maybe alot of hispanics don't really apply to Howard and Meharry? It's tough just looking off stats especially for hispanics because there just arent that many that apply into dentistry. Which schools accepted the most hispanics and how many? I would just go with that.