My Backup Plan!

[2PacClone23]

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Okay so I thought I'd get a back up plan in case I get rejected from everywhere this year.


So I was thinking about UCR's 1 year master program. It sounds pretty awesome. Except I haven't taken the GRE. I figured I'd study for it here and there during Christmas break (I heard it's not that hard) and take it like December 30th. Then I'd apply January 5th which is when the application begins accepting applications.


However, this is just one school. Do you guys recommend any other 1 year master programs in California? Thanks.

 

[4thMolar]

I don't know really know about Masters programs in Cali, but did you ask if you can substitute your DAT scores in lieu of the GRE? I know there are programs out there that will allow this, and it will save you the trouble of taking the GRE.

 

[aelian]

I don't know really know about Masters programs in Cali, but did you ask if you can substitute your DAT scores in lieu of the GRE? I know there are programs out there that will allow this, and it will save you the trouble of taking the GRE.

👍👍👍 If it is a non-thesis based masters program, they might allow you to use your DATs instead. And yeah, your plan is okay, I guess. Not great like mine. I'll be out in the wilderness wrestling bears and iguanas and maybe some hobos. So you go ahead and increase your GPA and look all smart and stuff. I'll be out doing the stuff that really matters...boosting my manliness.

 

[molar3]

just curious for my own personal plan too, how come youre deciding on a masters instead of a postbacc? Im trying to weigh my options between the two

 

[yappy]

I'd bet money on Aelian getting in this year.

OP: your plan seems good but I would see how many credits of UG it would take to get your sci gpa above/equal to 3.4 and if that can be done in a year. If so it might be worth it to do an informal post bacc taking classes that are recomended by DS. This may save money and stress?

 

[2PacClone23]

I'd bet money on Aelian getting in this year.

OP: your plan seems good but I would see how many credits of UG it would take to get your sci gpa above/equal to 3.4 and if that can be done in a year. If so it might be worth it to do an informal post bacc taking classes that are recomended by DS. This may save money and stress?

if anything, the masters is less stressful. im a human bio major here so ive taken my fair share of science courses and raising that to 3.4 will require like 10 yrs ahah. masters programs allows me to start fresh, a new, and i only need to kick ass for like 1-2 quarter and then i apply. then im set. anyone know of 1 yr masters in cali??

 

[lululime]

I'll be out in the wilderness wrestling bears and iguanas and maybe some hobos. So you go ahead and increase your GPA and look all smart and stuff. I'll be out doing the stuff that really matters...boosting my manliness.

You've got a great sense of humour! Def dentist material!

What's the diff b/w post-bacc and masters?

 

[2PacClone23]

You've got a great sense of humour! Def dentist material!

What's the diff b/w post-bacc and masters?

post bacc is just taking more classes...not really toward a degree or anything. its like if ur a dance major and took like 10 bio courses and did bad, you can do a post bacc for a year, take like another 10 bio courses, kick ass, and then raise ur gpa. but for those of us who are already bio majors, taking a few classes here and there wont affect our GPA

masters, on the other hand, is an actual degree and has its own GPA which is awesome.

 

[dentalWorks]

if anything, the masters is less stressful. im a human bio major here so ive taken my fair share of science courses and raising that to 3.4 will require like 10 yrs ahah. masters programs allows me to start fresh, a new, and i only need to kick ass for like 1-2 quarter and then i apply. then im set. anyone know of 1 yr masters in cali??

post bacc is just taking more classes...not really toward a degree or anything. its like if ur a dance major and took like 10 bio courses and did bad, you can do a post bacc for a year, take like another 10 bio courses, kick ass, and then raise ur gpa. but for those of us who are already bio majors, taking a few classes here and there wont affect our GPA

masters, on the other hand, is an actual degree and has its own GPA which is awesome.

I know your a biology major and all, but there are ALOT of biology classes that many people (even biology) majors don't even come close to touching..... Here is a list that I think you will find helpful if you so choose to do post-bacc (and IMO post-bacc >>>>> masters for your application)
-Biochemistry I & II, and lab
-Physiology I & II
-Microbiology
-Genetics
-Immunology
-Cell Biology
-Histology
-Pharmacology
-Gross anatomy, sometimes also has lab
-Embryology
-Neurobiology / Neuroanatomy / Neuro-whatever
-[SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]Endocrinology
-[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]Molecular Biology[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]
-Virology
-Intro to Pathology
-Advanced Genetics (aka molecular genetics I think)

Okay I am running out of classes, someone help me out lol

 

[FC Omar]

you could stay in cali and do that one year masters, or theres also one at midwestern in az. but then you'd have to uproot yourself, and then id have to deal with yet another gd cali transplant in my state.

my back up plan is really stupid, but its my own. and hopefully it works.

 

[yappy]

hmm.. how many credits would it take to raise your sci gpa though? to like a 3.4. might be worth doing the math.

 

[dentalWorks]

hmm.. how many credits would it take to raise your sci gpa though? to like a 3.4. might be worth doing the math.

umm, for me, I was able to bring my sGPA from 3.15 to 3.61 during my 54 credit post-bacc (well... only 50 credits, 4 of them was non-science class). I did 4.0 all the classes which is what sped up the process.

So I DEFINITELY think he can reach that 3.4 with about 30-35 credits. The question now becomes, are there enough classes for him to take to reach that many credits in post-bacc?

 

[lululime]

umm, for me, I was able to bring my sGPA from 3.15 to 3.61 during my 54 credit post-bacc (well... only 50 credits, 4 of them was non-science class). I did 4.0 all the classes which is what sped up the process.

So I DEFINITELY think he can reach that 3.4 with about 30-35 credits. The question now becomes, are there enough classes for him to take to reach that many credits in post-bacc?

Wow, that's amazing! Respect man. How did you 4.0 all of them? Like, when you did post-bacc, did you just take a bunch of 100 lvl classes or take a fewer courses at a time?

 

[dentalWorks]

Wow, that's amazing! Respect man. How did you 4.0 all of them? Like, when you did post-bacc, did you just take a bunch of 100 lvl classes or take a fewer courses at a time?

umm, its not that hard to 4.0 classes in undergrad, and no I am not giftedly (is this even a word) smart, average joe-smarts here.

I wanna say about 40% of my post-bacc were the 100/200 level pre-dental courses (gen chems, orgos, biologies, and thier labs).... The rest were my 7 upper level sciences, and 1 class in sociology.

My classes were taken at different speeds, when I was working as fulltime as a software engineer, I couldn't take more than 6-10 credits per term... But there was this one semester (after I quit my job), I took 18 credits haha, yeh that was hard I'll admit, it was 5 science classes

 

[2PacClone23]

even if you were right about raising a GPA to 3.4, thats super hard. i have a sGPA of about 2.7. thats going to be super hard to raise to 3.4. u kidding me. the masters route is legit because its a few classes and i can really buckle down and get it done.


but does anyone know of any 1 yr masters programs in cali?

 

[dentalWorks]

even if you were right about raising a GPA to 3.4, thats super hard. i have a sGPA of about 2.7. thats going to be super hard to raise to 3.4. u kidding me. the masters route is legit because its a few classes and i can really buckle down and get it done.


but does anyone know of any 1 yr masters programs in cali?

1-year masters program will tear you a new one and I am NOT exaggerating here. your going to take 3-4 classes of 500-to-600 level courses all at once, most of them will be nasty as hell to deal with as is. If you think raising your undergrad sGPA to 3.4 is hard, wait till you get to those master level biology courses.

and by the way, I am assuming you are looking for a 1-year biology based master program... right? There are a few folks around here who have done such programs, they'll tell you how challenging such programs are, and how undergrad was a joke in comparison.

Good luck on whatever you decide

 

[2PacClone23]

1-year masters program will tear you a new one and I am NOT exaggerating here. your going to take 3-4 classes of 500-to-600 level courses all at once, most of them will be nasty as hell to deal with as is. If you think raising your undergrad sGPA to 3.4 is hard, wait till you get to those master level biology courses.

and by the way, I am assuming you are looking for a 1-year biology based master program... right? There are a few folks around here who have done such programs, they'll tell you how challenging such programs are, and how undergrad was a joke in comparison.

Good luck on whatever you decide

i understand that. but it gives me a clean slate which is still a better alternative. i was just looking at all the CSU (california state universities) and some of them have 1 yr masters programs. i know UCR and a few others do as well. im really hoping i get in (in case dental doesnt work out this cycle)

 

[Maygyver]

To be completely honest with you, I think it might take more than 1 year to improve your application to something respectable to admissions committees. If you apply next year, even if you do a masters program, none of your grades will be in yet. How will they know that when you give grades it won't just be like the last time you gave an academic update. Sorry if this is tough love, but I really think you should do more post bacc classes and then maybe do a 1 years masters as well. Even if you do get a clean slate for your masters, schools are still going to see that horrible science GPA and question your ability to succeed in a science heavy curriculum. Good luck though, at least you are dedicated to pursuing dentistry.

 

[2PacClone23]

To be completely honest with you, I think it might take more than 1 year to improve your application to something respectable to admissions committees. If you apply next year, even if you do a masters program, none of your grades will be in yet. How will they know that when you give grades it won't just be like the last time you gave an academic update. Sorry if this is tough love, but I really think you should do more post bacc classes and then maybe do a 1 years masters as well. Even if you do get a clean slate for your masters, schools are still going to see that horrible science GPA and question your ability to succeed in a science heavy curriculum. Good luck though, at least you are dedicated to pursuing dentistry.

Well if I apply in Spring, they'll have my Fall and Winter grades. And if you're right, then I'll just re-apply the year after. No biggie. And my Masters will prove to them (provided I get a kickass GPA) that I can handle a science-heavy GPA.

The problem I have now is that I only know 2 schools that offer 1 year masters in California. I already mentioned one of them. The other is a biotechnology Master's program at one of the CSU's. Anyone else have suggestions?

 

[DividedByZero]

Well if I apply in Spring, they'll have my Fall and Winter grades. And if you're right, then I'll just re-apply the year after. No biggie. And my Masters will prove to them (provided I get a kickass GPA) that I can handle a science-heavy GPA.

The problem I have now is that I only know 2 schools that offer 1 year masters in California. I already mentioned one of them. The other is a biotechnology Master's program at one of the CSU's. Anyone else have suggestions?

Wait, you're planning on applying in the Spring? Most school deadlines have already passed by then and you'd have to wait the year after.

It's obvious from your replies to other perfectly good and knowledgeable responses that you're just looking for someone to tell you what you want to hear. (i.e. you'll be fine as long as you ace a masters despite your 2.7 sGPA).

Sorry, but I agree with May for the reasons he listed in his earlier post that you'll be better off doing a one year post-bac followed by a masters then applying and perhaps a DAT retake as well since it'll be close to expiring by then.

I understand your concern with the whole "clean slate" thing and all but the fact of the matter is that it's not. I don't think there's a school out there that will solely consider a masters GPA with no regard for their undergrad performance. It's all about your cumulative GPA - your undergrad and graduate GPA combined as if they were from one place. A 2.7 sGPA with 30 credits of a masters isn't gonna make too much a dent for your cumulative GPA.

And you keep asking for 1 year masters specifically for Cali, may I ask why? Cali is a big state so it's likely not family related. Stop limiting yourself and look outside the state if dentistry is what you want. Perfectly good 1 year masters programs exist WITH connections to their respective dental schools at Midwestern-AZ, Boston U, UMDNJ, Nova, and Mississippi just to name a few.

 

[2PacClone23]

Wait, you're planning on applying in the Spring? Most school deadlines have already passed by then and you'd have to wait the year after.

It's obvious from your replies to other perfectly good and knowledgeable responses that you're just looking for someone to tell you what you want to hear. (i.e. you'll be fine as long as you ace a masters despite your 2.7 sGPA).

Sorry, but I agree with May for the reasons he listed in his earlier post that you'll be better off doing a one year post-bac followed by a masters then applying and perhaps a DAT retake as well since it'll be close to expiring by then.

I understand your concern with the whole "clean slate" thing and all but the fact of the matter is that it's not. I don't think there's a school out there that will solely consider a masters GPA with no regard for their undergrad performance. It's all about your cumulative GPA - your undergrad and graduate GPA combined as if they were from one place. A 2.7 sGPA with 30 credits of a masters isn't gonna make too much a dent for your cumulative GPA.

And you keep asking for 1 year masters specifically for Cali, may I ask why? Cali is a big state so it's likely not family related. Stop limiting yourself and look outside the state if dentistry is what you want. Perfectly good 1 year masters programs exist WITH connections to their respective dental schools at Midwestern-AZ, Boston U, UMDNJ, Nova, and Mississippi just to name a few.

I understand but you have to think about things from my perspective. Retaking all the courses and getting A's in them will NOT raise my GPA by that mean (sGPA, I mean). Also, who's to guarantee that I'm going to get an A in all these courses? I'm telling you man, taking 1 year of absolutely nothing but science courses upper-division at a pretty hard school (UCSD) is going to be a killer, rather than a reviver. I looked into John Hopkins' 1 year Biotechnology Masters Online program and it looks pretty legit. Same with a bunch of CSU with masters programs. I honestly think that's my path. The masters itself is pretty you know, looked highly upon. Post-Bacc, just from what I've seen, hasn't produced the same results that the Masters have.

 

[Maygyver]

I understand but you have to think about things from my perspective. Retaking all the courses and getting A's in them will NOT raise my GPA by that mean (sGPA, I mean). Also, who's to guarantee that I'm going to get an A in all these courses? I'm telling you man, taking 1 year of absolutely nothing but science courses upper-division at a pretty hard school (UCSD) is going to be a killer, rather than a reviver. I looked into John Hopkins' 1 year Biotechnology Masters Online program and it looks pretty legit. Same with a bunch of CSU with masters programs. I honestly think that's my path. The masters itself is pretty you know, looked highly upon. Post-Bacc, just from what I've seen, hasn't produced the same results that the Masters have.

Nobody said it would be easy to get all A's, but you've dug yourself a hole and you need to climb out of it. If getting into dental school was easy, then EVERYONE would be doing it.

Yes, we realize taking 1 year of science courses isn't going to magically raise your sGPA to a super-respectable GPA, but it will raise it, and that's the whole point. Schools are not going to turn a blind eye to a 2.7 sGPA, even if you do have a 1 year masters.

As far taking these courses at a pretty hard science school, I hate to break it to you, but a lot of people on the forums went to hard schools, and they did alright. To be brutally honest with you, at every school there are people who do really poorly, and really well; it is up to you to choose which one of those groups you want to be in.

To your comment about master's being more helpful than post-bacc, you must have missed my point: you might want to do both. Applying in Spring is just going to be a waste probably. You are going to be applying late, when a lot of classes are already filled, most school's deadlines are past, and with a slightly better application.

You have to realize, we are trying to look at this from your perspective and give you useful advice. Yes taking all science classes is going to be tough, but if you can't handle it now, how did you expect to handle dental schools all science, heavy load? You need to show admissions that you are a different person that got a 2.7 sGPA. You need to show them that you have matured and can buckle down and study. Again, you have dug yourself this hole, but if you are dedicated enough, you can get out.

Good luck with whatever advice you decide to take, and hopefully you keep following your dream.

 

[dentalWorks]

I understand but you have to think about things from my perspective. Retaking all the courses and getting A's in them will NOT raise my GPA by that mean (sGPA, I mean). Also, who's to guarantee that I'm going to get an A in all these courses? I'm telling you man, taking 1 year of absolutely nothing but science courses upper-division at a pretty hard school (UCSD) is going to be a killer, rather than a reviver. I looked into John Hopkins' 1 year Biotechnology Masters Online program and it looks pretty legit. Same with a bunch of CSU with masters programs. I honestly think that's my path. The masters itself is pretty you know, looked highly upon.

You seem like an intelligent guy and I am really not trying to talk down to you but..... your going about this alllllll wrong. If you can't get straight As in post-bacc, then I am sorry, but you won't get a respectable masters GPA, masters is HARDER than post-bacc.

Another, if you look around predents.com, you can notice a few guys here and there with similar undergrad GPA and sGPAs as you who did between a 3.7-4.0 in thier masters and are now struggling to land interviews. IMHO, Yes the masters GPA will be nice, and yes it shows great upward trend, but it is NOT more important than the undergrad GPA.

There is another thing to consider, if you started this masters program and, say.... for some reason, you didn't do too hot (below 3.4 in masters, IMO, is "bad") then I believe you are at a point of no-return. You can't go back and take post-bacc any more, you can't do another masters, see what Im saying? Masters should ALWAYS be thought off AFTER you've exhausted your post-bacc option.

And why do you feel you MUST be ready to apply in 1 year? Why not spend the next 2 years working on your post-bacc? Get that sGPA to a 3.3-3.4 with a huge upward trend and apply, trust me, you'll land interviews, this path gives you a much better guarantee of success than a 1-year masters.

Post-Bacc, just from what I've seen, hasn't produced the same results that the Masters have.

What about 8 interviews? and most of them were before December 1st

 

[lululime]

Masters should ALWAYS be thought off AFTER you've exhausted your post-bacc option.

And why do you feel you MUST be ready to apply in 1 year? Why not spend the next 2 years working on your post-bacc? Get that sGPA to a 3.3-3.4 with a huge upward trend and apply, trust me, you'll land interviews, this path gives you a much better guarantee of success than a 1-year masters.

I strongly agree with this.

 

[hoylematt]

I would post-bacc before a master's in a heart beat.

 

[aelian]

Mr. PacClone. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't really do any extensive postbacc. My first cycle applying I had a 3.15 overall. After I got rejected, I took 9 more hours and boosted it up to a 3.23. So far I have interviewed or will interview at 100 percent of the schools I'm applying to (there are only 3 Texas schools and they are pretty good at discriminating against you non-Texans, suckers) so your GPA isn't dooming you quite yet. I think some schools place a very strong emphasis on how you finish, rather than how you start. I finished my last 40 hours with all A's, did well on the DAT. Kill your DAT!!! So go for your post-bach and kill that for 30-40 hours, and then hit your masters while you apply again which is what I'm doing if all fails this cycle.

OR

You can do the manly route that I mentioned earlier. Forget the books and smart people stuff. Live rugged. Grow a beard big enough to support a small child. Take your coffee black because creamer, although delicious, is for sissies. Shower once a couple of months or so. And if your manly application doesn't knock the adcoms out, your aroma sure well.

 

[2PacClone23]

Mr. PacClone. If it makes you feel any better, I didn't really do any extensive postbacc. My first cycle applying I had a 3.15 overall. After I got rejected, I took 9 more hours and boosted it up to a 3.23. So far I have interviewed or will interview at 100 percent of the schools I'm applying to (there are only 3 Texas schools and they are pretty good at discriminating against you non-Texans, suckers) so your GPA isn't dooming you quite yet. I think some schools place a very strong emphasis on how you finish, rather than how you start. I finished my last 40 hours with all A's, did well on the DAT. Kill your DAT!!! So go for your post-bach and kill that for 30-40 hours, and then hit your masters while you apply again which is what I'm doing if all fails this cycle.

OR

You can do the manly route that I mentioned earlier. Forget the books and smart people stuff. Live rugged. Grow a beard big enough to support a small child. Take your coffee black because creamer, although delicious, is for sissies. Shower once a couple of months or so. And if your manly application doesn't knock the adcoms out, your aroma sure well.

I respect all you guys' opinions and I really appreciate the feedback. The thing is, maybe this is just me, but when I really have to buckle down and *** things up, I will. When I'm placed in an environment that is totally my control, and nothing holding me back, I will rise and succeed. If I do a post-bacc, there's always going to be that nagging voice in my head saying 'dude, you're going to straight ace everything. you're just now. you WILL run into that ******* of a teacher or that bad midterm and you'll mess it all up'. Not to mention, I feel like I'm fighting against 4 years of weighted GPA to incrementally raise my GPA to a respectable level. Lastly, what do I tell my friends and family? That my GPA blows and that I need to take some science classes over? I mean, they don't know this stuff. Also, the Master's for me, at least, is pretty damn interesting. I ran into some biotechnology master's and research seems interesting or if not, then the non-thesis route works well for me too. I just want to be in a new environment, a new school with new people and a new GPA, if you will.

 

[DividedByZero]

I understand but you have to think about things from my perspective. Retaking all the courses and getting A's in them will NOT raise my GPA by that mean (sGPA, I mean). Also, who's to guarantee that I'm going to get an A in all these courses? I'm telling you man, taking 1 year of absolutely nothing but science courses upper-division at a pretty hard school (UCSD) is going to be a killer, rather than a reviver. I looked into John Hopkins' 1 year Biotechnology Masters Online program and it looks pretty legit. Same with a bunch of CSU with masters programs. I honestly think that's my path. The masters itself is pretty you know, looked highly upon. Post-Bacc, just from what I've seen, hasn't produced the same results that the Masters have.

You know what... I give up. Everyone has pretty much said everything I've got to say. You've already got your mind made up and I have no idea why you made this thread in the first place.

 

[glo1984]

The least of your worries should be what your friends or family think in relation to how strong of a student you are. Also, if you have the ability to get an A, you will. No excuses or grad school isn't going to bode well.

And you have better score within the 90th percentile on the DAT if you want any interviews.

I respect all you guys' opinions and I really appreciate the feedback. The thing is, maybe this is just me, but when I really have to buckle down and *** things up, I will. When I'm placed in an environment that is totally my control, and nothing holding me back, I will rise and succeed. If I do a post-bacc, there's always going to be that nagging voice in my head saying 'dude, you're going to straight ace everything. you're just now. you WILL run into that ******* of a teacher or that bad midterm and you'll mess it all up'. Not to mention, I feel like I'm fighting against 4 years of weighted GPA to incrementally raise my GPA to a respectable level. Lastly, what do I tell my friends and family? That my GPA blows and that I need to take some science classes over? I mean, they don't know this stuff. Also, the Master's for me, at least, is pretty damn interesting. I ran into some biotechnology master's and research seems interesting or if not, then the non-thesis route works well for me too. I just want to be in a new environment, a new school with new people and a new GPA, if you will.

 

[2PacClone23]

The least of your worries should be what your friends or family think in relation to how strong of a student you are. Also, if you have the ability to get an A, you will. No excuses or grad school isn't going to bode well.

And you have better score within the 90th percentile on the DAT if you want any interviews.

Yeah I guess. I'll apply to all the programs I think are legit. I'll also do some calculations with my TI89 and see how many quarters of A's I have to put out for my sGPA to rise to a 3.2 ish.

 

[dentalWorks]

I respect all you guys' opinions and I really appreciate the feedback. The thing is, maybe this is just me, but when I really have to buckle down and *** things up, I will. When I'm placed in an environment that is totally my control, and nothing holding me back, I will rise and succeed. If I do a post-bacc, there's always going to be that nagging voice in my head saying 'dude, you're going to straight ace everything. you're just now. you WILL run into that ******* of a teacher or that bad midterm and you'll mess it all up'. Not to mention, I feel like I'm fighting against 4 years of weighted GPA to incrementally raise my GPA to a respectable level. Lastly, what do I tell my friends and family? That my GPA blows and that I need to take some science classes over? I mean, they don't know this stuff. Also, the Master's for me, at least, is pretty damn interesting. I ran into some biotechnology master's and research seems interesting or if not, then the non-thesis route works well for me too. I just want to be in a new environment, a new school with new people and a new GPA, if you will.

It seems to me that you are more interested in keeping your "status" between your friends&family than to increase your chances of getting into dental school.

There are 4-5 of us in this thread who are telling you to avoid this masters option for the time being. I hope (for your sake) that ALL of us are wrong, and I wish you best of luck. You seem to have made up your mind.

 

[2PacClone23]

It seems to me that you are more interested in keeping your "status" between your friends&family than to increase your chances of getting into dental school.

There are 4-5 of us in this thread who are telling you to avoid this masters option for the time being. I hope (for your sake) that ALL of us are wrong, and I wish you best of luck. You seem to have made up your mind.

After how many classes/quarters, do you think the Post-Bacc option has exhausted itself? 1 year of post-bacc nonstop science courses? Is that it? How many quarters, classes?

 

[dentalWorks]

After how many classes/quarters, do you think the Post-Bacc option has exhausted itself? 1 year of post-bacc nonstop science courses? Is that it? How many quarters, classes?

I dunno how many classes/quarters you'll need.... but if you can tell me how many credits that 2.7 sGPA is from... I can give you a pretty good estimate

 

[2PacClone23]

I dunno how many classes/quarters you'll need.... but if you can tell me how many credits that 2.7 sGPA is from... I can give you a pretty good estimate

Science credits right? Well it's from 85 Quarter Units.

 

[CANgnome]

thats not too bad

i went up about 0.25-0.30 from 1.5 years.

 

[2PacClone23]

thats not too bad

i went up about 0.25-0.30 from 1.5 years.

What was your GPA in those different quarters over the span of 1.5 yrs?

 

[dentalWorks]

Science credits right? Well it's from 85 Quarter Units.

According to this:
http://diplomaguide.com/articles/Co...rt_from_Quarter_Units_to_Semester_Units?.html

we can convert those quarter units into semester units:
semester units = 85 / 1.5 = 56.

Hypothetical situation, if you were to take another 56 credits, and 4.0 all of them (these are all science courses of course), you sGPA would go from 2.7 --> 3.35

To accomplish this, you will need at least 3 semesters (don't exactly know to convert that to quarters) of 16-18 credits of sciences and 4.0-ing every class..... However, IF YOU WERE able to pull this through (and I am sure you can), I don't think you'll need to do a masters. This by itself, is a huge accomplishment

 

[crooked castle]

According to this:
http://diplomaguide.com/articles/College_Transfer_FAQs%3A_How_Do_I_Convert_from_Quarter_Units_to_Semester_Units%3F.html

we can convert those quarter units into semester units:
semester units = 85 / 1.5 = 56.

Hypothetical situation, if you were to take another 56 credits, and 4.0 all of them (these are all science courses of course), you sGPA would go from 2.7 --> 3.35

To accomplish this, you will need at least 3 semesters (don't exactly know to convert that to quarters) of 16-18 credits of sciences and 4.0-ing every class..... However, IF YOU WERE able to pull this through (and I am sure you can), I don't think you'll need to do a masters. This by itself, is a huge accomplishment

Been reading this thread, and I do supoprt the postbacc option. BUT the thing is OP is a bio major..are you a senior? because if you are, by the time you are done with 4 years and thinking about staying a 5th yr to take ANOTHER 56 quarter units..which is 14 classes...will there be ANY legit upper div bio courses left??? thats the problem! In my experience, when i graduated..I took most of the bio classes already in the bio dept except for the crazy hard ones that are only required for neurobio majors. this is why i would say go masters if you really dont have many more classes to take, which i think is the case.

 

[dentalWorks]

Been reading this thread, and I do supoprt the postbacc option. BUT the thing is OP is a bio major..are you a senior? because if you are, by the time you are done with 4 years and thinking about staying a 5th yr to take ANOTHER 56 quarter units..which is 14 classes...will there be ANY legit upper div bio courses left??? thats the problem! In my experience, when i graduated..I took most of the bio classes already in the bio dept except for the crazy hard ones that are only required for neurobio majors. this is why i would say go masters if you really dont have many more classes to take, which i think is the case.

I agree with you, but this whole post-bacc argument has been constructed on the fact that the OP still has science courses to take.... And lets not forget, his current 56 credits aren't ALL biology, sGPA is math as well.

 

[jmt1984]

To be completely honest with you, I think it might take more than 1 year to improve your application to something respectable to admissions committees. If you apply next year, even if you do a masters program, none of your grades will be in yet. How will they know that when you give grades it won't just be like the last time you gave an academic update. Sorry if this is tough love, but I really think you should do more post bacc classes and then maybe do a 1 years masters as well. Even if you do get a clean slate for your masters, schools are still going to see that horrible science GPA and question your ability to succeed in a science heavy curriculum. Good luck though, at least you are dedicated to pursuing dentistry.

To the OP I have to agree with Maygyver here, from personal experience. I have a lower undergrad GPA, maybe 2.7 ish and did a 2 year Biology Masters with a thesis, got a 4.0 and published (with other extra-curriculars) and still feel my undergrad GPA is pulling down my whole application. Good luck!

 

[CANgnome]

What was your GPA in those different quarters over the span of 1.5 yrs?

all 4.0

will be 30 credit of grad 4.0
3 credit of upper div science
8 credits of a pre-req
3 pass from pass/fail

41 total. (+3)


basically will go from 3.10/3.00 to 3.35/3.30

contemplating how heavy a course load i should take next semester. If i take another 15 credit semester, i will be 3.40/3.35 or somesuch.

i am combining all my GPA into one though, just FYI. Undergrad GPA will just be about 3.2-3.1 after all this.

 

[UltimateHombre]

To the OP,

I will (like everyone else) advocate for the post bac option. Have you ever considered taking post bac courses at a CSU? You want to do masters there, but why not more upper div bio? If upper div bio at a UC scares you, then go to a CSU.

Your logic is just not sound man.... think about what you are actually saying...

I cant 4.0 15 credits of 300-400 level bio classes, but i can 4.0 18 credits of 500-600 level science courses?!?!

And as much as you think the masters will be a "clean slate", there is no way you can escape your 2.7 undergrad gpa. I can promise you that 30 credits of 4.0 masters level credits will not make up for 120 credits sub 3.0 undergrad.

Have you also considered the financial burden, if you don't get into dental school with the MS? Many of these SMP's are 30K for tuition, and you know you can't study with the course load, so count on 15K for living expenses...

I don't mean to be a debbie downer, but what is your back up plan for your masters back up plan??? What if a 3.9 in a MS doesn't get you in?

The smart decision is to post bac and if that is not enough, do an SMP... but it's your life. Also remember, we all want you to be a dentist... this is a friendly forum. We want you to succeed... all of the above posters have your best interest in mind. Put your pride aside and do a post bac.

Best of luck to you! Cheers!! 😀