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Mediocre GPA
- Thread starter SPK8
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deleted735879
You most definitely do not need a 3.8-4.0 to be competitive, unless you really like Harvard for some reason.
It sounds like you have plenty of time to raise your GPA. So the first thing you should do is either improve your study habits or get help from tutors/study groups to do better academically and you should be able to reach a GPA of 3.5 or so. Also don't forget GPA isn't everything, your DAT is arguably slightly more important than your GPA. If you finish undergrad with a 3.4, but you are able to pull off an amazing score on the DAT, 21+AA and TS, you would be in the clear.
So I'd suggest just doing as amazing as you can for your last two years and give yourself plenty of time to study for the DAT so you can get a great score. I don't think you'll need to take a gap year unless you graduate with <3.4 and don't do well on the DAT <19.
Just my two cents.
Best of luck!
It sounds like you have plenty of time to raise your GPA. So the first thing you should do is either improve your study habits or get help from tutors/study groups to do better academically and you should be able to reach a GPA of 3.5 or so. Also don't forget GPA isn't everything, your DAT is arguably slightly more important than your GPA. If you finish undergrad with a 3.4, but you are able to pull off an amazing score on the DAT, 21+AA and TS, you would be in the clear.
So I'd suggest just doing as amazing as you can for your last two years and give yourself plenty of time to study for the DAT so you can get a great score. I don't think you'll need to take a gap year unless you graduate with <3.4 and don't do well on the DAT <19.
Just my two cents.
Best of luck!
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I can tell you right now that a 3.9-4.0 is not considered "competitive" for Harvard. That's like a given for them.
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Considering the 2014 entering class had an average gpa of 3.87, a 3.8-4.0 would be competitive for Harvard. Do you ever have anything nice to say?
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Just being realistic. The stats with which you refer to are outdated. There are thousands upon thousands with 3.9-4.0s getting rejected from there for a mere 30 or so seats. All I'm saying is a 3.9-4.0 gets your application actually looked at. And to the extent that it does, it's not considered "competitive." That's just the preliminary step.
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Honestly, its not going to get any easier from here if you are a sophomore. I hate to be blunt but if you want to ever be a dentist you need to get your head straight and work as hard as you can to bring your grades up. No one is going to give you anything in life and if your grades continue to slip you will never be a dentist. Its one thing to say you will do better, its another thing to actually do it. While you are in still in school you have a chance. Once you walk that stage its game over, you will be in the land of regret like so many SDNers and have to fork out tens of thousands of dollars to get a post-bacc.
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Just aim for an upward trend, doesn't matter what you made your first year as long as you can prove to the admissions committee that you're ready and willing to work hard toward a higher GPA. I had a 3.1415 (Pi, forealz) in my freshman year and even withdrew from 2 classes coming into my 2nd year. I just got my head in the game and worked on getting better grades, I didn't get straight A's every semester but was close, and managed to graduate with a 3.7 flat. It's very possible. Just keep trying.
I got in with a 3.09 Science gpa, and 3.4 overall. Keep your grades up and make sure you do well on the DAT (made up for my low GPA)! Listen to these guys who said to make sure you are determined to keep your GPA up! Make sure this is what you really want and express that by putting in the school
work!
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Dig deep to find motivation. You don't need to just take fluff classes, but learn how you learn. I know this might sound crazy, but classes have gotten easier for me. Upper level professors are not trying to weed you out and ask trick questions on exams like the lower level professors. Also the older you get, the more you understand how you you learn, so it gets easier in that aspect also. I can now study 3 weeks of material in 3 hours when before it took me at least 10.... My 400 level immunology class and 300 level genetics class is easier then my first cell bio class that was only in the 200 level...
It's not over for you, you are at a critical point where you can make a come back if you try. I mean really try. If you want to step off of the gas a little, go ahead, take some easier classes. BUT! Don't just shy away from the upper level classes. You will have to learn those eventually. You can do it, just find your motivation.
It's not over for you, you are at a critical point where you can make a come back if you try. I mean really try. If you want to step off of the gas a little, go ahead, take some easier classes. BUT! Don't just shy away from the upper level classes. You will have to learn those eventually. You can do it, just find your motivation.
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