low sGPA

[prof.track]

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Hi, I am a sophomore in Pre-health science major. I am thinking about changing my major to psychology to concentrate more on my pre-reqs rather than put loads of science courses which brought my gpa down significantly last year (Also poor time management..).
Last year o 2.5 and s 1.9...(from previous school cuz i transferred) and I am trying really hard this year and got o 3.8 and s 3.6. but still my cum science is 2.xx. i still have some prereq sciences to recover, but even if i get Almost all A, my science gpa would be around 2.9.
One of my advisors told me think about pharmacy than dental since it is hard to recover my low science gpa from last year.. I love both areas of profession and I want to decide till end of this year since shadowing,prereqs tests are different from pharm and dent. I don't think I will take extra science classes than my pre-reqs or changing my major to bio or chem..
I know it is the decision that I need to make for myself, but do you think that low sGPA would be a major contributor for me to change my pre-professional track? (if you assume i will have decent admission test scores and shadowing hours)
Also, is changing my major from science to Psychology B.S beneficial or harmful when I apply to one of professional schools?
sorry for the long post... hope you guys give me some advice..

 

[futuredoc2019dds]

There's a handful of people on here that have low sGPA's but still get in. That's because they kill the DAT and do master's programs to show that they can handle the rigorous dental school curriculum. Getting into dental school is tough for such individuals, but they still make the dream a reality by doing anything it takes. With that said, switching to a Psychology B.S. is not the best idea to do with that mentality. A lot of dental schools would like to see an applicant take more than just the bare minimum pre-reqs. Taking more than the bare minimum pre-reqs not only shows that you can handle the amount of science courses you will be taking in dental school, but it also shows you have an interest in science by expanding your knowledge DESPITE them not being pre-reqs. I'm not saying that you won't get in by switching to a Psychology B.S., but it'll be challenging to do so especially if you're just planning on doing the pre-reqs. If you go to any dental school website, they'll have a set list of required pre-reqs but a TON of "recommended" courses.

 

[prof.track]

There's a handful of people on here that have low sGPA's but still get in. That's because they kill the DAT and do master's programs to show that they can handle the rigorous dental school curriculum. Getting into dental school is tough for such individuals, but they still make the dream a reality by doing anything it takes. With that said, switching to a Psychology B.S. is not the best idea to do with that mentality. A lot of dental schools would like to see an applicant take more than just the bare minimum pre-reqs. Taking more than the bare minimum pre-reqs not only shows that you can handle the amount of science courses you will be taking in dental school, but it also shows you have an interest in science by expanding your knowledge DESPITE them not being pre-reqs. I'm not saying that you won't get in by switching to a Psychology B.S., but it'll be challenging to do so especially if you're just planning on doing the pre-reqs. If you go to any dental school website, they'll have a set list of required pre-reqs but a TON of "recommended" courses.

thanks for the great advice. my current major is just science major pre-professional prep track. not bio or chem. so you think it is still a good idea just stick to my major?

 

[tortelliniboy]

I don't think switching to psych will hurt you. However I'd like to play devil's advocate. How do you think you would fare in a major where you took only sciences and accompanying labs for about 20 hours worth of credit per semester?

 

[futuredoc2019dds]

thanks for the great advice. my current major is just science major pre-professional prep track. not bio or chem. so you think it is still a good idea just stick to my major?

It all depends. If you want a fighting chance at getting into dental school without having to do a masters, then yes. But that means you MUST get mostly A's and some B's from here on out. You said that if you get mostly A's in your pre-reqs from here on out that you could get at most a 2.9. Think about it, if you do additional science courses you could raise that up to a 3.2 possibly and although that's not the best for a dental school application, it's still better than an undergrad GPA below a 3.0. You must also remember that if you do plan on sticking out with your science major, you have a possibility of doing bad in those classes, thus being forced to do a masters program. Just be well disciplined from here on out with your science major and you can still pull it out if you do extremely well on your DAT.

Side not, get a ton of shadowing and volunteer hours in so that it can help your application out as well. A low GPA with a high DAT can be offset with hundreds of hours in dental experiences and volunteer hours if you prove it to be meaningful to the adcoms.

 

[Chlorophyll Oracle]

Your grades are pretty low. However I know dental schools like to see improvement over time. I'm sure if you kick ass for the remainder of your undergrad the admissions board will disregard your freshman year. I really don't recommend switching to an easier major. It will not only hurt you on the dat or pcat if that's what you chose, it will also make you look worse in front of the admissions board. They'll be able to figure out that you switch because you didn't think you could handle it and they will look negatively upon you for that. Also as a side note, tell me if i'm wrong, but i'm pretty sure pharmacy school is just as selective as dental school.

 

[DentalFox]

The science GPA isn't the only factor a school will consider. I finished with a 3.0 science GPA and have had 7 interview invites. Schools will look at you as a whole. Just do the best that you can from now on and figure out why you did poorly in those classes. Once you figure it out, don't do it anymore. Take summer classes and possibly think about retaking a class or two.

 

[futuredoc2019dds]

Pharmacy schools are not as nearly as selective as dental schools...my friend who got into pharmacy school agrees with me...she got into the #4 US Pharmacy School with a 3.3 cumulative GPA, 3.0 sGPA, and like 80th percentile on the PCAT...I know it's just one person, but all my pre-pharmacy friends say that it's selective, but not as nearly as tough to get into as compared to dental school...with that said, I give pharmacists HUGE props because there's no way I could memorize all those drugs and how they interact with other drugs a patient is taking. I know we need to know the basics of pharmacology, but even a dentist I know says that he has his favorite 3-5 prescriptions lol

 

[thirk_dds]

Hello im in this same boat. I graduated with a BFA of graphic design with a 3.5 gpa, tons of volunteering/shadowing exp and predental member.. got over to the sciences and didnt do well at all. For one, i was not accustomed to the approach one must have in the face of sciences. I started off getting a couple C's, due to poor study habits and then faced a terrible point in my life, which I'll briefly explain...this led to me failing physics and not even attending my lectures, led to 2 more F's. My mind wasn't ready. My sgpa is sub 2.0 currently, also had some very bad experiences at the time (car repos, lights off, no money, hell I even had a time when I had no lights and only cold pasta with cold tomato sauce and a shot of wine for my gf and I for the night...in Miami,FL with no air condition (90+ degrees) while still having to work and support myself, no family help. So things do happen. Ive taken 24 credits of science. What I have is:

Bio1: C+ (never studied)
BioL: C (studied last minute+terrible TA and immature group from HS)
Chem1: C (crammed)
Chem1L: C+ (studied last minute)
Bio2:F (never stepped foot in the room)
Chem2:F (W the first time, then never stepped foot in the room; same sem as bio2)
Bio2L: C+ (studied last minute)
Chem2L: B+ (put some effort in but last minute)
Phys:F (Gave up, professor lost my damn exam and blamed me stating I picked it up, I never knew where is office was...)
PhysL: A (Easiest course in the history of all mankind)

I had a pattern...I never applied myself due to poor study habits+depression. However, I aim to get my stuff together. Im retaking all of the lectures that I've taken and aim to get A's and my school offers a forgiveness for 3 grades which will aid in them not being averaged at my university at least, they will be wiped off. Although dental schools will see this, I honestly did face some terrible trials during my academic year and can explain in detail many stories if need be. So I've been over this summer, learning my best learning style and trying to become as efficient as possible with studying... reading my chem book from chap 1-7, learning how to take notes from the book and understand CONCEPTS and how to apply them to my problems. I now work almost FT and my fiance and I are in better shape and live alone, as opposed to our previous living condition: 5 people that didnt get along in a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apt. Also I work for a Dentist so i have clinical private practice exp (6+ months at 9 hrs per day doing xrays and ins verification). I still have some ways to go, another 8+ courses at the age of 29. What do you guys think. Thanks for the replies.

PS: Some have said, from another forum that I have a slim chance at D school, well its not over until I decide. I dont believe in laying down in the dirt and just giving in over 2 sems of average-poor grades. People do have bad exp that can affect them sometimes. Also I've posted a similar question before, just looking for other responses. Thanks guys

 

[PlasmaMembrane]

PS: Some have said, from another forum that I have a slim chance at D school, well its not over until I decide. I dont believe in laying down in the dirt and just giving in over 2 sems of average-poor grades. People do have bad exp that can affect them sometimes. Also I've posted a similar question before, just looking for other responses. Thanks guys

You do have a slim chance at dental school with your current stats, and a long uphill battle ahead of you if you really want to get in. Good luck.

 

[thirk_dds]

You do have a slim chance at dental school with your current stats, and a long uphill battle ahead of you if you really want to get in. Good luck.

Thanks man. Yeah ive actually been studying on my own "teaching" myself proper study methods. One thing tho, I plan to start studying day 1 and not the week before an exam. I know its an uphill battle which sucks but as long as I know it's doable I can be happy. What i've learned is that it's about looking back at what you did wrong and correcting it. I can honestly tell you that I want NOTHING more than to conquer these classes...not for D school, but because I know that I can with the right mindset. Any advice on that as well, like study habits?