(deleted) thanks for the replies.
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My situation, FINAL ADVICE please!!!
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I would handle the undergrad courses first. First I'd retake whichever courses you need to, along with a couple other upper level undergrad bio courses to put you at a full-time load. Then do the masters the following year, and if you think you're competitive enough by then, apply while in the masters. I did a year of full time upper level undergrad bio courses along with 2 prereq repeats in the year following graduation. I then did a couple more upper level courses part time the following year, along with working and applied that year, but didn't get in. This past fall semester I started a one-year masters and was just accepted now while in the masters.
I'm also not familiar with the Canadian system though, so take what I say with a grain of salt. And the time limit on the DAT can vary between schools.
Oh, and if you're in the 2.3-2.5 range now, don't do calculations assuming you'll be getting all A's instantly. Usually the only way you instantly go from a 2.3 one semester to 4.0 the next is if in the previous semester you were in the wrong classroom with your desk facing the back of the room. Even if you shoot for a 4.0 realistically you may wind up in the 3.5 range before you truly get back into swing.
Good luck
I'm also not familiar with the Canadian system though, so take what I say with a grain of salt. And the time limit on the DAT can vary between schools.
Oh, and if you're in the 2.3-2.5 range now, don't do calculations assuming you'll be getting all A's instantly. Usually the only way you instantly go from a 2.3 one semester to 4.0 the next is if in the previous semester you were in the wrong classroom with your desk facing the back of the room. Even if you shoot for a 4.0 realistically you may wind up in the 3.5 range before you truly get back into swing.
Good luck
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I think your best option is to do a 1-year course-based science master's in the USA (Barry, Mississippi College, BU, etc.). Only downside is price.
From my research, the only schools (at least the ones i'm applying to) accept your DAT scores from within 3 years of matriculation, except for Boston (2 years)
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That 2.7 BCP (or even lower like you say) is going to stick out like a sore thumb everytime you apply unless you fix it.
the only way to fix it is by doing post-bacc. Masters will only give you a new column of GPA calculations, most schools do NOT lump sum the undergrad + masters GPAs together.... so this means that 2.7 is going to shine.
I would highly advice you to do an intensive biology based post-bacc, you need to bring that 2.7 closer to your other GPA numbers. Good luck on whatever you decide
I'm going to have to disagree with the end of that last post. It is 100% possible to go from 2.3 to 4.0 in one term. It's all about how bad you want it. If you put the time and the effort in and make sure you don't let any material slip by you, I'm a firm believer that almost anyone can get a 4.0 especially in the sciences because as we all know it's a matter of right or wrong answer and a lot less of an individuals personal opinion of your work. The level of effort and work one person will have to put in may vary greatly from person to person but it's possible none the less.
So moral of the story is you are completely capable and I think schools look very favorably on it. I started my undergrad with similar stats about 2.5 years of around cgpa/sci 2.5 and one day woke up and realized what I needed to do and I did it. I pulled straight As til I graduated, and there was no real trend just a complete turn around. I applied pretty late in the cycle, have had one interview and two more coming up (and am also Canadian) so go for it. Maybe you could get a full summer semester and fall in and reapply for 2011-2012 Best of luck!
So moral of the story is you are completely capable and I think schools look very favorably on it. I started my undergrad with similar stats about 2.5 years of around cgpa/sci 2.5 and one day woke up and realized what I needed to do and I did it. I pulled straight As til I graduated, and there was no real trend just a complete turn around. I applied pretty late in the cycle, have had one interview and two more coming up (and am also Canadian) so go for it. Maybe you could get a full summer semester and fall in and reapply for 2011-2012 Best of luck!
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Hey Miek, I completely agree that it's 100% possible and people do it. All I was saying was to be careful assuming it's a done deal when planning out your application approach.
If you could pack 8+ classes in, it might be worth a shot. But u probably wouldn't be considered until late in the app cycle until your academic update so it would put you at a disadvantage.
In my opinion a masters is a better use of time but it seems dental schools want to see numbers and course loads... So I guess you gotta give em what they want. Also if you're thinking about a masters there are some experimental medicine degrees (depending on supervisors) at McGill that can have your experiments and thesis written in a calendar year so I don't think it's absolutely necessary to go to he states to get a 1 yr Msc. Just gotta dig deep. Plus there are some seriously cool projects in exp med, or Msc in dental medicine of course.
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You've already applied with that 2.7 and got rejected (right?)
Applying again with the same stats (or even less according to you) with the hopes that the fall-update thingy will save you is.... not a good plan IMO. Unless your financially stable and "money grows on trees", I wouldn't apply this coming June.
