Low GPA

Started by Angel-1992
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Angel-1992

New Member
7+ Year Member
Hi,

Here's my situation. I have a very low GPA (2.5), and I want to apply for dental school. How can I improve my situation in order to make them accept my application? I did not take the DAT yet.
 
Angel-1992 said:
Hi,

Here's my situation. I have a very low GPA (2.5), and I want to apply for dental school. How can I improve my situation in order to make them accept my application? I did not take the DAT yet.
Click to expand...
Look into SMP's or formal post-bacc programs that you can enroll into and raise your GPA.
1) Rutgers Univ. has MBS program that is specific for predental students like you
2) Temple also offers a post-bacc (guaranteed admission as far as I know, but requires an interview for an entrance into their postbacc program)
3) GMU/Georgetown has a postbacc
4) VCU CERT
5) BU - Oral Health Science

Take the DAT once you are finished with SMP or Post-bacc because these programs will help you prepare for DAT as well.
 
Angel-1992 said:
Hi,

Here's my situation. I have a very low GPA (2.5), and I want to apply for dental school. How can I improve my situation in order to make them accept my application? I did not take the DAT yet.
Click to expand...

How many semesters do you have under your belt? If it's only one or two, raise that GPA! If it's almost impossible because you're about to graduate, then do what @acesofseven and @NavyDDS1990 said.
 
DMDDDSHopeful said:
How many semesters do you have under your belt? If it's only one or two, raise that GPA! If it's almost impossible because you're about to graduate, then do what @acesofseven and @NavyDDS1990 said.
Click to expand...
For some reason when I click on their account name it shows that they're private. How do I get to their page to see that?
 
DMDDDSHopeful said:
How many semesters do you have under your belt? If it's only one or two, raise that GPA! If it's almost impossible because you're about to graduate, then do what @acesofseven and @NavyDDS1990 said.
Click to expand...
Exactly this. I was halfway through undergrad with a 2.5 and was able to get it above a 3 and entered dental school. If you already have too many credits, do a masters.
 
Hi there, so I'm hoping to apply this June for the 2018 cycle and am wondering what my chances are. I'm a non traditional student with a BS in health science and I took additional postbacc science prereqs to apply to PA school. I'm getting too old for this and don't want to get my hopes up too high.
  • My overall GPA (undergrad + PB) is 3.08 and my science GPA is 3.28. I really didn't try my freshman year - it would be awesome if they only counted the most recent units
  • I have 300+ hours of hospital volunteering/shadowing unrelated to dental.
  • I've recently been shadowing a dentist and by the time of the application I can have 100+ hours.
  • I have a very strong letter from this dentist and 2 from science professors. I also have a very strong letter from a PA from when I was going to apply to PA school that really highlights my strengths but don't know if that would be more harmful than good?
I'm willing to go anywhere in the country but I'm not sure what schools to apply to. I'm studying for the DAT and I'm a good test taker so I'm not as worried there.
What do schools look for in the personal statement? Do they want you to show a passion for this career or just oversell yourself and your attributes?

Any advice would be helpful, thanks.
 
NavyDDS1990 said:
Look into SMP's or formal post-bacc programs that you can enroll into and raise your GPA.
1) Rutgers Univ. has MBS program that is specific for predental students like you
2) Temple also offers a post-bacc (guaranteed admission as far as I know, but requires an interview for an entrance into their postbacc program)
3) GMU/Georgetown has a postbacc
4) VCU CERT
5) BU - Oral Health Science

Take the DAT once you are finished with SMP or Post-bacc because these programs will help you prepare for DAT as well.
Click to expand...

Great feedback about completing a post-bacc programs. However I am in a similar situation and have a few comments here:

1. Rutgers - You will have to take a grad test to apply (MCAT/DAT/GRE)
2. Temple - 2.8 gpa minimum
3. GMU/Georgetown - 3.0 minimum
4. VCU Cert - 3.0 GPA and grad test to apply (MCAT/DAT/GRE)
5. BU- grad test to apply (usually don't accept gpa's below 2.9 according to their website)

Schools mentioned above are less likely to accept those with lower gpa's. Unless you will be taking the DAT before progressing, Here are some of the post-bacc programs you may want to look into:

SIU
FIU
San Francisco
Elms College
Rosemont College
UNCG

Good Luck 🙂
 
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