My Story: Graduating with a 2.6 GPA to now succeeding.

[buffdoctor]

Hey guys I'm in need of some help and assurance that I'm doing the right thing here to get my life straightened out. I'm 23 years old.

Let me start off by saying I graduated last Fall with a degree in chemistry and a 2.6 GPA. Yup, you heard it right a 2.6. I partied way too much and never had my priorities straight until my last quarter at that school. I managed to pull off a 3.3 during my last quarter there after realizing something had to change if I ever wanted to make it to dental school. It was a start, but getting that 3.3 put me into motion. After graduating, I started to pursue a second degree in biology (different university) because I realized I needed to desperately work on my grades if I ever wanted a shot, and so I've managed to get a 3.6 in my last 30 credits taking anatomy and physiology, genetics, endocrinology, bioinformatics etc..(all upper division science courses). I have 2 quarters (30 more credits) left here before I graduate with that second degree. I anticipate that GPA will keep rising, bringing my last 60 undergraduate credits to a 3.75 or 3.8 (all upper division biology courses).

I took the DAT this last summer (it was my third shot at it). I managed to pull out a 19 AA and 19 TS (21 g chem, 18 bio, 19 o chem), 19 PAT, 21 RC, and 18 QR (I got 21 QR on my second attempt). I was really hoping to do better, but it is what it is.

I will be applying this coming June, however, despite all the improvements I've made in school I still don't feel confident that I stand a chance against the traditional student who managed to maintain a 3.5/3.6 GPA throughout their undergraduate years. I was thinking I wanted to do a 1 year masters during the time that I will be waiting to hear back from dental school (so the 2015-2016 year) in case I don't get in. I found some programs that specialize for students who are on the pre-health science route and are looking to improve their grades. Most of these programs from reputable universities state they have at least a 90% acceptance rate for students that complete the program to get into med/dental schools. Money isn't an issue for me. I'm not in any debt right and won't be by the time I finish my second degree. However, after I finish this degree I'll be on my own and will have to take out a loan for my masters.

I guess my question for you guys is, do you think I'm on the right path for success right now? I mean I'm doing well in school, but is that enough?

I really changed myself after graduating and realized that if I set my mind to do something, I can do it. The thing is I never had a goal to work towards when I got my first degree. I never went to class, never turned in my homework, and only studied the night before my exams, yet still managed to do better than the class average. I'm not stupid and I know that. I was just lazy and my old GPA reflects that. I now have a goal that I'm working towards and it's keeping me motivated to want to succeed. I just want to make sure that I keep succeeding, and I was just hoping some of you could chime in and tell me if I'm on the right path or if I should be doing something differently?

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[PharmDCandidate2014]

Let's work this out by crunching some numbers:

I'll just assume that your chemistry degree required approximately 120 credits, and weighing in the 2.6 GPA, we have:
2.6 x 120 = 312 total points

Now, you anticipate your final 60 biology credits to be weighed in at 3.75 GPA (taking the lower end of your approximation).
3.75 * 60 = 225 total points

Let's get the final undergraduate GPA after your journey ... (312 + 225) / (120 + 60) = 537/180 = 2.98

If, for argument's sake, your final 60 biology credits were weighed in at 3.8, your final undergraduate GPA would be exactly 3.00. So, we're looking at a range of 2.98 to 3.00 if you keep up the good work!

Now, I BELIEVE your GPA and DAT meets the cut-off line for dental school admissions. Stated another way, your application SHOULD be looked at by the admissions committee. Your DAT of 19 AA/19 PAT is a little above the average applicant. I think the cut-off these days is GPA: 2.75/DAT: 15-16ish. (Correct me if I'm wrong current dentists and dental students.)

I'm going to assume you did the necessary "x" hours of shadowing at your local dental office, and the other extracurricular blah blah blah that every pre-health student has on his/her application. Now the verdict (and this is just MY opinion based on heresay and popular opinion on SDN): your current numbers, while above the cut-off, can certainly use some extra work. While the admissions committee will certainly be impressed with your increased maturity and awesome upward trend, there are only a limited number of seats at dental schools. If your DAT was something along the likes of 23+ AA, 23+ PAT - I think you would be considered a bit more competitive. Now, having said that: If you still want to apply for the 2016 cycle, I'd suggest applying to dental schools whose statistics aren't as competitive - i.e., NYU, LECOM, Midwestern, etc. I met a classmate who got into NYU with 3.2/20 AA, 19 PAT who did NOT have an upward trend like yours - so it is possible!

If this does not work out for some reason, and your passion for dentistry is still there - I'd look into a masters program in Biology or Chemistry (MA or MS) at your local state/city university, OR a special masters program linked to a dental school. In either event, it is utmost imperative that your GPA's range is 3.5 - 4.0. Although no guarantee for admissions into dental school, this would go an absolutely LONG way into getting your foot in the door. As for taking the DAT a fourth time, I wouldn't recommend it as your 19 AA/19 PAT seem fine. Looks like you're going in the right direction - Best of luck to you and your future endeavors!

OH, I remember seeing somewhere on SDN that if your undergraduate GPA falls in these ranges, take the following action:
3.0 < GPA < 3.3 ---> do a MA or MS in any of the BCPM (Bio, Chem, Physics or Math)
2.75 < GPA < 3.0 ---> do a SMP
GPA < 2.75 ---> 😵

Fellow SDNers - feel free to add in!

 

[CraigHack]

Some things that popped into my head while reading your post OP:

1. That GPA puts you in a pretty deep hole (duh). I don't have a lot of personal knowledge about what to do in that situation. There are plenty of people on SDN who discuss this though, so you should be able to find some helpful advice. I know there's a "under 3.0 GPA" thread that could prove relevant to you.

2. 3rd DAT is a 19/19? Ouch. For your GPA, you'd really need to knock it out of the park. A retake would be a no-brainer, but you're already 3 tests deep. That's an unusual circumstance. I'm guessing a retake is still warranted, as long as it doesn't violate any school policies for the places you want to apply. More importantly, if you do retake the DAT, you have to actually study for it like your application depended on it (which it sort of does).

3. No, you don't match up well against the traditional applicant. You have a bottom-tier GPA, and an average DAT for matriculants. I don't know what the rest of your application looks like, but I imagine it's nothing particularly noteworthy or else you probably would have mentioned it. A 1-year masters seems appropriate.

4. 2 degrees, no debt, and money isn't an issue? I think I'm starting to get the picture.

5. You're doing well in school for someone who has a decent GPA. With your current GPA, anything less than a 4.0 in your current classes is short of the target.

6. Your last paragraph seals it for me. You think that the only thing holding you back is your motivation, which you now have focused on dentistry. I'm going to tell you that the thing holding you back is your overconfidence. Your performance after "getting serious" has been wholly pedestrian. You dug yourself a deep hole in your first four years, and that means you have to put forth an uncommon amount of effort going forward. Why? Because those years of underachieving don't go away. They follow you. You can't wave your hand and talk about how you lacked motivation but you're actually really smart and capable of great things. This isn't a problem that's going to get resolved by living off of whoever's paying for your college/lifestyle for a few more years. It takes hard work and some humility.

That last bullet came off a lot more salty than I wanted, but I do think you need someone to talk some sense into you. I do hope you succeed, but I'm concerned that with your current attitude you're fighting more than just your lackluster application.

 

[Imnotfromjersey]

Is there some sort of Caribbean/Ireland/Australia alternative in dentistry like there is in medicine? It looks like it will take you another 3 years to build up an application that would MAYBE have a chance of getting in. Then another 4 years of dental school at high tuition if successful.

That or switch to nursing -> nurse practitioner path

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I'm not sure if you're a strong enough applicant thus far. The GPA is a weakness but the upper trend helps. The real problem may be your DAT - you've taken it 3 times, your highest score was 19 AA/TS but most schools as far as I'm aware don't just grab your highest DAT score if you've taken it multiple times - they will average it out with your other scores, which will end up putting you at below average academic strength in both categories.

 

[buffdoctor]

I'm not sure if you're a strong enough applicant thus far. The GPA is a weakness but the upper trend helps. The real problem may be your DAT - you've taken it 3 times, your highest score was 19 AA/TS but most schools as far as I'm aware don't just grab your highest DAT score if you've taken it multiple times - they will average it out with your other scores, which will end up putting you at below average academic strength in both categories.

I got the exact same score the second time around, but PAT and RC jumped up on the third time through. The first time I royally screwed up and got 17s. Even if they do end up averaging it out I'd still be decent with my scores. I know it's a long shot, but hey I'm in it for that. I'm looking at masters programs right now that specialize for people in my situation. My concern is my grades and I'm working to provide schools the evidence they need to see that I'm a different person.I have strong letters from my denist and professor's who can attest to my significant improvement, not only with grades, but as an individual. My extracurriculars are there I've got close to 300 hours of volunteering at a hospital and im getting close to 90 hours of shadowing. I'm attempting to find another volunteer gig with a mobile dental program we have in my state as well. Outside of that I just got a research position with my bioinformatics professor.

Also want to thank everybody who has posted thus far for their honest opinion.

 

[WolfPackSigeEp]

There is no "one" correct path to getting into dental school. An upward trend is important, and I think your DAT is fine. Not stellar, but I feel confident that almost every school in the US has students with 19AA/19TS...

There's nothing you can do about your 1st degree GPA (You fudged up). However, If you're crushing your 2nd degree, you need to work on what makes you a unique candidate. Obviously academics weren't your strong suit. Look at shadowing or full time job's in dentistry that will give you actual exposure to the field. If money isn't and issue, go on a mission trip and give back to the world!

Start looking at schools where you can have a fighting chance. Speak with someone in admission's about your concerns, and see what they say... Typically ADCOM member's aren't apprehensive about speaking to future applicants.

If this is your dream, freaking make it happen.

 

[Hopeandpray]

Agree with Wolfpack - don't let anything discourage you, every applicant has something that needs improvement so focus on your strengths and give it your best shot. Apply and see what happens, if you get turned down then ask what else you can do to help your chances. Best of luck to you in following your dreams!

 

[buffdentist]

Just an update: I am the OP (ended up making a new account), and I made it. I am a 2020 graduate of an oustanding dental school. If you believe in yourself you will make it! I guarantee it!

Some things that popped into my head while reading your post OP:

1. That GPA puts you in a pretty deep hole (duh). I don't have a lot of personal knowledge about what to do in that situation. There are plenty of people on SDN who discuss this though, so you should be able to find some helpful advice. I know there's a "under 3.0 GPA" thread that could prove relevant to you.

2. 3rd DAT is a 19/19? Ouch. For your GPA, you'd really need to knock it out of the park. A retake would be a no-brainer, but you're already 3 tests deep. That's an unusual circumstance. I'm guessing a retake is still warranted, as long as it doesn't violate any school policies for the places you want to apply. More importantly, if you do retake the DAT, you have to actually study for it like your application depended on it (which it sort of does).

3. No, you don't match up well against the traditional applicant. You have a bottom-tier GPA, and an average DAT for matriculants. I don't know what the rest of your application looks like, but I imagine it's nothing particularly noteworthy or else you probably would have mentioned it. A 1-year masters seems appropriate.

4. 2 degrees, no debt, and money isn't an issue? I think I'm starting to get the picture.

5. You're doing well in school for someone who has a decent GPA. With your current GPA, anything less than a 4.0 in your current classes is short of the target.

6. Your last paragraph seals it for me. You think that the only thing holding you back is your motivation, which you now have focused on dentistry. I'm going to tell you that the thing holding you back is your overconfidence. Your performance after "getting serious" has been wholly pedestrian. You dug yourself a deep hole in your first four years, and that means you have to put forth an uncommon amount of effort going forward. Why? Because those years of underachieving don't go away. They follow you. You can't wave your hand and talk about how you lacked motivation but you're actually really smart and capable of great things. This isn't a problem that's going to get resolved by living off of whoever's paying for your college/lifestyle for a few more years. It takes hard work and some humility.

That last bullet came off a lot more salty than I wanted, but I do think you need someone to talk some sense into you. I do hope you succeed, but I'm concerned that with your current attitude you're fighting more than just your lackluster application.

Just an update: I am the OP (ended up making a new account), and I made it. I am a 2020 graduate of an oustanding dental school. If you believe in yourself you will make it! I guarantee it!